Favorite Restaurants as a Self Conscious Solo?

[jsmla]

I had the QSDP on my last trip and it was just okay. I did have ADRs at Brown Derby and Jungle Skipper Canteen (OOP) in January and managed to survive both meals. Now I have seven TS credits to use.

What are your favorite 1 TS Disney venues for solo dining? I'm still more than a little uncomfortable with eating alone and 100% positive that I'm not ready for:
Character meals
Table sharing (think Biergarten or Teppan Edo)
"Experience" type meals like 50s Prime Time or Whispering Canyon
Buffets

I prefer fish/veggie over meat and potatoes but otherwise enjoy most types of cuisine. Right now I have plans at:
Mama Melrose (FDP) or Hollywood Brown Derby (FDP)
Tiffins (RoLDP)
Chefs de France
Jungle Skipper Canteen (Be Our Guest has no availability at dinner)

I really enjoy QS at AK and plan on enjoying a Food and Wine so am looking for restaurants outside of Epcot and Animal Kingdom. I'll be visiting all of the parks and prefer lunch or early dinner.

Thanks!

 

[BrianL]

I would recommend Sci-Fi Dine-In if you want minimal interaction with others. You will be seated in a car facing forward. There could be a party seated behind you but they would only see your back. Everyone watches the movie screen anyway. It's good for a private-ish type of experience.

I don't know that I could say any others that would specifically be better for a solo like yourself. Have fun on your trip!

 

[Jamie77]

I had the QSDP on my last trip and it was just okay. I did have ADRs at Brown Derby and Jungle Skipper Canteen (OOP) in January and managed to survive both meals. Now I have seven TS credits to use.

What are your favorite 1 TS Disney venues for solo dining? I'm still more than a little uncomfortable with eating alone and 100% positive that I'm not ready for:
Character meals
Table sharing (think Biergarten or Teppan Edo)
"Experience" type meals like 50s Prime Time or Whispering Canyon
Buffets

I prefer fish/veggie over meat and potatoes but otherwise enjoy most types of cuisine. Right now I have plans at:
Mama Melrose (FDP) or Hollywood Brown Derby (FDP)
Tiffins (RoLDP)
Chefs de France
Jungle Skipper Canteen (Be Our Guest has no availability at dinner)

I really enjoy QS at AK and plan on enjoying a Food and Wine so am looking for restaurants outside of Epcot and Animal Kingdom. I'll be visiting all of the parks and prefer lunch or early dinner.

Thanks!

Thanks for mentioning Teppan Edo because I've been avoiding Biergarten like the plague because of the table sharing thing. I love German food but I'm not about eating with folks I don't know. I'm doing 50's Prime Time for the first time on my solo trip in July. I've done Whispering Canyon for lunch as a solo. I've done Hollywood Brown Derby as a solo (many times!) and Tusker House as a character lunch (I didn't know they'd switched it to a character meal, which I avoid as well).

Le Cellier is my favorite restaurant to go to solo. It's kind of dark and I get placed in a corner somewhere, usually. I've eaten at Marrakesh (hardly busy), Liberty Tree Tavern twice, and Artist Point twice. All solo.

 

[ahutton]

I was very nervous to be alone on my trip last year. I did carry an eReader with me so if I got uncomfortable I could retreat into a book, but found I only opened it once.

Studios - I had a great time at Sci Fi - took my time and enjoyed the movies.
Magic Kingdom - I also totally enjoyed my meal in Be Our Guest; I sat in the rose room, lingered over my meal and took pictures for people so the whole group could be in the shot.

Maybe California Grill and request a seat at the counter so you can enjoy the bustle of the kitchen and then return for fireworks viewing?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I would recommend Sci-Fi Dine-In if you want minimal interaction with others. You will be seated in a car facing forward. There could be a party seated behind you but they would only see your back. Everyone watches the movie screen anyway. It's good for a private-ish type of experience.

I don't know that I could say any others that would specifically be better for a solo like yourself. Have fun on your trip!

Yup, I agree with this one. After several solo trips, this was one of the first one I enjoyed when I "dipped my toe" into the world of dining TS as a solo. Sitting, watching old movies in a darkened room-felt like sitting on my couch watching TV, and who hasn't done that? A couple other good ones are Coral Reef (at lunchtime) tank-side, Rose and Crown on the back porch at lunchtime (that way you can watch the boats), and don't discount character meals. I was petrified of those, but finally forced myself to try one. I loved sitting back watching little kids interact with the characters. And the characters themselves were so attuned to the fact that I was solo and didn't really want big attention. Tip-whereever you eat, be sure that when you check in, point out that you're solo, and as a solo, with no dining companion to talk with, you'd REALLY appreciate a table with an interesting view of something to help you pass the time during the meal. And don't forget your smile-I've been given some great tables that way. A beautiful window-side table at California Grill for example.

 

[bryanb]

I had the QSDP on my last trip and it was just okay. I did have ADRs at Brown Derby and Jungle Skipper Canteen (OOP) in January and managed to survive both meals. Now I have seven TS credits to use.

