Traveling as a Solo Female, Help me Calm my Family's Worries

nerdydisneygirl90

Mouseketeer
Joined
Jul 24, 2012
Hi, I really want to make a trip to Disney World but I would be traveling alone as no one I know would want to go with me. My family is worried because I'm a female and don't want me to go alone because they think something bad will happen as you never know if there are bad people at Disney/Orlando.

What should I say to my family to help calm their fears? Also how may of you solo travelers are girls?

Thank you for the help :D
 
Something bad could happen to you anywhere. Going to the corner store for a drink, going to work, the gym, etc. I've been traveling alone to foreign countries since I was a child. My parents would send me for the summer to my moms home country and since they had to work, I always traveled alone. A few years ago I did Ireland and England by myself. I've clocked many hours driving cross country for many years (until I got married and had kids) just for fun and never been harmed. I'll be doing a week long solo trip in September and people are more surprised that I'm doing *Disney* alone than traveling alone.

The potential for harm at Disney is always possible, as it is anywhere public. I don't imagine there will be many times where you're completely alone aside from your resort room. From your signature it seems you probably know the lay out of Disney pretty well. You know enough to do what any person (male or female) should do in a moment of danger. I'm definitely not old enough to be your mama, but if my daughter traveled alone, I'd want to know that she knows what steps to take if she felt in danger. Tell them that Disney has amazing security, both uniform and plain clothed. You're completely surrounded by cast members no matter where you look, etc.

These are all the things my mama heart would want to know. I'd still be a nervous wreck for my daughter to travel alone but that's a part of growing up :)
 
I've solo travelled to Orlando many times (not Disney but closeby for conferences). How will you be travelling (driving? flying?) and how far? That might make a difference. If you're driving a long way, I can see why your family might worry, but if you're flying, taking Disney transportation, staying onsite, etc, you'll be very safe.
 
Hi, I really want to make a trip to Disney World but I would be traveling alone as no one I know would want to go with me. My family is worried because I'm a female and don't want me to go alone because they think something bad will happen as you never know if there are bad people at Disney/Orlando.

What should I say to my family to help calm their fears? Also how may of you solo travelers are girls?

Thank you for the help :D
WDW is the safest place in the world to travel, especially if you are staying on property. In that case, Disney's Magical Express will handle your luggage for you and take you to and from Disney World from the airport. You'll be using Disney transportation between parks and resort- in the Disney bubble of magic and protection throughout the whole trip. It's as safe as you can be in the world we live in. You can get accosted in your own home- things like that happen everywhere & Disney isn't immune. But Disney World is an exceptionally protective environment.
 
I travel a lot by myself, for work and for fun. I always feel a little safer at Disney, but follow some common sense guidelines. I usually do not advertise that I am traveling solo. Even when I travel with others, I find I need a little break so am usually having lunch by myself in a sit down restaurant even when traveling with 11 other people. No one knows you are solo unless you tell them. Be aware of your surroundings, don't open your door to strangers, put the deadbolt on at night...etc...I am sure there are more tips but just be safety conscious, even at the happiest place on earth!
 
I agree with other posters. Bad things can happen anywhere, but I feel Disney is one of the safest place to go, especially since it's a family holiday destination.
Perhaps you can promise your family that you'll contact them everyday and share your plans of the day to give them peace of mind.
 
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Something bad could happen to you anywhere. Going to the corner store for a drink, going to work, the gym, etc. I've been traveling alone to foreign countries since I was a child. My parents would send me for the summer to my moms home country and since they had to work, I always traveled alone. A few years ago I did Ireland and England by myself. I've clocked many hours driving cross country for many years (until I got married and had kids) just for fun and never been harmed. I'll be doing a week long solo trip in September and people are more surprised that I'm doing *Disney* alone than traveling alone.

The potential for harm at Disney is always possible, as it is anywhere public. I don't imagine there will be many times where you're completely alone aside from your resort room. From your signature it seems you probably know the lay out of Disney pretty well. You know enough to do what any person (male or female) should do in a moment of danger. I'm definitely not old enough to be your mama, but if my daughter traveled alone, I'd want to know that she knows what steps to take if she felt in danger. Tell them that Disney has amazing security, both uniform and plain clothed. You're completely surrounded by cast members no matter where you look, etc.

These are all the things my mama heart would want to know. I'd still be a nervous wreck for my daughter to travel alone but that's a part of growing up :)

Thank you for the suggestions :)

I've solo travelled to Orlando many times (not Disney but closeby for conferences). How will you be travelling (driving? flying?) and how far? That might make a difference. If you're driving a long way, I can see why your family might worry, but if you're flying, taking Disney transportation, staying onsite, etc, you'll be very safe.

