Anyone done DLR/SoCal solo?

[Saphire5742]

After my WDW trip this past May, I would love to see the original in Anaheim. I'm thinking maybe next autumn and am tentatively considering making it extra special and signing up for the ABD there.
I am a solo female and was wondering if anyone else here has also been on that trip solo and if they would recommend it. I am from overseas and don't know if I'll ever make it back to california. Or is it better to plan a california adventure on my own (I don't drive btw)? Also is there an extra fee for solos?

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

There is a single supplement to do an ABD as a solo traveller. The DL ABD is easily doable as a single traveller though. We had a lady who has done that trip 3 times on our trip and each time, she did it as a single traveller.

 

[Saphire5742]

Thank you for replying. I ended up contacting Disney about that single supplement. Sadly, at 1.5 times the listed price, I cannot justify the expense at this time. Maybe sometime in future.

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

While I understand about the 1.5 X single supplement, I did this trip as a solo in June 2014 and loved it. I picked an adult only departure and didn't feel "alone" at all during the ABD. We had about 25 people on our adventure and while I am normally a shy person around new people, i figured with the cost of the trip the people on the ABD had to be Disney lovers so I knew that I would have something to talk to other Adventurers about...Disney...The BSM is an ABD that is definitely doable as a single. Hopefully you will be able to take it one day soon.

 

[kuzco-like]

I did the BSM solo and had a terrific time. There were four of us (I'm male; the other three were female). The single supplement is annoying, for sure, but I had a really good time. It was fun and easy. You can read about it here: https://www.google.com/url?q=http:/...ds-cse&usg=AFQjCNFt0gMX7m6LgCNo91t6liEqOqtUJw

 

[lildreamer101]

What is a Single Supplement? Is this an added cost as a solo travel for this ABD?

 

[sayhello]

What is a Single Supplement? Is this an added cost as a solo travel for this ABD?

Yes, since you have one person in a room that's meant to hold two people, they charge you extra for being in there alone. (The hotel charges ABD the same for a room with one person in it as for a room with two.) For ABD, the Single Supplement tends to be around 40%. Most tour operators charge one. Some will wave them as an occassional special. The worst is cruises (both ocean and river) which now charge a 100% additional Single Supplement, which is criminal. You're not eating twice as much food or sitting in two seats at the shows. But you're also not spending twice as much money on booze and excursions, so they get it from you as they can.

Sayhello

 

[lildreamer101]

Yes, since you have one person in a room that's meant to hold two people, they charge you extra for being in there alone. (The hotel charges ABD the same for a room with one person in it as for a room with two.) For ABD, the Single Supplement tends to be around 40%. Most tour operators charge one. Some will wave them as an occasional special. The worst is cruises (both ocean and river) which now charge a 100% additional Single Supplement, which is criminal. You're not eating twice as much food or sitting in two seats at the shows. But you're also not spending twice as much money on booze and excursions, so they get it from you as they can.

Sayhello

WOWSERS! That's not good! I guess you can never go on trips solo without this price gouge?
Thanks for this information. I didn't know about this. I guess I will think twice before traveling alone.

 

[sayhello]

WOWSERS! That's not good! I guess you can never go on trips solo without this price gouge?
Thanks for this information. I didn't know about this. I guess I will think twice before traveling alone.

It *is* the norm, but I wouldn't say "never". Again, some tour operators or cruises will offer "No Single Supplement" as a special; you need to find which ones do that or bite the bullet!

Sayhello

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

I know Nat Geo offers to "pair" up single travellers if they want so that you don't have to pay the single supplement but that is purely up to the traveller and their comfort level. You just have to tell them when you're booking that you are a single traveller and that you are interested in rooming with another single traveller if possible. If one is available and willing to share accommodations, then they will pair you up and you are not charged the single supplement.

 

[AquaDame]

I did the BSM solo and had a terrific time. There were four of us (I'm male; the other three were female). The single supplement is annoying, for sure, but I had a really good time. It was fun and easy. You can read about it here: https://www.google.com/url?q=http:/...ds-cse&usg=AFQjCNFt0gMX7m6LgCNo91t6liEqOqtUJw

Thank you! I am going to read through this tonight. My sabbatical is coming up fast and I've started trying to figure out a budget for my six weeks off without my husband (no chance that he is going to magically come up with that much extra time off and his company doesn't do them). I've considered doing one of these solo for part of that time.

