First solo trip-support needed :)

[StacyPop]

I will be in Disney in October for work and have made the decision that I cannot skip the F&W festival-since we are not going otherwise this year.
I figured, I have to eat right??
But I am not a solo kind of girl, so give me some tips on what to do, so I am not so uncomfortable. I figured I can shop and eat at my own leisure, without hearing "Mom-can you buy me this??", although somehow I think I will miss hearing it for a change.

 

[David R]

Well, since I live 10 mins from WDW, I go there alone sometimes. I know it's not the same as a whole vacation but let me tell you, I just love being there by myself.

You can go on any ride you want, at any pace you want. You can sit down, eat, relax and have fun whenever you feel like it without having to think of anyone else but you.

Since you are going alone, you often get on rides faster too. You'll often hear "party of 1?" and get to skip a segment of the line!

And CMs seem to be very friendly to single travelers. The other night at Epcot I had a total of 6 CMs approach me and chat with me for no reason. It made my evening that much more fun.

You'll have a good time!

 

[bleeps]

I've never done WDW alone (although, like you, perhaps, I dream about it but wonder how I'd be without DS, 8, and DH pulling me in two different directions all the time) but I have done a lot of solo traveling and dining, and really encourage you to go for it and enjoy yourself.

What part of it makes you think you'll be uncomfortable? I think you'll find that if you want to chat with people you'll have no problem doing that. If you'd rather not feel that every meal has to include the "hi my name is" routine, just carry a book or a notebook with you so that you aren't sitting at a restaurant table wondering where to look. If it were me, I'd get a Photopass card and have a buncha pictures of ME taken with characters (I never seem to have the nerve to do that when I'm with my family!), eat at all my favorite places, shop and window shop to my heart's content (I never get to do this), and take advantage of being solo to ride my favorite rides....

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

I'm also getting ready for my first solo trip - nervous and excited at the same time! Hope your trip is great!

 

[StacyPop]

I figured that at least at Epcot, I will take advantage of being able to enjoy the grown up stuff that I usually have to rush by. I am planning on eating my way around the world anyway, and doing some shopping, so I think I'll be ok once I am there. I am always nervous going places by myself, maybe I am just not used to being alone.
I also thought about hitting some rides that my kids are too little or too scared for
Better to kill time at the world than sitting in my hotel room waiting for the next day of work ahead of me!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I figured that at least at Epcot, I will take advantage of being able to enjoy the grown up stuff that I usually have to rush by. I am planning on eating my way around the world anyway, and doing some shopping, so I think I'll be ok once I am there. I am always nervous going places by myself, maybe I am just not used to being alone.
I also thought about hitting some rides that my kids are too little or too scared for
Better to kill time at the world than sitting in my hotel room waiting for the next day of work ahead of me!

You are gonna love it!! Will you miss your kids, sure you will...Will you see things and say, boy my kids would like that...yep...but you are going to love being able to make your trip 100% about YOU...for a change...come on Mom, you deserve it!!

I did it solo 2 years ago...ran around like a crazy person up early every day, late every night, did all the stuff at Epcot that bored my kids to tears, never walked by a ride because it was too fast, scary, dark, blah, blah, blah....no whining...it was great. But I really do prefer having my family along!

Just remember this...NO ONE is EVER alone at WDW...

 

[Dan Murphy]

Virtually all (other than 2) of my trips have been solo, can't get the family to be 'Disney nuts' like me, LOL. Solo trips are great fun too. I would suggest running the question by the folks on the solo board too, in addition to here on the Theme park board, good to get as many opinions as possible.

Always fun talking to others, whether restaurants, in line, resorts or wherever. CM's like to gab a lot too. Bring your camera, smell the roses.

 

[tinkerbell87512]

I love going solo!!! take sometime to do a tour or get a spa treatment. But just relax its so nice to do what you want when you want. have fun!!!!

 

[StacyPop]

I will only be there at night, since I have to work during the day, but I am starting to look forward to it-thanks everyone!
Thanks for the tip about the solo board-havent been to that one yet!

 

[WaltD4Me]

I'm planning my first solo trip and I'm pretty excited about it.

I think of it this way....in all my previous trips, I can honestly say I've never noticed a person who was by themselves and thought to myself "Gee, what a shame that person is at Disney alone." I say this because I think solo travelers are worried people will "look at them funny" for being solo, but I'm thinking no one will notice at all. There are a 100 reasons someone might be wandering the world solo. -- Maybe DH is playing golf, maybe the family is on a ride you don't want to do, maybe the family is at the pool or at another park...so because of the possibilites, I just don't think anyone thinks anything of it or that you will "stand out" as much as you think you will.

So, go and HAVE FUN! I know you will!

 

[tinkerbell87512]

I'm planning my first solo trip and I'm pretty excited about it.

I think of it this way....in all my previous trips, I can honestly say I've never noticed a person who was by themselves and thought to myself "Gee, what a shame that person is at Disney alone." I say this because I think solo travelers are worried people will "look at them funny" for being solo, but I'm thinking no one will notice at all. There are a 100 reasons someone might be wandering the world solo. -- Maybe DH is playing golf, maybe the family is on a ride you don't want to do, maybe the family is at the pool or at another park...so because of the possibilites, I just don't think anyone thinks anything of it or that you will "stand out" as much as you think you will.

So, go and HAVE FUN! I know you will!

looks like your going may next year too! maybe ill see you there!

 

[Skroops]

I have never had an entire solo trip, but have been down in Orlando several times on business and visited WDW by myself. I have also dragged co-workers along, and I almost prefer to be by myself! If I can't have my family there with me, it is really fun to do whatever I want to do. It is a very fun indulgence!

Enjoy!!

 

[IluvKingLouis]

My husband had a business trip on Disney property several years ago. I went along and hit the parks on my own during the days. It was great, went on Test Track (single rider line) a lot! Ate where I wanted, and did some of the movies at the World Showcase (something my husband has never cared for). My husband doesn't like the real wild rides (which I love) so it was my chance to go on all of those rides without feeling badly about his waiting for me.

For me it was just a bit awkward at the sit down restaurants when I was on my own. I got through this by writing my trip report in a small notebook while waiting for my entree. This way I didn't feel like I was just starring off into space or watching a nearby family. I felt occupied while enjoying my privacy.

You'll have a wonderful time.

 

[Disney Girlie-Wirlie]

Well, I've never been alone, but even when I'm with my sister and we go, we find it's not difficult at all to find people more than willing to start a conversation with you. We don't have any children so we find that other adults who are there w/o kids tend to strike up a conversation pretty frequently. But at something like the F&WF, it's probably the easiest place to feel comfortable. No one says you have to be with someone to feel comfortable. You don't HAVE to socialize. Your in Disney! Going solo is probably the best way to just take it all in, all your surroundings. It's probably the most relaxing trip to WDW you'll ever take!
When you first enter WS, my advice would be-GET A DRINK! It'll take the edge off. Then, just walk around, take it all in, observe the cultures and architecture, and chat with the Hosts and Hostesses of each country, they love educating people on their heritage and culture!
And JUST ENJOY YOURSELF!