2nd trip to WDW and first ever solo trip anywhere!

[Dramaqueen1976]

Hi,

I've just booked a 6-day trip to WDW in April 2017 and I must admit I am a bit terrified; don't know what's gotten over me for booking a trip alone!

Went in January 2016 with husband and 3 kids and the experience was, well, not that fun. I felt robbed of a great experience because of rotten attitudes and too much people to please. So, with that bad memory in mind, I decided to pay myself a trip for my 41st birthday that will be just 3 days before departure (I can get a Birthday button anyway, right?).

Chose the cheapest way to go, Pop Century resort and quick meal plan (darn Canadian exchange rate) and I'm not doing any character meals and am afraid I will be missing out on something. But, at the same time, I'm scared of feeling to much awkwardness being alone with the characters, stupid I know!

Any tips out there for a first time solo traveller to WDW like me, considering that I've only been there once?

Thanks!

 

[loves to dive]

First, take a deep breath. O.k. now do you feel better? If not, get a glass of wine. Now that that's out of the way, my #1 suggestion would be if you have never eaten out by yourself, take yourself to some local places you are comfortable with and do it there first. That way you can figure out what makes you the most comfortable. Some people aren't comfortable at TS restaurants solo but do fine at QS or aren't comfortable with TS but do well with lounges or bars. I travel solo often, my honey hates to travel and my son is grown and in college so can't always go with me. I love to travel so solo it is. I have my kindle downloaded on my phone and I read while I eat. I eat at TS restaurants all the time solo, after I've placed my order (I think it rude to do so before I don't know why) I can read or watch other people or just eat my meal in my own time.

Yes, you can still wear your birthday button, I do it the entire week I'm there on my birthday.

While standing in lines for the rides, actually look around and pay attention to the details. You'd be surprised how much you miss while your trying to entertain the kids or take care of the husband who is hot and cranky. Again, sometimes if the line is long, I'll read my kindle. Go slow, take your time in the parks and just look around. There is so much detail that we normally miss because of rushing from one ride to another. My son and I just sat on the benches across from the Italy pavilion in Epcot for about 45 min. just looking up at the detail (we also had a glass of wine in our hands) but really after over 30 years of going we had never actually looked up.

Resort hop, there are a number of ways to do this. 1: If you've never been to the deluxe resorts, hop on the monorail at MK and start at the CR, get off and wander around the resort, maybe go to the bar and have a drink or just sit in a lounge and have a coke. Move on to Poly and then GF. I can spend an entire afternoon just sitting in the lobby of the GR and wandering around the grounds and shops.
2: Again, if you haven't visited the Epcot resorts, walk through Epcot to the IG by France and exit there. Walk around the lake whichever direction suits your fancy and drop into the BC, YC and BW. Bonus points walk over Swan/Dolphin and explore them, the Dolphin has a great ice cream shop which I think rivals Beaches and Cream but isn't as busy and is fun.
3: Play resort roulette. Go to the bus stop and stand in either the deluxe, moderate or value resort area, hop on the first resort bus to arrive. Explore it at your leisure and if you have park hoppers, play park roulette and get on the first park bus that arrives.

If you are there during warm weather, enjoy the pool. I'll admit the Pop is not the best resort for a quiet day at the pool is it tends to be kid heavy but if you time it right you should be able to just lay there with a book and enjoy.

Most importantly, take the time to relax. Ride what you want to ride or don't ride anything. If there is a line and you don't have a FP (I rarely book FPs when solo) and you really want to ride it, stand in line you are in no hurry. Go with the flow. There are a few rides that you are going to be seated with a stranger, just go with it and don't stress. I actually had a family with 3 kids standing in line in front of me once at SDMT, all kids under the age they could ride by themselves. I obviously look like a mom so the mom asked me if I would mind if the oldest daughter rode with me. We made sure Dad and one kid was in the car in front and Mom and the other kid in the car behind so the little girl could see both parents and they could see her. She was a little shy and afraid at first but I started pointing out all the cool things and acting excited and she soon got into the groove and wanted to ride with me again. My kid is grown and I'm not overly fond of small one's but it was nice for that 2 min. time slot to have a chance to switch out kids and the parents were extremely grateful. Don't worry about missing your family or feel guilty about them not being there, you'll come home a refreshed mom and when mom's happy, everyone is happy. No one looks at you twice when you are solo, they don't know if you are there solo or just ditched your family for one ride/meal/afternoon.

