Fear of Traveling Alone but..

[WittyreaderLI]

Hi all

I've been to Disney 9 times, 6 of which was with my family. Now that I am 28, I have gone with friends three times. The thing that bothers me the most is that we get into fights about what we are going to do, eat, and what time we get to the parks, etc, so I am wondering if traveling alone would be a better option. It's much more expensive I realize but I would be able to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.

Are there people who meet up with others who are going alone on these boards? And is it lonely dining alone? I think it would be worst just sitting alone at the tables, I do love to read but still. And the fact that I can't really tell anyone "That ride was so scary/cool/fun"

I'm dipping into people who I am not that close to in order to get SOMEONE to go but I'm wondering if its worth it.


Thoughts?

 

[travelin' tigger]

The thing that bothers me the most is that we get into fights about what we are going to do, eat, and what time we get to the parks, etc, so I am wondering if traveling alone would be a better option.

That's the great thing about a solo trip - it's all about YOU!!! You do what you want, when you want, where you want.

And the fact that I can't really tell anyone "That ride was so scary/cool/fun"

Yes, there are a few lonely time, but that's what cell phones are for.

Are there people who meet up with others who are going alone on these boards? And is it lonely dining alone? I think it would be worst just sitting alone at the tables, I do love to read but still.

I've made quite a few DIS friends over the years on my solo trips. There are a few threads here that people post when they are going and if anyone wants to meet up. As far as dining goes, I've never had a problem as I stick to counter service and save my table service restaurants for trips with friends.

So just go for it - lots of people have a great experience!!

 

[monarchsfan16]

I'm 22. I've taken 2 solo trips. Basically it was the only way I could go. My friends either do not have the same commando attitude about vacations I do or are more interested in spending their limited funds on alcohol. I prefer to spend mine on Disney. Plus one of my trips was a gift; I wasn't turning down a free Disney trip even if there was no one that could go. My first solo trip was just 4 nights and while I was solo most of the time, I also spent a decent amount of time with a friend that lives in Orlando that I'd met previously (through the DIS). Second trip was a week and had A LOT more solo time (although did spend some time with the friend again).

A lot of people do seem to meet up with others from the boards. It's not really in my nature to meet up with people I don't feel like I know. The DISer I met up with is one I talked to for years before we ever met.

Dining solo can be weird, but it's not horrible. First trip I did all CS places. This trip I ate solo at Sanaa and at Boma. The service at Sanaa was incredibly fast, so I really didn't have time to sit awkwardly, thinking about being lonely. Since Boma is a buffet, that was entirely at my pace, so again, no awkward time.

I think the worst part about solo trips is the fact that there isn't someone right there to laugh with when you see something amusing, or to talk about how great a meal was, or to share a sundae with if you're like me and love ice cream but can't eat enough dairy to eat an entire Beaches sundae. I did a lot of texting while waiting for fireworks, riding buses and monorails, etc, to share some of the stuff. Definitely wasn't the same, but better than nothing.

Overall, I like solo trips. I can fly 1000+miles and set foot in all 4 parks in one day without anyone complaining about being tired. I can eat what I want when I want, and don't have to stop if I'm not hungry. I can watch Illuminations every night of the trip if I want. You get the picture. You can also get through lines faster, between single rider lines, and getting pulled ahead to fill odd spaces. That being said, I would NOT go solo for a whole week again. By day 6 I was lonely, and had more than conquered the parks, so I was ready to go home.

 

[WittyreaderLI]

Thank you Heather! That was a good posting. Do you think that people look weirdly at you for being alone? I Guess that's what I'm afraid of. The other fear is being around all these groups of people when you are just by yourself.

It's something I am mullling over.

 

[aggielawyer]

Thank you Heather! That was a good posting. Do you think that people look weirdly at you for being alone? I Guess that's what I'm afraid of.

Think of it this way...in all your trips, have you ever paid attention to someone that was alone? I can't say I've ever noticed, but then, I tend to live in my head and not notice people around me sometimes.

I'm going in September, and am looking forward to it very much. My sister can't believe that I'm going alone--she's sure that I'll be calling everyone in the family because I'll be so desperate to talk to someone. I've told her that would be her, but it's not me--she's the extrovert, I'm the introvert.

I've traveled alone for work before several times. I don't mind going out to eat or going to the movies by myself. Maybe you should try to do this a couple of times and see how you feel about it. Take a book to eat with you, or just sit there and people watch.

 

[Magix]

If people look weirdly at you, just look weirdly back at them! If they think it's odd for someone to be alone, then it just means that they're not comfortable enough with who they are to ever be alone. Those of us who know who we are and aren't afraid to be by ourselves and think our own thoughts don't have a problem traveling alone. Granted there are certain places in the world that you really WANT to have someone with you, but at a place like WDW, it's no problem at all being alone. In fact, it's great fun.

Go for it and enjoy yourself! And tell us all about it when you get back!

