Eating Solo

[chrisdadrocks]

So going solo again for my second year in a row. Last year stayed off property and eat at my hotel in my room for most of my dinners, pizzas and drive thru type stuff. This year staying at All-Star Music and taking advantage of the free dinning. My question is for the sit down meals will I feel out of place? I never really eaten somewhere I have never been by myself. Anything you can so or offer for advise would be great. Thanks Ladies & Gents

 

[SeaBreeze]

Have you eaten solo at any restaurants before? If so, and you felt comfortable, you'll feel fine at WDW as well. No one else will notice a solo diner and you'll have fun watching the atmosphere around you. The Rose and Crown is a fun place to dine alone; sitting on the lagoon is so peaceful and I always find the staff there to be very friendly and conversational.

Have fun :wave:

 

[figmentmom]

You'll be fine! It's your vacation, prepare to relax and enjoy it. No one is watching or judging you. :wave:

 

[Vernonpush]

If I were going to eat solo, I would go to the Biergarten in the Germany Pavillion. You are usually seated "family style" with other groups. It might help keep you from feeling lonely. I would also try places that have some sort of "entertainment"- 5o's Primetime or Sci-Fi Dine In.

 

[OneLuckyMom]

Take a book along if you think you will feel self-conscious, it gives you something to at least look occupied with and you won't get so many "oh, how sad" looks from others.

 

[disney21]

Rose & Crown Pub is a great place to dine alone or with a huge party in my opinion! The waiters are so nice and if you get a table on the back porch, you can enjoy illuminations at night~

 

[JxnMan20]

I was worried about this as well on my first solo trip last month. I quickly got over that! It was the best trip I've had in a long time, and I loved eating alone...probably because I could do it when I wanted and wherever I wanted.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[chrisdadrocks]

Thanks

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone and not just for this. I have posted a few times and you all have been so helpful and encouraging on this site. We might fight somtimes but I know if I need a pick me up I can always come here and find something that makes me smile. It has been a rough couple of years and this site and everyone on it makes me smile. Thanks again :sohappy:

 

[krankenstein]

You will be fine. I mainly eat counter service when I go to the World (to keep cost down), but eating solo isn't a big deal. I mean you are going on vacation for yourself, not to try to impress the random people you will see at Disney World. So what if they someone thinks something b/c you are solo, you will probably never see them again. You will have a blast! Solo trips are the best!

 

[DznyGrlSD]

I LOVE eating solo. Most of the time someone at the table next to you will strike up a conversation. I've met a LOT of cool people this way!!
:wave:

 

[crazydaveh]

Think of it this way, you can eat/drink whenever you want and eat/drink what you want! You don't have to worry about long waits either, as you can always grab a seat at the bar. I do this all the time and meet others. Sometimes we all decide to get a larger table and enjoy dinner, other times, we just enjoy a few drinks and say goodbye.

 

[joanna71985]

You'll be fine. I have done TS meals solo before. And in fact, will be doing 4 of them solo this summer (at least).

 

[bgraham34]

My wife and I actually had a man join us at our table for dinner at Ohanas once. He was a real nice Englishman who came to Disney to see his Grandkids and was surprising them the following day. He actually picked up our tab. He excused himself and went to the bathroom and paid the bill. He came back we asked for the check and our cousin said it was paid for. We were upset he did that, but he was so happy we asked him to come and eat with us that he insisted. Thanks Andy.

 

[yankspy]

It all depends on the person. I ate at Ohana's solo in March. It really did not bother me at all. Disney is like a second home to me. How could I feel funny being home alone? As others have stated, I was also able to strike up conversations with a lot of strangers. Eating at the bar is also a good way to go if you do feel funny.

 

[drew81]

I do mostly Character meals and by myself and I still have a fun time.

 

[Phonedave]

My wife and I actually had a man join us at our table for dinner at Ohanas once. He was a real nice Englishman who came to Disney to see his Grandkids and was surprising them the following day. He actually picked up our tab. He excused himself and went to the bathroom and paid the bill. He came back we asked for the check and our cousin said it was paid for. We were upset he did that, but he was so happy we asked him to come and eat with us that he insisted. Thanks Andy.

Thats so cool

I have joined other groups at the outdoor seating for Alfredo's (when it was still Alfredo's). That seating is a first come first seated deal, no reservations. There was a long line. There was a party of two and two singles (me and someone else) in the line. Most of the tables that were opening were four tops and they did not want to underseat a table. After 3 or 4 groups of 4 got in ahead of us, the 4 of us decided to all eat together and we go the next four top that opened up. (I didn't pay for the others though )

As far as eating alone, I do it all the time. Not only at WDW, but when I travel for business. The only places that I feel strange eating at alone are Ohana and Liberty Tree. It's really not even a strange feeling, I just don't like to see all the wasted food when they bring platters of stuff for just me. So either I feel bad for wasting so much food, or I over eat and then I have to be rolled out of the place

-dave

 

[Rogue21]

Dining Solo

I went solo on my last trip and had a wonderful time. It's very liberating to do whatever whenever.

For the most part, I had great service. A wonderful server named Gwen at Citicos stands out. She was the perfect blend of not ignoring me (as a single diner) and not hovering and rushing me through the meal. I was also fortunate at Raglan Road, House of Blues and Marrekesh.

Strangley enough, the only bad service I had was at Jiko. I think his name was Jafar. :shrug: But, he gave me a seat by the oven and came back to take my order, bring it and drop off the check. Sad because my other trip to Jiko was excellent.

Anyway, you should be fine when dining solo -- people are, overall, quite friendly. And you can take a book or magazine in case the local scenery isn't too interesting.

 

[travelgip]

I have been solo and I have no problems eating by myslef, but still here are some of the places I have eaten that are more comfortable for solo's:
1. Citricos - they have an open kitchen so you can sit at the counter.
2. Brown Derby - very kind as well
3. Victoria & Albert's (if you want fancy, schmancy)
4. Fulton's Crab House - you can sit at the bar there.
5. Rose&Crown - always have a good time there, just sit at the bar and start talking to the bartender. Chances are you won't feel like you're alone.
6. Japan - they are really cool about solo's - you can sit at the sushi bar (you can eat anything you like, doesn't have to be sushi) Also a good sushi place in the Swan (Kimono's?)
7. Germany - family style big tables, everyone sits together

 

[MousDad]

I ate solo at Marrakesh and Brown Derby, and enjoyed both.

 

[sum41914]

This is great, I was think about doing some Disney Dinning during my Summer Alumni. I mean my roommates aren't always going to be available when I want to eat but I never thought to eat by myself thanks WDWmagic for another great helpful tip!

-Sum