First Solo trip to Disney/Universal Orlando

[BigKid42]

Hi everyone!

My girlfriend and I planned a trip together months ago to go to Universal Studios and Disney at the end of this September for the Halloween Horrors Night at Universal. Unfortunately, our relationship ended and my initial reaction was to cancel the reservations. But I love the rides and roller coasters and really want to go on this trip! I've been to both parks several times in past years but I've never traveled alone. So, I'm trying to embrace my new found independence and plan to move forward with the trip.

I'm a male in my early 40s so I'm a bit worried I will feel so out of place being there alone and also don't want to be considered a "creeper." But I'm big in to fitness so all the walking around is not a problem, I love all of the rides, especially the thrill rides, and Halloween Horror Nights at Universal is amazing!! And I just want to have a great time!

Any advice, suggestions, or words of wisdom for a first time solo traveler?

 

[com_op_2000]

First off relax, you are on vacation, and if someone tries to tell you, you are wrong to be there; tell them:
Whoever pays the piper calls the music.
You have ever right to be there as much as anyone else; but my bet is no one will say anything to you.
The first year that EPCOT opened, I got a pass and went 13 times within the first 12 months and no one ever said anything about my being there.

 

[klmall]

I can't imagine that anyone would say anything to you about being alone! Why would anyone single you out (no pun intended) ? .

I've done 2 solo trips myself to WDW (past the age of 40) and had a blast both times. It was great to choose exactly what I wanted to do and what to eat compared to the stress of my family trips to WDW and Universal. While I love my family and did miss them a bit while soloing it was so worth being there!

If you like to take pictures this is the perfect time. If you want to sleep in or stay late in the parks go ahead! I chatted with people in lines and sometimes shared tables in quick-service places. I tend to talk with people anyway but being solo in the parks encouraged that even more (with no 'looks' from DS).

Book a tour if you are interested. I've done several and they were sometimes the highlight of my trip. Personally I think Disney/Universal are perfect places to travel solo, especially for women (not you I know).

Go ahead and enjoy your trip and tell us about it afterwards!

 

[BigKid42]

Hi,

Thank you both for the encouragement! It will be weird at first having never traveled solo b/c I'm not always the most social person but this is probably exactly what I need. I think dining will probably be the most difficult. Excited and nervous at the same time. Oh, I will be sure to post about how it went! Hey, if anyone wants to go on some of the rides with me, just let me know! Tower of Terror 10x in a row! LOL

 

[jascm]

Hi,

Thank you both for the encouragement! It will be weird at first having never traveled solo b/c I'm not always the most social person but this is probably exactly what I need. I think dining will probably be the most difficult. Excited and nervous at the same time. Oh, I will be sure to post about how it went! Hey, if anyone wants to go on some of the rides with me, just let me know! Tower of Terror 10x in a row! LOL

Don't be worried about dining! I go solo a lot and wasn't too excited about dining solo on my first trip. I made a couple ADRs my second visit and the cast members didn't make me feel uncomfortable or awkward and I felt like they actually spent some extra time making sure everything was great. There are plenty of restaurants that have bars or counters where you can eat instead of a table alone

 

[com_op_2000]

You can always go to the bar area of any set-down restaurant in a resort or at DS, find a chair at the bar, and order from the full menu.

 

[74fct9493]

I have done a number of solo trips to universal and Disney and have never had any issues. Being a male in my early 40's thought the same thing, but after my first solo trip, I realized it was all in my head. I did Halloween horror nights solo last year and will be doing the same on 9/16 before I head to Disney Saratoga springs for a solo trip also. My biggest concern was dining, but after one trip it was not a big deal anymore. Also going solo lets you do what you want, when you want, for example if I want to go for a long run in the morning, instead of a short one to hurry back to go with others to the parks. You will have a great time.

 

[BigKid42]

I have done a number of solo trips to universal and Disney and have never had any issues. Being a male in my early 40's thought the same thing, but after my first solo trip, I realized it was all in my head. I did Halloween horror nights solo last year and will be doing the same on 9/16 before I head to Disney Saratoga springs for a solo trip also. My biggest concern was dining, but after one trip it was not a big deal anymore. Also going solo lets you do what you want, when you want, for example if I want to go for a long run in the morning, instead of a short one to hurry back to go with others to the parks. You will have a great time.

Wow, that is awesome to hear!!!! Too bad you wont be there a couple weeks later. I will be attending Halloween Horror nights as well!! I'm really glad to have found this site with so many other solo travelers! Everyone is definitely boosting my confidence and easing my nerves.

 

[74fct9493]

Wow, that is awesome to hear!!!! Too bad you wont be there a couple weeks later. I will be attending Halloween Horror nights as well!! I'm really glad to have found this site with so many other solo travelers! Everyone is definitely boosting my confidence and easing my nerves.

This site helped ease my nerves about dining solo a few years back and have enjoyed many table service restaurants.

 

[zachlight]

I just turned 30, and have done three solo trips in the past year to Disney, but tons of solo trips around the country (most for soccer games). A lot of my friends are not as far along in their careers as I am, and don't get much time off work, and I often find a great deal on a flight that makes the trip to Orlando too tempting to pass up. In my experience, there are a few things you should be prepared for:
1) Security will stop you every time you try to walk into a Disney park (as a single male, I was "randomly selected" each time I hopped parks)
2) Single Rider Lines are your friend (especially at Universal). The last time I was at Disney, I rode Everest 8 times in a row, Space Mountain 11 times in a row, and RNRC 6 times all in the same day. If you don't see a single rider line, ask whomever is working the Express/FastPass line if there is and they'll usually wave you through.

 

[Ecuteacher]

This is the time to relax and do whatever you want! Don't worry about everyone's thoughts, only yours. I've been on plenty of trips solo and I've had the most fun in those trips. I'm going to DW and Universal solo and I plan on having a great time regardless!