 

[the who #3]

i am a widow and have been for 25 yrs. so needless to say, i do almost every thing alone. it did take a while for me to get used to that.

i purchased my dvc(which i love) alone altho i take my grandchildren to disney at least once a year. i also go alone once in a while and enjoy it.

i don't mind dining in restaurants alone since i do that all the time at home. if i did not, i would never get to go anywhere.

the last trip i took was an adventures by disney trip to italy, and i did go alone. altho i must admit that i had been on an abd trip before and some of the same people were going on this trip so i knew they would be there when i got to italy. but, i would have gone even if i did not know anyone. i sort of think that most people who do disney are going to be good people to begin with. we all had the most marvelous time together and we all come from different parts of the nation and from different backgrounds.

if its disney, do it even if its alone. just enjoy the cast members and other guests that you might meet on the rides, or just in the park. if you are alone you don't have to meet anyone elses scheduel or wait for anyone. sometimes that can be nice. just being around all the beautiful parks and resorts at disney is a real treat.

 

[monarchsfan16]

The people seating me at Sanaa DID look at me weirdly for being alone. As did the CM at the front desk at the Boardwalk when I needed a second key because mine was left in the room and she realized I was the only person in the room. But I'm a 22 year old in about a 15 year old's body. I've been told I have quite the baby face. I'm also not exceptionally big. Anyone looking at me oddly has a legitimate reason to do so.

I tend to be very aware of how others are acting towards me (to a fault). I really didn't notice any other guests giving me weird looks. The only place I felt really uncomfortable was in the lazy river at Typhoon Lagoon. Everyone else was in groups and you're kind of stuck with those same people for awhile, but that was me; I don't even remember anyone looking at me funny there. The reality is basically everything else in Disney (rides, waterslides, etc) are things that even people in groups may do alone for various reasons. I actually felt as though other guests talked to me more when I was solo than when I've been in the parks with family or friends. In some cases it was based on the hat I was wearing (University of NH), in others it was questions about a show we were waiting for. In most cases the fact I was alone was never brought up.

While there were a couple weird looks from CMs, there were also a lot of CMs that seemed to provide extra attention when they realized I was alone. The photopass photographers took a lot of time playing with both their cameras and with mine. I got Tinkerbelle shots from a couple of the Main Street photographers, and a Simba shot in AK without ever asking. Just a "let's have some fun with this". Lots of different poses in places where the families ahead of me had simply had the typical posed picture. The grouper for Pirates asked me if I had a row preference when he realized I was riding alone. The people ahead of me had not been asked that, and the people behind me were not asked that. Disney CMs are very friendly anyway, but overall they do seem to go above and beyond when it's just you.

 

[Auntie L.]

Great posts, guys!! Wittyreader, I day GO FOR IT!!! How can you not, after reading what these guys had to say!!

And Heather, LOVE the Yellowstone story!! I'm from MA - I totally get "wicked"!!

Linda

 

[Auntie L.]

Uh, that should be I SAY go for it --sigh--- long day......

 

[Knitter]

I think you should definitely go. The last time I went down, it was with my whole family. After several days of being around my parents, my 3 sisters and their husbands and children, I was ready to pull my hair out.

On the last day of our trip, I took off and spent the whole day at Epcot by myself and it was the best day of my entire trip. I was a little hesitant at first because it felt weird to venture out on my own, but I was able to go at my own pace. When I wanted to stop and shop or watch a show, I stopped and for as long as I wanted to without feeling like I was holding someone else up. When I got hungry, I stopped and ate what I wanted. There was no 20 minute discussion of who wanted to eat where. The CMs were very nice and a couple of them went out of their way to talk to me. It was the most relaxing and carefree day that I have ever spent at WDW.

I know that my experience isn't the same as taking a whole vacation by yourself, but I know that I really enjoyed my solo day at WDW and I am looking forward to doing it again.

 

[Missytara]

I go by myself almost every year. Here are some suggestions....

Get to know the people working at your resort. I say hello to everyone in the morning when I leave for the park. The guy at guest services, the girl at the store counter, etc. They all say hello when I get back, and I feel like I am coming home at the end of the day.

Eat at the bars instead of a table. You don't have to drink to sit at the bar. You get to know the bartenders, as well as meet people who are getting a drink while they are waiting for their table. The first year, I went to the Rainforest Cafe three times and they recognized me the last two times. I felt like I was very special.

Get to know the people in the lounge. I adore Stacey and John at the lounge at POR. I come back at the end of a long day and have a glass of wine, and unwind with them until it gets busy.....

Strike up a conversation with someone while you are standing in line. I do that while I am waiting for the water taxi to go to DTD each night from POR. When I come back and I run into them again, we strike up a conversation on the way back to the resort. I have had people invite me to have dinner with them, or sit by the pool, etc.

I must add I am an only child, so I spend a good deal of time alone. I enjoy the freedom of doing whatever I want to do each day.

I am single with no kids, so even more time alone. I go out to eat almost every night, and I always sit at the end of the bar by the service bar, so I can talk to all the servers and bartenders. I love it!

There isn't anything better than traveling alone.

