Different/special things for solo trips?

[CarrieR]

I just booked a few days at Disney solo next month. Kind of a perfect storm of things; I have a week off from my job (it's a fixed week, I can't move it) and none of my normal travel buddies are available to travel. I have always wanted to do the Backstage Magic tour and none of my Disney buddies want to shell out that sort of cash on top of a trip (I can't blame them, honestly.) So I am doing a few days at Disney before going to visit some family in the area.

I'll be arriving Saturday evening - PM EMH at the MK!! - and then have all day Sunday. Monday is the tour, and I have most of Tuesday before my flight leaves in the late evening.

I have been to Disney a TON of times in the last few years with friends - we tend to do APs on alternating years and do half a dozen trips during our AP years. My question is, what do you find you plan differently on a solo trip vs when you travel with others? I have a pretty good concept on FPs and touring plan, just wondering if there is anything I am not thinking of.

Also, any ideas of anything special/fun to do as a solo? I am thinking something like Dine with An Imagineer (which I looked at but it's full for my dates... plus it conflicts with the tour, unless I can move it.) Not wanting to do a dessert/dinner with nighttime entertainment, or a cruise of any sort, but open to other ideas of fun/special/premium experiences. I am looking forward to doing stuff like that and not having to convince my entire party! LOL!!

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

I have never done solo (yet), but there are a lot of things I can think of. There are so many tours. If you are up to it, the one in Animal Kingdom sounds like a lot of fun. Also the Keys to the Kingdom tour, Marceline tour and Behind the Seeds. Dining with an Imagineer is one I am considering for my solo trip. Mini-golf is an option. Cirque du Soliel is a great show and worth every penny.

 

[CarrieR]

Other tours is something I thought of. I am already doing Backstage Magic, which will run all day on Monday - so I am a little hesitant to do something else that's going to take all darned day. I've done KTTK and Marceline. Behind the Seeds is something I thought about and then forgot - thank you!

I just realized it's F&G while I'm there, so maybe I'll plan on spending some extra time at EPCOT. It's one we don't usually spend a lot of time at, as one of my traveling companions has inexplicable EPCOT hatred, lol. And even with nostalgia (it was my favorite as a kid,) I have to concur with her that there's not much to do. You can only walk the WS in the blazing sun so many times, you know?

I am thinking I'll be doing a lot of detail photography and maybe try to munch my way around the WS. I am really tough to feed, so I am trying to think of dining stuff that I'd love to do but never can convince my friends to join me in. (I'm vegetarian/almost vegan and they are... not... lol. So it would be nice to pick some restaurants for me instead of, "Yep, $50 for noodles at Ohana sounds fine!")

I'm caught between worrying that I'll miss my friends while there and being REALLY excited about not having to compromise on things. Generally speaking, I'm okay being a loner, but Disney is one of those things where we *always* do it together. But I am looking forward to being able to eat "weird" places or ride ToT twenty times in a row if I want! LOL!

Just trying to figure out how to alter my touring plans. After so many trips, certain things are almost "automated" and I am trying to decide if I want to change that!

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

I'm caught between worrying that I'll miss my friends while there and being REALLY excited about not having to compromise on things. Generally speaking, I'm okay being a loner, but Disney is one of those things where we *always* do it together. But I am looking forward to being able to eat "weird" places or ride ToT twenty times in a row if I want! LOL!

That is where I am with my solo trip, so I totally understand. I love the idea of doing it my way. I eat when I want, sleep when I want, ride as much or little as I want, take a long time taking pictures of that is what I choose to do, etc. At the same time, I have always done Disney with family. Either my husband and daughter, daughter only, extended family trip, twice with a friend, etc. None of my friends or family members (that I would want to go with) are into Disney. My trip is for 9 days. I do not want to find myself just wandering around unsure of what to do with myself after I have visited each of the parks once. Also, for longer waits, like 7 Dwarves Mine Train, I dont want to find myself bored or completely draining my battery on my phone trying to entertain myself. I have thought about booking a room bigger than I need to use my points I borrowed in and stay fewer days.

I think you and I will both be fine.... it will just be a little weird maybe. Each time I go, I end up chatting with somebody who is there alone and they say it is one of the best Disney trips they have ever taken.

 

[spiceycat]

I will be there too - both in March and then May.

here some information from the parent site of the Dis
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/events/ep-flower-garden.htm

believe me there is a lot to do at F&G

how do you feel about FW - horseback riding (okay a very tame ride), archery, fishing, boating, biking, etc

here is a list of the tours
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tours.htm

 

[CarrieR]

Ha. Tame horseback is still too wild for me. But archery sounds like fun! I hadn't even thought about FW as an option! Thanks!

Thanks for the tour list. Wild by design was another I'd consider, but looks like they cancelled it. I want to say there was another at AK... going to look now.

