I went to Disneyland with friends (2 adults, a 3 year old, and their infant) and I did a lot of stuff solo anyway because some of the rides weren't under 3 friendly or they were busy taking the kids to the restroom/breastfeeding. It was okay, I got solo rider status on some and no one even worried that I was alone. That being said, I travel solo a lot and have found the joy in it. If you feel uncomfortable that people think you are alone, just say your group wasn't interested in that ride, or they are sick, or something like that. But really, most people are not judging you...its all in your head!
Best and worst of solo experiences?
- Thread starter Britdisneyfan
- Start date
Random Ninja
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2012
Some of my favorite experiences going solo to Disney have been getting "adopted" by other groups. I've been adopted by a group of brand new international cast members from Mexico, none of whom had ever been to the Magic Kingdom yet. I got to play guide to them and we spent an entire afternoon together through the fireworks. How often does someone get to be a tour guide to a bunch of cast members! Another fun "adoption" moment was with a group of high school seniors on their class trip (I was a college student at the time, still am actually) and we spent about an hour together getting them unlost at DTD and back to their chaperons at Magic Kingdom.
As for meals, I usually spend the time checking emails, messages, facebooking "I'm here and you're not" pictures. Sometimes I bring a book or journal or I just enjoy the scenery. Character meals are actually some of my favorite and I've had some amazing meet&greets as a solo. I was at AK one time and wanted to get a picture with Eyore as he's my mom's favorite. There was only one family there so I hung back to let the kids get plenty of attention. Well, while the family was walking back up the path, the rest of the pooh characters came walking down. I got a magical moment and a private M&G with Tigger, Pooh, Eyore, and Piglet. Over in DL, I had a breakfast where Stitch actually sat down at the table while I was talking to the chef (I have allergies so a chef comes out to talk about safe food options.) and proceeded to play with my stuffed Stitch plushy. Then he took all the condiments out of the little holder, spread them all over the table, and walked away! The server and I just starred dumbfounded and Daisy actually went over to scold Stitch for leaving a mess on the table.
As for meals, I usually spend the time checking emails, messages, facebooking "I'm here and you're not" pictures. Sometimes I bring a book or journal or I just enjoy the scenery. Character meals are actually some of my favorite and I've had some amazing meet&greets as a solo. I was at AK one time and wanted to get a picture with Eyore as he's my mom's favorite. There was only one family there so I hung back to let the kids get plenty of attention. Well, while the family was walking back up the path, the rest of the pooh characters came walking down. I got a magical moment and a private M&G with Tigger, Pooh, Eyore, and Piglet. Over in DL, I had a breakfast where Stitch actually sat down at the table while I was talking to the chef (I have allergies so a chef comes out to talk about safe food options.) and proceeded to play with my stuffed Stitch plushy. Then he took all the condiments out of the little holder, spread them all over the table, and walked away! The server and I just starred dumbfounded and Daisy actually went over to scold Stitch for leaving a mess on the table.
Simba's Mom
<font color=green>everything went to "H*** in a ha
- Joined
- Aug 26, 1999
I had to think about a "worst" solo experience for days before posting. In 17 trips, I couldn't remember one bad experience. Then I remembered the ONLY one-I got sick in my room one morning, and no one answered the phone. Finally, in desperation, I just went out in the middle of the hall and cried (I know, real grown up of me-NOT). A housekeeper(who barely spoke English) came running over, came in and made a couple phone calls. Finally the front desk agreed to supply me with some medication from the Marketplace and have it delivered right up to my room. The only thing that kind of bothered me was when I got home, they'd charged me the $4 for the medicine. Come on, Disney-a little pixie dust would have been nice. But it was still worth it. "Best" experience? Too many to pick one. However, several discussions with CMs about how they got their job, why they like it, etc. stick out in my mind. I love how open CMs are conversing with solos!
marielynn724
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2008
marielynn724
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2008
I'm a confirmed solo traveler and have done nearly every type of trip. Having an asocial personality I do enjoy being alone in fact I prefer it. Anyway I have never really had a bad experience travelling solo except when strangers have tried to ruin my trip. Enjoying yourself starts with you and the attitude you bring. If you have a positive outlook on your trip you will have fun. If you are interested in meeting people you can just strike up a conversation about Disney. You shouldn't waste your time worrying about what others might think about you. Go on your trip and enjoy life.
I'm wondering what experiences you've had where strangers try to ruin your trip - I'm curious because I'm thinking of doing a solo trip myself too (never have before) and I'd love to hear the experiences of others. thanks for sharing!
