Disney after...another word that starts with "D"

[littlec]

Hi all. I'm a long-time lurker but just now coming out of my hiding place to post.

Basically, I am wondering if there is anyone else out there who has had the experience of traveling to Disney alone after divorce.

I am divorced as of last month after a very difficult and painful 2 year separation and proceedings. This divorce was a complete blindside/out-of-seemingly-nowhere breakup and I've weathered countless storms since August of 2008...on top of the divorce illness, unemployment, moving, etc. Ex-H and I have no children. We used to visit Disney frequently.

I visited Disney in June 2010 with one of my best friends and her 2 sons (6 and 7 yrs.) and had a wonderful time. It reminded me just how much I love WDW and how very much I'd love to go back. But...it was easier to cope with the "memories" of trips past whilst being kept very busy by two young "nephews"! I *so* want to return but I just don't know what it would be like alone... I know that I may be able to go again with friends in a few years, but I'm just not sure I want to wait that long!

Would love to hear anyone else's thoughts or experiences.

 

[Businessgypsy]

...Basically, I am wondering if there is anyone else out there who has had the experience of traveling to Disney alone after divorce...

Been there, done that, have the scars to prove it. Disney's great by yourself - after you've mastered the fine art of enjoying your own company. If you can't go to the mall without feeling all alone and fragile, you'll be that way at Disney as well. You get there by falling down until you can crawl, crawling until you can wobble, wobbling until you can walk and then running free!

Starts with the falling, tho. Skin those emotional knees, and get all kinds of strong! Fortune favours the brave!

Here's a post about the pleasures of doing Disney solo:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33598787#post33598787

 

[bdoyledimou]

Hands up!!!

I wasn't quite divorced, but had moved out from a similar "out of the blue declariton" that my marriage had ended and was going through a late night mope fest when a show about Disney came on. It was a snowy cold February and was jsut blah..

While it was on, i hopped onto the net and priced out a trip.. i had the cash, so i booked it, hopped in the car and DROVE there (2100 KMs!!!)..


I spent 4 days all alone just wondering around and relaxing and it was VERY refreshing, picked me up, perked me up, and was just nice.

And seeing the scenery change from snow and cold to green and lush on the drive was great too!

 

[littlec]

Thanks for the link and the thoughts.

I'm at a point where I really enjoy alone time: it's no longer painful. I love movies alone and will go to restaurants alone. I do, however, wonder if seeing all the couples in love and families with kiddos will/would bring out that lonely feeling. I just don't know.

On the other hand...the thought of going wherever I want, whenever I want...eating whichever snack I want... Oh, yeah. That sounds pretty good.

It is hard remembering the trips with the former DH. We were great travel companions and he was uncommonly sweet and kind while we were on vacation. We always seemed to be in sync. I don't miss ex-DH any longer...but I do miss having that kind of a travel companion!

 

[Stephanator]

I agree. If you're good at doing things solo in your every day life (movies, sit-down restaurants, art show, county fair) you'll LOVE Disney solo. I did a halfway solo trip this past year. A pair of friends were going to WDW, I have an annual pass and they said I should come down and meet them. I was going through separation/divorce and figured if I ever deserved a vacation, now would be a most excellent time. By the way, I don't have any kids either.

I booked my trip so that I would have a few solo days before/after my time with friends. When I got back, I seriously vowed to take another solo trip soon. I had a great time with my friends, but the solo days were SO MUCH FUN!!!

I was able to eat when and where I wanted. I could go ride something 4 times in a row (single ride lines - genius!). I took all the wacky pictures I wanted. I had a great time talking to other families in line and offering to take pictures and asking to take my picture. I had popcorn for breakfast. I ordered wine with lunch. I hugged a random cast member. I bargain shopped at the Disney outlet.

Disney is a magical place and just because you've been affected by the D-word doesn't make it any less magical.

 

[Wild4Walt]

I agree with the poster that said you should only go after you are comfortable in your own skin.

I've been divorced 9 years and have done Disney alone twice since then. My ex and I went at least once a year so it was tough to imagine it without him. I am now in a much better and healthier relationship, but, sadly, with a man who does not appreciate Disney ( oh the horror! ).

The hardest part about going alone that 1st time is telling the CM the seating for the rides, dinner, whatever is for one.

Oddly, my 1st solo trip was not to Disney because I didn't think I could handle it. Which at the time I couldn't. I went on a beach vacation where it would be less obvious that I was on my own. But the next year, after I had remembered who I was and the things I liked on my own - I went and LOVED it.

Good luck and it will all work out fine!

 

[kaligal]

I've gone solo on short trips. I feel alone (and bored) is when standing in line for a ride. Everyone has someone to talk to and I'm just standing there with NOTHING to do. I've taken to going through my emails and deleting them while I wait. If you only get in the shorter lines, it's no big.

I sometimes feel alone in the Disney restaurants. Off property, I'm fine. But the restaurants in the parks...I dunno, I just don't like it much.

Otherwise, I like going alone. I like the slower pace. I like to shop as long as I want and know nobody is being held up. I like sleeping when (and as long or short) as I please. I can go to the pool instead of the park if I want. It's really very relaxing and a wonderful break from EVERYTHING.

