Going to WDW alone?!?!

[violeo]

Hello Everyone! Let me introduce myself my name is Marc and I live in Asheville, NC. I'm 28 years old and a big Disney freak. I'm somewhat of a regular on the Disboards...more of a stalker then a talker. To make this story short I planned a trip to Disney (April 30 to May 7th) with a friend of mine. He canceled as of today and I still plan on going. I used to live in South Florida and was able to visit Disney at the drop of a hat. Since moving further north I've been relegated to visit 1-2 x's a year. I wasn't able to visit last year due to many family problems. Well, my initials plans where to stay at the Yacht Club concierge level; but I just can't fathom spending that kind of money now that I'm going alone. I've stayed on all of Disney properties except for the value properties and was tinkering with the idea of staying there for my 8 days while at WDW. Any thoughts or opinions on property locations? I also planned for a sit down dinners for the 8 days I was there and now I'm thinking of how silly I might look dining alone....should I just cancel them? I look forward to any and all feed back and Happy belated Valentine's Day!

 

[daannzzz]

I have been a few times solo, flying in from California.
I prefer to stay at the moderate or deluxe resorts but if I have to I will stay at the All Star Music which I like best out of the "value" resorts. I have also stayed off property for a few days and while it is fine, it is not ideal for me.
The All Star Music is most appealing to me for the style of icons and colors on the buildings. I am not into sports and while I am into movies, something is less appealing there, except for the Fantasia section. I have read that the Music resort is also the least popular for kids so may be a tad less noisy. It certainly was quiet when I was there.
As far as dining alone, don't let that stop you. Make your ADR's. It has been fine for me. Only you can know if it will work for you. I have a friend who said he could never eat alone at a full service place as it would make him depressed. There are others dining alone so you will not look silly.
I always enjoyed my solo trips.
Have loads of fun.

 

[jeanigor]

Hello Everyone! Let me introduce myself my name is Marc and I live in Asheville, NC. I'm 28 years old and a big Disney freak. I'm somewhat of a regular on the Disboards...more of a stalker then a talker. To make this story short I planned a trip to Disney (April 30 to May 7th) with a friend of mine. He canceled as of today and I still plan on going. I used to live in South Florida and was able to visit Disney at the drop of a hat. Since moving further north I've been relegated to visit 1-2 x's a year. I wasn't able to visit last year due to many family problems. Well, my initials plans where to stay at the Yacht Club concierge level; but I just can't fathom spending that kind of money now that I'm going alone. I've stayed on all of Disney properties except for the value properties and was tinkering with the idea of staying there for my 8 days while at WDW. Any thoughts or opinions on property locations? I also planned for a sit down dinners for the 8 days I was there and now I'm thinking of how silly I might look dining alone....should I just cancel them? I look forward to any and all feed back and Happy belated Valentine's Day!

Living farther north is no excuse, young man. I'm farther north than you and do at least four trips a year. (Then again, I am surrounded by enablers.)

If you want to keep the deluxe accommodations, then you may want to look into renting DVC points. I've found that to be far more economical than the per night rate Disney charges for a room.

If that is still outside the budget's comfort zone and you do decide to go the value route, I would suggest Pop Century. I find it a tad easier to get places from Pop's location and if I am taking Disney Transportation instead of driving, Pop has its own dedicated buses, all the time.

As for dining, don't cancel them. It seems as though you want to eat at those restaurants, so eat there. I'm willing to wager that the only one who might care that you are dining alone is you.....well maybe the cute maître d'.

 

[glenpreece]

I love going solo and with friends and family. I like a solo trip to just decompress and get away from everyone/thing that stresses me out. I usually stay at values since I am not rolling in dough. My fav is Pop because of it's central location and the theming. I've stayed at ASMu but found it to be too far away from everything. I don't mind dining alone although i won't do character meals solo. This is the first year in a a few I haven't had a solo trip planned. Hmmmm????

 

[OrlandoMike]

Indeed go!

As for dining, most of the nicer restaurants have a bar you can eat at. Gives you someone to chat with during dinner, and sometimes you can meet other guests dining at the bar!

 

[DouglasE]

I've stayed on all of Disney properties except for the value properties and was tinkering with the idea of staying there for my 8 days while at WDW. Any thoughts or opinions on property locations? I also planned for a sit down dinners for the 8 days I was there and now I'm thinking of how silly I might look dining alone....should I just cancel them? I look forward to any and all feed back and Happy belated Valentine's Day!