 

[Shellyred8]

I love doing WDW solo. I go where I want, when I want. I don't have to worry about anyone else. If I change my mind at the last minute, so be it. No need to explain myself to anyone else.

One thing I like to do while I'm waiting in line is to strike up a conversation with those around me. I've met some fascinating people that way. Not everyone appreciates this, so if you start talking to someone and they don't show interest, don't push it. But most of the people I chat with have been very friendly.

As the previous poster mentioned, take your time and just look at what's around you. WDW really is a pretty amazing place. They really do the details well in the parks.

You might want to look into doing a tour of some sort while you are there. I've done several tours there and don't regret a single one of them. Since there is only one of you, the cost won't be that bad either.

Have fun!!

 

[com_op_2000]

I agree with PP, relax!
You are going to a place that you enjoy going too. That means to me, that you are out for the enjoyment that you feel and not for anyone else. Take time to enjoy the resorts and think about skipping one whole day of the parks. That way you force yourself to do some of the things that are not park related.
Depending upon what you are into, here are some suggestions:
sports: golf, mini-golf, fishing, marathon, bowling, ESPN Club, WWS/ESPN Zone, etc
shopping: DTD, area outlet malls, large scale malls
drinking: Jellyrolls, Raglan Road, monorail tour of resorts, walking tour of resorts in the Boardwalk area
movies: DTD 24 screen theater some with meals served by waiters
night clubbing: Jellyrolls, Atlantic Dance, Raglan Road, Citywalk
resort tours: monorail tour of resorts, Boardwalk around the lake tour of resorts, horse drawn tour of FWC, AKL/AKV
offsite: Gaylord Palms Resort, Citywalk, swamp tour
eating: Formal GF 5* Chef's Table @ V&As

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I love solo Disney trips and have enjoyed them at WDW, Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. I've loved them all!

Do exactly what you want when you want - ride, or don't ride, eat or don't eat. Sometimes I've just enjoyed taking a boat or the monorail somewhere I have never been before and just explore. It is so much fun to discover new places and resorts that I might want to book in the future. The Wilderness Lodge has great places to get away from the crowds - little nooks and crannies with a sofa and some quiet. I also enjoy the lobby of the Grand Floridian when the jazz band is playing - bliss!

Another happy note is the single rider line - some main line attractions have single rider lines - no wait or a minimal wait. Expedition Everest is one of these as is Test Track - there are several others. As a single rider I could ride EE over and over again if I wanted - think my top number is only 3 times in a row - lol!

Enjoy some good meals - you will have time to actually savor your meal instead of worrying about other people. There is a lot of good food to enjoy at DW! If you enjoy them - see a show or two - something maybe you wouldn't do if you were with a group. I also enjoyed just tooling around Disney Springs, enjoying the entertainment and shopping there - nice if you want to be around people. I had a complete stranger and her son wish me a happy birthday (birthday button) - very nice to sit and chat.

Anyway - have a really great time!

 

[Sir William]

I don't think there is anywhere safer or more suited for the solo traveler than WDW. No need to feel terrified - feel excited!

Some very good advice above. Try a few meals out by yourself, even if just for lunch, before you go just to get used to the experience. You can't do everything, so focus on what makes you happy and brings out the inner child: ride those rides you like or always wanted to try but couldn't with the family in tow; eat what you want, when you want (I have a tradition of having a mid-afternoon ice cream sundae at MK); take some time to look around you, at the small details Disney puts into everything (I highly recommend the Keys to the Kingdom tour at MK which gives you a lot of insight into Walt's vision for the park and the hidden things that keep everything running smoothly); and don't be afraid to interact with other visitors, if the opportunity presents itself and you're comfortable doing it (I've invited people to share my table if there aren't any free tables, helped a frustrated mother explain to her young child how pin trading worked, and given suggestions to first timers).

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Character meals are fun, but it's easier when there is someone with you to take your picture. Sometimes a server or character handler can do this for you, but I've found it hit or miss as to whether they will be nearby and available for this when needed. If possible, you can try in advance to arrange for other solo DIS'ers to meet you for a character meal.

 

[Melissakay1q]

I am so excited for you on your Solo trip! I did a short one myself this September and am gearing up for a little bit of a longer one this coming September. I have moments of feeling guilty with leaving DH and DD to go all on my own. DH doesn't like parks and DD is not quite 2 years old and a terrible traveler. I call my trip Mom's Mental Health Week. I'm so happy to see another mom doing something similar!

