Any tips for a solo trip.

[DMMarla07860]

I’ve been many times. Just never solo. Though I did split up with my dad in parks to do our own things

 

[fla4fun]

I’ve been many times. Just never solo. Though I did split up with my dad in parks to do our own things

I go solo a lot, and love it.

Focus on doing the things you want to do that your usual travel party doesn’t like. Maybe you really like thrill rides, or maybe you hate thrill rides and like the family rides instead. Maybe you like to spend a lot of time taking photos and they’re always telling you to hurry up. Maybe you have skipped a lot of the live shows to focus on rides and now you want to see them. Going solo is all about doing what you want to do, when you want to do it.

Don’t feel like you have to give up table service restaurants just because you are a party of one. Dine wherever you like. Sometimes you have to make the reservation for two instead of one because of how their system is set up. You can either try to modify later or just show up as a party of one at most restaurants. If the reservation is prepaid, like for HDD or the castle, it’s better to make it for your actual party size.

On the other hand, QS dining can be your friend as a solo, because of the flexibility. You can fit it in around everything else you are doing without having to stick to a schedule. You don’t have to worry about remembering to cancel if you are doing something interesting and change your mind about the ADR. I use Mobile Order a lot so I can just walk in, grab my food, and be on my way.

If you think you might get lonely, there are often meet up threads where you can see if any other DISers are going to be there the same time as you. I am usually too busy to get lonely in the parks, but occasionally if I am stuck in a long line I do miss having someone to talk to. Make sure you have a way to charge your phone since you can’t rely on someone else’s phone if yours dies in the parks.

I really like the value resorts when traveling solo. They feel very spacious for just one person since you don’t have to fold down the Murphy bed. I have stayed at almost every resort on property and unless it’s a trip with a lot of resort time planned I just don’t think the higher priced resorts are worth it anymore when I am alone. I do still stay deluxe or moderate when traveling with family or friends, but exclusively value when solo.

 

[samsteele]

I second all of the above. And would emphasize this trip is completely about you so:

• if paying OOP for food, feel free to skip a breakfast or lunch and invest in a better dinner that you've always wanted to try but a party of 2 plus would have been too much to budget. You don't have to eat 3 square meals every day if you don't want to;
• if you want a sit down lunch to get out of the heat or no dinner ADR available where you want to eat, then switch it up and make that your best meal of the day;
• take full advantage of any food festivals and booths in Epcot and if you want a chocolate dessert for brunch from a booth have your dessert first;
• pack a very small snack size ziplock bag with a few first aid essentials for headaches, tummy troubles, blister care, safety pin for missing buttons, etc. You won't have anyone else to rely on; and
• you know you best so go wild and plan your trip in detail to squeeze as many things that you enjoy into your schedule. Or . . . be free and do what you want. A good middle road is to plan and book the most popular hard to get ADRs and activities then maybe have a free day or two to sleep in, enjoy Disney Springs and have a late lunch there or at Olivias at OKW. Take the boat from MK to Geyser Point Bar & Grill for lunch if the park gets too crowded and you want a break. Do those things you were always curious about but didn't know if your family or friends would tolerate. You are the only one who gets a say. That's a great thing. Enjoy.

 

[Simba's Mom]

My tip is-don't hesitate to talk with the Cast Members. I once got up the nerve to say to a CM at Animal Kingdom "What do I do to get your job?" and she shared all kinds of information about her job, how working at Animal Kingdom compared to working at other parks, etc. DH went to Disneyland solo once, and during one performance he went to watch, the CM in charge of the technical board (sound?) invited him to sit with them-where the view to watch the performance was excellent. Sometimes CMs love to share all kinds of little things with a solo.

 

[HollowxBastion]

Don't be afraid to be social with CM's and other guests and do your own thing and your own pace!

 

[Joanna71985]

I live in Orlando, and go to the parks solo all the time. I love watching all of the shows, and taking pictures (my other favorite thing is character dining)

 

[zackiedawg]

You've already experienced the solo trip pleasure if you went with other family but split off to do your own thing. A full solo trip is just more of that - doing your own thing. No one else's schedule, must-do rides, foods, etc. My advice is take it slow, relax, absorb the theming and details, visit resorts, enjoy drink breaks (alcohol or non) to just people watch from scenic spots, chat with others at bars and patio dining spots.

 

[HollowxBastion]

I live in Orlando, and go to the parks solo all the time. I love watching all of the shows, and taking pictures (my other favorite thing is character dining)

Character dining is the thing i'm looking forward to the most on my upcoming solo trip!

 

[Joanna71985]

Character dining is the thing i'm looking forward to the most on my upcoming solo trip!