The lesson I learned from 9-11 was that I should not live my life as if it were on hold. Do everything that will enrich your life. As far as accommodations are concerned, my recommendation would depend upon how you spend your time. Are you a park commando and are always on the go and spend time at the resort basically just to sleep? Then I say go with Pop Century as someone else has recommended. Are you more of a easy-going, take the time to smell the roses visitor? Then, staying at a resort with more amenities would make more sense. Since you want to not spend as much money as staying with your original plan, maybe go with a moderate like Port Orleans French Quarter. It's small and manageable. Who doesn't enjoy a beignet? Someone recommended renting points for a DVC property. That is an excellent suggestion. If renting points for Beach Club Villas is within your budget, I say go for it. Especially, since that option is nearest to what your original plan was from the get go.

I dine alone all of the time. It doesn't faze me at all. I'm an avid reader, so I just enjoy my meal and read my book. I have found that as a solo diner at Walt Disney World, I get really special treatment from cast members. They seem to go out of their way to make sure I have an enjoyable experience. Although, frequently they believe that I'm another cast member for some unknown reason. Maybe because I look like I know what I'm doing. Eat wherever you want to eat. Don't let the fact that you are a solo diner deter you from having a wonderful respite from the parks. Do you really care about what people think of you dining alone? Are these strangers' opinions really all that important? Are you ever going to see them again?

The wonderful thing about a solo trip is you get to do whatever you want when you want. No negotiations. It is a totally indulgent experience. Glory in the fact that you are having the time of your life.

I wish I had the money to do exactly that right now. I am currently saving up for a solo trip to Italy. Maybe by the time I'm all saved up I'll have a boyfriend who wants to join me, or maybe I will be off on a solo adventure. Either way I'm not letting anything stop me from achieving my dreams.

You will have a blast in Walt Disney World in the spring!

 

[WittyreaderLI]

I've gone alone once, in 2010, for my 30th, and there were many pros and cons. My biggest suggestion would be to bring some sort of reading material while you are doing the sit down meals. I forgot my book at the room during my meal at Boma and felt kind of weird eating there with nothing in front of me. I people watched and scarfed down my food VERY VERY quickly (I was out of there in like 20 minutes). Some of the rides you dont' care being by yourself on, other times I noticed it. I remember going on the Listen to the Land boat ride and I had the back row to myself and it did feel a little lonely. I also felt odd being sandwiched between two couples on the Great Movie Ride. Other rides, such as Spaceship Earth or shows like Captain EO didn't feel that weird at all.

I would say go! You shouldnt' deprive yourself of a vacation or a good time!

 

[greenkai3000]

You'll have a great time even if it's by yourself. I did the Magic Kingdom of by myself years ago, and had a great time. I have stayed at the All-Star Movies before and I thought it was a great place to stay for a value resort. As for your dining reservations, I'd say why not keep a few...the ones that you know you'd enjoy the most! Live it up and have fun!

 

[dmwang9]

I've been at WDW solo a lot -- it's often my "the school year is over and I want to indulge myself" trip at the start of the summer -- and I heartily second the sentiments that others have posted about dining solo. If that's what you want to do, go for it, and don't feel self-conscious about it for even a second. The waitstaff won't batt an eye -- and as someone else as said, solo dining can be prime flirting time, if you're so inclined .

In all of my solo trips, I've had exactly *one* person (someone who was sitting at the table next to me at Le Cellier) make any sort of comment to me about the fact that I was solo. This was a guy whom I'm assuming was the father, with his wife and their three kids, It went something like this:

Father: Are you eating by yourself? Wow, you must be sad. I'm sorry.
Me: *laughs* You're kidding, right? I'm here at Walt Disney World for an entire week by myself, and I love it. I get to wake up when I want, go to whatever park I want, ride whatever I want, and eat wherever and whenever I want. This is the most selfish and self-indulgent thing I've given myself in the past year. Don't get me wrong -- I love my family and friends, but not this week. This week is mine.
Mother: You know, honey, I think he has a point. *pauses* After lunch, you can take the kids back to the hotel. I'm going back to Test Track to ride it again.

 

[thadarkslayer]

Definitely go for it. I did two solo day trips last year, and I had a fantastic time. I actually just booked my birthday present trip for myself of 4 days at the end of February on a whim. It will be my first time actually having a multi day trip by myself, and I couldn't be more excited. I always try to convince friends to come with me, but no one cares about it as much as I do. So, I decided that Disney makes me happy and if I want to do it bad enough, I need to do it when I want to and not worry about anyone else but me.

As far as where to stay, as the other posters have said, that really depends on how much time you plan on spending in the room. If you like to hang around the resort and relax a bit more during your trip and you really have your heart set on staying at the Yacht Club, by all means do it!

