First Solo Trip...actually, First Trip to WDW ever...yikes!

[mygizmo]

Not only is this my first trip to WDW, this is my first post on DIS, too. So please bear with me...lol I've actually lurked for years enjoying reading everyone posts. I never thought I would go to WDW since most of my friends/family are not into Disney (I know the Horror, right?!). I finally decided to go solo when reading all of the positive DIS solo posts. I thought what the heck...I'll do it this year.

I've booked a trip in early November (8 nights) and may or may not meet up a FL friend for a day or two. But the majority of the time, I'll be going solo. I've already planned a Backstage Magic tour and will to go to MVMCP on the first night. I've gotten a few ADRs (even though I don't usually like to go out to eat alone ever) and even scheduled a Fantasmic dining package.

As you can read, I'm a planner but I keep going back and forth about getting the park hopper option on my tickets. Any thoughts to help me decide if it is worth the extra funds for that option?

Also, any other tips for a first time WDW visitor?

Thanks for reading!

`Tina (I'm so excited...and I just can't hide it!!! Opps...just dated myself, huh?! )

 

[NYMomof2]

I think a solo trip sounds great. Good for you! We will be there for a few nights in November also and are attending the MVMCP on November 11th. I cannot wait. We just got back on August 19th and I already am counting down the days until November. You are going to have a wonderful time. I personally always have a park hopper and would definitely do it if I was alone because you never know where you may end up. You may be in Magic Kingdom in the AM and decide to go eat at Epcot at the last minute. This will allow you that flexibility.

 

[cjstarr]

First let me say welcometo the DIS!!!
You will love being at WDW and will find lots of help here planning your trip. It's something that those of us who are not going soon like to do.
We had PH, (Park Hopper) tickets the last time we went (6/5/2010) and never used them, not once!!! There is so much to do in each park now that once we got to one we stayed for the day.(except to go back to our room for a break)
It is imo a waste of money now and there is always something you can find to spend the extra $50 on I'm sure. Even when going to Animal Kingdom which closes early. This left time to explore DTD, (Down Town DIsney) and that took the rest of the day to do.
Make sure you take extra batteries and memory cards for your camera or camcorder. Also look into PP, (Photo Pass). We did the PP with the Album and added 30 extra pages. Now we will lways have the memories to look at.

 

[queendisney]

I agree with the 1st PP and think a park hopper is a good thing to have as a solo traveller. The freedom that you have as a solo traveller to do as you please, when you please, to change your plans without a second thought..BLISS.

Enjoy

 

[mygizmo]

Thanks for the quick reply, NYMomof2! You are so lucky to just come back from WDW and now planning the next trip in November!!! Yes, it would be nice to have the flexibility. I may be able to go to Animal Kingdom more than one day if I wanted to with the park hopper option...but will I need to...that's the quandary.

Thanks for the welcome, cjstarr! I am sure I will enjoy discussing all things Disney with other Disney lovers...or should I say, other planning fiends! Yes, that's my fear I would just waste the $55 if I ended up not using it....that $55 would help pay for half the photopass CD already, huh?! How funny...I just bought another camera battery just yesterday, too.

Thanks queendisney...I am hoping for a blissful trip, too!!! Yep, flexibility is definitely a good reason to get the PH option. Decisions, decisions, decisions...

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I love solo trips!!! I can't imagine a nicer place to go solo. I have enjoyed Disneyland Paris solo trips a few times. It is wonderful just doing what you feel like doing when you want to do it! Enjoy yourself!!

solo trip tips for myself-
Don't forget to eat a good meal every now and again. (First trip I was so busy I forgot to eat and that came back to bite me)
No rushing! Smell the flowers so to speak. (After first trip rushing around)
Take photos - gorilla pods are nice to get self snaps but fellow park goers are happy to take photos too.
Keep a journal of daily fun to make a trip report. (That's just me - love those trip reports)

 

[mygizmo]

Thanks for those great tips, ExpatDisneyLover!!! I definitely can forget to eat if I'm out & about...getting the ADRs will help make sure I don't faint in the middle of Epcot or something. Also, great idea on the gorilla pods...I may have to look into getting one. I'm not very good at solo shots...I always end up with a large face in front of a small background.

