Am I Crazy?

[CoachBeard]

This seems like a great compromise. If you're going to still be in a position to travel later on, there's no harm in waiting to see what happens in the next couple of years. I've enjoyed the solo travel I've done, but not gonna lie, it is definitely more fun sharing that experience with someone. Doesn't need to be a partner though - do you have a friend or family member you could plan a big trip with in the future?

Unfortunately most of my friends who would even consider going are in relationships and wouldn't go with just me which I find odd. The other ones that would go are a couple but they prefer bus tours and cruises and I like to spend time in one area and act like I live there so to speak. I want to find "my" neighborhood pub and spend my evenings there. Things like that while doing some of the requisite tourist things.

I'm fortunate to receive a bonus every year at work that can usually pay for the bulk of a large trip. I prefer to spend on experiences instead of things.

 

[Squeaksqueakums]

Ok, maybe not the best title but I’m terrible at them.

In the last almost 15 years virtually all of my travel has been solo. I’ve done trips to WDW in 2022 and earlier this year. I told myself the bext big trip would be to Europe because I haven’t been since 1998 as a minor and I’ve just never gotten back.

However, the more I plan the more I just want to do another big WDW trip. Part of me feels like going to Europe, specifically the UK, would be a better experience with a travel partner. I’ve gone all over the U.S. by myself and been fine. For reference I’m a male in my 40’s.

The other thing is that the state of Disney right now and the price is such a… a “thing”. I’m a magic key holder and go once a month or so. But to escape for a week to WDW is so special to me and I feel more “ok” being there solo. Am I nuts? Should I do the Europe thing? Or should I do another WDW trip? I know, I know it’s up to me it’s a personal decision and maybe the audience has a slight bias lol.

Maybe just one more WDW trip and then focus on finding a travel pal? I also like not having reservations or park hopping time limits anymore at WDW. One theme I’ve been considering for another trip is to have 2 non park days and find several fun things to do at the various resorts and such.

I'm planning my first solo trip end of this year to WDW too I think it should be fine going alone and I'm really looking forward to it! I agree with others saying that it would be cool to check out Disneyland Paris if you chose to go abroad!

 

[zanzibar138]

Unfortunately most of my friends who would even consider going are in relationships and wouldn't go with just me which I find odd. The other ones that would go are a couple but they prefer bus tours and cruises and I like to spend time in one area and act like I live there so to speak. I want to find "my" neighborhood pub and spend my evenings there. Things like that while doing some of the requisite tourist things.

I'm fortunate to receive a bonus every year at work that can usually pay for the bulk of a large trip. I prefer to spend on experiences instead of things.

I guess I can understand that - I'm in a relationship and probably wouldn't go away for more than a few days without my partner. We're both going on a trip with a single friend next year. We'll have separate hotel rooms but will be sharing a hire car and doing activities together etc. Having said that, an extra airfare and meals/activities can add up. Didn't really bother us as we were planning to go anyway and just tweaked our plans slightly to accommodate our friend.

If you have a specific type of travel that you enjoy, you're probably better off to just go when you want to. When you do meet someone, there's no guarantee that they will have the same sort of travel style as you, so you might find you have to compromise anyway (unless of course that's a dealbreaker for you ). I have a friend who spent years wanting to go to Europe and holding out until she found a partner. She had a lot of long service leave saved up so could have gone for 6-8 weeks if she'd gone then. Since then she has found a partner, but has also changed jobs so no longer has any long service leave owing, and her partner prefers camping trips and isn't comfortable leaving his dog for long periods of time for travel. And now that she has a partner, of course she doesn't want to leave him for several weeks to go travelling on her own. So it's unlikely she'll get to Europe any time soon.

 

[CoachBeard]

I guess I can understand that - I'm in a relationship and probably wouldn't go away for more than a few days without my partner. We're both going on a trip with a single friend next year. We'll have separate hotel rooms but will be sharing a hire car and doing activities together etc. Having said that, an extra airfare and meals/activities can add up. Didn't really bother us as we were planning to go anyway and just tweaked our plans slightly to accommodate our friend.

If you have a specific type of travel that you enjoy, you're probably better off to just go when you want to. When you do meet someone, there's no guarantee that they will have the same sort of travel style as you, so you might find you have to compromise anyway (unless of course that's a dealbreaker for you ). I have a friend who spent years wanting to go to Europe and holding out until she found a partner. She had a lot of long service leave saved up so could have gone for 6-8 weeks if she'd gone then. Since then she has found a partner, but has also changed jobs so no longer has any long service leave owing, and her partner prefers camping trips and isn't comfortable leaving his dog for long periods of time for travel. And now that she has a partner, of course she doesn't want to leave him for several weeks to go travelling on her own. So it's unlikely she'll get to Europe any time soon.

For reference I'm in my 40's and this isn't my first rodeo I've been in two serious relationships in my life and both of those were heavily dependent on the ability to travel well together. I would never be able to get along with someone who I couldn't travel with so, definitely a dealbreaker for me. I appreciate the advice and perspective and maybe it is due to text but I do feel your tone (bolded part) is assuming I've had no life experience. That is ok! We are strangers on the internet but just be aware of how your words can be read. I am single right now because I am aware of the qualities I am seeking in a partner and am not the type to settle just to be in a relationship.

I travel fine on my own and have been doing so for some time now. But like I said, there is something magical or even romantic about sharing a huge trip like going to Europe with someone else. Someone who you can be at a BBQ with and make a reference to that trip that jogs some fond memories. Or share photos of the trip and reminisce.

 

[zanzibar138]

For reference I'm in my 40's and this isn't my first rodeo I've been in two serious relationships in my life and both of those were heavily dependent on the ability to travel well together. I would never be able to get along with someone who I couldn't travel with so, definitely a dealbreaker for me. I appreciate the advice and perspective and maybe it is due to text but I do feel your tone (bolded part) is assuming I've had no life experience. That is ok! We are strangers on the internet but just be aware of how your words can be read. I am single right now because I am aware of the qualities I am seeking in a partner and am not the type to settle just to be in a relationship.

I travel fine on my own and have been doing so for some time now. But like I said, there is something magical or even romantic about sharing a huge trip like going to Europe with someone else. Someone who you can be at a BBQ with and make a reference to that trip that jogs some fond memories. Or share photos of the trip and reminisce.

I certainly didn't mean any offence. As you've mentioned, I didn't know what your relationship history/circumstances are, hence the caveat that travel compatibility could be a dealbreaker for you. My friend is in her 40's with several long-term relationships under her belt and plenty of travel/life experience too, but obviously travel style wasn't a dealbreaker for her so that's the situation she's found herself in. Sorry it didn't come across well.

 

[CoachBeard]

I certainly didn't mean any offence. As you've mentioned, I didn't know what your relationship history/circumstances are, hence the caveat that travel compatibility could be a dealbreaker for you. My friend is in her 40's with several long-term relationships under her belt and plenty of travel/life experience too, but obviously travel style wasn't a dealbreaker for her so that's the situation she's found herself in. Sorry it didn't come across well.

It’s ok! We just need to be aware of how things can be read. Also, there’s a history of people on here who offer a pretty poor attitude toward anything that doesn’t fit their way of life. No harm no foul.