 

[MAF]

I'll go with you TBH...

 

[stasijane]

I say go for it! don't let your friend backing out ruin something you enjoy doing

 

[violeo]

Thank you everyone for all your advice. I called Disney this morning and finalized my plans. I will be doing the sit down dinners and bring along a book by the name of "The Stand" by Stephen King (by book I actually mean book not my iPad). As for the resort i choose.......... The Yacht Club... lol. It's just the perfect location for me. I love EPCOT and I just love the resort. Thank You Everyone for your info and help.

 

[Sphyrna]

I'm no stranger to solo trips. Saturday I'll be leaving for a solo trip to WDW. I've done a few solo WDW trips too. I enjoy them. Although they're a little better when I meet up with some DISers.

Despite my experience with solo trips, I can still get self-conscious when it comes to table service dining. During my solo trips I tend to do table service less. But I still do them. I just enjoy the atmosphere or pull out my iPhone and catch up on FB or the DIS or go through pictures I've taken.

Good for you for staying with YC. I haven't stayed there but have stayed at BC. I LOVE the Epcot resort area. It's so convenient. Hope you have a great solo trip!

 

[Epcotmaniac]

In 2010 I spent two weeks alone at WDW. But in advance I wrote with a really nice CM who was working at Epcot at that time and we had a great time at the parks. I also met some friends from Jacksonville but the most time I was alone. I liked both. The advance going alone over going with friends was that I could go where I want and so I rode the ToT 6 or 7 times in a row.

I would always go alone again but also try to make some appoinments.

 

[jmickey]

Thank you everyone for all your advice. I called Disney this morning and finalized my plans. I will be doing the sit down dinners and bring along a book by the name of "The Stand" by Stephen King (by book I actually mean book not my iPad). As for the resort i choose.......... The Yacht Club... lol. It's just the perfect location for me. I love EPCOT and I just love the resort. Thank You Everyone for your info and help.

I know this a long shot but you will be at Disney World around the time I was planning on being as well. If you would be interested we could maybe hang out together. I am actually relocating there in March or Early April but as a belated birthday present to me I am planning my very first trip to Disney World. I big Disney fan I been to Disneyland and California Adventure so many times. I love to travel and the fact that I have my own travel agency is a huge perk. One problem like you is going to dinners alone. I had done a vacation once alone and it was fun but not so fun. I went to a resturant and placed my order went the restroom my table was cleared and another time the waiter totally ignored me but the plus side is I didn't have anyone do things that they didn't want to do and was able to take my time. Going to Disney for me I feel is much better shared with someone then alone fun to talk about want you like or didn't like being single for 3 yrs it is kinda old doing things alone.

Also I very much for Epcot out of all the parks that is where I want to start my first adventure to the Walt Disney World Area.

I am glad to find this board on here because maybe I can find someone fun and make a new friend or something more.

Well drop a line if you like.

JH

 

[jnickj6]

I think you made the right choice for a solo trip. My last trip, last January was solo and I had a great time. I have an 8 day trip planned in Mid-May and am looking forward to it. While it is fun to travel with others, solo trips are nice, because the only argument one has about what to do next is when the inner-child exerts himself.

Want to sleep late? Fine. Want to ride Rockin' Roller coaster 12x in a row? Fine! Single-riders line rocks!!!! Want a picture with Tigger? Yep. No argument there. See? It IS fun to go alone.

Have fun! You made the right decision!

Cheers,

 

[jeanigor]

Just got back from a quick spur of the moment trip for Leap Day. I went solo and it was grand. Met up with friends intermittently throughout the night at MK, but had a fun and enjoyable trip (even if it was only 49 hours).

 

[DisneyWorldTraveller]

I hope u have an amazing time. I'm really excited after reading the positives on WDW alone as I'm booked for 14 nights sep-oct time, so far I've paid flights not too cheap from Melbourne Australia and my registration for Tower of Terror 10mile run. I'm so looking forward to it but nervous... Hopefully I'll meet some people on here who'll be there at same time so at least I can arrange a few meets.

Im not sure if 2 weeks will bankrupt me if I book accomodation on site. I usually stay on site when I visit Disney parks but usually Hong Kong and Paris were only for 4 nights. In 2009 I did a week off site at Anaheim then went to Vegas then had another 3 nights in The Disneyland Hotel before we flew home. I think at WDW a multi centre might be silly. Would it save me if I do one week off site one week on??? Any ideas?

 

[DisneyWorldTraveller]

Woops Sorry I missed which section this thread is held in xxx