First Semi Solo Trip

ClareH37

DIS Veteran
Joined
Sep 23, 2006
Messages
1,880
I'm planning my first ever solo (well, it's 'semi' solo as I'm meeting up with friends some of the time) next December, I've been before in December but never by myself so if I'm honest I'm a bit nervous about it. I've always wanted to stay at Wilderness Lodge, especially in December, so it's looking like I'm going to go head and book. I thought I'd also pop along to some of the mousefest events (even though I don't know anyone :( ), and maybe book a tour.

I've stayed around the Boardwalk before and loved it but with the Lodge being so warm and christmassy I really want to try it.

Do you think I'll feel 'out of place' doing Wilderness Lodge by myself?
 
A few words of advice.

First of all, you should not feel "out of place" anywhere when travelling by yourself.

Keep an eye in this forum, probably some time in the summer someone will start a "visiting in December thread" and you can meet up with people here. You might want to look at the thread from this year to get an idea of what it is like.

Bring some reading material with you. If you are going to a restaurant bring something to read and you will not feel so alone.

A really nice tour given only in November and December is the Holiday Magic tour, which takes you into at least two parks, two resorts, and backstage to the decorations warehouse/workshop. Call 407-wdw-tour for more information and reservations.

Tell us a little more about yourself, so we may be able to give better advice and will get to know you so by the time you take the trip you will know people. Near the top of the page is a link to "User CP". Go there and see where it says "edit profile" which will allow people to learn a little about you.

Don't PANIC!
 
My advice? Bring a little notebook to the restaurants, and write down everything you see, do, eat, experience. It keeps you occupied, slows down the speed at which you eat (which definitely increases the enjoyment of the meal), and as an added bonus, it seems to draw the waitstaff's attention. I don't think they really believe you're some famous food critic if you do this, but I do think that they feel they can make a bigger difference in your dining experience if you're paying THAT much attention to the meal and surroundings, and work to make it a nicer meal. Plus, it gives you a lasting memory of the restaurant (take pics, too, if you like!).
 
My advice? Bring a little notebook to the restaurants, and write down everything you see, do, eat, experience. It keeps you occupied, slows down the speed at which you eat (which definitely increases the enjoyment of the meal), and as an added bonus, it seems to draw the waitstaff's attention. I don't think they really believe you're some famous food critic if you do this, but I do think that they feel they can make a bigger difference in your dining experience if you're paying THAT much attention to the meal and surroundings, and work to make it a nicer meal. Plus, it gives you a lasting memory of the restaurant (take pics, too, if you like!).


That sounds a very good idea - I've eaten alone before so I'm fine, but Disney just seems 'different'.

Are there any restaurants that are 'better' for eating alone?
 
Clare don't worry be happy you are going to LOVE going SOlO !!! And mouse fest is a lot of fun. Joining in on all the activities it's not like being alone at all, it like join a huge group of friends!! I ate at a few places solo...my best experiences were at the Biergarten in Epcot's Germany and at Jiko in Animal Kingdom Lodge. Welcome to the Solos thread ! You are going to have fun! Janet
 
Thanks Janet, this is all making me feel so much more positive about next year :)
 
That sounds a very good idea - I've eaten alone before so I'm fine, but Disney just seems 'different'.

Are there any restaurants that are 'better' for eating alone?

From my very limited experience, I had a great time at R&C and Artist Point dining alone, a pretty good experience at Boma, and not-so-comfy at Kona and Cape May (but not bad, really, just in comparison to the others). Don't let them seat you by the kitchen (that's part of the trouble I had at Kona Cafe), don't be afraid to ask for a window seat, if there's a view. Buffets slightly less comfortable for me than full service, but it was worth it for me to do Boma, cuz the food is SO GOOD!!!!
 
From my very limited experience, I had a great time at R&C and Artist Point dining alone, a pretty good experience at Boma, and not-so-comfy at Kona and Cape May (but not bad, really, just in comparison to the others). Don't let them seat you by the kitchen (that's part of the trouble I had at Kona Cafe), don't be afraid to ask for a window seat, if there's a view. Buffets slightly less comfortable for me than full service, but it was worth it for me to do Boma, cuz the food is SO GOOD!!!!

I think I'll put R&C on my list and I just might have to do Artist Point as I'm now all booked for Wilderness Lodge so no turning back :banana:
 
I've stayed at the WL solo a few times now (and again in 11 days! :cool1: )- it's a great place! Tours are great if you start feeling a little lonely- instant group of friends! The WL does a lobby tour and a culinary tour, both free!
 
I've stayed at the WL solo a few times now (and again in 11 days! :cool1: )- it's a great place! Tours are great if you start feeling a little lonely- instant group of friends! The WL does a lobby tour and a culinary tour, both free!

I'm now no longer staying alone at Wilderness Lodge, but will be with friends part of the time, although half the time I will be doing my own thing so the tours sound like something I can enjoy by myself :) plus I'm still going to pop along to some of the mousefest events.
 
MouseFest will give you instant dining companions and people to hang with..

I took my first solo trip for Mousefest and through the December thread on this board , met lots of DISers and had meals with various groups of people from the DISers. In fact I wasn't alone most of the time , there was so much to do and always another Mousefest or DIS person or two to do them with.

I am already planning some of the dining for next year at Mousefest with another women that I met this year... and do't forget there is Karen's famous JellyRolls meet..
 
MouseFest will give you instant dining companions and people to hang with..

I took my first solo trip for Mousefest and through the December thread on this board , met lots of DISers and had meals with various groups of people from the DISers. In fact I wasn't alone most of the time , there was so much to do and always another Mousefest or DIS person or two to do them with.

I am already planning some of the dining for next year at Mousefest with another women that I met this year... and do't forget there is Karen's famous JellyRolls meet..

It all sounds such fun - I'm booked for the week 2nd-9th December :) :)
 
MouseFest 2007- http://www.mousefest.org/

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]2007: [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]4 Night Wonder Cruise December 2-6; December 6-10 Land Events; December 8 MegaMouseMeet..[/FONT]



See ya there..
 
MouseFest 2007- http://www.mousefest.org/

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]2007: [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]4 Night Wonder Cruise December 2-6; December 6-10 Land Events; December 8 MegaMouseMeet..[/FONT]



See ya there..

Thanks for the link - looks like based on this year's activities there'll be lots to do :) :)
 





Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE









DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom