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.
I would be traveling alone as no one I know would want to go with me.
When will you be going?
I've solo traveled to Disney as well as many other places. In my opinion, I felt more confident and safer at Disney than other places. There is always a Cast Member around. I had a great time and felt really comfortable. You will have a wonderful trip!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
Thank you
My mom was worried about me going to Disney alone too. I told her that there are pretty much ALWAYS lots of people around and that I would be careful. I've taken two solo trips and I had a great time with no problems at all. I hope you have a great time as well!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
I would be traveling alone as no one I know would want to go with me.
I think that as a parent, I would feel more comfortable knowing my child, even as an adult, is in a safe environment that offers transportation in what can be unfamiliar territory.
FWIW, I have wanted to plan a solo trip and the only way I would do this is to stay onsite. I like the idea of reducing any stresses that can occur, remove any travel concensus (translate that to if I want a glass of wine I can without worrying about driving)
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
I've been in a few situations like this (but not at WDW) and often just asked a family or couple in front of me if it was OK if I walked behind them & kept them in sight because of my concerns. Never a problem. In fact, every time they told me to walk with them & have a chat rather than walk behind.Or just walk near another family-I remember one night, I just tailed another family through an area that I didn't feel comfortabhle walking in.
Ditto to this!! Disney is one of the safest places around. I always prefer staying onsite when traveling solo (im a solo female traveler). I have never felt unsafe at Disney. There are tons of CM and families around...even when you're closing the park late at night. I too wouldn't stay off site as a solo traveler. In the end, youre not saving that much money. in fact, it probably turns out to be about the same. Plus, I love the on-site perk of EMH...i love EMH at night in particular. I couldn't give that up.I also stay on site at a Value (POP or All Star) when I travel solo. Love the included airport shuttle, transpo to parks and no need for a rental car. The small room is not a problem for a solo traveler. My family is also less worried about me. At this point, I personally wouldn't look at staying off site. I've done it in the past yrs ago and for 1 person, IMO I didn't find the savings to be worthwhile.