Convince me to visit WDW solo.

[Dubb]

Here is the situation...

I live in California, but have a friend that is a CM at the World. I've been down to visit him and the parks twice in the past 7 years, but both times have been with the wife and kid(s). He gets us in for free, so he's always made sure he's had plenty of days for our visits, and has even gotten time off from work to tour with us. In between those two trips, we had tentatively planned 2 or 3 more trips, but always backed out for some reason or another. I've always felt pretty guilty about having him go out of his way for us, only to have us cancel. The family had planned to visit again this December, but my wife has decided against it. I really do not want to cancel on him again, so I told him that I would at least come down on my own for a few days.

In the meantime, I convinced another friend of mine to visit with me. He's never been to any Disney parks, so he's pretty excited about it. Problem is, he may not be able to get the time off of work.

After visiting the parks with my own family, and never having been to Disneyland without at least my wife, I am not sure I could really enjoy it without having someone there to enjoy it with me. I don't want to ask my CM friend to take the time off while I am down, as we could just hang out in the evenings, and I want him to save up his time off for a trip he has planned to come out to California next summer. He's never been to our Disney parks, and I told him I would treat his vacation since he has always been such a great host for us.

So, could I really do it solo?

 

[bopper]

I was in Florida on a business trip and went to Epcot by myself. I, in general, think you should vacation with your family. But let's not talk about that, but instead about doing a solo trip.

I think the thing to think about is not that this is your preferred method of vacationing, but for this particular visit you will be by yourself...to see your friend. Who happens to work at WDW. And since you are not a selfish person , you will do all those things that you want to do that nobody in your family wants to do...that way, the next time you go with the family, you will concentrate on the things they want to do!

Want to spend a bunch of time in Innoventions? I got to finally ride the Segway when I was on a solo trip.

Tired? Go back and rest. Not tired? Keep going!

Meals? I had a nice meal getting some wine and some cheese from "France" and sitting and people watching.

 

[Dubb]

for this particular visit you will be by yourself...to see your friend. Who happens to work at WDW.

This is absolutely how I look at it. Although, I will be visiting the parks on my own while he's working. I certainly won't be unhappy to be in Disney. I just think it would be a little difficult to enjoy it as much as I could if someone was with me.

 

[soulmates]

I've never done a solo trip and here's why. For ME, half the fun, is sharing it with someone else...I can't imagine being there and having no one to say OMG wasn't that amazing!!!! I think it would just make me sad, NOT to be able to share....

 

[imukai]

I know if I were by myself, I'd likely rush around a lot, which is what you don't want to do on vaca.

My advice would be to go see your friend, and definately play in the parks if they can get you in for free.. but force yourself to take it slow. Stop at everything and look for stuff that you might have missed if you breezed through it with your family. Day 1 might be hard to slow down but I think you'll be able to do it as long as it's a concious effort.

Disney has enough magic layered on top of itself that you'll find a lot of little gems of interest as you roam around. That includes the shops.

By the time you know it, you've passed the day and it's time to catch up with your friend for dinner/whatever.

There's also other stuff in Orlando to poke around at. Universal Studios/Citywalk is good for at least a day of distraction.

 

[Nie0214]

Not having to do what everyone else wants to do. Ahh

 

[Friendly Frog]

Ok, I will try. Actually I am still trying to convince myself that it will be ok. I am leaving in less than two weeks for my first ever solo trip ( husband has no vacation time) and I am still pretty nervous. I am lucky, my husband is absolutely the best person in the world to go to the parks with. He pretty much lets me decide where we go and what we do and is just great about it. He says that his only rule is that I feed him well and don't ask him to do splash mountain more than two times in a row! ( Although he doesn't mind resting while I go on as many times as I want.) I am really going to miss him not being there...

...Wait, I am suppose to be convincing you to go...

I look at it this way, any day/way in Disney is better than no day/way in Disney!

I normally do not do anything alone, so for me this is also a growth exercise in getting comfortable again with myself. I think that is good for all of us to do from time to time and what better place than Disney?

Also, I think you are doing the right thing for your friend as well. Sounds like you really need to follow through on this trip

It is not like you will not know anyone in the area and will be there alone the whole time.

