Disney - alone?

[lou7401]

I will be accompanying my husband on his business trip to Orlando next month and I'm really looking forward to some time away . However, he will be in training seminars all day until 4:30-5:00. I'm happy just to get away but I'm not sure about going to any park all alone. It just seems weird to me since i'm used to the kids being with me.

We will be there 12/07-12/12.

Anyone done this? Any suggestions?

 

[kacaju]

I'll let you know!! I am doing the same thing in two weeks. We leave on the
17th of Nov. I have two days of parks planned while he is in his meetings. I picked the two parks that have evening magic hours so when he is done he can meet me in the park.
Did you see that they have special after 4 pm tickets sold at a discount to those who are there for business?
I plan on relaxing and enjoying my time alone!! We are also doing MVMCP I am so excited!!

 

[lou7401]

Yes, let me know! I didn't see that there are special rates for those who are there on business. Where can I find info on that?

I'm thinking of ordering tickets to the Christmas Party which goes until midnight and then possibly going to Epcot one night since it's open until 9:30.

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

I've never done it, but if I was in your situation I would take the bull by the horns and go at it solo!

It might be a really fun experience for you! Just take it at a leisurely pace, what about doing a tour one of the days?

 

[snow.white]

I've never done it, but if I was in your situation I would take the bull by the horns and go at it solo!

It might be a really fun experience for you! Just take it at a leisurely pace, what about doing a tour one of the days?

Yeah, taking a tour sounds like a great idea, if i was in your shoes that would deffinetely be an option.

 

[BellaOfTheWorld]

Two words:

World Showcase.

Take your time and explore each country. Sip a frosty beverage. People watch. Enjoy the cool breeze off the lagoon. Spend money.

 

[kacaju]

There are three types of Convention tickets. These are only available to people who are attending conventions held on WDW. Normally purchase is via a web link provided by Disney through the convention's web site for pre-purchase, or sometimes at the convention itself. Verification of Convention attendance is required.

"After 2:00" allows admission to one park per day after 2:00pm. These tickets may not be upgraded.

"After 4:00" allows admission to one park per day after 4:00pm. These tickets may not be upgraded.

I saw this in the sticky here that is titled everything you needed to know about WDW tickets.
Also, as it says... I got the info from the web link provided by Disney through the convention's web site for pre-purchase, or sometimes at the convention itself. Verification of Convention attendance is required. The stuff I looked at said you cannot buy these tickets there. You had to buy them before you left.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Most of my trips there have been solo. Well, not exactly solo, as I travel there solo but then spend many/most of my days/evenings with folks from the boards here. Always fun. But I do enjoy the time that I do have there that is truly solo too.

Stop by the solo board here to ask questions, get some ideas...........

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=54

 

[Yen Sid]

I have never donw it either, I love spending time with my wife and kids but if in the same situation i would so take advantage of it. You could either do World Showcase, Downtown, relax at the pool, walk around and check out the resorts, there is a multitude of things that can be done, I would go for it and enjoy yourself.

 

[Lynn5700]

Oh you will love it. It is so peaceful by yourself..you get to take everything in!

When Tim gets tired he will go to the room while I stay out for a couple hrs while he is napping. I love it.

 

[fla4fun]

I saw this in the sticky here that is titled everything you needed to know about WDW tickets.
Also, as it says... I got the info from the web link provided by Disney through the convention's web site for pre-purchase, or sometimes at the convention itself. Verification of Convention attendance is required. The stuff I looked at said you cannot buy these tickets there. You had to buy them before you left.

If you are attending a meeting in Orlando, you should be able to contact the meeting planner to get the special convention tickets. You do not have to be attending a convention on Disney property, but your meeting planner must have contracted through Disney or an outside destination management company to make the convention tickets available.

If you're just one person coming down for a business meeting with another person, you're not going to be elligible to purchase them.

To the OP, I go solo to Disney all the time. You may find you get a little spoiled once you've done it on your own. Don't worry about feeling awkward in the restaurants - there are tons of people in the same boat so it's not unusual at all to see solo diners. You can shop, eat and ride when you want, where you want and how you want. Go for it!

