People Making You Feel Guilty For Wanting a Solo-Trip

[Terk-1]

I've gone to WDW solo 5 times (with a 6th booked for later this year) and enjoy it as much solo as I do with family. I'm the Disney fanatic in the family, so I love going. If I can go with others great, if not, then it's solo. I have had people tell me "won't you be lonely", "why go solo there", and the best was "that sounds a bit selfish." What??? There is an incredible freedom going solo at WDW. You get to do what you want to do when you want to do it. You can dine where and when you want. You can go on an attraction 50 times (I've done this with the Haunted Mansion - it's my favorite) or skip some all together (I don't do Space, Splash, ToT or RnRC). The biggest thing is that the only person you have to worry about having a good time is you! I enjoy reading, so I always have a book with me, so that takes care of any awkwardness of dining alone.

Now, even though it's Disney, I'm still smart about traveling solo. I don't wear or bring alot of jewelry (who am I impressing). I only bring 1 credit card, my license and my health insurance card. That's it. Less to lose. I am aware of my surroundings, always keep my resort room door locked and my valuables in the safe.

If you want to go, then go! I have found I can do Disney on a budget and still enjoy everything. For instance, when picking a resort, look at everything the resort has to offer and will you use most of it? If you just need a place to sleep & swim, then one of the values is best. If you are looking for something a little nicer, than a moderate is best. My favorite moderate when I go solo is Port Orleans French Quarter. It's small & compact, so it's easy to get everywhere. There is only one bus stop and there is a boat to DTD. I have stayed at POR & CBR as well and found these way too spread out for my taste. Some of these buildings are quite a hike to the main pool & foodcourt.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

 

[PeterPanic]

I know that I cannot add anything to what has already been said, but the only person that can make you feel guilty about a solo trip is you. Others either don't understand or are envious of your ability to do things without the crutch of being with someone.

I have been going solo every year for 11 years now. I made two trips during that time with family. There are times that I miss not being able to share the experience with, but that is a fleeting emotion that quickly passes and I always enjoy myself, by myself. Heck, I'm the nicest person I know, what could be better than traveling with me.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

Don't get me wrong, if I find someone I'd like to go with between now and then, then great! But I'm not going to let being alone stop me!

I wish I had your attitude a decade ago, I've dreamed of visiting WDW as long as I can remember but I've waited and waited for the right person to go with. Well, I'm finally taking my first trip to Disney World, a solo trip... to celebrate my 40th birthday.

Life is to short to worry about what others think or to wait for the perfect situation. I wish I had figured that out at your age but I finally get it and in 5 months I'll be enjoying Disney World rather than dreaming about Disney World.

 

[lawboy2001]

I wish I had your attitude a decade ago, I've dreamed of visiting WDW as long as I can remember but I've waited and waited for the right person to go with. Well, I'm finally taking my first trip to Disney World, a solo trip... to celebrate my 40th birthday.

I found that turning 40 has a focusing effect on people - it made me really strive to live my life for me, and stop worrying about what others think, and just go for it.

Enjoy your trip, you solo travelers are an inspiration to me!! I will likely have a great Disney fanatic friend with me on my first WDW trip, but after that, who knows, so if am solo that will be fine.

 

[Nakkira]

Not just Disney trips, but I find that solo travel in general get a lot of judgement and assumptions in general.

I have gone to both Jamaica & Mexico alone. Yes I was single at the time(s).

I got a lot of reactions.

"Are Crazy?"
"Is that Safe?"

"That sounds lonely"
"Oh how sad, can't you at least find a friend to go with you" (may I point out that I kind of wanted to get away from EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY)

"You are so brave, I could never do that!"

Even at the resorts they had trouble grasping that I wanted a table for 1. etc...

I now have the song "Me Party" stuck in my head.

 

[singsweetnightingale]

I've gone to WDW solo 5 times (with a 6th booked for later this year) and enjoy it as much solo as I do with family. I'm the Disney fanatic in the family, so I love going. If I can go with others great, if not, then it's solo. I have had people tell me "won't you be lonely", "why go solo there", and the best was "that sounds a bit selfish." What??? There is an incredible freedom going solo at WDW. You get to do what you want to do when you want to do it. You can dine where and when you want. You can go on an attraction 50 times (I've done this with the Haunted Mansion - it's my favorite) or skip some all together (I don't do Space, Splash, ToT or RnRC). The biggest thing is that the only person you have to worry about having a good time is you! I enjoy reading, so I always have a book with me, so that takes care of any awkwardness of dining alone.