I would be driving (it's about a three hour drive) and not staying onsite as I know I can't afford it.

WDW is the safest place in the world to travel, especially if you are staying on property. In that case, Disney's Magical Express will handle your luggage for you and take you to and from Disney World from the airport. You'll be using Disney transportation between parks and resort- in the Disney bubble of magic and protection throughout the whole trip. It's as safe as you can be in the world we live in. You can get accosted in your own home- things like that happen everywhere & Disney isn't immune. But Disney World is an exceptionally protective environment.

I'll be driving down so I won't be using Disney transportation, but thank you for the information.

I travel a lot by myself, for work and for fun. I always feel a little safer at Disney, but follow some common sense guidelines. I usually do not advertise that I am traveling solo. Even when I travel with others, I find I need a little break so am usually having lunch by myself in a sit down restaurant even when traveling with 11 other people. No one knows you are solo unless you tell them. Be aware of your surroundings, don't open your door to strangers, put the deadbolt on at night...etc...I am sure there are more tips but just be safety conscious, even at the happiest place on earth!

Thank you :D

I agree with other posters. Bad things can happen anywhere, but I feel Disney is one of the safest place to go, especially since it's a family holiday destination.
Perhaps you can promise your family that you'll contact them everyday and share your plans of the day to give them peace of mind.

Thank you for the suggestions :)
 
I have traveled around the world as a solo female. There were only two places I feared for my safety- Beijing and Cusco, Peru- so you're good. Oh yes, and the sleazy, questionable hotel in Orlando I got off of Priceline.

If you're staying offsite, do yourself a favor and don't try to cheap out by $20. Stay someplace safe (and inexpensive), like one of the Rosen Inns, Clarion Inn by Rosen, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, etc. This would not be the time to experiment with a time share hotel that has great pictures but questionable real-life (cough *Seralago *cough). Know that most of the hotels outside Disney charge a resort fee and parking and add that to the cost of your room (The Rosen Inns and Clarion by Rosen do not, I have stayed there. The Marriott World Center does and the nicer Rosen properties do. Not sure about the others. FYI- not to sound like an ad for Rosen, but that's the hotel group my company uses so most familiar with their various properties, both upscale and value). You will also pay $20ish a day to park at Disney or $10 each way via Uber (same thing), so you may want to consider Disney property. I have a room booked at All Star Sports for $78 a night with no resort fee, parking, or park parking as add-ons.

Thank you for all the information, I'll consider it. For the Disney resorts where do you suggest booking them from? The Disney website or some other site?
 
Check Hotels.com I regularly find rooms cheaper there than directly from the hotels. It checks the rest of the sites like priceline, expedia, etc. and also try kayak.com.

Have a great trip! I love (and prefer) traveling solo!
 
I've been traveling solo all over the US most of my adult life and have never had any issues. I've been to Disney World solo 3 times now and have never had any issues. But I realize that anything could happen at anytime, anywhere. I'm cautious and always aware of my surroundings. I don't put myself in situations that would make it more likely that something bad could happen.

You have to live your life without being in fear of what "might" happen. My family would rather me get out and do what I want to do to make myself happy, than sit at home miserable and supposedly "safe", when in reality there is truly no where you can be 100% safe.

Go have fun! Disney solo is so much fun!
 
I would for sure check your time frame and discounts for Disney. Staying onsite will likely help your family feel better. That said I've traveled to Orlando alone, my DD lived down there while working at Disney and I wouldn't hesitate. Only 3 hours away, great practice for bigger travels!!

I just booked AllStar Sports for $78 a night, I know I can't beat that price - maybe a nicer hotel for the same, but this gives me the buses (saves on parking costs if you have to pay it), Extra Magic Hours and being on property always feels safe.
 
Yes I agree...stay on property. Always good to reduce your driving/travel time late at night when alone if possible. Plus I love the Disney resorts!
 
Thank you for all the information, I'll consider it. For the Disney resorts where do you suggest booking them from? The Disney website or some other site?

I know a lot of people don't think the Disney Value resorts are that great. But I stayed there (solo) last year and found them to be perfectly fine (all star sports resort). The grounds are as well kept as any other property on Disney and the room was perfectly fine (I actually liked the soaps and shampoos better than at the deluxe resorts!). I would not have a problem with staying at one of them again in the future.

And if you are driving your own car, you get free parking at the parks. So, if you don't want to take the bus to the park, you can just drive yourself. :)

I booked my room through Orbitz. If you sign up for their site, you can earn "orbucks" that get applied to your purchase and that will reduce your price even more. But check a couple of sites, including Disney's site, just to make sure you are getting the best deal.
 