 

[jackglick]

I also agree with NYMomof2 and Queendisney. I would recommend getting the park hopper also. Especially since its a solo trip. Its nice to have the flexibility. If you were in Magic Kingdom during the day and wanted to have dinner in Epcot, you couldn't do that without having the hopper pass. Definately make you have more options. It definately is a personal preference. I always purchased the park hopper. I have been going to Disney annually for 11 years now. I will be in Disney in November also. I'm going to the Xmas party on the 11th too. Hey NYMomof2 maybe I will see you there.

 

[cjb-nc]

One thing that may tip your decision - the food and wine festival runs through Nov 13. If your trip overlaps that, you may want to have the hopper option so you can nosh in epcot in the evenings on your other park days.

 

[DCTooTall]

Some other things to remember...

The Food and Wine Festival ends on November 13th, so there will be plenty of food and tasty beverages to sample around Epcot. You may even consider canceling any ADR's you have in the park since it would be hard to not get full munching on all the different things to try.

There is also the Festival of the Masters happening at DTD over that weekend which is worth checking out if you are in town.


As for park-hoppers.... honestly, I love having the option to park hop because it allows you to do whatever it is that you get in the mood for without needing to worry about "did I choose the right park for today?". But... it's also your first trip, so you could VERY Easily find yourself just immersed in a single park all day long without the desire to hop. So my recommendation.... You have an 8 day ticket. The first 1/2 of that could easily be spent just staying in a single park for the day, so it won't be until the 2nd half of the trip that you are likely to find yourself contemplating park hopping. Since the park Hopper option is a flat fee no matter how many days are on the ticket, and since you can always upgrade a ticket by visiting Guest Services, I'd say don't get the Parkhopper when you buy your tickets. If you decide later in the trip you want to hop (maybe to hit a favorite spot in a park, or something you may have missed when you did the park but don't want to spend the entire day there), just run by Guest Services and add the parkhopper to your ticket.

A few rides have single rider lines, like Everest and Test Track. feel free to take full advantage of them, though the queue details can sometimes be worth checking out at least once. Even more often you may find the Cast members looking for Party's of 1 or 2 to fill out a ride vehicle or show. Don't be afraid to take advantage of the offers by letting them know your party size.

If you do any souvenir shopping, take full advantage of the ability to send the purchase back to your room (if onsite) or to the front of the park. You'll find that not having the lug the bags around all day to be very nice.

solo trips can be a lot of fun because you aren't tied to other people and can explore and enjoy the parks at your own pace. Since it's your first trip, you may also find yourself wanting to hook up with other disney lovers. Depending on when your trip is, you might find DISMeets planned during the stay where you can hook up with other Disney people. There is a thread here in the Adults/Solo board about naming your dates that include a DISMeet on 11/12 at EPCOT, and I think they are also doing a Tonga Toast breakfast together at some point. (I'll also be down there from 11/5-11/13 hitting both Disney and Universal and am never opposed to meeting new people)

 

[mygizmo]

Thanks for your responses, jackglick, cjb-nc & DCTooTall!!! I am really leaning toward PH option now just for the flexibility, like you guys mentioned... However, I did not realize that I can add the option onto the tickets during my stay. Good to know that tidbit!!!

I'm actually staying November 3-11 and then I'll be hitting Universal with my sister for a few more days after that... Unfortunately, my sister couldn't take the time off to come with me to WDW. Considering I'm coming all the way from CA, I didn't want to go all the way to FL without going to WDW. Who knows when I'll have the opportunity to go...well, if I like the solo trip, I may do it more often, huh?!

It looks like I'll miss the DISMeet on the 12th. It would be fun to meet up with other DISners. How does that usual that work?

 

[DCTooTall]

Thanks for your responses, jackglick, cjb-nc & DCTooTall!!! I am really leaning toward PH option now just for the flexibility, like you guys mentioned... However, I did not realize that I can add the option onto the tickets during my stay. Good to know that tidbit!!!