Plus it sounds like you will get in free! I would be all over free.

Wish I could help you more. I would be glad to pm you when I get back, let you know how it went for me, and give you any solo tips I might discover.

Hope you have fun!!!

 

[ANTSS2001]

Here is the situation...


So, could I really do it solo?

it is a touch call... you really have to sit down and see how you feel going without the family... I for one dont mind going through Main Street by myself... seeing new stuff they have added... going to the Confectionary store buying my chocolate covered rods/pretzel then go on walking again... go through rides esp'ly at singles riders lines...

my friend who listened to me mumble about the joy of doing solo.. she got so interested she did it... and by the time she got there she missed the "share this moment with someone" moment...

if you enjoy fishing alone... going to the movies alone... going shopping alone.. those are good sign I think...

Good Luck on your decision!!!

PS: I had alot of solo trips and still do April as my solo trip... but recently I also have incorporated meeting disers for lunch or dinner...

when are you going in December ???

 

[jenjolt]

I for one am totally looking forward to my solo disney trip. My N-DH (non-Disney) is so thankful I'm not dragging him along again. He perfers to fish and hunt and those type of things. So this is my ultimate dream trip extravaganza LOL!!

For me this trip is doing all the things that I have wanted to do but haven't done because I wanted to make sure the others in my party were having a good time and got to see everything they wanted to see. I tend to unnecessarily worry about everyone else's happiness and bend over backwards to please other people and this trip I don't have to do that. I get to just focus on pleasing me and being the happiest place on Earth.

I have plenty of friends and family who I can share moments with. Can call up my best friend and be like I'm in line wanted to say hi!! Taking pictures (totally doing a photopass share so I'm actually in the pictures). I'm going to go on a tour, have a spa treatment. Eat where I want to eat!!

This is your opportunity to make Disney everything you want to make Disney. Dream big and do it!!

 

[ILuvCrush]

I just did my first Solo in october... very good tiime

Much different than with DH and the kids...but I'm really glad I did it. I won't rule out doing it again either

You're welcome to check out my trippie...it's still a work in progress though

Paula

 

[StageTek]

I am not sure I could really enjoy it without having someone there to enjoy it with me.

Then a solo trip might not be for you.

In the 16 months since I joined DIS (I was thinking about my first
solo trip) it seem the people who are comfortable being alone
really enjoy solo trips and those who aren’t sure if they could
enjoy it wouldn’t. Though I can’t recall reading about anyone who
took a solo and didn’t like it.

One thing I really enjoy is hanging out in the evenings by myself.
If that’s uncomfortable for you, a solo trip might not work. I
loved sitting in one of the restaurant bars, having a cocktail
and either chatting with the bartender or just watching people.
One of my favorite things on my Sept (2007) solo trip was
grabbing a coffee at the end of the day and watching people leave
the park. Like after the fireworks show in MY or Fantasmic at
DHS. I found that very enjoyable.

Are there things you enjoy doing alone? If so can any of those
things be done while at WDW? If you can think of some, then maybe
you really could do it solo.

 

[APB513]

I actually have the opposite problem...I would love to do a solo trip but my two sons would disown me if I went to Disney without them

Let the disowning begin because I am seriously thinking about doing a solo trip in May for my birthday. I regret not doing a solo trip this past May for my 40th. My kids hate it when I drag them to the "corny" stuff (i.e., Tiki Room, Hall of Presidents, Country Bear Jamboree, etc). If I go solo, I can do what I want, when I want.

I for one am totally looking forward to my solo disney trip. My N-DH (non-Disney) is so thankful I'm not dragging him along again. He perfers to fish and hunt and those type of things. So this is my ultimate dream trip extravaganza LOL!!

For me this trip is doing all the things that I have wanted to do but haven't done because I wanted to make sure the others in my party were having a good time and got to see everything they wanted to see. I tend to unnecessarily worry about everyone else's happiness and bend over backwards to please other people and this trip I don't have to do that. I get to just focus on pleasing me and being the happiest place on Earth.