What are your favorite 1 TS Disney venues for solo dining? I'm still more than a little uncomfortable with eating alone and 100% positive that I'm not ready for:
Character meals
Table sharing (think Biergarten or Teppan Edo)
"Experience" type meals like 50s Prime Time or Whispering Canyon
Buffets

I prefer fish/veggie over meat and potatoes but otherwise enjoy most types of cuisine. Right now I have plans at:
Mama Melrose (FDP) or Hollywood Brown Derby (FDP)
Tiffins (RoLDP)
Chefs de France
Jungle Skipper Canteen (Be Our Guest has no availability at dinner)

I really enjoy QS at AK and plan on enjoying a Food and Wine so am looking for restaurants outside of Epcot and Animal Kingdom. I'll be visiting all of the parks and prefer lunch or early dinner.

Thanks!

For me, buffets are actually great! You don't have to sit there by yourself waiting to order and then for the food to arrive. As soon as you have your table, your server will take your drink order and you're off to enjoy the food. For me, the longest part of dining solo is sitting by myself waiting to be served. My best buffet experience was getting to Boma at opening for a late lunch / early dinner. The restaurant was just starting to fill up and the CM offered me a great table on the edge of the dining room (instead of in the middle).

 

[com_op_2000]

Mine are:
T-Rex - DS
Cape May - BC
RainForest Cafe - DS

 

[jsmla]

Thanks for the replies, I really do appreciate it!

Buffets are one of the few (very few, thus all of the solo trips) things my husband likes about WDW. He really enjoys Boma and breakfast at The Wave. (He liked his ginormous porterhouse steak at Yachtsman too but that's a whole 'nother story.) The thing is, I'm not a big eater. I always feel like I'm over paying to make up for the heavy hitters that can really chow down on ham and bacon while I have pastries and fruit.

I feel awkward enough with characters when I'm with others. Nothing tastes good enough to get me to try it alone. DD (29) loved characters as a child-still does- and we've been to many, many breakfasts with Mickey and dinners with Cindy over the years.

Rose and Crown looks great but I have Epcot covered. I looked at the menu and it looks like something I could do OOP on a future trip.

Right now I'm leaning toward keeping the Brown Derby FDP over Mama Melrose and using up 4 out of my 7 credits. Now I need to decide between Chefs de France and Coral Reef (have an ADR here too) at Epcot. It has literally been over a decade since I ate at Coral Reef but we were very underwhelmed. My fish was over cooked, the restaurant didn't feel clean and we had other people's kids climbing all over our tank side table. (To the charming couple in the booth across the way-I'm so glad you got to enjoy your child-free meal. I'm sure you deserved it, but you still owe me $25 bucks in babysitting fees.) I do like the idea of a nice dark table but wouldn't want to be anywhere near the tank.

So:
Tiffins RoLDP (I'm most excited about this one!) 2 TS
Brown Derby FDP 2TS
Chefs de France or Coral Reef 1 TS
Skipper Canteen or Be Our Guest (if I can felt an ADR) 1 TS

I need one more one credit TS, I'm going to try for an early dinner at Be Our Guest but need a backup. The Magic Kingdom area or Disney Springs would be the most convenient. We love Raglan Road, just not sure how I feel about solo dining there. Typing this, I realize that what I'm trying to avoid could be loosely termed as fun


I just struggle with Disney dining, period, especially on a longer trip. I'm happiest with my food situation when I'm off site and preparing most of my meals at "home". I do like the ease of onsite though and a 1 1/2 hour flight beats a 10 hour drive every time. I've tried QSDP a few times and decided to go with the DP for Free Dining this time.

Thanks again!

 

[Simba's Mom]

You know, one morning I went to the former Boulangerie Pasterie in France , they packed everything in "to go" boxes, and I took it back to my room and heated the sandwich in the microwave. I was staying at BCV so it was real convenient for me, maybe not so much for you.

 

[jsmla]

You know, one morning I went to the former Boulangerie Pasterie in France , they packed everything in "to go" boxes, and I took it back to my room and heated the sandwich in the microwave. I was staying at BCV so it was real convenient for me, maybe not so much for you.

In January I stocked up with breakfast goodies from the QS in France that I carted with me for the Universal part of the trip

 

[samsteele]

We love Raglan Road, just not sure how I feel about solo dining there.

Raglan Road is a good choice because all the other diners are watching the stage and would have little interest in a solo diner. At the check in podium, ask to be seated in the main room.

 

[gogo]

I related to your thread. I just booked my first solo trip for the end of August and first 2 days of Sept. Dining solo at WDW will be a first for me. But, I did book Deluxe dining so I am planning many table service meals. I am going to book ROL at AK (Tiffins) and probably Brown Derby for lunch at the Studios. I have not booked my dining ADR's yet but will in the next few days. I will try to avoid peak dinner times around 7 or 8 p.m. but other than that, I am really looking forward trying some new restaurants.

I do hope I am not seated in the middle of the dining room and may ask to be near a window or off to the side. I hope you have a great trip!!!

