Why do you go solo?

[ludari]

Originally Posted by bigsurandrea

My first Solo trip is going to be this weekend at Disneyland and Disneys California Adventure Park.. I am really really looking forward to it because the last three or four times I have gone its been with people who have never been before and they all had me choose what to do and it gets really exhausting when trying to plan 9 peoples lives... What are people suggestions to do while I'm at the park alone?

I'll be at Disney California Adventure Park on Saturday for the sneak preview of Cars Land. I'm not sure of what type of rides you like and if you have a time limit but at DL I would recommend Star Tours, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, (Matterhorn is closed until June 15 or else I would recommend that ride as well), It's a Small World, Big Thunder Mountain, and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. At DCA I would recommend Soarin', California Screamin' Grizzly River Run, The Little Mermaid, Monsters, Inc., Toy Story Mania, and Tower of Terror.

Have a great trip.

[stemikger]

Originally Posted by newcomer52

I go solo because I am solo. Divorced and kids are grown with their own families. I love being at WDW and would not have all these trips if I didn't want to go solo. There is nothing more relaxing that doing whatever you want to do, eating when and where you want. going full out or just sitting around. It is fabulous. I enjoy being with the family sometimes also, but they can not go nearly as much as I can. You have to be a person that is comfort with yourself.

Jeralyn

Wow Jeralyn, I can learn a lot from you. I just couldn't do it alone, but who knows, I'll never say never.

[Mokat76]

Like many other experienced solo-ers, I do it because I can and because I am absolutely the master of my fate when I do. Last time, I splurged on fancy dinners at restaurants my less adventurous/cheaper friends wouldn't be comfortable in. If I want to see Beauty and the Beast three times or ride Dumbo twice in a row, I can because it's all about my vacation. I can interact or not depending on how I feel. If I get teary-eyed at something, I don't have to pretend I'm not.

Don't get me wrong, I love introducing Disney virgins to the magic, but I cherish my solo trips. Selfish? Yep. Guilty about it? Nope.

[stemikger]

I find this extremely interesting. I can do a lot of things alone, I go to the movies alone quite often and some of my friends often tell me they could never do that. I think the movies is one of the things that is easy to do alone.

I also often go to New York City alone and walk the streets and go to the parks. I find that very easy to do alone and a lot of fun.

However, for some reason, I don't think I could ever do Disney alone. Can someone help understand this. I wish I could explain it, but I can't. I just can't see myself getting on an attraction by myself or going to one of the shows. I can see myself walking the parks and eating counter service, but not much more.

I would just feel so out-of-place not being with someone.

[NJDiva]

Originally Posted by stemikger

I find this extremely interesting. I can do a lot of things alone, I go to the movies alone quite often and some of my friends often tell me they could never do that. I think the movies is one of the things that is easy to do alone.

I also often go to New York City alone and walk the streets and go to the parks. I find that very easy to do alone and a lot of fun.

However, for some reason, I don't think I could ever do Disney alone. Can someone help understand this. I wish I could explain it, but I can't. I just can't see myself getting on an attraction by myself or going to one of the shows. I can see myself walking the parks and eating counter service, but not much more.

I would just feel so out-of-place not being with someone.

For someone who walks around NYC alone I find it very interesting that you don't see yourself doing Disney solo. For all the reasons mentioned the biggest one is no one really knows why you're solo. You could have been separated from your group, you wanted to try something that the others didn't or YOU JUST WANTED TO GO ALONE. I bet if you did one day solo in the parks you would want to do it again...

[fedexflyboy]

Solo can at times be the only way to go if you like being on your won schedule and go from one end of the place to the other and just do your own thing.

[stemikger]

Originally Posted by NJDiva

For someone who walks around NYC alone I find it very interesting that you don't see yourself I. Disney solo. For all the reasons mentioned the biggest one is no one really knows why you're solo. You could have been separated from your group, you sanded to try something that the others didn't or YOU JUST WANTED TO GO ALONE. I bet if you did one day solo in the parks you would want to do it again...

I know, in fact because we are a family of three and my wife and daughter don't like some of the faster rides, I go on alone anyway, but the thought of getting off a ride and not having any one to talk to about it would make me feel sad and out of sorts.

NYC is one of the places where I never feel alone. Not sure why, but I actually pefer it becasue I go on all day walking marathons and no one I know likes to walk that much. LOL.

Thanks for sharing your point of view with me.

