1st solo trip; getting nervous

[ems_mom]

1st solo trip ever, anywhere; getting nervous

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted this on the Solo board, but thought maybe my fellow DVC'rs might have good advice.

My plane ticket is bought and I am committed, but honestly I am really nervous about traveling alone. Not about my days in the parks, which will be awesome as I get to go and do whatever I want (the selfish me who planned this trip is really psyched).

But I am worrying about the flights and the nights. I haven't flown alone in 30 years and haven't spent a night apart from my husband except for visits to family out of state. I am a grown women of middle age so why am I freaking out?

Any suggestions would be helpful. I can still cancel the trip with the only loss being my airfare.
__________________

 

[DisneyHeather]

I would go it sounds like fun. I'm flying solo to get to my EBTA cruise and the flying in the states doesn't bother me but I was a little worried about flying back from Spain "alone". Turns out a fellow DIS'er will be in the seat next to me though so no worries.

I think a solo trip to the parks would be a blast though. Being able to do anything you wanted when you wanted. You'll be fine I hope you go and have a blast.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Just think of the travel they same way you are thinking about the parks. You can get to the airport when you want, you can have a snack at anyplace you want, you can strike up a conversation with someone new or you can just enjoy the solo time and not talk to anyone!

I travel alone all the time both for work and pleasure and I really don't find the travel any different than being any other place alone. It's a lot of other nice people going places and there is plenty of help available if you need it. I enjoy just people watching - you can see some very amusing things at the airport and on an airplane when you've really got the time to watch!

 

[mrsR123]

I've done three trips to WDW without DH, and one of those was completely alone. It is a little weird being in a hotel room by myself, but it's really nice to be able to do what I want, when I want.

Lots of people travel alone for work; think how much more fun you'll have than they do! You can do this.

 

[twinklebug]

I've traveled alone a bit for vacation and work. Like you I was worried a bit beforehand but once I got to the airport it all fell into place & trust me, when youve been busy all day you'll treasure having that room to yourself at night... if you can stay awake long enough to that is!

Relax & Enjoy!

 

[ems_mom]

Thanks for sharing your positive experiences and encouragement. My adult daughter says I am a great "cheerleader" in her life; something we all need now and then...A trip to WDW is such a small challenge in the scheme of things but I still appreciate your help.

 

[kikiq]

I love my alone trips. You can sleep in, eat a little, eat a lot, and recharge yourself especially if you are the "cheerleader". That means you need to do something for you. Enjoy the time, spread the magic and enjoy.

 

[helenk]

I was nervous when I took my first solo trip back in Sept of 2003, and since then most of my trips have been solo. I love going with family but I truly enjoy my solo trips.
It is so nice to get up when you want, go at the pace you want, and stay as long at a park or leave early if the mood suits you.
Flying alone is actually quite relaxing, I enjoy reading my book or watching my DVD player without interuption. Using ME makes getting from the airport to WDW a snap!
Go and have a great time. Owning DVC has made my trips even better, there is nothing better than sitting out on your balcony and just absorbing all that Disney magic. I have stayed in the value resorts and moderate resorts in my past solo trips, staying in a DVC villa is the best.

 

[donald...really]

I used to take alone trips all the time. Now that I am married I actually miss them. I love traveling with my husband, of course, but traveling alone is special too, but in a different way.

Once I was at a nice B+B in Maine all by myself. I took a walk along a popular path by the beach, through the woods, over the rocky shore. It was BEAUTIFUL. I noticed that everyone who was with another person was so busy talking to each other they didn't take the time to look up and see what was around them. The entire reason for the walk for them was the conversation and not the scenery. That's when I realized how special and empowering being alone can be. It gives you time to actually "be" where you are and see the world around you. And what better place to slow down and look around than WDW?

Once I was at one of the parks by myself, and a woman traveling alone and I sat next to each other on a ride. We struck up a conversation and ended up spending the entire day together, lunch and everything. You never know what can happen if you let it.

At night: go to the movies; walk around World Showcase and make dinner out of eating at different fast food places in the different countries; take yourself out to dinner in a nice restaurant (I like dining alone but I make sure I bring a book so I'm not just sitting there at the table by myself waiting for the meal to be served. OR you can ask to sit at the counter at restaurants that have counters, like the California Grill. I don't even think you need a reservation to sit there), make an evening appointment at a spa. I've even played a round of mini-golf by myself.

Speaking of dining alone, once I was at a nice restaurant by myself. As I was finishing dinner a nice couple at the table next to me asked if I wanted to join them for dessert. I did, and we had such a wonderful time we made plans to go to the movies together the next night!

You will be FINE and have a GREAT TIME. And think how empowered you will feel when you get home!

 

[Lynne M]

Please don't cancel. What particular things are worrying you? Maybe we can help with your concerns.

