2 Bad solo dining experiences

[PammyK]

To the OP - as someone who often dines solo at WDW, I'm so sorry you had such poor experiences at Boma and Biergarten. For some reason, many of the guidebooks recommnend Biergarten for solo diners but, I always thought that it was a bad idea. A family of 5 and a couple on their honeymoon are not going to be interested in a solo diner sharing a table with them under most circumstances. It can be excruciating to have to suffer through a meal like that. Perhaps there should be a 7pm solo table at this restaurant and this way a whole table of solo diners can be seated together.

As far as the hostess at Boma....if you haven't already written to the restaurant manager, please be sure to send them a letter. They need to educate their staff if this sort of thing is going on. The sort of treatment you received is completely unacceptable.

One of my favorite spots for solo lunch is Le Cellier at Canada. I've always had lovely servers who have been pleasant, responsive and quick. I've never tried them for a solo dinner though.

Safari Steve - when you mentioned inconsistencies with getting a cup of ice water, I had to chuckle. I never know what I'll get when ask for one. Some places give a regular size drink cup filled with ice and water, others give a child's size cup and one or two give a 9 ounce paper cup. In Yaki-tori house once, I got a child's size drink cup with about 6 ice cubes and 3-4 ounces of water. It is ridiculous!

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I have eaten solo a few times at WDW. Some were good, some were so-so.

I ate at Boma solo in May, and it was fine. I scouted the area first from the lounge above, and noticed there were many two-seater tables, so that made me feel better. When I ate there, the server was very pleasant and gave me a mini-tour, and told me some of the decorations were actually made of chocolate, etc. I had a table by the window where I could look out and people watch. It was great, and I was proud of myself for doing it!

I ate at Beaches and Cream solo, and that went fine, too. I sat at the counter, which I preferred to do. Food was good!

So-so dining experiences were at Cape May Buffet at Beach Club. I was placed in a walled-in area with at a two seater table and a large table. I got the small table, and a big family had the larger table. It was a bit uncomfortable, since we were so close. But it turned out fine.

The other time was the Pepper Market at Coronado Springs. When I went for a mug refill, my table was cleared since they thought I left. The server apologized, but she seemed to be confused by my presense as a solo. Since then, I leave maps and papers on the table!

So overall, on my next solo trip, I will probably try again a sit-down restaurant.

<img src="http://home.att.net/~disneysue/hugsmall3.gif">

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

OH man, I'm sorry you had such poor experiences dining solo. On my solo trip in the past- every dining experience I had was wonderful- although I didn't eat at many expensive restaurants- just a few... and some character meals (breakfastosaurus and garden grill for ice cream social). That is really sad that some places/sometimes don't appreciate their solo patrons.

Here comes the leap in logic "so, your dining alone "
"yes"
"why would you want to do that?"

At this point I would have said "excuse me?" in a tone like I didn't hear them.
And THEN if they repeated themselves- which normally I would think they wouldn't and would get the point- THEN I would have said- why would you ask such a thing? Put it back on them to realize how rude that questioning is. Don't let them spoil your good time while going solo!

 

[arminnie]

I have been to WDW solo many times and have not had a problem with the sit down restaurants. One year I got to go to Orlando on business 7 times - I learned about A/P quickly and was not about to pass up the good restaurants.

I don't like crowds or heat so I do tend to go in the off seasons when possible so maybe that makes a difference. I usually ate lunch about 3 pm (that was noon in CA where I was living) so again I was not there at peak times.

I've been to just about every restaurant at MGM and EPCOT as those are my favorites.

 

[CarolA]

You know I was trying to remember if I had a bad solo experience and it was the Pepper Market. They wanted to put me in a table I did not like and when I asked for another table they said they were all full. The place was EMPTY! The table they wanted me to take was a two seater in the middle of the traffic flow. Having eaten there before I knew that I would constantly have people strolling by which did not seem very relaxing.

I left and have never gone back. Considering the "service charge" for the non existent service I don't think I am missing much. ( At the above time half the tables were DIRTY, but not occupied!)

I have done very well at Le Cellier. Learned a lot about Canada.