Chuckers
Missing My Disneyland Day Trips :(
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2010
If you feel uncomfortable standing alone in queues, bring your iPhone/Kindle and read while you're waiting. I do it all the time. I've also brought my Nintendo Game Boy and played games while waiting. No one noticed or said anything. I even read while eating alone if I don't want to people watch. You'd be too busy reading to see if anyone is 'looking at the single person' (which they're not doing anyway. )
)
ludari
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2010
Marielynn, it was only one experience that happened to me. When traveling solo on a Disney cruise I was assign to a table for dinner. The people at the table where really negative and complained about everything. I tried changing the subject and even lighten the mood by saying any day on a cruise was a great day but one of the ladies gave me a dirty look so I kept my mouth shut the rest of dinner. After dinner I requested a table change and I was given my own table. Since then when I cruise I always request my own table (I don't mind dinning alone).
arminnie
<font color=blue>Tossed the butter kept the gin<br
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2003
I used to go to Orlando on business several times a year so I was not about to pass up the opportunity to go to WDW. I lived in CA so that was a long trip for me. So I went to WDW alone many times.
Later I was taking care of an elderly parent so I loved having solo trips to get away from my responsibilities for awhile. My DH goes with me now most of the time. But I took a solo trip earlier this year and loved it. My DH is not a huge fan although he will do pretty much what I want. But it was fun to just do what I wanted 100% of the time.
Later I was taking care of an elderly parent so I loved having solo trips to get away from my responsibilities for awhile. My DH goes with me now most of the time. But I took a solo trip earlier this year and loved it. My DH is not a huge fan although he will do pretty much what I want. But it was fun to just do what I wanted 100% of the time.
DisneyTasha
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2014
I have never yet been alone, but I fully intend to remedy that soon!
When my family went in September, my son took my kids back to the hotel in the afternoons to rest or swim, but I was too hyped to rest! I am a character hunter, it turns out, so I spent most of my alone time walking around just looking at things, and meeting with characters, getting autographs and making use of our Memory Maker! I had a great time, got to do what I wanted when I wanted, stopped and got snacks when I wanted to, never had to deal with anyone's else's schedule or agenda! I pin traded with cast members too, that was a lot of fun.
I agree that it's great to have your phone or other device handy for those times you get bored. Bring a backup battery device for sure. I enjoyed having the ability to check my mail, social media, (of course posting those braggies - I'm here and you're not!,) and I made sure I had a couple books in there just in case I got really bored.
When my family went in September, my son took my kids back to the hotel in the afternoons to rest or swim, but I was too hyped to rest! I am a character hunter, it turns out, so I spent most of my alone time walking around just looking at things, and meeting with characters, getting autographs and making use of our Memory Maker! I had a great time, got to do what I wanted when I wanted, stopped and got snacks when I wanted to, never had to deal with anyone's else's schedule or agenda! I pin traded with cast members too, that was a lot of fun.
I agree that it's great to have your phone or other device handy for those times you get bored. Bring a backup battery device for sure. I enjoyed having the ability to check my mail, social media, (of course posting those braggies - I'm here and you're not!,) and I made sure I had a couple books in there just in case I got really bored.
buttercup14
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2015
I just got back from a mostly solo trip and had a blast! I'm also single female, no kids and can be shy, but WDW has such a friendly, fun atmosphere I didn't find myself feeling self conscious, and it was really easy to talk to people, both cast members and guests. The photopass photographers where always really friendly while I was waiting in line for characters. And most of the characters I met where really amazing, I'd almost say i got a bit more attention from them being solo (in a really good way, lots of hugs!)
I'd say my best experiences as a solo traveller where doing less common things that created a bit of magic for others, like waving to kids from the railway or letting people know tip I'd heard. I only really had one bad experience going solo, and that was the character breakfast, I didn't feel like I got as much time from the characters as the other tables, and my favourite character almost skipped me completely! But with that said, my server was really lovely to me and I wasn't expecting to go alone that morning so I was feeling a bit caught off guard. I didn't have any problems eating solo anywhere else.
I'd say my best experiences as a solo traveller where doing less common things that created a bit of magic for others, like waving to kids from the railway or letting people know tip I'd heard. I only really had one bad experience going solo, and that was the character breakfast, I didn't feel like I got as much time from the characters as the other tables, and my favourite character almost skipped me completely! But with that said, my server was really lovely to me and I wasn't expecting to go alone that morning so I was feeling a bit caught off guard. I didn't have any problems eating solo anywhere else.
