Talk me into a solo trip

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PALionKingfan

Mouseketeer
Joined
May 30, 2012
I am looking to go on a Disney World trip this November to treat myself for finishing my degree. I thought some friends and/or family could go with me but that fell through. I am concerned with going solo. I can't pinpoint why, other than maybe eating alone. Talk me into the benefits of going by myself to DW.
 
I'm getting ready to go on my fourth solo trip in Sept. I love them, while I enjoy going with my adult son and an occasional girlfriend/fiance/wife of his, the solo ones are just as much fun. You can do what you want when you want. Want to sit on a bench and watch a show while eating corn dog fingers - do it. Want to ride COP ten times in a row - do it. Want to sit on your balcony and have a glass of wine and do nothing - do it. Eating alone is not problem but if you aren't used to it, practice at home. Go somewhere you are real familiar with and have at it. Take a book or a magazine for the first few times, you'll find after a while no one notices you and you can enjoy your meal at your own pace. I'll admit, I have the Kindle Ap on my phone and after I have placed my order I usually read. I've struck up many conversations in lines and even ended up riding rides with someone I met in line, to smile and say have a nice day after the ride and both go about our day.
 
loves to dive said:
I'm getting ready to go on my fourth solo trip in Sept. I love them, while I enjoy going with my adult son and an occasional girlfriend/fiance/wife of his, the solo ones are just as much fun. You can do what you want when you want. Want to sit on a bench and watch a show while eating corn dog fingers - do it. Want to ride COP ten times in a row - do it. Want to sit on your balcony and have a glass of wine and do nothing - do it. Eating alone is not problem but if you aren't used to it, practice at home. Go somewhere you are real familiar with and have at it. Take a book or a magazine for the first few times, you'll find after a while no one notices you and you can enjoy your meal at your own pace. I'll admit, I have the Kindle Ap on my phone and after I have placed my order I usually read. I've struck up many conversations in lines and even ended up riding rides with someone I met in line, to smile and say have a nice day after the ride and both go about our day.
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Pretty much sums up my experience! I actually prefer going solo to being with the family as I can come and go as I please, ride the rides I like, move about the grounds faster, eat when hungry, shop, rest, etc. I have no issues eating alone and almost always have a book with me to pass time waiting for the bus, when eating, waiting for a parade to start, etc. On my previous trips I've enjoyed an ice cream sundae for lunch twice at MK, and drank my way around the World at Epcot, taken a backstage tour, and was even able to get a table at one restaurant because I was solo and they actually had a table for one.
 
My first solo was July 2015. I did another in December 2015. Then a partial solo in Feb 2016. And then another partial solo a few weeks ago. Going again solo this Thursday for a few days.

While I loved the trips I have taken with others, my solo time at WDW has been amazing! It's so relaxing and freeing to be able to do as you please, when you please. I love changing plans at the last minute without having to worry at all about what anyone else wants to do.

I've traveled alone a great deal to other places, so I wasn't concerned about going solo. I wasn't too sure about going to such a family oriented place solo, but that ended up not being an issue for me at all. I'm fine with dining alone so that wasn't an issue for me, but I get why it is for some. I agree with the above post....try doing this now at home and try to get used to it. You can always stick to quick service meals if you aren't comfortable with that part.

I think you should do it!
 
Ditto what everyone else wrote AND you get to go in the single rider line. As for eating alone, I understand what you mean. It feels less awkward eating at QS places where you can take your meal to any table you choose and can pick ones hidden away if you wish. Also, sitting outside always seems easier by yourself. As for TS, I tend to eat at places that have a bar and sit there where you can talk to the bar tender (or not). Another idea is lounges where they serve food - like Victoria Falls. Even if you hate eating alone, all the other benefits of traveling solo will make it worth it.
 
Do it! I took my first solo trip last December, 9 days, and I went back and forth for a couple of months before finally booking. It was one of my favorite trips! I will admit, eating solo was a little odd for sit down meals, but it really wasn't too bad. I even took a side trip to Universal Studios one day because I love Harry Potter.
 