 

[loves to dive]

I am taking my third solo trip in May for F&G, I normally go with my now adult son and lately his wife has joined us. I find when I'm solo I don't ride as many rides, just don't feel the need to. I go to more shows, my son hates them. I get up early in the morning and enjoy the resort, I resort hop. During F&W I did a lot of seminars and last time I went to F&G solo I really enjoyed just spending time and enjoying the flowers and the food booths. I find I go slower when solo, just taking time to enjoy the experience. This time I will be doing a split stay of two nights at AK and 3 nights and BWV so I'm hoping to do the savannah tour/dinner that is only offered to AKL guests. I also plan on doing the little free tour of BWI that is offered. I going for 5 nights/6 days and am actually thinking of maybe adding an additional night because there is more I want to do and not miss spending more time at F&G. I'm going to tea at the GF, which I do every time I go, going to dinner at Brown Derby, which we always do as well. I'm thinking I probably won't even book any FP and just go with the flow so I won't feel so rushed.

 

[MatzoBelle]

I would slow down and do a few things that do not chain you to Disney's schedule. Agree that tea at the GF is a good idea. You could also eat in some of the deluxe resort lounges, and find interesting spots at the resorts afterwards. WL's lounge looks particularly inviting, though I'm not sure which vegetarian options they have on offer. The one at AKL looks good, too. You could visit the Mary Poppins fountain in the GFV lobby. And you could take an hour at each park just to explore and notice the details (no rides or shows). There are baby gorillas at AK. The beautiful flowers and food booths at F&G are a must. It could also be nice to rent a bike at WL and ride it to FW for takeout at Trail's End (but maybe bad for a vegetarian). You could also look into the entertainment schedule while you are there. The gospel brunch at HOB or Irish music at Raglan Road could be fun. Jellyrolls for a couple of hours? The appetizer or dessert equivalent of a pub crawl? Finally, you could consider a few hours at Universal to take in all things Harry Potter.

Hope you have fun whatever you decide.

 

[DisneyBelle_x]

I'm doing my first solo trip in September and just looking forward to doing it all at my time and no one moaning *cough* non Disney loving husband *cough* and finally going to do the Keys to the kingdom tour which I've wanted to do for years now

 

[ludari]

Aside from the typical park stuff doing tours is what I enjoy most when I travel solo. I also enjoy visiting the various resorts to explore (I love checking out the lobbies, restaurants and pool areas).

 

[Simba's Mom]

One thing I do is make it a point to try out new restaurants. Of course, you pay less for only one diner so if the experience is a bust, I haven't lost that much. But if it's a great place, next time DH goes with me I can "introduce" him to eating at that restaurant.

 

[BalooFan]

I did the Wild Africa Trek at AK on my solo trip in November. No one else in my family would have done it with me. There was a family of four, two couples, and a mother and daughter on the tour with me. Most of them were friendly and talked with me. I stayed at Pop Century and walked across the bridge and explored Art of Animation resort. I like to explore other resorts, but my family isn't into it. Other than that, I did what I wanted to do on my own timetable. I also brought a mini-tripod so I could take a few selfies that didn't look like selfies.

 

[georgina]

Sounds like my next trip! I am staying at Pop solo and planning to do the Wild Africa Trek. Also the Grand Floridian tea and MNSSHP. I went solo last year and did the Keys to the Kingdom tour. I think there is a halfway to St Patrick's Day celebration to Raglan Road in September. I love being able to do just what I want.

 

[may1787]

Also the Grand Floridian tea

I'm doing that, too! I'm pretty excited!

 

[Coogz]

I am seriously debating doing the backstage magic tour, I took the UnDiscovered Future World tour last time. Anyone have experience with that one? I have my AKL solo trip coming up in June.

 

[Tink03477]

I am seriously debating doing the backstage magic tour, I took the UnDiscovered Future World tour last time. Anyone have experience with that one? I have my AKL solo trip coming up in June.

If you mean the Keys to the Kingdom Tour at MK, then yes; I've done it and I totally recommend it!! I loved it. I did the Undiscovered FutureWorld too and loved that one as well. The KTTKT is kind of like that except different park.

 

[CawfeeGuy]

personally, i highly recommend the Epcot Segway tour; it was super-fun and totally solo-applicable.

 

[Soulcraft]

I'm going solo in May and was also looking at the Undiscovered Future World tour. Is that cool? I've also been mulling over Epcot Dive Quest. I keep hearing how amazing Wild Africa Trek is, so maybe I should really consider doing it. I'll also be staying at AKL, so would anyone recommend the night safari? How about tea at GF? What's that about?

Sorry for the barrage of questions!

As per the OP, I think doing a tour is the best way to stay active, engaged, and kill some time without feeling like all we're doing is waiting in line for rides. I plan on doing a lot more "seeing" as in, walking every inch of every park or resort and just looking at what's there. This is important for me as I'm coming out from California, so I don't get many chances to see how much bigger and different WDW is compared to DL.

 

[Oneanne]

More often than not I'm at WDW solo... next trip is coming up in mid-May staying at POP. Aside from the tours that so many have mentioned, I like to book meals where there is communal seating. Teppan Edo in particular has become a favorite, and the little floor show the Chef's put on really helps to break the ice with the others seated at the table.

 

[Simba's Mom]

personally, i highly recommend the Epcot Segway tour; it was super-fun and totally solo-applicable.

Although I really agree with this, is the Epcot Segway tour still going on? I thought it was discontinued. If not, I think it's a great thing for solos-everyone's bonded by a common goal-don't fall! I was on the other side on the Segway tour I was on-there was a large group of us, all good friends, then one solo. He probably sat there thinking "What did I get myself in to here? Everyone else knows each other and I'm going to be all alone." But once the tour started we were ALL good friends!