 

[OB1]

After over 20 trips with my wife, I have made a trip the last 2 September's while on a business convention. Since I had an annual pass, it was easy to add 2 days to my trip and head to WDW. While it is sometimes difficult going solo, it also allowed me to do & eat anything I wanted. Any area you want to explore, rides, shows, etc., can now be done. Everyone is friendly, so it is easy to strike up a conversation while waiting in a line. Use plenty of photopass opportunites to capture your time at the parks. You will also see a number of others visiting solo, so you are not alone in this venture. Take the time & enjoy.

My last trip, I rode the Segway at Innoventions, watched the Beatles & MoRockin', listened to Voices of Liberty, and ate at Flame Tree BBQ, all things my wife does not care for. I try to not do attractions that are our favorites, except for Toy Story Mania - could not pass on that one.

 

[kacaju]

on allears.net there is a whole listing of overlooked attractions at the parks and resorts. I also plan on printing those out and seeing what I can find!!

 

[wdwrich]

DW and I went a couple of times when I had conventions/seminars to attend for the first 3 or 4 days. She had a great time exploring the parks on her own, and we signed her up for the Keys to the Kingdom tour at MK. She had a blast! In the late afternoons, I would meet up with her at a park or at our resort, and head out together to dinner and more activities in the evening. You can do it too...have fun!

 

[Tink127]

I never have an issue doing anything alone. In fact my trip this December was to be alone till my sister decided to join me.....just think you can do what you want when you want it. No whining from anyone else when the line is long and you go stand in it!

 

[Tink127]

Sorry forgot my suggestion.....do a Tour! I know they have a special holiday tour during the season or you could do Keys to the Kingdom. I hear it is good and doing it on the day you show up at Disney.

 

[Bev J]

I recommend the Keys to the Kingdom tour, it is about 4-5 hrs long, you will find so much information and have a great time doing it. Includes lunch. My DH and I took it 2 yrs ago and there were several solo travelers in the group.
We would love to take it again sometime. We have done Undiscovered Epcot also and it was a good tour too, but Keys we enjoyed more.

Your going the same week as us, we are looking forward to checking out all the holiday decorations in the park, but don't forget to check out the decorations in the resorts, do all the resorts on the monorail line and that will keep you busy!

Have a fun trip.

Bev

 

[lou7401]

You have all inspired me to not feel so awkward about this and... really...I'm the sort of person who doesn't mind doing this alone so it should be fun. I'm going to buy tickets to the Christmas Party and check out those tours that several of you mentioned.

I'm going to get hubby to ask his seminar organizers about those late afternoon/evening tickets.

Thanks!

 

[RustManFan]

A few years ago I was sent to Lake Mary just north of Orlando on business. I took a couple extra days off work and stayed at POR. I had 2 parks days to use so I went to both MK and Epcot solo. It probably would have been better for me to pick AK and Epcot since I was so disappointed to miss AK. Epcot is the easiest park to do alone if you want my opinion. (Hey, you posted the thread!) I particularly enjoyed walking World Showcase at my own pace. Even Future World was amazing alone. While at MK I rode all the family favorite rides.....plus It's a Small World that only I enjoy. It was a good excuse to go on it since I was alone!

It was a very HOT July few days so I was glad that I could go everywhere at my own pace. Took my time picking out a new Mickey watch at DTD too. Nobody trying to make me hurry through the selection process!

AK would definitely have been a park to do solo, especially if you care more about seeing the animals than about riding thrill rides. The walking path exhibits and the safari do not require company! You can wait and watch animals and not be rushed. DARN...wish I had picked this park. Photography is one of my biggest passions and I would have had a great experience.

Oh well. Traveling with just my sister in November 2009 and, 'though we won't do IASW, I can take my time.

 

[ILuvCrush]

I just got back from my very first solo trip 2 weeks ago

I was alone the whole 5 days... it was weird at first, but by my 3rd day...I was totally loving it!! It was nice answering to nobody but me for a change. I'd do it again too

Paula