Crashing my solo trip

[DakotaRose]

I'm travelling solo to DW on purpose to relax and enjoy some free time. Suddenly a good friend is pushing me to take his girlfriend along with me. She'd love to go to Disney World, and tells me so, while he has zero interest. I'm sure we'd travel well together and get along fine. However, I actually want to take this trip on my own. In addition, most of my family is trying to persuade me to take my sister-in-law (who's also keen to go).

Ever had tag-alongs turn up when you wanted to travel on your own? I'm running out of responses for them. Have any polite ones to pass along to me?

 

[NJDiva]

First, I totally get the "my vacation, my time" thought in your head, I do most of my Disney trips solo. my niece and nephew want to know why I don't take them (they're 8 and 10) and truly, I know they would have fun, but in my head I keep thinking "Disney is not for children!
That being said, have you finalized your plans for your trip? if so there's your out. it sounds like your friend who wants you to take his girlfriend is trying to avoid taking her and pawning her of on you is his out for having to go.
As for your family, do they not want you to travel alone (hence, take the SIL so you aren't "alone")
If people aren't understanding that this particular trip is a "me time" trip you need to make them aware of it. I did have someone who said "hey want some company?" and I politely said that this particular trip was for me to spend some alone time away from the world and maybe next time we can talk about planning a trip.
If all these other people want to go to Disney, let them plan their own trip and be done with it. you did all the leg work (ok I know planning the trip is almost as fun as going but they don't have to know that!)

 

[ludari]

I've had family and some friends try to persuade me to take them with me on solo Disney trips and Disney cruises. My responses to them are direct and honest and tell them that I work very hard and need my alone time. Most of my family reluantaly understands. My friends take it a bit eaiser but I've never had one friend asks me to take his girlfriend. Although I'm sure you would get along I believe that honesty is the best answer.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Cafeen]

So... you have 2 different people that want to go with you, but you'd rather go alone?

Friend's GF, meet SIL, SIL, meet friend's GF. Have fun you two!

 

[goofyernmost]

You can spend a lot of time anguishing and explaining OR you can use one word. NO!

 

[goofyernmost]

Then when the dust has settled I'd tell that highly sensitive friend of yours to man up and take his girlfriend to WDW.

 

[TinkTink78]

So... you have 2 different people that want to go with you, but you'd rather go alone?

Friend's GF, meet SIL, SIL, meet friend's GF. Have fun you two!

Good idea!!!

I'd be honest and tell them no, you are going solo.

Good luck!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Ever had tag-alongs turn up when you wanted to travel on your own? I'm running out of responses for them. Have any polite ones to pass along to me?

Well, my tag-along was my mother, who invited herself along on my solo trip, And since I didn't have the courage to say "No" (even though I REALLY wanted to go solo), I'm afraid I'm no help. But DH says I earned my eternal reward using so much patience on that trip. And Mom came back and persuaded Dad to go, and they both love it (even though he insisted he didn't want to go), so it worked out in the long run.

 

[Precious Disney]

I'm planning a solo trip. Have 2 different friends that said I could join in on their upcoming trips. I made up some excuses not to join them cause I want to go solo. Do what I want, when I want, etc.... Now that I've made my reservations, I'm hesitant to tell some other friends cause I'm scared they might want to join me. Prior to making my reservations I hinted to them that I wanted to go to DW and they didn't say they wanted to go, so I hope that meant they wouldn't be interested. At some point my trip will come up and I pray they aren't interested. Some people just don't understand that others like to travel solo. I don't understand why some people don't like to...

I love Cafeen's response! Good idea! Good luck to you and wish me luck too!

WOOHOO! DW, HERE WE COME!

 

[DakotaRose]

Wow - thanks for the responses! They've given me some good laughs to boot! It's not easy to say "no" while people you care about look at you with their wide-eyed, expectant smiles. They remind me of puppies at the pet shop, clamoring to win me over. And I have yet to own a dog - haha.

 

[PlutoPatrol]

I tend to agree with telling your friend her b/f need to be a man and take her. Maybe you guys can meet up for a bit of time.