It's all about me. And it's okay for a few days.

Try doing things alone at home. Go to restaurants, movies, shopping and such by yourself. See if you feel okay.

And remember that nobody cares about what you're doing in the park. They are busy enjoying their vacation. Plenty of folks are alone because everyone else went off to ride a coaster they're afraid of or their partner is grabbing a smoke or whatnot. Nobody notices them and nobody will notice you.

I hope you go and have fun!

 

[TinkTink78]

I have gone twice solo since my divorce, and LOVE IT! It was the best decisions I could have made. Altho I have been there once with my new BF, and we are heading there in 87 days..... There is nothing like Disney SOLO.

Enjoy and soak in doing WHATEVER you want, when you want and WHERE you want.....

 

[MousekaMaddi]

and hoping u will go and have a blast!!!

 

[Mickey527]

I go all the time alone. I don't really enjoy it as much as when I have someone with me to talk to but that won't stop me from going.
I don't try the better restaraunts when I am alone, but do alot of quick service. I did eat once at Le Cellier for my birthday trip alone and the wait staff were extra attentive but it still was not as much fun.
I used to bring my boys but they are adults now and say they are Disneyed out. They are definately their fathers children, he LIVES in FL and hasn't been there since our honeymoon.
I had a friend who went with me alot but it got to the point that I would use my DVC, pay for the food plan, then the airfare, etc... Now I can take 2-3 trips alone and not have to pay someone to go with me.
I am trying to find someone who is as much of a WDW nut as me but all the guys that I meet tell me they LOVE WDW but haven't been there for 20 years. To me that is not a Disneynut, that is just a boring guy.

 

[Neri-Beri]

This is kind of off-topic to your trip. I tried to PM you but I haven't made enough posts to do that. So here goes:

Hi,

I just read your post about going to Disney after a divorce and I wanted to share something with you.

Just yesterday day, I purchased the audio book for Eat, Pray, Love. Normally I read, but I've been busy with work so I decided to try an audiobook during my "down time."

I cannot recommend this enough. Being a survivor of my parent's divorce, my own divorce and a 4 year engagement gone horribly wrong - the premise and execution of the book is amazing. I realize I don't know you, but the book's message is universal.

I have had girlfriends who have read it - they said it was a little harder to get through in text form so I'd suggest the audio. It's read by the author and it's simply wonderful.

Hope this was helpful,

Neri

 

[dzndft]

I too recently became unmarried. The thought of a solo trip is both liberating and scary. But the thought of meeting up with another Dis'er for a meal or such, sounds like fun and could make a solo trip even more enjoyable.

 

[fkj2]

I travelled to WDW solo while my mom was still alive and I needed a respite. It was somewhat strange the first and second trips.

Now, I like it. I go where I want, when I want, stay as long as I want. eat where I want, etc. I strike up conversations with people near me in line if they're sociable and if not, I don't.

WDW is just so relaxing. It's hard not to enjoy yourself whether you travel with someone else or not.

 

[disneymom/teacher]

My divorce (after 21 years of marraige) was final last Nov. I have taken my kids every year for the past 7 or 8 years. I am going on an adult trip on August 1st with a good friend. The kids are like "have fun, will we go next summer?" So they do understand. My friend and I are really getting excited for our trip! I am glad I don't have to do what the kids need-but rather whatever we want to do!

 

[cglaura]

Perhaps you can go with a different view, decide on some sort of "project" you want to accomplish while there...

For example, one year I took photos of all the different types of roof tops.

Establishment signs.

Flowers.

Choose a particular food and try to find a unique to the land item (cookie, chocolate, fruit, etc.)

Shoot from different points of view. Like from way down on the ground almost vertically up a building.

Anyway, you get the point. Still go and tour the parks and have fun, but having something to distract you as well.

My trips after divorce were a little different b/c I had dd5 (at the time), but I was so scared! Now we're ol' pros, you will be too! Good luck and remember to breath and smile

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Not to make fun but when I saw your title I was thinking "Disney after Death" (I guess the other big D).

If you choose to go, have a hauntingly good time (couldn't resist).

 

[Floydian]

Thanks for the link and the thoughts.

I'm at a point where I really enjoy alone time: it's no longer painful. I love movies alone and will go to restaurants alone. I do, however, wonder if seeing all the couples in love and families with kiddos will/would bring out that lonely feeling. I just don't know.

On the other hand...the thought of going wherever I want, whenever I want...eating whichever snack I want... Oh, yeah. That sounds pretty good.

It is hard remembering the trips with the former DH. We were great travel companions and he was uncommonly sweet and kind while we were on vacation. We always seemed to be in sync. I don't miss ex-DH any longer...but I do miss having that kind of a travel companion!

In general, I think you'd do just fine there as a solo. However, having honeymooned at WDW (which is what led me to this site oh so many years ago), I can say that even now after so much time and so many visits since the divorce, I do still get some of those feelings. Not about the Ex at all, but the "sharing special moments with that special someone" kind of emptiness can hit me at the strangest times.

But those moments come and go, and then I see some little princess dragging daddy towards the castle, or a young pirate running around in the spray of the EPCOT fountain and...what were we talking about again?