Any tips for a new solo?

[Vacationclubmembers]

I'm planning my first solo trip for February 2026.

I go to Disney every year so I'm pretty familiar with the parks but It'll be my first time solo so I'd love to know your tips!

I'm a female, 39 and will be there for 7 nights, staying at Old Key West.

 

[kitkat4622]

Just go at your own pace and do the things you really enjoy that you would not normally do with a family trip. I love my solo trips. It's a more relaxed pace. Oh and do dining reservations it's great eating alone and people watching

 

[Chili327]

I'm planning my first solo trip for February 2026.

I go to Disney every year so I'm pretty familiar with the parks but It'll be my first time solo so I'd love to know your tips!

I'm a female, 39 and will be there for 7 nights, staying at Old Key West.

I did the exact same thing last January, just to check out the things that were all closing for good (Tom Sawyer Island, Muppets, etc), and stayed at OKW too.

Agree with this…

Just go at your own pace and do the things you really enjoy that you would not normally do with a family trip. I love my solo trips. It's a more relaxed pace. Oh and do dining reservations it's great eating alone and people watching

Enjoy sleeping in, or rope dropping or both on different days, enjoy sitting in one of your favorite areas and just people watching, eating what you want, when you want and no regrets on staying out late or turning in early.
I found myself doing a lot more walking just trying to get comfortable being solo, but once I did, I really slowed down and enjoyed every minute. Check out the details if your favorite places desperate ones your family and friends don’t really seem to care or notice.

 

[poohbear2]

I always eat at the bar and end up chatting with awesome people. Everyone is usually very friendly.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Early in my going solo days, I'd go shopping (mostly just looking) in every store in World Showcase, because I really couldn't do that with my family without enduring lots of eye-rolling and whining,

 

[CoachBeard]

I have a hard time sometimes getting decisive. There’s so much and even with my spreadsheet which I use as a loose framework for a trip, I still sometimes question myself. So I say get up get out and just do something. The beauty is you can change on a dime to something else. I’ve done all 4 parks in a day just to see if I could and what I I could get done.

 

[Chili327]

The beauty is you can change on a dime to something else.

Definitely!!

I’ve done all 4 parks in a day just to see if I could and what I I could get done.

I need to try 4 parks in a day sometime.

 

[Disneypeach]

Tip: when making ADRs put in 2 as the party instead of one. No penalty when you show up solo. By selecting 2 you’ll get better times to pick from.

Have fun!

 

[tx911]

I'm planning my first solo trip for February 2026.

I go to Disney every year so I'm pretty familiar with the parks but It'll be my first time solo so I'd love to know your tips!

I'm a female, 39 and will be there for 7 nights, staying at Old Key West.

I think you'll really enjoy being able to do whatever you want, whenever you want! It's a unique experience.

 

[Bete]

I like dining at Biergarten and Teppan Edo when I solo. It opens the possibility of conversations with others. Sometimes, I'll ask at other restaurants if I can join someone who is also solo right on the spot. I make sure they are just starting their meal, too. I do more quick service when I solo for meals.

I do more shows then rides when I solo. This includes parades and fireworks.

I do a lot of preplanning my day.

 

[AnnaS]

I had my first solo trip early December. I had only booked SCI-Fi - figured it would be an easy one and it was. I got brave and booked Olivia's while there. I just asked not to be seated in the middle of the room . I was doing the people watching and barely looked at my phone. I ate from the booths in the World Showcase two nights. I found quick service seating is not that much different than Table Seating so next time I will make 2 -3 ADRs from home rather than 1.

Going solo was never my first choice, it's nice to have someone to chat and share thoughts with which I did with my cousin in October (was supposed to be my first solo) but after two days I started to get comfortable and enjoyed doing what I wanted when I wanted. Changed things up and no worries/checking with someone else. I loved my location at OKW also - I was at HH - I could people watch the comings and goings of everyone - it worked out great the morning it rained a few hours. I have been so many times, no need to rush out in the rain.

I enjoyed browsing, stopping at my own pace (I walk way too fast I am told even though I am in no hurry to get anywhere). Loved using the single rider line where available.