Years ago I wanted to go to WDW, but couldn't find anyone to go with me, so I went alone. I admit I was apprehensive, but it turned out to be one of the best trips I've ever had. WDW is an amazingly friendly place. There's always people to talk to - in lines, on buses, in restaurants. Wherever. While dining by myself, I found that the wait staff would often pop by and engage in conversation. I often chatted with the people at nearby tables, even. The only thing that I found was I called home more than I normally would on a vacation, but just to talk about the trip. (This was back in the days before cell phones)
As others have said, YOU get to control the trip. It's awesome. Get up when you want, got to sleep when you want. DO WHAT YOU WANT!
I would LOVE to do another solo trip, but if I did that now my daughters would KILL me for not taking them. Once they grow up and move out, and I can justify not taking them, I'm going to travel solo more.
 
I've done one trip semi solo (it got shortened when my husband joined me for a few days then went home early) and am currently considering another solo trip during my sabbatical in a year and a half. It was really fun! No complaining about hurting feet, or a line being too long, or not wanting to do what I wanted to do when I wanted it. It was very freeing and I actually found myself slowing down and doing things I normally wouldn't do, like going over to the Poly to grab sushi and having a beer on the dock while watching the little boats shuttle park goers. I also either play games on my phone or read while waiting for my food and had an easy time of it (aside from trying to eat at Ohana by myself - they did NOT bring me smaller portions than they would for two! UGH). I actually disliked sitting at the bars since people would inevitably try to chat with me - I don't like that when I am eating - and sitting at a table was fine. No one ever batted an eye except one day I ended up at a table for six at BoG lunch. It was the only one open, lol! I did chat with some people in lines when I wanted to and no one gave me weird looks when I said party of one.

My ONLY reservation for my next trip is the high price of staying onsite for one person. Its easier to swallow when its not just me enjoying something so expensive..! I also dislike sleeping alone nowadays... I am a scaredy cat like that even at home when my husband is on work trips. :p
 
Thanks for the feedback. I feel better about doing a solo trip. The eating alone still is weird to me that is just me.
 
I have made at least 13 solo trips since my divorce. I have loved it. Yes, once in awhile, I'd be less then honest, it did cross my mind that this would have been nice to share with someone. However, the fact that I could go to whatever I wanted to as often as I wanted, came and went whenever I wanted, ate when and where I wanted and just plan felt free to do anything I wanted more then made up for it. :) Many people express concern that they will feel self-conscience about being alone, but you will be amazed at how you don't really even think about that when you are there. Even riding attractions that usually are thought of as a good one to go on with children. No one really notices that you are alone until you get to the load area and then it's mostly just the noticed by the CM's trying to place you properly.

Go, have fun and don't worry.
 
I just got back from my first solo trip and had so much fun! I hit all 4 parks, did character meets, enjoyed the pool, went shopping at Disney Springs, had afternoon tea at the Grand, dinner at California Grill etc etc. I met so many people, struck up conversations everywhere and had my first Dismeet! Can't wait to do it again!
 
I am about to do my 3rd solo trip on Monday, staying until Friday. I don't want to rehash what everyone else says, but wanted to add a few tidbits about dining alone. My first solo trip, I felt like an a$$ eating alone, and bringing a book or magazine to eat at Disney just seemed odd, but have found a few ways I can dine alone and still have a great experience.

Depending on the restaurant, ask if they have an extra space at the chef's table (i.e. Flying Fish). If they happen to have an open seat, you can eat there, talk to the chef and other staff without it being awkward.

Depending on location, eat at the Bar or counter - Tune in Lounge (50s Prime Time Cafe menu). Sanaa, Jiko, Kimonos (plus, they have karaoke), and the Cuban place at Disney Springs (forgot the name) to name a few.

Sci-Fi Diner is a perfect place for a solo diner. I have done lunch there twice solo and had a blast in my very own car lol. Plus everyone is looking at the same tired movie, so they aren't paying attention to you.

