Disney World might not be the ideal place for someone who doesn’t like crowds or has social anxiety.
And yet, we managed to find those little quiet places when we can, maybe those places not every knows about, or those rides where we can chill out for a little while (Carousel of Progress is a comfort ride). On the flip side, we also have places we avoid, like some restaurants that are just a bit too much for us.
50s Prime Time Cafe
Don’t get us wrong — 50s Prime Time Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a lot of fun, and the food is usually pretty good. But this is a restaurant where you could get yelled at for not finishing your plate or because you put your elbows on the table. That’s all part of the appeal for many people, but if you have social anxiety, you will not like this place.
So if you don’t want to participate in some “family” fun (because the servers are your family here), you might want to steer clear.
Whispering Canyon Cafe
Over at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Whispering Canyon Cafe can provide a ton of fun — if you’re up for it. There are games, servers who WILL mess with you, and an unlimited supply of ketchup if you ask for it. But it’s a LOT for someone who doesn’t want to participate in shenanigans.
Not only that, but things get SUPER noisy in this restaurant, too. That “whispering” part of its name is a lie.
Biergarten
So Biergarten at EPCOT can also be a lot of fun but a bit too much for those with social anxiety. First, you’re forced to sit at a table with strangers because it’s basically all community seating here. A lot of folks just don’t like that.
There’s also a lot going on with the entertainment, so the environment can get a little loud. You might want to skip if you don’t want to be anxious while just trying to have dinner.
Oga’s Cantina
Speaking of sitting with strangers, Oga’s Cantina in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is another place where you’ll be put at a table with people you’ve never met before. It might even feel a little more anxiety-inducing here because the space is pretty small.
So before you scramble to get a reservation here (which is anxiety-inducing in and of itself), think about whether you want to subject yourself to that kind of environment.
Character Dining
Having meals with characters walking around and interacting with you might seem like fun unless you aren’t the interacting type. That’s why you might want to stay away from character dining experiences.
Some of these dining experiences can also get a little loud and chaotic, like Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Restaurants without enough seating
Another thing that causes our social anxiety to go through the roof is dining at those counter service restaurants where there just aren’t enough seats. For example, we’ve spent way too much time awkwardly wandering around the tiny dining area for Woody’s Lunch Box in Hollywood Studios and it’s the WORST.
Casey’s Corner in Magic Kingdom isn’t much better, though. There ARE usually seats outside, but when it’s hot, that’s the last thing you want to do.
Counter service without mobile order
The one thing we LOVE about Disney World’s Mobile Order is that we can place our order without having to talk to someone. That gives us time to figure out what we want, how we want it, and when we want to pick it up without having to talk to a single person.
But there are some places in Disney World that still don’t have Mobile Order (EPCOT, we’re looking at you). So you still have to physically go to a counter and order.
Really fancy restaurants
There’s nothing that makes you feel more awkward than getting all dressed up for a fancy meal and sitting at a table where the servers treat you like royalty. Sure, it’s great, but it’s also enough to make you feel super self-conscious and anxious.
Don’t get us wrong — we LOVE treating ourselves at Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, but at the same time, it can be overwhelming.
So if you have social anxiety and want to avoid situations that could stress you out, you might want to stay away from these restaurants.
How to Conquer Disney World If You Have Anxiety
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What Disney World restaurants make you feel socially anxious or uncomfortable? Let us know in the comments!
In my experience, the servers at 50″s Prime Time are very good at reading people and knowing exactly how far to go, or not go, as the case may be. I don’t enjoy being the center of attention at all, and I’ve never had a problem at 50’s Prime Time. I haven’t been to Whispering Canyon, so I can’t say if the situation there is the same. I like the food at Biergarten, but the communal seating is tough since it takes me awhile to warm up to people, but if I’m with someone who is outgoing it usually works out. And I agree about Teppan Edo – I’ve only been there once but it was awkward and I can’t see myself going back.
We just visited Disney and decided to try Summer on the Lake at Disney Springs which just opened. We found it incredibly loud and very chaotic. And those two aspects very much detracted from our meal. The food was actually pretty good, bit did not make up for the downside to this place. Would not dine here again..
Teppan Edo is another restaurant where you might have to sit with strangers.
Places Without Enough Seating- WDW needs to do a better job of asking people to leave after they are done eating. Too often you are walking around with a tray full of food looking and they are 18 families who have been done eating for like 45 minutes just sitting there looking at their phones or maps or whatever. Get up, your done eating, go elsewhere to “Rest”. This also goes for the people who pack their own food then come into a restaurant to eat it. If I wait in line at the starlight Cafe, Pay a fortune for a 4 burgers and fries and have to carry a loaded plate around while they take up a seat eating home PB&J and carrot sticks. They didn’t pay for the seat go outside.
If you cannot sit with people you probably need to work on that before going to a place where everyone is close to you whether it be in line for a ride or on the bus or just standing around. Close proximity to others requires some level of interaction with others whether you know them or not. It is a skill everyone needs. Kids generally will not care unless their parents talk for them when they are asked a question. Dive in as there is no other way to meet great people than to talk to them whether it be on vacation or at home.