Alone @ DL--what NOT to miss?

[GeneralTso]

We are going to DL in Sept for 4 days. Mister has a conference, so he will be busy during the day. I'm going to the parks by myself. I've done a few hours here and there over the years, but I have 3 days to just relax, hang out, walk around and experience things by myself.

Anyone else ever done this?
We'll be there together each evening. Plus, it's the opening weekend of Halloween Time so Friday and Sat will be great to see and do!

I'm imagining shopping at a very mellow pace, not worried about keeping track of anyone but myself

I'd love to spend the time seeing things that are more tucked away or not super busy. Would love any suggestions!

Oh, we're not staying on property. Their events are at the Hilton, so we'll be there. Not sure what the pool situation is there, but if it's nice, I'll be tanning my hide a few hours a day!

 

[iKristin]

I'm doing my first solo trip in September for 3 days and the first thing on my mind is to try any food in the parks i've been wanting to try and never have So I recommend that hehe

 

[becpee]

3 words...Single rider line!

I would also be sampling all the food I could without having to justify my choices to DH LOL

A walk in Walt's footsteps tour.

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

I do DL by myself all the time--it's awesome!!!

It's so liberating just being able to do as you please without keeping track of anyone or anything else. Although out of habit, I do find myself looking over my shoulder making sure I haven't accidentally left my child somewhere, and sometimes I'll get off a ride and go over to the stroller parking before I realize that the stroller and its occupant are at home

I like to do things that DS doesn't like or isn't tall enough to do for starters. I also like to do things that would make DH (and certainly DS) impatient. For example, I like to slow down and enjoy the entire queue for Indy and let people go in front of me while I check everything out. I also plan to take some alone time to explore Tarzan's Treehouse. To be silly, I like to check out the details of all of the places in Toon Town (because at heart, I'm a 4-year-old ). I often stop to see the shows or roving entertainment which I rarely do with DH because we're always trying to get somewhere else.

Oh, and I get to eat whatever and whenever and wherever I like .

 

[HydroGuy]

When I am by myself I like to do things like Blue Sky Cellar at DCA and the Main Street Cinema. And to catch the smaller shows that we never seem to have time for like Mad Hatter at Coke Corner or music around the parks.

 

[Sherry E]

I had about 2-1/2 glorious days of alone time in December - in between 'friend time' - and I couldn't get enough. I'm addicted! Now I have a big 7-night DLR trip planned for this coming holiday season and I am trying to make sure that my friends are only with me for a certain number of days so I can have the rest of the time to myself!!

I don't know if I can suggest a particular thing to do off-hand that hasn't already been suggested, but I will say that I got so, so, so many more photos when I was totally by myself. I could have never done that if I'd had people with me.

I took much more time to really look at the details around the park. I spent much more time in each land than I ever would have with friends, as normally we would be rushing from Point A to Point B and not stopping. (Just like Shelby said, I spent a lot of time in ToonTown, studying all the clever jokes and exaggerated, whimsical structures - which were all decorated for the holidays.) Also, I could look in the shops leisurely if I wanted to, without feeling as if I was annoying my friend. I took photos all around the inside of World of Disney. I spent more time in Downtown Disney. I thoroughly covered each of the 3 hotels in pursuit of Christmas trees (those who subscribe to our Christmas Superthread know about Tree Quest!). I scarfed down a yummy peppermint ice cream cone (after a near-disaster involving a trash can and my camera). I stopped and watched some performers. I got candid character shots. I chatted with CM's. I ordered room service one night and then dined solo at Storytellers Cafe the next night.

I think I just really noticed everything - light fixtures, window displays, architecture, flowers, colors, etc. - more so than I had before.


ETA: I know what I will suggest - take a good, long chunk of time to spend at the Halloween Round-Up! That is a true gem of the Halloween season, and it's filled with intricately carved character pumpkins (real ones, not fake ones!) and all kinds of charming details. I must have spent a good 2 or 3 hours in the Reindeer Round-Up during Christmas time. I can't wait to see the Halloween Round-Up this year!

 

[Peri]

I love being by myself a lot of the time at the Land!

But I like to just sit and watch stuff - as a result I have seen several flimings when bigwigs come and get footage, etc - plus lots of character/kid interactaions - because I enjoy sitting by the flagpole in the town square -

I have done this many times, as my mobility is not ECV limited (yet) but I cannot walk long distances.

If I want to move about, I can just catch a ride on an omnibus or fire engine up to the Partner's statues.

I like to ride small world or take a trip to Tom Sawyer Island and find a bench overlooking all the activity! Ride the Mark Twain.

The ride suggestions by other posters above all sound fabulous too!

 

[scion5220]

I go to the parks at WDW alone all the time and I LOVE IT! Like the previous posters stated it is nice to go at your own pace and really check out all the details everywhere. I go so often that I've been known to sit and read a book while holding down a nice viewing location for Illuminations at EPCOT.

Going wherever you want at whatever speed you want and eating whatever you want is my idea of heaven!

I will be at DL for a few days alone in September and then for a week alone in January and I am so excited. I already made a reservation to have an early breakfast at the Plaza Inn...who cares that I am a grown woman and will be alone! I love character meals!

 

[ludari]

Star tours is not to miss as well as World of Color show.

 

[ktlm]

Lucky, lucky you!!!!!! It really depends on what you like to do! I can tell you if it were me, a couple of things I would be doing would be to 1. single rider line Indiana Jones at least a few times; 2. Sit and watch the whole show of the Firehouse Band on Main Street. I would NOT set foot in Tarzan's tree house which my DD (5) climbed 5 times in one day on our last trip. (No offense to Tarzan's treehouse, I just want a break from it as that wasn't even the only day we had to climb it multiple times!)

 

[narsel]

I really enjoy just noticing all the beautiful flowers and landscaping around the parks. The vegetables in tomorrowland are such a surprise. So many different types of flowers. I really have to commend the landscaping dept.

 

[twelvesixteen]

We are going to DL in Sept for 4 days. Mister has a conference, so he will be busy during the day. I'm going to the parks by myself. I've done a few hours here and there over the years, but I have 3 days to just relax, hang out, walk around and experience things by myself.

Anyone else ever done this?
We'll be there together each evening. Plus, it's the opening weekend of Halloween Time so Friday and Sat will be great to see and do!

I'm imagining shopping at a very mellow pace, not worried about keeping track of anyone but myself

I'd love to spend the time seeing things that are more tucked away or not super busy. Would love any suggestions!

Oh, we're not staying on property. Their events are at the Hilton, so we'll be there. Not sure what the pool situation is there, but if it's nice, I'll be tanning my hide a few hours a day!

SINGLE. RIDER. LINE.

Can I say it again?

SINGLE. RIDER. LINE.

Words cannot even say how jealous I am. I would love to do a solo trip to Disneyland. I would go on the bread making tour in DCA for sure, as well as just a mellow sit down for a little while at some of the finer eateries in Paradise Pier.

I personally would not miss the all you can eat BBQ in Frontierland. Yes, you may look a tad ridiculous by yourself with a (several) rack(s) of ribs but man is it good! We never seem to have the time with the fam to all you can eat it out.

Hope you have a great time! Ride Soarin' for me, will ya?

 

[BELLEDOZER]

After going SOLO to DL for 9 days, here are my tips for you:

Take a short cut and see where you end up.
Find Snow White's wishing well, and listen to her sing.
Explore the many alleys of NOS, and find the Pirate Fortune Teller
Go at you own pace, and take the time to explore the many shops. Look up and see all the little details that most miss.
Sit and people watch.
Touch the golden apple at Snow Whites Scary Adventure.
And the most important thing is to have fun.