First Solo Trip to DL: Need Suggestions!

[LauraAngel]

Hi all,

I've been to Disneyland several times, but never by myself. I needed a Disney fix and scheduled a solo trip for July 12-16, which I've very excited about, as it's been a couple years since I've been out to DL. I got a great deal at the Sheraton Anaheim and am hoping to use my old WDW tix (as I've read on here you can do), to try to conserve some money to do some fun stuff. I'm looking for some ideas of what people like to do on solo trips. Are there restaurants you find are especially friendly for solo travelers? Any ideas of things to do that might be fun (I did the WIWF tour last time I was there)? I was thinking of trying for Fantasmic Balcony seats for one night, would this still be enjoyable for a solo traveler? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!'

Laura

 

[brenda1966]

My suggestion was going to be the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour, which you've already done! LOL.

I would make a point to ride very ride you've never ridden on, even something as uneventful as the Astro Orbiters or the Storybook Boats.

Sorry, I can't really think of anything else. I love walking through the parks by myself. Have a great time!

 

[DangerMouse]

Make sure you spend a good amount of time in the Gallery. Whenever I am there with my family and am getting rushed through, I long for a day when I am at DL alone and can just lesiurely stroll through and enjoy looking at everything. If they aren't busy, you can ask the CM for a tour of the gallery, which I hear is very informative.

Also, make sure you take advantage of the rides that offer single rider lines! Splash, Soarin and Screamin' come to mind. . .

 

[Simba's Mom]

I took a solo trip to DL in 2005, actually it was my first trip ever to DL. I ate solo at several places, all of which seemed fine. One was the CS place inside GC hotel, also the Mexican resturaunt just to the left of the castle (can't remember the name), the bakery type place just to the left as you enter DTD (again, I can't remember the name, but the seating was outside), the Hungry Bear (?) in Frontierland, and the Buzz Lightyear CS place in Tomorrowland. I felt perfectly comfortable as a solo at DL, except for feeling a little awkward at times trying to find my way around a new place. The only ride I had a problem with was Splash Mountain-I didn't know there was a single rider's line option there and there were no signs I saw.

 

[RooFull2]

Hi all,

I've been to Disneyland several times, but never by myself. ... I'm looking for some ideas of what people like to do on solo trips. Are there restaurants you find are especially friendly for solo travelers? Any ideas of things to do that might be fun (I did the WIWF tour last time I was there)? I was thinking of trying for Fantasmic Balcony seats for one night, would this still be enjoyable for a solo traveler? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!'

Laura

Just got back from our stay at the GCH. It was fab. The Fantasmic Balcony seats got rave review from another solo DLR visitor who did a Trip Report on The Mouse for Less not long ago, so I'd give it a shot (since you've done the WIWF). Just last week, we watched Fantasmic from the benches near the fountain between the gated yard of the HM and the French Market Restaurant one night. While it was serene, it didn't offer the best view... The next night we were inside the roped area just infront of the concrete steps outside, between Cafe Orleans/French Market Rst., and had a fantastic view, but some little pesky people (old enough to KNOW BETTER) tried to elbow their way infront of me . I'm 6' and 160#. I elbowed back gently and the little stinkerbells got the hint and dropped back. But only a minute later I heard the lady holding her toddler just behind me giving the same gals what for "hey, that's just rude. I was here first. I came late, too, but I stayed back here where I entered." Sorry to go on... but the message is that if you want the best chance of enjoying the display without a rotten view or rotten people, DO the BALCONY. (I'm certain we'll opt for it next time. )

The best coffee in the entire park is the La Brea Bakery Express cart -- across from the La Brea Bakery bldg -- or inside their building if the line isn't insane. I think this is the bakery-type place with outside seating that Simba's Mom mentioned. It's at the far end of DTD just outside the security checkpoint for DL/DCA entry plazas. If you like birds, drop some crumbs and watch them go to work. We brought a croissant remnant on our last morning, just to feed the little sparrows. Cheep fun. LOL )

Make seating resv’s. The outside seating at Café Orleans is the best. We can eat inside anytime, when we’re not in "The Happiest Place on Earth!" We ate there twice, and it was fine both times: once for an unplanned breakfast, where we arrived so early, we had one of only two tables seated for 20 minutes; and once for lunch with a priority seating (and we still waited 20 minutes!). It could be too hot when you’re there in July to enjoy eating outside. I’d make priority seating resv’s (under a different name/ph# - so they don't give you grief for double booking) for Blue Bayou (it’s inside, and dark, with the Pirates of the Carribean boats going by) as the heat index backup plan. When you know which you want to do, you simply cancel the other one.

As for the food/menu options, if something doesn't look appealing the way it appears on the menu, ask if they can swap it or alter it in a way that makes you happy. At Blue Bayou, I said their website mentions healthy alternatives, but none were present on the menu... so the waitress gave me veggies instead of the creamy, cheesy potato side with my salmon, and had the kitchen go light on the blackened salmon spices so it wouldn't be a salt lick. Yum. For lunch at Cafe Orleans, since I'd just had the salmon for dinner the night before, I asked them to swap the chicken breast for the salmon on one of their salads, and it was a winner.