 

[JeanfromBNA]

"I'm afraid that won't be possible, as I'm going by myself. But I would be glad to help you plan your trips."

Really, the more you explain, the digger the hole you're going to dig for yourself when they counter your explanations.

 

[nightshaderose]

"I'm afraid that won't be possible, as I'm going by myself. But I would be glad to help you plan your trips."

Really, the more you explain, the digger the hole you're going to dig for yourself when they counter your explanations.

THIS!!!

Always remember, if you don't respect and defend your own boundaries, no one else will respect them either.

 

[DisCopper]

If you actually like these people, go alone, but plan a second trip with all three.

 

[goofyernmost]

If you actually like these people, go alone, but plan a second trip with all three.

I suppose that would work, but why must she incur the cost of another trip just to "accompany" some other adults that would like to go. If she wants too or can afford too, OK, but not to just not offend anyone.

Adults should be able to figure out a way to go if they want to go bad enough.

 

[alice99]

A friend of mine bamboozled her way onto my solo trip.

I was traveling with her for a long weekend, I invited her to come with me. She ended up changing the hotel, as she liked her hotel better (SSR). So, I decided to go a few days earlier, as to enjoy my hotel (BWV) and spend some alone time..... so she says "I don't want you to be lonely, I'll fly out with you".
She also insisted on staying in her hotel, as she has DVC points and no kids, she insisted I save my points to use for my kids/family.
She really was being SO nice and was trying to be helpful, I just couldn't say no.
My situation is different from yours, but ultimately my vacation became not my own. It was completely not what I planned or expected.
I got ambushed by a pushy , yet well meaning, friend.

 

[stasijane]

I had this exact thing happen when I went on my solo trip April. My good friend decided she wanted to join me like a week before I was to leave. The sad part is that it was my falt she came along. I kept telling her. You have all those days off come with me!!! Well she did I was down for 6 days and she joined me for 3 of them, while I was glad to have her experence Disney for the first time with me and hopefully understand why I love it so much. I was really looking forward to my solo trip Thats what i get for opening my mouth. The sad part is that I really enjoyed having her there and after she left I was actually bored and came home a day early.

If you dont want anyone along I would just say so. But you never know, you might actually enjoy having company if you give it a chance.

 

[Mysteria]

If you actually like these people, go alone, but plan a second trip with all three.

This is a good idea.

I suppose that would work, but why must she incur the cost of another trip just to "accompany" some other adults that would like to go. If she wants too or can afford too, OK, but not to just not offend anyone.

Adults should be able to figure out a way to go if they want to go bad enough.

I'm pretty sure DisCopper was going on the assumption the OP would be going on future trips (because most here are all Disney lovers), not suggesting they take an extra trip just to make the others happy.

Though adults don't need anyone to accompany them it sure is nice if you are new to Disney to be with someone who knows what they are doing.

 

[Jennafoo]

I get this, because the truth of the matter is, most people don't understand someone going ANYWHERE alone, particularly a woman, and particularly to someplace like DisneyWorld. It just doesn't compute for them; they assume you're going to be lonely.

Truth is, they're trying to help you. (Though I agree with the others that your one friend is just trying to pawn his girlfriend off on you so he doesn't have to take her.)

I have the same problem, but I'm pretty firm. I'm an introvert, which contrary to popular belief doesn't mean you're anti-social. It means you recharge by being alone, where extroverts recharge by being around others.

Believe it or not, this explanation has helped people understand my crazy solo trips. Somewhat...

 

[spiceycat]

Well, my tag-along was my mother, who invited herself along on my solo trip, And since I didn't have the courage to say "No" (even though I REALLY wanted to go solo), I'm afraid I'm no help. But DH says I earned my eternal reward using so much patience on that trip. And Mom came back and persuaded Dad to go, and they both love it (even though he insisted he didn't want to go), so it worked out in the long run.

had the same problem - but worst - mother kept inviting herself. finally just told her was going out of town - when she asked to come - it was easy to say no.

now can go solo when I want too - okay the budget is a lot lower - but still go to WDW when need too.