I can't count the number of times I've travelled alone, for business or vacation. It's easy, and I especially love my solo WDW trips.

 

[twe1vestone2]

Have fun on your solo trip! Your daughter is very pretty

 

[SusieBea]

I admire you for even planning the trip. Now, tell us what you have planned for your days, where you'll eat, and stay. And please do a trip report. You can be an encouragement to others. You have an assignment!

 

[eliza61]

1st solo trip ever, anywhere; getting nervous

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted this on the Solo board, but thought maybe my fellow DVC'rs might have good advice.

My plane ticket is bought and I am committed, but honestly I am really nervous about traveling alone. Not about my days in the parks, which will be awesome as I get to go and do whatever I want (the selfish me who planned this trip is really psyched).

But I am worrying about the flights and the nights. I haven't flown alone in 30 years and haven't spent a night apart from my husband except for visits to family out of state. I am a grown women of middle age so why am I freaking out?

Any suggestions would be helpful. I can still cancel the trip with the only loss being my airfare.
__________________

Absolutely Donot cancel that trip!! My first solo trip anywhere was to Europe!!! talk about freakin out. LOL.

Anyway, solo trips are fun. My first concern was dining out. I couldn't imagine sitting at a restaurant by myself. Now I do it routinely, I generally take a book or some thing to read.
When I'm at the world solo, my nights are when I hit the stores and places like DTD or the broadwalk. I love it because I can go through them slowly. when I'm with my family I always feel guilty because I know they want to hurry up to the next attraction.

OOh, do a spa treatment at Saratoga springs or the swan.

 

[Cee]

 

[corrinna]

When are you going to be there and where are you staying???

 

[mecllap]

Please don't cancel -- this will be good practice for future solo trips to more unfamiliar places.
Pack as light as you can (airports are no fun anymore). (I don't use a purse anymore, which really helps with how much stuff I might need to haul around -- a backpack is handy).
Take small bills ($1, 5, and 10) for various tipping (keep what you might need in your pocket, easy to get to).
I sometimes work on writing my trip journal during meals, or just look at travel brochures (or enjoy the view and people-watching). Sometimes I take a book or magazine.
Look confident, but ask for help when you need it.

There's tons of advice on the solo board -- not sure there's much different for a DVC solo traveler (if you're staying in a studio, you'll need to ask for extra paper plates less often, if you eat in!).

The only thing I don't like about solo traveling is when I have to pay the single supplement! (well, that's not totally true, sometimes it would be fun to have someone to dance with, etc. and to have someone to help haul the baggage -- but that doesn't spoil the whole trip). And that doesn't apply to WDW (although a couple of times, it's seemed to help with a dinner ressie if I said it was for two instead of one).

 

[Best Aunt]

The only thing I don't like about traveling solo is dragging my carry-on bag and other item into the bathroom stall at the airport. If you're with someone, they can watch your stuff for you. If you're alone, you don't want to let your bags out of your sight.

 

[liznboys]

Once I was at one of the parks by myself, and a woman traveling alone and I sat next to each other on a ride. We struck up a conversation and ended up spending the entire day together, lunch and everything. You never know what can happen if you let it.

Great story, and I love the part I bolded!!


ems_mom~I took a solo trip a couple years ago. I felt a bit anxious, but I had a wonderful time! I did meet up with people down there a bit, but I was alone for some park time, my flights and at my resort (I stayed in a MK view room at the Contemporary..I fell asleep with a view of Cinderella Castle from my pillow! ) I did the Segway tour in Epcot by myself, and ended up with a group of 6 other people doing it who were all so friendly, it was such a blast!

Then last month I flew down to do the half marathon. I did spend the weekend with a friend though. And next January I'll be doing it again, and this time I will probably end up on my own quite a bit. I'm totally fine with that, I'll get to do whatever I want to!!

It sounds to me like you totally deserve this and you just need to go for it. I bet you will come back feeling so glad you did! You are going to have a fantastic trip!!

 

[liznboys]

The only thing I don't like about traveling solo is dragging my carry-on bag and other item into the bathroom stall at the airport. If you're with someone, they can watch your stuff for you. If you're alone, you don't want to let your bags out of your sight.

Ha, good point, that is kinda a hassle! Not a deal-breaker though!!

 

[ems_mom]

liznboys - Thanks to you and everyone else for your kind and inspiring words. I am nowhere near as self-sufficient as some of you. I know for sure a half-marathon is beyond my reach!

But I am still planning to go ahead with my trip. I have about a month to go before I have to cancel without messing up my points. I am a planner, so I think doing at least some advance planning will make the trip seem less "scary" for lack of a better word.

I've got "it" bad...the eating (dining planning); sleeping (which resort???); and dreaming (what's on sale at DT Disney right now?) And the freedom to go on the same ride 5x's in a row if I want to - I really want to go for it. So thanks for giving me that push.