Make fun for yourself by grabbing a FastPass at every opportunity. It's a fun passtime and could come in VERY handy. My husband was laughing at my 30 FP's until the last day of our 3-day visit, when the park was suddenly bursting at the seams (Father's Day had been fine, but the Monday after was insanity) and we would have been extremely bummed to wait in 55 - 70 minute lines for most anything. My little pile of FP's really came to our rescue then.

I grabbed a great caramel apple at the candy shoppe on Main Street USA. You really can't talk while you're eating one of these monsters, so why not grab one to enjoy while you're solo? My husband found it very amusing when I whipped mine out as dessert at Blue Bayou. Well, they didn't have anything that looked as good to me on their dessert menu (I don't eat ice cream or really rich stuff as a rule. That gooie apple was nearly enough to finish me off ).

Spy on the Wicked Queen peering out from the red drapes in the upper window across from ppl waiting in line for Peter Pan. Point her out to folks who don't seem to notice she's there. That's fun. Go on all the children's rides you feel like, since nobody's there with you being a No Go.

Enjoy!

 

[DLR29]

Single rider lines: DL-Splash
DCA-Soarin
GRR
Screamin
Mulholland Madness
Maliboomer

Also make sure to grab a RRCtS FP even if you already have another FP, it's disconnected from the system. Space and Splash FPs run out very quickly, with Indy being a close third. Also be on the watch for any CM's calling out for single riders on a ride that doesn't have a specific line. It can save you up to 15 minutes. Some rides that I can think of that do that are Space and Matterhorn.

 

[disneyscootergal]

Also be on the watch for any CM's calling out for single riders on a ride that doesn't have a specific line. It can save you up to 15 minutes. Some rides that I can think of that do that are Space and Matterhorn.

Really! I'm excited to hear this! I'm going solo too in August, and Space is one of my favorite rides.

I suppose you already need to be in the line, fairly close to where they load to get this summons...?

 

[DLR29]

Really! I'm excited to hear this! I'm going solo too in August, and Space is one of my favorite rides.

I suppose you already need to be in the line, fairly close to where they load to get this summons...?

Correct, you need to be somewhat close to the ride. Sometimes they will call out for different party sizes to fill the cars

 

[Judy from Boise]

one thing we always miss on our busy trips are the street and astmosphere performers....on a solo trip i would see these and all of the little shows.

 

[joeysmommy]

I am so envious! I would love a solo trip to DL!!

I would take advantage of all the single rider lines as mentioned above.
I would take as many pictures as I wanted without anyone rushing me.
I would see as many shows as possible..nobody ever wants to see them when we go.
I would browse leisurely thru the Disney Gallery and EVERY shop on Main St.
I would take the Walk In Walt's Footsteps tour.
I would enjoy the Tiki Room without my kids.."Boring!" comments.
I would ride HM over and over.
I would enjoy every minute of it!

 

[disneyscootergal]

I would take advantage of all the single rider lines as mentioned above.
I would take as many pictures as I wanted without anyone rushing me.
I would see as many shows as possible..nobody ever wants to see them when we go.
I would browse leisurely thru the Disney Gallery and EVERY shop on Main St.
I would take the Walk In Walt's Footsteps tour.
I would enjoy the Tiki Room without my kids.."Boring!" comments.
I would ride HM over and over.
I would enjoy every minute of it!

I love these ideas, Natalie! I hope you don't mind if I "borrow" some of them!

 

[joeysmommy]

disneyscootergal-
I hope you will borrow my ideas and think of me while you enjoy them!
How fun to do whatever you feel like, whenever you want on a DL trip.
How long will your solo trip be?

I'm thinking of having a solo day next year for my 40th Bday.
My girlfriends and I are doing a weekend at DL w/out our kids and husbands.
I was going to get there on a Thursday and hang out by myself for the day and then my friends will come on Friday.
That way I can do everything I mentioned above without feeling anxious about it. When you're with a big group it's so hard to get everyone to agree on what to do.
My kids and husband will meet me on Sunday night and we'll be in DL together as a family for a few days after my friends leave. I would feel a little guilty enjoying DL without them.

 

[disneyscootergal]

That sounds like a wonderful plan! The best of all worlds!!

I know that guilty feeling as well; I'm glad you will get to be with your family after your "alone" time!

My trip is pretty short and disjointed; 3/4 day Thur; full day Fri; 1/2 day the following Tue.

 

[dizneyfreakz]

You can use FP from previous days as ^^ mentioned??

 

[DLR29]

You can use FP from previous days as ^^ mentioned??

No. I believe the CM's collecting the FPs check the date and the start time of the time frame. However, you can use FPs (on that same day) after your time frame has expired.