LadyDiznee123
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2015
LadyDiznee123
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2015
So glad to read your report. I plan on doing this in late oct early nov. I too and single with no kids and went for four years back to back with the last year being in 2000. I am jonsing now to GET BACK TO DISNEY! And if no one else can afford to go then I am preparing now to go alone!
Thanks for your post!
LadyDiz
dreamseeker9
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2012
I found on my solo trip that it was fun to strike up conversations with people on transportation. But it was also great to zoom past the parents and kids and strollers once we exited the bus or monorail, and speed into the park and go at my own pace!
I saw 2 parades and had great experiences at both - CMs in the parade interacted with me, and I had excellent vantage points.
I saw 2 parades and had great experiences at both - CMs in the parade interacted with me, and I had excellent vantage points.
LadyDiznee123
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2015
Hey Dreamseeker -
I feel like I can see that happening on the bus as well. I'm not shy about chatting with people I don't know. It's getting more and more exciting for me now to realize that i dont necessarily have to have a partner on my October trip. The posts from you guys are really making me realize that this can indeed be so much fun!
Thanks for posting!
JustCor
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2015
My worst leads into my best...
Worst:
I added a last minute extra day to a long weekend trip. Because of the sudden change of plans, room selection was slightly limited, but I managed to get a room at CBR. It wasn't good. Almost everything happened to be a bust. I got to the resort early, about 12pm, and figured I'd hit up the parks until the room was ready. It just happened to take a little longer than expected. My room wasn't ready and I'd eventually get a text close to 4pm. No big deal, plenty of park time. The resort looks completely dated. The dingy pink building I was staying in just looked old and tired. The room was clean, mind you, and the people at the front desk incredibly friendly. When I dropped off my stuff before hitting up the parks, there was a humid kind of feel which never really went away, even though this was early February with almost no humidity in the air. When I came back to my room I could hear loud partying, which happened to be in the room next to mine. They were obnoxiously loud until about 2am. Security had stopped by twice to have them quiet down, but it wouldn't be long until they were back at full volume. In addition to the noise, the bed was rock hard and incredibly uncomfortable. I slept terribly.
Best:
I left CBR the next day to go to my original booking: POR. Talk about a night and day difference. The grounds are lovely and clean. When I went to check in at 11am, my room wasn't ready, which is no surprise and about what I was expecting, especially with checkouts being at 11am. Again, my plan was to hit up the parks until the room was ready and worry about getting my stuff moved from the car later in the day. However, rather than have me waiting for the room to eventually get cleaned, she found me one that was immediately available and switched me over. It was a fantastic little gesture that was greatly appreciated. The room was incredibly nice and the bed was a dramatic improvement over the one at CBR. My park plans were delayed by a much need (and appreciated) nap.
I've only been a few times, but those stand out as a stark contrast, and even by "worst" standards, it's relatively benign. The parks were great, regardless and I had a fun time. I'm just completely soured on staying at CBR ever again.
Worst:
I added a last minute extra day to a long weekend trip. Because of the sudden change of plans, room selection was slightly limited, but I managed to get a room at CBR. It wasn't good. Almost everything happened to be a bust. I got to the resort early, about 12pm, and figured I'd hit up the parks until the room was ready. It just happened to take a little longer than expected. My room wasn't ready and I'd eventually get a text close to 4pm. No big deal, plenty of park time. The resort looks completely dated. The dingy pink building I was staying in just looked old and tired. The room was clean, mind you, and the people at the front desk incredibly friendly. When I dropped off my stuff before hitting up the parks, there was a humid kind of feel which never really went away, even though this was early February with almost no humidity in the air. When I came back to my room I could hear loud partying, which happened to be in the room next to mine. They were obnoxiously loud until about 2am. Security had stopped by twice to have them quiet down, but it wouldn't be long until they were back at full volume. In addition to the noise, the bed was rock hard and incredibly uncomfortable. I slept terribly.
Best:
I left CBR the next day to go to my original booking: POR. Talk about a night and day difference. The grounds are lovely and clean. When I went to check in at 11am, my room wasn't ready, which is no surprise and about what I was expecting, especially with checkouts being at 11am. Again, my plan was to hit up the parks until the room was ready and worry about getting my stuff moved from the car later in the day. However, rather than have me waiting for the room to eventually get cleaned, she found me one that was immediately available and switched me over. It was a fantastic little gesture that was greatly appreciated. The room was incredibly nice and the bed was a dramatic improvement over the one at CBR. My park plans were delayed by a much need (and appreciated) nap.
I've only been a few times, but those stand out as a stark contrast, and even by "worst" standards, it's relatively benign. The parks were great, regardless and I had a fun time. I'm just completely soured on staying at CBR ever again.
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