 

[CinderALLIE]

I would definitely recommend going solo. Both my ABD trips to So Cal have been this way.
You never really feel alone as all the people on tour are there for same reason you are, love of Disney.
And during free time, you can always hang out with others from tour group.

 

[Saphire5742]

I haven't checked back in a while. Thank you for all your replies. Ultimately it's the price that won't allow me to go at the moment. But I do hope to do so in future.

WOWSERS! That's not good! I guess you can never go on trips solo without this price gouge?
Thanks for this information. I didn't know about this. I guess I will think twice before traveling alone.

You can still travel alone. I know that Norwegian Cruise Line has some single studios for solos (from another PTR I'm following). Also many places in Europe have hotel rooms for one. They tend to run small though, but I use the room mainly for sleeping so that doesn't bother me.
But it is problematic on tours beacsue those are calculated for 2 which is so very annoying for a solo traveler.

 

[kuzco-like]

I haven't checked back in a while. Thank you for all your replies. Ultimately it's the price that won't allow me to go at the moment. But I do hope to do so in future.



You can still travel alone. I know that Norwegian Cruise Line has some single studios for solos (from another PTR I'm following). Also many places in Europe have hotel rooms for one. They tend to run small though, but I use the room mainly for sleeping so that doesn't bother me.
But it is problematic on tours beacsue those are calculated for 2 which is so very annoying for a solo traveler.

Agreed, Saphire, especially for cruises. The room is used only for sleeping. Doesn't have to be big or fancy. If you're really interested in the ABD and don't have a roommate, try posting on the DISBoards. I've heard of people who have found roommates that way. And it's really easy regarding payments. Dreams can do 2 credit cards on the same reservation. It's an easy split.

 

[Saphire5742]

Just wanted to share a very exciting update. So I looked up the ABD dates again and noticed one for Dec 3-8 2017. Since my birthday is on the 5th I decided to go ahead and splurge on the ultimate birthday present. Just booked yesterday!!!! I am so excited!!!!!!
Thanks again everyone for your feedback

 

[Cousin Orville]

Just wanted to share a very exciting update. So I looked up the ABD dates again and noticed one for Dec 3-8 2017. Since my birthday is on the 5th I decided to go ahead and splurge on the ultimate birthday present. Just booked yesterday!!!! I am so excited!!!!!!
Thanks again everyone for your feedback

You'll have a great time. I did the BSM solo in December and had a blast! Congrats!

 

[tgeorge]

Just wanted to share a very exciting update. So I looked up the ABD dates again and noticed one for Dec 3-8 2017. Since my birthday is on the 5th I decided to go ahead and splurge on the ultimate birthday present. Just booked yesterday!!!! I am so excited!!!!!!
Thanks again everyone for your feedback

What a fantastic birthday present! My friend and I will be on this trip with you We are very excited and I think it will be fun to see the holiday decorations. It will be a great time!

 

[sayhello]

Just wanted to share a very exciting update. So I looked up the ABD dates again and noticed one for Dec 3-8 2017. Since my birthday is on the 5th I decided to go ahead and splurge on the ultimate birthday present. Just booked yesterday!!!! I am so excited!!!!!!
Thanks again everyone for your feedback

So jealous! I wanted to do this for my last Birthday, but there were no departures that worked. ENJOY!

Sayhello

 

[Saphire5742]

My friend and I will be on this trip with you We are very excited and I think it will be fun to see the holiday decorations.

See you then

 

[CinderALLIE]

Just wanted to share a very exciting update. So I looked up the ABD dates again and noticed one for Dec 3-8 2017. Since my birthday is on the 5th I decided to go ahead and splurge on the ultimate birthday present. Just booked yesterday!!!! I am so excited!!!!!!
Thanks again everyone for your feedback

Congrats. What a great birthday present...and so jealous of the date.

I did this last year for my birthday and it was the best birthday ever. Wanted to do again next year but no dates, so I opted for October instead which made my boss happy as August is usually busy.