Dine with an Imagineer!! I am doing that for the first time this week.

Meet new friends on Disboards or at the park to share a meal!! I can't tell you how many times I have met someone on line for a ride, or at the resort pool, or here on Disboards and we just meet up to have a great meal at our favorite sit-down restaurant! I am an introvert mostly, but love meeting new people and it's a great option if you really want to eat somewhere that you will feel awkward doing so alone.

I hope you do it. It's such an amazing way to take in Disney.
 
have you ever stayed in a studio. if you do you can eat in your room fixing it yourself (saves alot of money). Now I do on occasion eat at a WDW restaurant - but lately that has been when family was at WDW. going solo is great. just try it once. Some people love it others don't.
 
live about an hour (sometime more other times less) away from WDW - so can definitely join you for a meal - if you like.
 
Not to mention, if it is crowded, not having to worry about losing anyone to the crowd. It can be very liberating being there by yourself in a crowd, coming and going at whatever speed you deem necessary without losing other people! Also, as others have mentioned, you can do whatever you want whenever you want to and not have to answer to anyone. Being alone, your mood is yours, so you don't have to worry about anyone having a fit half day through and arguments developing. While I have been to WDW many times, always with people (heading down in October on my first solo trip) and never experienced from people in my groups the tantrums other people can throw, I have seen plenty of them there!
 
I have flew on solo trip once to Switzerland, it was around April, it was still cold but it was such a great town to commute and walk around. I took an A380 (bigger airplanes for the extra cabin space, you can check out their airbuses - http://flights.etihad.com/en-ch/) and flew with Etihad Airways. It was my first time to travel solo so I could say I "balled out." But their customer service truly helped me a lot in booking and finding the places to go for 2 weeks. I think being a solo traveler will truly force you to talk to locals and meet new people. I think it fulfills the whole experience of a new place.
 
Gearing up for my 3rd solo trip. DLR 10/2. I did WDW solo in 2014 and DLR solo in 2015. Like most here I love them. I love touring the parks with my 3 lovely daughters but solo trips are special for a Disney nut! The freedom without compromise is nice. I also was a little apprehensive about TS dining alone but it is fine. I was able to try some of the "high end" dining I have always wanted to try that my daughters wouldn't really appreciate. I did the Blue Bayou / Fantasmic dining pkg and the Carthay Circle / WOC dining pkg. I loved them both and as a party of one it didn't break the bank. Do it. You won't regret it.
 
have never done a solo trip but I've always wanted to try and I may do it 9/23 for 3 nights.... just wanting to go down because I've been through a lot of stress lately. I could use a quick trip and I want to go to Food and Wine. My boyfriend isn't interested and I can't find anyone who will go - I may do it alone. We'll see. I'll be stalking this board a lot...
 
Currently here at WDW solo, my first ever time (from England) and I love it!! Can't deny that I was worried before I left, I've never been away alone before and had no idea what to expect and literally just took the plunge and booked 2 weeks. It's been great though, at no point have I felt awkward, or even lonely! I've been so busy doing all the things I enjoy with the rides and character meets, eating the food I want, everything at my own pace.. It's been easy and so much fun! I guess its hard to understand until you go yourself, I read lots of comments from people saying that solo is fun but I did have doubts. But now I completely agree with them! And it's nice now knowing I have the freedom to come any time I want without having to be burdened trying to find a mate who would consider coming (none of them want to and I don't have a boyf either) To be honest I don't know if I would want someone coming with me anymore now, it's just too good solo!
 
As you can see from everyone's responses, you can still have a great time going solo! I'm here now as well solo at Disney World and I feel so free to do whatever I want. I've done plenty of solo trips from cruises, Martha's Vineyard, New Orleans and more trips! Sometimes you have to just go for it! Yes you may have some times that you may want someone there but it quickly dissapates. I think I've had more fun when I go alone on trips. Have fun! You can do it!
 
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