My solo trip was similar to yours: Pop Century and QS dining. It worked out great! The buses were efficient in my opinion and I enjoyed a variety of nomz despite every meal being QS. Some of my favorite meals were lunch at BoG and pizza at Wolfgang Puck Express. In the future, I'd add QS breakfast at Capt Cook's at the Poly for a budget-friendly way to try out Tonga Toast.

I love thrill rides and found myself in love with DHS. As a solo traveler, I was able to take advantage of single rider line at RnR and went several times in a row. A break for a vodka lemonade then I rode ToT over and over since the line was short and the ride was so much fun! Do whatever you want! It's amazing and wonderful and you deserve it.

Some advice I have is to make sure you take a break of some kind. My trip was so short that I felt I had to go go go so I burned myself out during the day and was exhausted before the sun went down. There was plenty of time left in the park but I was too tired to stay. Prioritize some breaks!

I carried a cross body bag with water bottle holders on each side and was never more glad that I brought my s'well bottle to use for free ice water. Something to keep a drink cold and an easy way to hold it will really come in handy.

DH and I got a portable phone charger to share before my trip and let me tell you, I used the fire out of it! It was great to have and not worry that I might lose my battery life.

I worried a little prior to my trip that I might feel awkward or stand out as a solo traveler. That was never the case. You will have a great time!

 

[Melissakay1q]

I thought an OOP trip to The Wave at the Contemporary for breakfast would be really fun before a visit to MK but I was too lazy to get out of bed in time. Their breakfast buffet looks delicious! What says solo mom trip better than pancakes and mimosas?

 

[LindseyLou2222]

That's awesome! I'm sure you'll have an amazing time. I'm in the same boat, working up the courage to go solo.

Hi,

I've just booked a 6-day trip to WDW in April 2017 and I must admit I am a bit terrified; don't know what's gotten over me for booking a trip alone!

Went in January 2016 with husband and 3 kids and the experience was, well, not that fun. I felt robbed of a great experience because of rotten attitudes and too much people to please. So, with that bad memory in mind, I decided to pay myself a trip for my 41st birthday that will be just 3 days before departure (I can get a Birthday button anyway, right?).

Chose the cheapest way to go, Pop Century resort and quick meal plan (darn Canadian exchange rate) and I'm not doing any character meals and am afraid I will be missing out on something. But, at the same time, I'm scared of feeling to much awkwardness being alone with the characters, stupid I know!

Any tips out there for a first time solo traveller to WDW like me, considering that I've only been there once?

Thanks!

 

[Anitsirk24]

Just want to say: I know how you feel! I had a similar situation. I went with my DH and 3 kids, and my DH's bad attitude made it a miserable situation. I then went solo, and it was amazing! We did another family trip and I used what I learned on my solo trip, and it was better than the first. But now I am hooked on solo trips. I'm hoping for a September trip either solo or with a roommate to help the cost.

You will have a blast. Use this to do things you want to do. I did a tour, tried table services I wanted to, and it was wonderful.

 

[OatsZoo]

I am just starting to plan a solo trip too. Thanks for all the advice from the other solo trippers.

I know how you feel, being nervous and scared. I am going for various reasons, 1. I love Disney and DH is Disney'd out. 2. Both my kids are in high school and can't miss more time off due to other commitments 3. Solo trips have intrigued me for years and it's on my bucket list so why not. Lol

I too was thinking of going value (but I may splurge and go mod just to get more of a break from the ton of kids at values) and was considering quick service as not sure I want to do table service plus I don't mind the quick service food and that leaves more time to explore.

I agree with others, I want this trip to be about doing things I want, sit on the park bench with a margarita from Mexico and people watch for as long as I want. Go on rides I've spend the last 6 trips missing cause it was all about what the kids wanted to do. I want to take pictures of all the details. The windows, mouldings, little details the kids don't appreciate. Go on its a small world over and over to see all the dolls (the rest of my family hate it).

Speaking of picture, I'm thinking photo pass may be a good idea since you can only take so many selfies and I do want some pictures of me to remember the trip by. Anyone have thoughts on photo pass for solo trips?

I think you will have fun, enjoy and relax. I don't know when I am going but I may see you there!

 

[Anitsirk24]

I did photo pass for my solo trip and got in on a share. Split the cost with several people and I found that definitely worth it. I have some great pics from that trip as a result.