I've done most of the character restaurants (just need Ohana breakfast and Storybook Dining dinner). My favorite is 1900 Park Fare breakfast and Chef Mickey's dinner. I hope you have a great time!

 

[HollowxBastion]

I've done most of the character restaurants (just need Ohana breakfast and Storybook Dining dinner). My favorite is 1900 Park Fare breakfast and Chef Mickey's dinner. I hope you have a great time!

Thank you! I'm going to be doing Storybook Dining & Akershus for dinner. Those are the two experiences i'm the most excited for

 

[pirate33]

Just enjoy it! You can do whatever you want when you want.

 

[disneyseniors]

Just enjoy it! You can do whatever you want when you want.

That sounds really good to me. I always go with my husband or kids,and I love being with them.
Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to just go by myself and do what I want when I want.
Not that I couldn't do a lot of that with them, but there are always compromises when you go with others.
I like to read these threads and dream, I guess.

 

[rlk]

Last year, I stayed for 6 nights after my husband and children went back home. I was worried that I'd be lonely in a sea of people. Well, I had the best time and will be doing a 10-day solo trip this May.

 

[HollowxBastion]

Just enjoy it! You can do whatever you want when you want.

this exactly is why solo trips are needed!!

 

[CapeCodTenor]

There were times I felt lonely on my trips, usually when standing in lines with no one to talk to, but otherwise I loved my solo trips. Hoping for another one next January.

 

[HollowxBastion]

There were times I felt lonely on my trips, usually when standing in lines with no one to talk to, but otherwise I loved my solo trips. Hoping for another one next January.

You just gotta soak in the magic to offset the loneliness!!

 

[CoachBeard]

There were times I felt lonely on my trips, usually when standing in lines with no one to talk to, but otherwise I loved my solo trips. Hoping for another one next January.

Been there! I’m at a place in my life where if I want to do something I have to do it. If friends want to come along they can but usually that’s like pulling teeth. I do hope I can have company for even a few days on a future trip because it changes things up and you feed off each other’s energy which can keep you going when you may feel tired or low while solo.

I also enjoy sharing food and drinks with others and laughs. At the end of the day there really is no better place to go solo than Disney, in my opinion.

 

[zackiedawg]

I'm in the same scenario. I just book my 4 trips a year to Disney, let my friends know when they are, and if someone can make it and wants to come, great - if not, I'm still going solo. I have fun either way...I tend to do a little less hours in the park when solo, and take a lot more photos - when I'm with a friend I tend to go later into evenings with entertainment and such, and let them decide what they want to see/do. Sometimes, my trip is planned as a solo then a few weeks out a friend says they'd like to come - and it turns into a friend trip vs solo...I'm flexible, so I never mind it - I always book a 1-bedroom and always make my dinner reservations for 2, so I'm covered. This past February, I thought I'd be solo, but my girlfriend decided last minute she could make it. In September I had plans to go with a friend from TX but he had to cancel last minute due to some health problems, so that ended up being solo.

 

[disneyseniors]

All of this sounds so great!
But, I have one big obstacle to overcome. I live way up North almost to the Canadian border. Our trips take 2 flights to get to MCO. I am a little older and not so confident in airports and how to maneuver them. I've always traveled with my family and never had to do any of that. I'm afraid that I will mess up in the airport somehow? I have traveled alone but that was when I was in my 20's, not 70's. That is really the only obstacle for me taking a solo trip to WDW or Universal, which I would love to do. Any suggestions on how to handle the airports, especially MCO and the bigger ones? I can handle our small airport just fine.

 

[rlk]

All of this sounds so great!
But, I have one big obstacle to overcome. I live way up North almost to the Canadian border. Our trips take 2 flights to get to MCO. I am a little older and not so confident in airports and how to maneuver them. I've always traveled with my family and never had to do any of that. I'm afraid that I will mess up in the airport somehow? I have traveled alone but that was when I was in my 20's, not 70's. That is really the only obstacle for me taking a solo trip to WDW or Universal, which I would love to do. Any suggestions on how to handle the airports, especially MCO and the bigger ones? I can handle our small airport just fine.

I understand your fears. I suffer from anxiety, but I try to learn as much as I can about any new place I go, including airports. I will watch a youtube video about the airport I am traveling to, as well as looking at the airports website. https://flymco.com/
It helps me to get to the airport early. My family isn't always happy about that, but solo travel is all about your wants & needs. Also, if you can travel with just carry-on luggage, you won't have to deal with having to check your bag at MCO (that line can be brutal)

Depending on your budget, you can hire a car service that will meet you inside by bagggage claim.