Check Hotels.com I regularly find rooms cheaper there than directly from the hotels. It checks the rest of the sites like priceline, expedia, etc. and also try kayak.com.

Have a great trip! I love (and prefer) traveling solo!

Thank you :)

I've been traveling solo all over the US most of my adult life and have never had any issues. I've been to Disney World solo 3 times now and have never had any issues. But I realize that anything could happen at anytime, anywhere. I'm cautious and always aware of my surroundings. I don't put myself in situations that would make it more likely that something bad could happen.

You have to live your life without being in fear of what "might" happen. My family would rather me get out and do what I want to do to make myself happy, than sit at home miserable and supposedly "safe", when in reality there is truly no where you can be 100% safe.

Go have fun! Disney solo is so much fun!

Thank you!

I would for sure check your time frame and discounts for Disney. Staying onsite will likely help your family feel better. That said I've traveled to Orlando alone, my DD lived down there while working at Disney and I wouldn't hesitate. Only 3 hours away, great practice for bigger travels!!

I just booked AllStar Sports for $78 a night, I know I can't beat that price - maybe a nicer hotel for the same, but this gives me the buses (saves on parking costs if you have to pay it), Extra Magic Hours and being on property always feels safe.

This trip wouldn't be until next year, so I"ll have to wait and see what deals they would have for next year. Thank you for the info :)

I know a lot of people don't think the Disney Value resorts are that great. But I stayed there (solo) last year and found them to be perfectly fine (all star sports resort). The grounds are as well kept as any other property on Disney and the room was perfectly fine (I actually liked the soaps and shampoos better than at the deluxe resorts!). I would not have a problem with staying at one of them again in the future.

And if you are driving your own car, you get free parking at the parks. So, if you don't want to take the bus to the park, you can just drive yourself. :)

I booked my room through Orbitz. If you sign up for their site, you can earn "orbucks" that get applied to your purchase and that will reduce your price even more. But check a couple of sites, including Disney's site, just to make sure you are getting the best deal.

Thank you for the information :D
 
I've been lucky enough to travel to many countries, mostly on my own. It doesn't matter that I've done this a lot, and it doesn't matter that I'm a forty year old woman who has her own business. My family, and particularly my dad, will always express their concern about my safety. I tell them, "I appreciate your concern." That is it. Of course, it is accompanied by a look that is clearly indicating that they are the insane ones, not me. If they keep going, I might add something to the effect of 'all of our lives are in danger every time we walk out the door and get in a car, but we don't stop doing that.'

I will say this, though, based on traveling in Europe and going to Disneyland Paris... there are further steps that WDW could take to ensure safety. However, I'm not sure that Americans are ready for luggage screening, really scary looking dogs, and metal detectors at both hotel and park entrances and Downtown Disney.
 
I'm just going to "ditto" most of what's already been said. At 19 I moved to Chicago on my own and lived solo doing everything solo for 7 years. I've gone to Orlando twice solo. After moving back to MI I travel back to Chicago all the time solo. I'm 28 and my parents still worry. That's parent's jobs, but the easiest way to combat fear is to hit it head on.
 
Worrying about your child is normal, my son is 35 and is on a trip with the University to Costa Rica right now. I asked him to at least email me when he arrived so I knew he made it and to shoot me an email every once in a while, not every day or even every other day, maybe once a week just so I'll know he is o.k. I've traveled solo since I was 17, I flew from Saudi Arabia where I lived with my parents back home to the States and flew back and forth between the two many times. Now, I travel solo all the time as well, my honey doesn't like to travel and my son can't always go places with me, I've been to WDW 3 times solo and am getting ready to take my 4th trip in Sept. I always text my honey and my son when I get there, I drive from north Georgia about 7 1/2 hours. Usually every night I'll text or IM with my honey just before bed to let him know things are o.k. I used to do the same thing when my parents were alive, even when my honey and I would take a trip or my son and I would take a trip. I stay on site, normally in the moderate and deluxe resorts, lately I've been booking through Orbitz when Disney is offering a discount and staking the Orbitz discount on top of it. I never use my car when I'm there, I only use Disney transportation. If I'm walking around the resort at night, which I do, I'm always aware of my surrounding. I've even walked from HS to YC at night, it is well lit and there is almost always many other people on the path. I also get up very early in the mornings, sometimes before sun up and jog/walk around the resorts and I've always felt safe. When I'm alone after dark I always have my cell phone out and available in case I need it. I always have the deadbolt on the door when I'm in the room, no matter what time of day it is, I even do this when I travel with others as well, don't want housekeeping to walk into the room.
 

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