 

[karly05]

I don't think I've seen this mentioned (may have missed it) but I wanted to give a shoutout to one of my favorite places: The Wave at the contemporary. I've done breakfast (twice), lunch and dinner there, it's quiet and relaxing, food has been really good, and I've had such nice servers. You can walk from the MK or take the monorail.

 

[Amanda999]

Re: Biergarten. (It pains me that you love German food, but won't go there b/c of the communal seating.) A thought: the review for Biergarten at easywdw lists the times the stage show starts. Perhaps if you booked an ADR for an off time (like early afternoon), about 20 minutes before the show starts, you could avoid most of the 'sitting with a stranger' issue. I'm thinking: 5 minutes to get seated (ask to sit near stage, so too loud to listen to table mates anyway); 10 minutes to walk upstairs and get food; start eating just before show starts.

And, FWIW, we were seated with others and it was no different than being at separate tables: there was a person-size spot left open (both sides of table). I.e., we weren't right next to someone. YMMV - maybe if its very busy every seat is filled. Anyway, they never once glanced over at us, and we were in their view of the stage. (I suspect alot of people hate the communal seating. But if you go to other TS restaurants, the tables are so close together at some, its really the same distance to a stranger.)

 

[jsmla]

I related to your thread. I just booked my first solo trip for the end of August and first 2 days of Sept. Dining solo at WDW will be a first for me. But, I did book Deluxe dining so I am planning many table service meals. I am going to book ROL at AK (Tiffins) and probably Brown Derby for lunch at the Studios. I have not booked my dining ADR's yet but will in the next few days. I will try to avoid peak dinner times around 7 or 8 p.m. but other than that, I am really looking forward trying some new restaurants.

I do hope I am not seated in the middle of the dining room and may ask to be near a window or off to the side. I hope you have a great trip!!!

That's kind of how I feel. Personally, I'm not worried about being lonely, just don't want to be on show! I'm doing RoLDP (Tiffins) and FDP. They seem like a good deal on the DP and I'm actually excited to try Tiffins. Right now I have both Mama Melrose (late lunch) and Brown Derby (early dinner) for FDP-need to pick one! I have eaten solo at Brown Derby. I was super uncomfortable at first but it really was not bad. I had a table on the rail and wasn't seated on top of another table.

I don't think I've seen this mentioned (may have missed it) but I wanted to give a shoutout to one of my favorite places: The Wave at the contemporary. I've done breakfast (twice), lunch and dinner there, it's quiet and relaxing, food has been really good, and I've had such nice servers. You can walk from the MK or take the monorail.

We love breakfast at The Wave It's one of the few things DH likes about WDW. I have a backup dinner ADR there just in case. I'd really like to have that dinner at Be Our Guest (This would be a huge stretch for me!) but am having trouble getting an ADR, even at the 180 + mark.

 

[samsteele]

I'd echo the PP's advice re Biergarten. Although I'm not as certain about catching a less busy time for your ADR, if you line up first right behind the host who escorts you through the door and to your table, you can snag a table at the end closest to the stage so you can turn and watch the show & also have just one stranger seated beside you. Honestly, the other guests who weren't aware that this is traditional communal Oktoberfest seating are often more taken aback and feel more uncomfortable than you will ever feel. If you enjoy German food, then go and enjoy. As PP mentioned, so many other tables at WDW restaurants are so close together now (BOG, San Angel, etc) that the big tables at Biergarten are really not that different. I've eaten here 4+ times solo and never had a problem with my table mates. Most have been quiet & subdued because they weren't expecting the seating. A few have made small talk and then left me alone to enjoy my meal and the show.

 

[sandrawendy1995]

I have never tried in park solo dining yet, I haven't mustered up the confidence to do it. But Disney Springs I have no problem eating solo. My favorite is Rainforest Cafe. I heard Be Our Guest and Sci Fi Dine in are good choices for solo dining.

 

[roxysmum123]

I had the best dining experience at Teppan Edo as a solo diner. Everyone was very friendly and we had some great conversation.

Honestly the only bad experience i had as a solo diner was Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch.

Also great, for 1TS, are:
Sanaa
Yak and Yeti (food isn't great, but they're good with solo diners here)
The Wave (one of my fave solo dining experiences)
Skippers Canteen would be good, but haven't done it solo, but lots to look at and get distracted by
Coral Reef
Spice Road Table

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I have my first solo trip coming up and my priority is eating somewhere I could never eat with my family because the kids and/or my husband would not want to eat there. Who cares what others think? Most of them will be so busy attending their own families they won't even notice. Bring a book or surf the web if you would like some entertainment while dining.

I can't wait to sit and enjoy a meal and order exactly where and what I want without worrying about anyone else.

So looking forward to Tiffins and possibly Highway in the Sky Dine Around (if they will open it up for July).

I used to travel solo frequently for business travel (before I had kids) and I found that the servers and restaurant employees enjoy striking up conversations with solo travelers. I met some very interesting people and and had some wonderful solo meals.

 

[alexce]

I like sitting at the bar when I'm flying solo. Raglan Road has a great bar for this - done it many times and had good views of the dancing. CG also has a gorgeous bar. The staff have always been great.