I'm actually staying November 3-11 and then I'll be hitting Universal with my sister for a few more days after that... Unfortunately, my sister couldn't take the time off to come with me to WDW. Considering I'm coming all the way from CA, I didn't want to go all the way to FL without going to WDW. Who knows when I'll have the opportunity to go...well, if I like the solo trip, I may do it more often, huh?!

It looks like I'll miss the DISMeet on the 12th. It would be fun to meet up with other DISners. How does that usual that work?

Keep in mind for Universal that they are doing their big Harry Potter event over the weekend form 11/11-11/13, so you may see the islands of Adventure park a bit more crowded that weekend than normal this time of year.

I think there is also a dismeet planned in front of the castle at the MK on 11/11 at 11:11am. I'd check the DISMeets forum for information on that. As for how DISMeets actually work, basically, You show up. people with similar travel dates will plan on meeting up at a certain time someplace. sometimes there are plans to do a certain activity (like drink around the world), other times it's pretty open ended with no actual plan or goal pre-planned.

I'll actually be down there from 11/5-11/13, so if you wanted to get together at some point I'd be happy to meet up. I may be playing tour guide to some non-DIS friends of mine a bit earlier in the week, so I don't know what parks I'll be hitting which days, but I'm sure we could arrange something if you wanted.

 

[NJDiva]

Keep in mind for Universal that they are doing their big Harry Potter event over the weekend form 11/11-11/13, so you may see the islands of Adventure park a bit more crowded that weekend than normal this time of year.

I think there is also a dismeet planned in front of the castle at the MK on 11/11 at 11:11am. I'd check the DISMeets forum for information on that. As for how DISMeets actually work, basically, You show up. people with similar travel dates will plan on meeting up at a certain time someplace. sometimes there are plans to do a certain activity (like drink around the world), other times it's pretty open ended with no actual plan or goal pre-planned.

I'll actually be down there from 11/5-11/13, so if you wanted to get together at some point I'd be happy to meet up. I may be playing tour guide to some non-DIS friends of mine a bit earlier in the week, so I don't know what parks I'll be hitting which days, but I'm sure we could arrange something if you wanted.

wait!! you have non-disney friends???? what's that about?!

the one thing I can tell you about traveling solo (I travel a lot alone for business and pleasure) is to just enjoy your "me" time. I think the best part about traveling solo is that you can do what you want, when you want for as long as you wish. you're down there during a great time (who are we kidding, it's always a great time to go) but there's so much to take in so enjoy your trip.

 

[DCTooTall]

wait!! you have non-disney friends???? what's that about?!

You'd be amazed at the number of people in the harem have never experienced Disney.


They are usually quickly converted.

 

[mygizmo]

Keep in mind for Universal that they are doing their big Harry Potter event over the weekend form 11/11-11/13, so you may see the islands of Adventure park a bit more crowded that weekend than normal this time of year.

I think there is also a dismeet planned in front of the castle at the MK on 11/11 at 11:11am. I'd check the DISMeets forum for information on that. As for how DISMeets actually work, basically, You show up. people with similar travel dates will plan on meeting up at a certain time someplace. sometimes there are plans to do a certain activity (like drink around the world), other times it's pretty open ended with no actual plan or goal pre-planned.

I'll actually be down there from 11/5-11/13, so if you wanted to get together at some point I'd be happy to meet up. I may be playing tour guide to some non-DIS friends of mine a bit earlier in the week, so I don't know what parks I'll be hitting which days, but I'm sure we could arrange something if you wanted.

Sorry for my slow response, DCTooTall! I am actually attending Universal for the Harry Potter event. My sis and I were planning a trip during that time and it just so happens to land on that same weekend so we decided to go anyhow despite the expected larger crowds.

LOL...yes, DISmeets sound simple enough. Thanks for the offer to meet! I wouldn't want to impose considering you are playing tour guide for your friends! It's hard enough for me to figure what I'm going to do...I can't imagine how it's going to be figuring a tour that accomodates all of your friends! Still sounds like fun but Good Luck, too!