Now, even though it's Disney, I'm still smart about traveling solo. I don't wear or bring alot of jewelry (who am I impressing). I only bring 1 credit card, my license and my health insurance card. That's it. Less to lose. I am aware of my surroundings, always keep my resort room door locked and my valuables in the safe.

If you want to go, then go! I have found I can do Disney on a budget and still enjoy everything. For instance, when picking a resort, look at everything the resort has to offer and will you use most of it? If you just need a place to sleep & swim, then one of the values is best. If you are looking for something a little nicer, than a moderate is best. My favorite moderate when I go solo is Port Orleans French Quarter. It's small & compact, so it's easy to get everywhere. There is only one bus stop and there is a boat to DTD. I have stayed at POR & CBR as well and found these way too spread out for my taste. Some of these buildings are quite a hike to the main pool & foodcourt.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

5 times, you lucky thing! I hope you're 6th will be just as magical. Oh, I got a few of those too! The things people say. I don't understand how some people can never imagine doing things alone. I love going on rides over and over too, so I really love the freedom to do that. I must admit I did feel awkward dining alone, I must try bringing my book out!

As much as I'd love to stay at one of the more expensive resorts, I think the value ones would be perfect! I've stayed at both a value and moderate hotel at Disneyland Paris and I actually liked the value one more! The bus stop was closer, better for sore feet

Thank you, hun!

I know that I cannot add anything to what has already been said, but the only person that can make you feel guilty about a solo trip is you. Others either don't understand or are envious of your ability to do things without the crutch of being with someone.

I have been going solo every year for 11 years now. I made two trips during that time with family. There are times that I miss not being able to share the experience with, but that is a fleeting emotion that quickly passes and I always enjoy myself, by myself. Heck, I'm the nicest person I know, what could be better than traveling with me.

That's very true. I just guess some of the comments from my family got under my skin!

I know exactly what you mean

I wish I had your attitude a decade ago, I've dreamed of visiting WDW as long as I can remember but I've waited and waited for the right person to go with. Well, I'm finally taking my first trip to Disney World, a solo trip... to celebrate my 40th birthday.

Life is to short to worry about what others think or to wait for the perfect situation. I wish I had figured that out at your age but I finally get it and in 5 months I'll be enjoying Disney World rather than dreaming about Disney World.

I'm so happy to hear that! I hope you have the best birthday and the perfect trip

That's very true! I think because I'm 24 my sister thinks I should have people to go with, but the truth is although I'm sociable person I'm a bit of an introvert so I couldn't imagine spending two straight weeks with someone without feeling drained!

I'm really so so happy that you're going! You'll be there so soon!

Not just Disney trips, but I find that solo travel in general get a lot of judgement and assumptions in general.

I have gone to both Jamaica & Mexico alone. Yes I was single at the time(s).

I got a lot of reactions.

"Are Crazy?"
"Is that Safe?"

"That sounds lonely"
"Oh how sad, can't you at least find a friend to go with you" (may I point out that I kind of wanted to get away from EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY)

"You are so brave, I could never do that!"

Even at the resorts they had trouble grasping that I wanted a table for 1. etc...

I now have the song "Me Party" stuck in my head.

Oh, man! Why is so difficult for people to realise you just want a trip on your own? There will always be those that pass judgment though. I've never let being alone stop me, and I like being alone, it can get a bit draining being with being all the time for me. Can tell I'm an introvert.

The way I figure it, I was going to spend three months there alone with the college program, so 2 weeks is nothing!

And now it's stuck in my head!

 

[Nakkira]

Oh, man! Why is so difficult for people to realise you just want a trip on your own? There will always be those that pass judgment though. I've never let being alone stop me, and I like being alone, it can get a bit draining being with being all the time for me. Can tell I'm an introvert.

The way I figure it, I was going to spend three months there alone with the college program, so 2 weeks is nothing!

And now it's stuck in my head!

Funny thing is I CAN be outgoing sometimes. In fact I usually have no trouble finding company when I want it (and I am not talking romantic company either) on vacation.
So times I do go to the pool/bar/whatever and seek our conversations.

Sometimes I keep to myself and just enjoy the place I am at.

Sometimes I just want the quiet.
I want to room to myself.
I want the lack of responsibility.
I want to do what I want to do, when I want to do it, and not consult anyone else.

And YES, once or twice I have gone on solo vacations simply because I could not find anyone else who could go with me (that I wanted to anyway) and refused to let that hold me back.

There is NOTHING wrong with solo travelling, but to most people it is just such a foreign concept.

 

[vettegirl]

I went in May alone and had a great time. I also went to DL solo 2 years ago and it was heaven.

