Ok, I promised I would list my favorite solo traveler Disney World tips as to dining, entertainment, hotels and the parks. But for an Italian, food always comes first and there is so much to say about Disney dining that this entire post will focus on that……..you’ll have to wait for my next Disney post for tips on the parks and attractions.
As I have suggested, the best option is to pay for the Disney dining plan when you make your reservations. It is well worth the price and includes two meals a day at almost every restaurant, even the character dining events, as well as snacks. Further, if you book by June 1st with a VISA card, Disney is offering a Free Dining plan later this year.
Also, depending on when you go, the dining reservations book quickly. You can reserve a table at least six months in advance, which is best to do and you can always cancel or change the reservation with the hotel concierge once you get there. Now, the more important question is where shall you use the Disney dining credit????
1. EPCOT – holds a global buffet of restaurants for you to select from in the World Showcase secton of the park. Each country is represented by a pavilion and a restaurant.
Epcot's San Angel Inn
My personal favorites are the San Angel Inn in Mexico. It’s situated in an outdoor market that’s really indoors, along a lagoon with a “volcano.” It’s quite colorful and very popular, so book early.
My second choice at Epcot would be Restaurant Marrakesh. You feel like you’re dining in the splendor of a Sultan’s palace in North Africa while watching a belly-dancer entertain the guests.
2. Disney’s Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios) – is hands down my favorite park so it also has some great restaurants for dining. You must visit the Prime Time Cafe. It’s a step back in time to the 1950s and into a black and white TV set. The waitstaff shouts at you like a scolded child if you don’t eat your veggies and it makes for a great time.
Just like eating at the Cleavers house!
And Disney pays attention to solo travelers. They won’t place you near a table of 20 kids and will try to seat you where you feel the most comfortable. In my case, the hostess sat me next to a table of 4 tatted biker dudes in town to look at the Christmas lights. (Hey, they had a sensitive side) Needless to say a solo girl with four bikers had an interesting dinner!
The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater is also great fun. It’s a drive-in movie theater, also indoors. Your table is an old convertible and you watch black and white movie trailers on the big screen while eating great burgers. Again – this is a popular haunt so book early.
It's like eating at an old drive-in movie!
For lunch the best bets are probably Hollywood and Vine or the ABC Commissary. Both are cafeteria style dining options but great for quick lunches so you can get out and play again.
3. The Magic Kingdom – This is a harder place to select any great options for dinner because this is the park really intended for children. The Liberty Tree Tavern offers good old-fashioned American cuisine in an 18th century colonial inn but chances are there will be characters like Minnie and Goofy and Chip and Dale walking around. The food is good and hearty but it is not a great dining experience for the solo traveler. There are also typical Disney World cafeteria sites around the park and all carry pretty much the same thing, burgers, hot dogs, cheese pizza, chicken fingers and salads. Don’t expect to find something different – it’s the same from park to park. (BTW – not on the plan but still worth a mention, you will find FANTASTIC chocolate chip cookies, pre-packaged in cellophane, sold inside the 5 and Dime on Main Street)
4. Animal Kingdom – This is my least favorite park. It is far from almost everything but it does have the best Rain Forest Cafe. They serve an amazing breakfast and what better way to start the day than sitting inside an underwater adventure with beautiful tropical fish swimming all around you. It’s located just outside the park so you don’t even have to waste the ticket to get in. Believe me – it is worth the early morning bus ride and back for the breakfast alone.
5. Resort dining – Narcoossee’s on the water at the Grand Floridian Resort is one of the best seafood restaurants around, anywhere. Lobster to die for and desserts are pretty yummy too. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8U3RtPHT_Q]As an added perk, if you go after dark and get a window table, you have a chance to see the parade of lights on the lagoon or the fireworks over at the Magic Kingdom – every night – it is a place where wishes come true. Again book early.
As to lunch and breakfast at the GF, you can’t go wrong at either the GF Cafe or the 1900 Park Faire. And Gasparilla’s out back by the pools is a great place to “spend” those Disney dining dollars on snacks.
The Wilderness Lodge – Dine at the Whispering Canyon Cafe right off the lobby and you’ll feel like you’re eating at a dude ranch. Cowgirls and boys wrangle up the little critters and everyone has a great time – it’s a show and a meal all at the same time.
Disney’s Beach Club – offers up the Cape May Cafe and the best clambake buffet you will have this side of Bar Harbor, Maine. Vegetarians, landlubbers and seafarers will not be disappointed with the spread.
Coronado Springs – is a more moderately priced resort and the Pepper Grill Market is a fun place to eat because it takes on the feel of an open air market south of the border. It’s Disney’s version of a mall food court but it’s much better and there is a lot to choose from.
I know I am rambling on here but I want you to gain at least 10 pounds on this vacation…..oh, you’ll walk it off for sure, so bring sneakers. LOL Now make your way over to Downtown Disney Marketplace, where you can have good seafood on a steamer paddleboat at Fulton’s Crab House, where they don’t just put butter and bread on the table but a cheese spread that is so good they actually give you a recipe card as a souvenir! Yum!
Finally, for catching a quick bite late at night or munching on the run as you shop the Downtown Disney Marketplace for souvenirs, try Wolfgang Puck’s Express – great pizzas to take back to your room and then grab a hot fudge sundae at Ghirardelli’s Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop.
I told you Italians love to eat and now I hope you do too, as you graze your way around Disney World. Mangia bene!
It is a good info.