[stasijane]

No one that I know loves Disney like I do so I love planning my own trips because I can. No one to answer to while I am there. I get to go where I want and do what I want. I love taking my DD just as much and she loves it just as much, but solo I have more money for ME!!! I know that is stingy, but sometimes in life its ok to make thinks about only you.

[NJDiva]

Originally Posted by stemikger

I know, in fact because we are a family of three and my wife and daughter don't like some of the faster rides, I go on alone anyway, but the thought of getting off a ride and not having any one to talk to about it would make me feel sad and out of sorts.

NYC is one of the places where I never feel alone. Not sure why, but I actually pefer it becasue I go on all day walking marathons and no one I know likes to walk that much. LOL.

Thanks for sharing your point of view with me.

Any time!!
you can never really feel alone in NYC; living in Jersey and being a person who has spent a good deal of time in the city, I can appreciate your enjoyment of being there. I know the first time I really did the parks alone the only weird part for me was when people asked how many in my party and I would say "one" and I would get that odd look from them as if to say "aw, I'm sorry you have no friends to go with." when in reality I have about a dozen people that would love to be with me in the parks but I CHOSE to go solo. don't be sad when you get off of a ride, just get back in line and do it all over again!

[Tink127]

After 15 plus trips to WDW with the family, my family dare I say is over it. I go solo now and it is a completely different experience. Besides getting to do what you want to do, it gives me time to soak in all the little details that I missed when going with the family where the goal was to get on an attraction.

Definitely a different experience!

[Liliesinthevalley]

I have enjoyed going solo to WDW. If no one else is available to go when I am able, then I just make plans and go it alone.

While I enjoy going solo - I am independent and don't mind doing things on my own - I tend to have more fun when 1 or more people are with me.

That being said, when I have gone solo it's been 100% drama free. I can do what I want, when I want and how I want it. It's less stressful.

The only thing I really don't like doing by myself is eating out, so that was a tough thing for me to get over in WDW. I found myself doing CS and walking around eating rather than sitting and enjoying myself.

[mtfarlin]

I LOVE going to WDW solo!!!! Just to be able to take my time, pick the resturants and times to eat and just to "people" watch are big positives in my book!!! Like a previous post mentioned, it is so less stressful and it does make it seem like a vacation. Eating solo is always enjoyable as I people watch while I eat and at times I thank my lucky stars I am eating alone and in peace. also, there are many times being a solo traveler I can get on rides quicker as there have been times only 1 rider is needed on a ride and the CM will let you "come to the front of the line" to get on a ride....I know there have been times I have been upgraded on my room as I was a single traveler..always a nice perk CM are always more eager and open to speaking with you and striking up a conversation if they know you are traveling by yourself. I really enjoy doing WDW solo

[goofyernmost]

Originally Posted by newcomer52

I go solo because I am solo. Divorced and kids are grown with their own families. I love being at WDW and would not have all these trips if I didn't want to go solo. There is nothing more relaxing that doing whatever you want to do, eating when and where you want. going full out or just sitting around. It is fabulous. I enjoy being with the family sometimes also, but they can not go nearly as much as I can. You have to be a person that is comfort with yourself.

Jeralyn

That would be me as well, in fact, almost exactly. There are times that I kind of wish I was sharing some of it with someone that enjoyed it as much as I do...but at my age that isn't likely to happen. My days of being Gods gift to Women have passed into more of a garbage bag of aging.

[Suelala]

I, too, am older and single, and I am working on getting the courage to go solo on a trip to WDW. I had one booked for this November, but ended up inviting my (grown) daughter to go with me...of course, this means doubling my cost. I have taken the grandkids, and wasnt able to take my daughter when she was young, so I am glad I get to do this. However, the very next trip will be just me. I enjoy reading about other people going solo, and sounds like everyone enjoys their trip, so what the heck, I'll do it. Beats not getting to go at all! WDW is my happy place.

[dreamscometrue101]

I've never done a solo trip to WDW but I plan to do 2 next year. I do solo trips for business all the time so I'm looking forward to having that freedom at my favorite place.

I have no problem eating alone, but I'm a little concerned about the character meals.

I absolutely adore the interaction with the characters and would like to dine at a few of my must-dos but I'm not sure how that would be dealt with at the restaurant. If I went to Ohana, 1900 Park Fare and Crystal Palace by myself would the "handler" be willing to take pics for me?