Disney Solo at 23 years old!

[moltben]

Hello to all,

New member to the forums. I am from scotland and looking to travel summer 2013 solo to WDW. It would be the first time i have done a solo trip of this magnitude. Being only 23 years old I might be one of a rare few who will be my age going it solo i would imagine right?

I was wondering if theres any advice you could give me with regards to going it solo at wdw. I will be very preoccupied with the parks and seeing a bit of Orlando as i aim to travel there for 3 weeks. However i was feeling a bit self conscious about taking the dining plan especially being solo?

I did have a question however, When is it likely that WDW will release their rates for 2013? at the moment i can only check upto 31 december?

thanks again
Moltben

 

[CupcakeLisa]

wdw rates are up to 2013 as free dining for 2013 was released today.

 

[moltben]

wow really? thank you very much i shall take a look then.

 

[moltben]

cupcake lisa, could you maybe send a link as when i try to view dates on the disney website it tells me that its only available until the end of this year?

 

[dontthrowsand]

I am jealous. I'd consider it but I just can't afford it. Maybe in a couple of years.

 

[Kittina]

I am also 23 and looking at booking a solo trip next year! I want to spend quite a while in Florida as there is so much to see. Its a bit scary though...Im interested to know others experiences, especially with dining!!

good luck xx

 

[roxysmum123]

Heck no! I did my first Disney solo trip at 21! And have done 2 since then, and I'm only 27!

Take advantage of single rider lines where you can, I've met some great people there.

Eat wherever you want, I never was treated differently because I was a solo diner, in fact I think many servers appreciated how easy and quick it was to have a table of one every now and again. If self conscious, start by sitting at the bar in restaurants that offer them and then work your way out. Great options are ones like Biergarten and Teppan Edo where you're sitting at a community table, another great way to meet people.

Solo is my fave way to do Disney, I can do things at my own pace, and don't have to worry about what anyone else wants to do. You'll have an awesome time!

 

[bellanotte10]

Haha I'm 24 and totally trying to plan my first solo trip. Don't think I can swing it as I'm going on two big trips next year but you're not alone at wanting to go solo around this age!

 

[Random Ninja]

I'm 27 and have done solo trips to WDW since my 24th birthday back when Disney was giving free park admission on your birthday. I love the freedom I have when going solo. My family is mostly early to bed, late to rise and I'm a complete night owl. If I want to stay at MK until 3am and get up for rope drop at Epcot the next day, I can; and I do not have to worry about waking anyone up.

For meals, I tend to eat at off-times due to an odd list of allergies. I rarely do table service anymore since it seems that the only thing I can eat at Disney is a burger and fries. However, WDW has great counter service places. Columbia Harbour House has a neat seating area upstairs with a great view; any place in the world showcase has great ambiance for people watching. Sci-fi in HS has a big screen with lots of movie clips for entertainment. Anywhere in AK is great to eat for a solo because you get either an animal view or an architectural view.

I recommend staying onsite while you're a Disney. It's easy for solo travelers to move about and you'll save money on the car rental, gas, and parking fees. Save that for later in your trip or for souvenirs.

 

[karly05]

Gettin' on my soapbox again - ever since my Feb solo trip, I have been on a crusade: Don't Be Afraid to Dine Solo! I had great meals and service at Via Napoli, Flying Fish, and Les Chefs de France and never felt uncomfortable or out of place. If there is a TS restaurant you want to try, go for it!

 

[DisneyFave]

I wish I'd had the bravery to do that at age 23! If only I could turn back time I'm 28 now and thinking about a solo trip... I just did one to Paris, but I didn't like it because it was cold/rainy and I felt jetlagged and lonely. So I am a bit skeptical about doing a solo trip to Disney, but it would be SO NICE to be on my own schedule, stay where I want to stay, eat where I want to eat, and ride what I want to ride!

 

[rubysparkles]

I went solo to Disney for the first time last year, just before my 25th birthday. It was brilliant! I didn't have a problem eating alone, just take a book! I got through two books in 10 days, pretty much from just reading at restaurants. I would say if you do go on the DDP, there are some great table service restaurants that get very busy! Try and book a table at a more off-peak time (i.e. early/late lunch) so you feel more comfortable.

I don't know why more people don't go on holiday alone tbh, I get to do what I want, when I want. It's a lot of fun! And even though I'm fairly shy, a fair few people struck up conversations with me which was really nice. I found having an accent is a good conversation starter too.

 

[jmercer25]

I'm a 23-year-old guy and love going solo, and I consider myself an introvert. I've been going solo since around 21, and it's really great. If you don't have friends or family that enjoy the World as much as you do, you can FINALLY do the weird nerdy stuff you've always wanted. It's really great. I just tried dining solo too (albeit at Mythos at IOA) and it was wonderful.