I have plenty of friends and family who I can share moments with. Can call up my best friend and be like I'm in line wanted to say hi!! Taking pictures (totally doing a photopass share so I'm actually in the pictures). I'm going to go on a tour, have a spa treatment. Eat where I want to eat!!

This is your opportunity to make Disney everything you want to make Disney. Dream big and do it!!

Not to hijack this thread...I read your pre-trip report. Very good! Looking forward to reading your trip report when you return

 

[MMmomto5]

I would definitely say to go for it. I went on a solo trip from 10-20/10-24. I went to all the parks, DTD, and even MNSSHP by myself. NO ONE in my family could believe that I was taking a solo trip. I am a pretty shy person and was really pretty anxious up to the time my DH dropped me off at the airport. I also worried that I would be sad watching all the families enjoying Disney while my DH and kids were at home. In reality though, I had a great time. I rode all my favorite rides, but didn't try to pack everything in. This was the first trip that I enjoyed just being there. I never felt awkward about getting in character lines or eating alone. I talked to a lot of families and CM's which I never have done. I am usually too wrapped up in my own family to take the time. Did I ever feel lonely? Yes, a little bit, but the quiet time was what I needed and part of why I took the trip. I also found that it is pretty hard to feel too lonely or bored in Disney. Taking a solo trip to Disney was very different than any trip I have taken, but it is something I would do again for sure.

 

[APB513]

I would definitely say to go for it. I went on a solo trip from 10-20/10-24. I went to all the parks, DTD, and even MNSSHP by myself. NO ONE in my family could believe that I was taking a solo trip. I am a pretty shy person and was really pretty anxious up to the time my DH dropped me off at the airport. I also worried that I would be sad watching all the families enjoying Disney while my DH and kids were at home. In reality though, I had a great time. I rode all my favorite rides, but didn't try to pack everything in. This was the first trip that I enjoyed just being there. I never felt awkward about getting in character lines or eating alone. I talked to a lot of families and CM's which I never have done. I am usually too wrapped up in my own family to take the time. Did I ever feel lonely? Yes, a little bit, but the quiet time was what I needed and part of why I took the trip. I also found that it is pretty hard to feel too lonely or bored in Disney. Taking a solo trip to Disney was very different than any trip I have taken, but it is something I would do again for sure.

Wow, Momto5 you certainly deserve some "Me" time and what better place to have it than WDW. Glad to hear that you enjoyed yourself!!!

 

[Dubb]

Thank you for your help, everyone! I was all set and prepared to make the solo trip when my wife decided that she'd rather go than to see me have to take in the parks alone. Although, we are still leaving the kids behind and making it a parent only trip!

 

[StageTek]

Excellent news, Dubb! Now you know you'll have fun.

 

[eyor44]

I for one am totally looking forward to my solo disney trip. My N-DH (non-Disney) is so thankful I'm not dragging him along again. He perfers to fish and hunt and those type of things. So this is my ultimate dream trip extravaganza LOL!!

For me this trip is doing all the things that I have wanted to do but haven't done because I wanted to make sure the others in my party were having a good time and got to see everything they wanted to see. I tend to unnecessarily worry about everyone else's happiness and bend over backwards to please other people and this trip I don't have to do that. I get to just focus on pleasing me and being the happiest place on Earth.

I have plenty of friends and family who I can share moments with. Can call up my best friend and be like I'm in line wanted to say hi!! Taking pictures (totally doing a photopass share so I'm actually in the pictures). I'm going to go on a tour, have a spa treatment. Eat where I want to eat!!

This is your opportunity to make Disney everything you want to make Disney. Dream big and do it!!

This is me and my dream also. I love my family and enjoy being with them and sharing their enjoyment, but sometimes......
Occasionally there is something I would like to do that no one else does. Or eat something that no one elses wants, etc. I would love to go by myself, but feel selfish spending the money on just me. I am almost over it though and about ready to spend the $$...on just me.
My brother goes by himself whenever he is in the area on business. He took the behind the scenes tour and said it was great. This is something he has always wanted to do, but his DW didn't.
I was suppose to go to the World for training in May, but it was canceled
As for saying "wasn't that cool" to someone? I would just say it to whomever was next to me.