 

[mygizmo]

wait!! you have non-disney friends???? what's that about?!

the one thing I can tell you about traveling solo (I travel a lot alone for business and pleasure) is to just enjoy your "me" time. I think the best part about traveling solo is that you can do what you want, when you want for as long as you wish. you're down there during a great time (who are we kidding, it's always a great time to go) but there's so much to take in so enjoy your trip.

I think my non-disney friends are just not obsessed about it as much as I am. lol

Thanks, NJDiva! I will definitely have to remember to enjoy the "me" time!!!

 

[DCTooTall]

Sorry for my slow response, DCTooTall! I am actually attending Universal for the Harry Potter event. My sis and I were planning a trip during that time and it just so happens to land on that same weekend so we decided to go anyhow despite the expected larger crowds.

LOL...yes, DISmeets sound simple enough. Thanks for the offer to meet! I wouldn't want to impose considering you are playing tour guide for your friends! It's hard enough for me to figure what I'm going to do...I can't imagine how it's going to be figuring a tour that accomodates all of your friends! Still sounds like fun but Good Luck, too!

Considering I get no input from the friends, the tour planning pretty much consists of which park are we doing today? ok.... let's make the loop.

I'm not a commando type.... and besides being very laid back, i know my ways around the parks well enough that I don't find the need to do the major commando pre-planning. It's just much more enjoyable when you can just go with the flow.

To be perfectly honest... I don't even know which days and which parks i'm taking my friends too.... and probably won't even know what they want to do until they get down there.

 

[nancyjvanwyk]

Not only is this my first trip to WDW, this is my first post on DIS, too. So please bear with me...lol I've actually lurked for years enjoying reading everyone posts. I never thought I would go to WDW since most of my friends/family are not into Disney (I know the Horror, right?!). I finally decided to go solo when reading all of the positive DIS solo posts. I thought what the heck...I'll do it this year.

I've booked a trip in early November (8 nights) and may or may not meet up a FL friend for a day or two. But the majority of the time, I'll be going solo. I've already planned a Backstage Magic tour and will to go to MVMCP on the first night. I've gotten a few ADRs (even though I don't usually like to go out to eat alone ever) and even scheduled a Fantasmic dining package.

As you can read, I'm a planner but I keep going back and forth about getting the park hopper option on my tickets. Any thoughts to help me decide if it is worth the extra funds for that option?

Also, any other tips for a first time WDW visitor?

Thanks for reading!

`Tina (I'm so excited...and I just can't hide it!!! Opps...just dated myself, huh?! )

Where are you staying? we stay at the Yacht Club and love having the parkhoppers as we can walk over to Epcot through the International Gateway and get something to eat and then maybe come back and get a boat or walk to DHS. Usually Animal Kingdom closes early and then we can go to another park in the evening. I hope you have a great time----we go every year and have fun each year doing different things.

 

[cajunbaby1]

I'll be going to wdw in Nov too It wil be my 1st solo trip and I am soo excited. Just the thought of doing what i want, when i want is great. Yes, I'll miss having someone to share the xmas lights with and maybe even other things; but this will be MY time to just explore, Shop (we all know how much guys like to shop ). Even just to lounge around the resort,pool or pool bar.
Plus, more than likely you'll find someone to talk with while waiting in line or at the parades.
Enjoy your time at Disney

 

[mygizmo]

Where are you staying? we stay at the Yacht Club and love having the parkhoppers as we can walk over to Epcot through the International Gateway and get something to eat and then maybe come back and get a boat or walk to DHS. Usually Animal Kingdom closes early and then we can go to another park in the evening. I hope you have a great time----we go every year and have fun each year doing different things.

I'll be staying at Port Orleans French Quarter. I don't think I'm within walking distance from any of the parks. It would be nice. I'll have to check out the Yacht Club...it would be nice to be close to one of the parks.

Thanks, nancyjvanwyk...I'm sure I'll have a great time...with or without the park hopper tickets!