 

[the who #3]

i did recommend going to disney or disney planned trips alone, but wanted to make one statement about that subject.

i do totally trust disney, but i do not and you should not trust everyone. on any trip, you should always be aware of your surroundings so that you are not caught off guard. there are a lot of people luking around who do not belong to your group or belong in the area. that does not mean be afraid, but be aware and be careful. so many crimes are easily commited because of the surprise element. if you make it "not so easy" the crime may not ever take place.

don't ever back away from activities because someone else may look at you in a strange way. you deserve to be able to travel and dine out just like anyone else.

sometimes i enjoy being able to walk at my own pace and window shop without disturbing someone else's fun.

go ahead and have a wonderful trip.

 

[wdposter]

the place is one of the safest places around. It s common sense not to go where its dark and not friendly looking.

 

[lexandme]

I just found this thread and loved reading the comments.
My DH is a teacher and cannot go anywhere during the school year. I would love to take advantage of the free dining this fall, and a friend that works for USAIR will give me buddy passes so my flight will be free. My best friend is toying with the idea of going but I don't hold out a lot of hope so I have been seriously considering going solo! The only time I feel I may be lonely will be at night once back in the hotel room.
I have no worries about weird looks because I'm alone. There are sooooo many people at WDW on any given day, how can you possibly know who is alone and who isn't? And if you get a strange look while dining just smile and wave!

 

[the who #3]

when i go to wdw alone, i never have to worry about feeling lonely when i return to my room at night. i am usually so tired from walking all day that i am asleep before long. i usually take a book but seldom read any of it before i fall asleep. just enjoy the feeling of being very pleasantly tired.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Thank you Heather! That was a good posting. Do you think that people look weirdly at you for being alone? I Guess that's what I'm afraid of. The other fear is being around all these groups of people when you are just by yourself.

It's something I am mullling over.

Don't worry about what people think. I know that is easy to type....but it worked for me for years.

$ years ago, Gay Day weekend, I was standing in line at BTMRR. I talk with most anyone and was chatting with a tall new yorker. Little did I know I would marry him 2 years later in Alaska.

We both traveled solo for years.....he was the consumate commando and I stopped and enjoyed just about every rose I saw. I would get up early at my favorite Wildie, find my sofa on the 5th floor...a book and my tea and listen to the resort wake up before I would begin my day.

We are both avid (rapid) Disney fans and travel to the parks often. I married well, my husband is a castmember - woo hoo for discounts. We have not only merged our lives but also our Disney travel styles.


Go to Disney, have a ball, take naps, pose for photopass pics, ride any ride you want. As a solo traveler you will have time to do exactly what you want to do. Want to ride Small World 15 times in one day....you go right ahead and have fun. Want to eat ice cream for lunch....no one will see you and report back to the lunch police. It's vacation....treat yourself.

I always covered more ground when I traveled solo....LOVED tours of just about any type.

Have a ball!

 

[jenelope]

I love these posts! I think the key thing is to act as if it's the most natural thing in the world to be at WDW alone. Never act apologetic or sad about being a party of one on a ride or a restaurant. I always just smile and state it in a friendly but matter-of-fact way. I'm not really big on sitting at the bar to eat because I find the high stools uncomfortable. I'm also more prone to bring a crossword puzzle book with my than I am a book to read. I find that the latter discourages cast members from talking to me because they don't want to interrupt. And I have some pretty great conversations with cast members while I'm solo.

 

[MyMuse]

I love my solo trip. It's so nice, doing what you want, when you want.

I have my trip reports in my sig, if you want to read up.

I did dine solo at the Rose & Crown and lucky enough to snag a time when I could watch Illuminations from their seating area. The waiter took great care of me when he realized I was alone as well as the chef took some time to say hello, which I thought was great. There wasn't really a moment where I felt awkward, since the food came out pretty fast, I wrote in my trip journal plus I did make a few texts.

In AK, I was stopped by a CM and we talked for a bit and she was the second person to wish me Happy Birthday. I was so thrilled, I took a picture of her and she was so excited to get her picture taken.

I was happy to get back to my nice, quiet room and hit the sack when I wanted to.

My solo trip (for the most part, I have a friend in Orlando who came & joined me for 2 days of parks) was in March and in May, I went back fo a totally unexpcted trip with my bro and niece. What a difference, I just wanted to strangle them both. During the last day, I literally left them for an afternoon because I had enough. I'm more than grateful for my solo trip.

If you have a chance to go solo, do it. It'll probably end up, where you can end up having a Dismeet somewhere.

 

[wdwtheplacetobe]

I went SOLO in 2005, celebrating 20 years in my profession, for a week.

I have the same good things to say about a Solo trip, adding one more...I ate at the restaurants, sat at tables, and did NOT feel weird in the slightest.
Disney is one of the few places that you can do this. I met several CM's and had a ball chatting with them. If you feel strange, check out the Park Map to see where you want to go next. Disney has REALLY good restaurants and I would hate for you to miss them, just because you were solo.

To answer your question about people looking at you weird....I found that during the day people are more friendly. At night they tend to keep to themselves, maybe because they're tired...or maybe because it's dark.

Schedule a Tour...this is fun, and nobody questions why you are there. I did Keys to the Kingdom and Yuletide Fantasy the week that I was there and enjoyed them both.

Have a Magical Trip!