 

[Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo]

Two years ago, my hubby and I took our first trip without kids, since before they were born (they are now 26 and 22), and had the best time! Last year, when we talked about going again, he mentioned he'd love to play golf, so I suggested we see if our then 25 yo would want to accompany us, and they could play all the courses. He was worried I'd mind being alone, and what would I do? I told him I enjoy my own company, and would have fun exploring resorts that I've not seen before ( and they wouldn't care to do), go shopping to my hearts content ( without worrying that they were waiting on me) and visit restaurants that they didn't like. So we went, and they met up with me in the parks 2 days after golf for dinners, and it was a ball. While waiting for them to arrive for drinks at Rose and Crown, I sat with a young couple from FL, we stayed there drinking Welsh Dragons until they arrived, and stayed another 3 hours till dinner- this is the kind of experience you can sometimes get when you are alone- I just emailed her today and they are going to try meeting us for our trip which we are duplicating this Sept. My sister can't fathom doing that on her own, or talking to strangers- but it's fun! Have a great time and don't let anyone guilt you about it, or make you feel wierd- that is just their insecurity rearing it's head!

 

[babydoll65]

This may be me in a few years from now. My son is 16 and even though we're going this year I don't know how many more times I can convince him that this is the ONLY place to go on vacation. My mother's will be with me on this trip too but at the age of 70 not sure how much she can handle. I went with my sister in 2011 and I had a great time with her but she is not the huge disney fan that I am. Don't want to take my husband because he snores too much and I'm not paying for two rooms. So maybe in a few years all us solo disney freaks should meet up, go on a few rides together then we can all go back to our own resort's to relax.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

Hello there! I'm Sarah!

I was wondering, does anyone ever make you feel guilty or lame for wanting to go to a Disney park by yourself?

Yes!!! Drives me crazy! I waited a while to tell family and friends I was going by myself and almost every response I get is "By yourself?! Why?!?" with a disgusted look on their faces.

My daughter goes away with her father's (my ex's) parents for a week every summer and I am sad and lonely when she's gone. Well, when we got the pin in the mail for a discounted trip, I jokingly asked my husband if I could go while she was away. I mean, how can I be sad and lonely at WDW right?! Much to my surprise he said yes! He told me to get him the cost and we'll discuss it and after not much convincing, he said "Book it!" I still can't believe it.
Every trip, I try to make everyone else happy. This trip is about me! I get to eat where I want, sleep when I want, get up as early as I want, stay as late as I want, and I can't wait! When I tell people this, they just think I'm nuts. My daughter and husband are not very adventurous eaters, and there are a few places at Disney that I would love to try, this is my chance. And, I can't wait to not have to wait for everyone else to get ready in the morning! I get so impatient in the mornings because I want to get my Disney Day started!
Don't get me wrong, I love traveling (especially to WDW) with my family, but I am so looking forward to it. And I'm done having to explain to people why. All you other Disers understand! Right?! I feel a little better now, thank you!

 

[donac]

Lt year we went with our sons and their gf's and met up with my sister's family. There were 11 of us. It was a great trip and we loved it but we missed some things. Dh and I are the early risers in the family but we missed getting to the parks when they opened. We never made it even one day because we were always waiting for someone.

When I got three pins and one snail mail pin we talked it over and dh said book it. This trip is just for us. We have not told anyone where we are going to celebrate dh's retirement and our 35th wedding anniversary. We will tell our sons as we get closer.

Go For It

 

[momm2four]

I am very social, but I do love my time to myself as well. We had four sons in five years and as selfish as some people may think of it as being, I have always cut out time to go get a cup of coffee or walk the mall.

Now that they are older, I have made a last minute decision to go to Disney week after next. Bought a 10 day no expiration park hopper earlier when I heard they were being discontinued, got a great deal at POP century, so IT'S ON!!!!

Walking around looking at things on my own time, riding what I want to ride, eating what I want to eat...what's not to love???

The next time someone questions you, just tell them that you are interesting enough to not need someone to entertain you.

Lori P.

 

[xxpiratestevexx]

Hey Singsweetnightingale yeah I agree with everyone else on here, you should go for it and go on your own to Disney, I've spoke to a couple of cast members who I know at Disneyworld from my last trip there when. I went with my dad and they both said I should go on my own, I really want to go to Disneyworld again this year but I haven't got anyone to go with, I asked my friends but they just laugh when I say I want to go to Disney !! They don't understand how Awesome it is there and there's loads to do, I've had an amazing time everytime I've been but this will be my first time going solo, I'm planning on going in November December sometime, I want to tie it in with my birthday on the 12th December
Yeah start planning your trip and go for it, you only live once and you'll make loads of friends once your there, plus there's lots of people on this board you could meet up with to, I've only just joined this site and see that there's lots of meet ups at Disney

Steve