Enjoy. I will always miss my DH and knew Disney was one place I could vacation alone (I go with my kids/grandchildren all the time), but now I am not as anxious going solo and I am looking forward to the next one. Next one is with family - the one after that

 

[loves to dive]

Almost 69 year old woman here and I have been going solo for at least 10 years. I still go with my son and his family every once in a while and hubby has been twice with me but he only goes to the parks for a couple of hours a day so I'm mostly solo on those trips. I love my solo trips. I've stayed at value, moderate and deluxe resorts solo. Did a couple of days at OKW once during a split stay. I was there solo two weeks ago. My solo trips are pretty much relaxing. I go to the parks but I'm not real ride centric. But, I go at least 3 times a year so I know if I don't ride something I'll catch it next trip. I just get up when I get up, I don't set alarms or make a single plan (to be fair that is always how we have gone for the past 40 years). If I'm in a deluxe with a balcony, I tend to get up and make a cup of coffee and just sit on my balcony and watch the resort wake up. I love to wander around the resort I'm staying in and just explore it. One of my favorite things to do is grab a biscuit and coffee from Westward Ho in MK and sit on one of the platforms and just watch the people start their days. The best part about going solo is you get to do you. You want to eat ice cream for supper, go for it. You want to ride People Mover over and over, go for it. You want to eat at a TS but not sure which one, don't pre book just hop on MDE about a hour or two before you want to eat and find something available and try something new. Just enjoy things at your own pace. I will say, if you aren't used to eating out by yourself, start doing it at home first. I eat at TS, QS, lounges, in my room, on the hub grass, etc. but I'm used to going out to eat solo at home since hubby used to travel a lot.

 

[Vacationclubmembers]

Thank you for all the replies, I'm excited!

For those who have stayed at Old Key West, have you ever felt unsafe returning to your room late at night (I won't have a car and will be using the buses).

 

[AnnaS]

Thank you for all the replies, I'm excited!

For those who have stayed at Old Key West, have you ever felt unsafe returning to your room late at night (I won't have a car and will be using the buses).

No car here. It is one of my home resorts. Have been staying here (and other DVC resorts for over 25 years). Never felt unsafe. Even when I travel with my kids, we are not always staying at the same resort. Next April trip - we are at 4 different resorts - I go back and forth solo. Never felt unsafe getting off the busses or walking back from the boat in the evenings. I always stay at Hospitality House - but regardless of the time, always get off the bus at Peninsular Road (don't need to go around the whole resort). I just walk across. There are always people around.

 

[Chili327]

Thank you for all the replies, I'm excited!

For those who have stayed at Old Key West, have you ever felt unsafe returning to your room late at night (I won't have a car and will be using the buses).

I can't imagine not feeling safe at WDW, almost anywhere in the bubble, I guess outskirts of Disney Springs, or the parking garages maybe, but anywhere on property, especially in a resort I think you should feel very safe, & yes that includes OKW, I stayed there, & didn't even think about there being any shady areas.

 

[leebee]

I've soloed five times and can't wait to go again. I've stayed at OKW once (not solo) and been there a couple of times for dinner. The resort confuses me- the layout, the bus system, etc- so I'd recommend either being really familiar with the resort layout OR request a room close to the check-in/hospitality area. I have never felt unsafe on any Disney property... just make smart choices and pay attention to your spidey-sense.

I often eat at the bar in a restaurant. In general, the bartenders are very friendly and will chat with you as they can. Full menu is usually available. I have no problem sitting at a table by myself, just enjoy the company of the bartenders and other patrons (yes, folks at the bar are also good company).

TAKE BREAKS- even if you are staying in the park. I carry my Nook in my park bag. I like getting a bev or snack and people watching or sitting in the shade, reading, as a break. I find I will push myself too hard when traveling solo as opposed to when I am with others, and if I don't make myself take rest breaks, I'll burn out.

Don't be intimidated. MAKE yourself get up and go. If you go back to the resort for a late afternoon break, MAKE yourself to out for dinner or to DSprings for the evening. On my first trip I let myself get into the "oh it's such a long walk to the bus stop" mode and didn't use my time wisely; came home with regrets about things I'd missed. Sometimes it's hard to be self-motivated, but I've found that MAKING myself do something causes far fewer regrets than skipping things and staying in my room.

Talk to people when you are in lines. Most folks are interested in learning where you are from, why you are at Disney solo, and how it's working out. I've met some very nice people, been invited to join them for a drink or share a cab on the Skyliner, etc. Don't be afraid of strangers- because they aren't really, 100% strangers. You are all at Disney, so you already have a LOT in common!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Talk to people when you are in lines. Most folks are interested in learning where you are from, why you are at Disney solo, and how it's working out. I've met some very nice people, been invited to join them for a drink or share a cab on the Skyliner, etc. Don't be afraid of strangers- because they aren't really, 100% strangers. You are all at Disney, so you already have a LOT in common!

That reminds me-sometimes kids are great to talk to (if Mom or Dad is with them). Ask them a general question, like "What's been your favorite ride?" or "Where are you going next?" Sometimes kids love to share their excitement about where they've been, tell you all about it, it makes the time go faster waiting in line, and helps Mom and Dad not endure "Are we there yet?" so much. But be prepared that you might meet a shy one who doesn't want to talk, but that's OK too.