First solo trip to WDW.. for my 30th Birthday :/

[JusticeForGaston]

I'm equal parts nervous and excited to be heading over from London to WDW, January 10 - 17.

I've just discovered this amazing forum and wanted to introduce myself and ask all you kind folk for advice and tips for my first ever solo holiday.

I'm a little bit worried about eating alone and also the fact that I'll be there for my 30th birthday so super nervous about any potential loneliness that may creep in on that day.

If anyone is around WDW in January I'd love to make new friends and meet up. If not, does anyone have any great tips on how to make friends in the park?

Many thanks
D

 

[Dug720]

First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! (Ok, early, but still...)

Second, don't stress it. I guarantee you that people are going to be far too wrapped up in their worlds to even notice that you're solo. Plus you'll be getting in the day of the marathon, so there will likely be more than a few solo travelers around that day and for a few afterwards. As a solo, you can do what you want when you want and not have to worry about what anyone else wants to do. (I know for me that means a dance of joy that I can skip Studios and not have to feel guilty about it. Hee hee!)

As for eating, not that big of a deal - you are a guest just like any other, and the CMs should treat you as such. Lots of people go solo, so it's not a weird thing for them - or it shouldn't be, and if it is, that is on THEM and not YOU.

As for "making friends" - I personally don't stress it. Sometimes conversations happen naturally in line or at tables in restaurants or waiting for parades or fireworks. Sometimes they don't. I'm cool with it either way. Since you're going to be there on your birthday, GET A BIRTHDAY BUTTON when you check in!! THAT in and of itself will likely be a big conversation starter.

I would gently caution you from focusing so much on the solo-aspect and "loneliness". You say "potential" but by having it in your head, it has the capacity to fulfill that prophecy. Not to get to psychological or anything, but I know with me, if I go into something thinking "I'm going to be lonely" or "I'm going to be all alone" then that's how it turns out. But if I go into something thinking "This is going to be an adventure" and "I'm going to have a blast" that's usually how it turns out. (And yes, I know whereof I speak having traveled solo to Disney more than once, Dublin, London, Ottawa, Toronto, two cruises totally solo, and two cruises with a group but solo within that group.)

Solo travel can be a blast if you go into it with the right attitude and sense that it's going to be a blast!

 

[JusticeForGaston]

I would gently caution you from focusing so much on the solo-aspect and "loneliness". You say "potential" but by having it in your head, it has the capacity to fulfill that prophecy. Not to get to psychological or anything, but I know with me, if I go into something thinking "I'm going to be lonely" or "I'm going to be all alone" then that's how it turns out. But if I go into something thinking "This is going to be an adventure" and "I'm going to have a blast" that's usually how it turns out. (And yes, I know whereof I speak having traveled solo to Disney more than once, Dublin, London, Ottawa, Toronto, two cruises totally solo, and two cruises with a group but solo within that group.)

Thanks for the birthday love!

You're right, I need to reframe my mind a bit before I go, I'm a bit of an obsessive organiser so it all falls into me wanting to make sure I plan for any mood but I do need to be much more go-with-the flow and remember it's going to be an amazing fun adventure. Thanks

 

[Dug720]

Thanks for the birthday love!

You're right, I need to reframe my mind a bit before I go, I'm a bit of an obsessive organiser so it all falls into me wanting to make sure I plan for any mood but I do need to be much more go-with-the flow and remember it's going to be an amazing fun adventure. Thanks

You're welcome!

Like I said, I travel solo pretty much all the time (it's that or never go anywhere because getting my friends organized to do anything is like herding cats - well night impossible), and I've learned that a lot of it is the attitude you go into something with. You're going to have a blast - best place to celebrate your birthday!! (I've actually decided I'm going to celebrate mine while I'm there in August even if it is a few weeks after the fact - I'm doing a 12-night Med/Venice cruise beforehand that is the BIG birthday thing even if ending a week before the actual date, so I can certainly extend it on the other end. Hee!)

 

[loves to dive]

I've been solo twice on my birthday, it's actually become my new birthday tradition. If eating along bothers you, start out at QS then move up to TS. If you've never eaten out solo anywhere, do a few trial runs at home. I have the kindle ap on my phone and just read while I eat. Don't dwell on lonely, the place is the perfect place to be solo. You can do as much or as little as you want when solo. Happy birthday and enjoy.

 

[gusgusgoose]

HEY! I'll be solo jan 8-14. Let me know if you'll like to meet.
Second solo trip here. First one was amazing!

 

[Elevationist]

Do you do any social media? On my solo trips (which I LOVE), to stave off any loneliness I upload all my amazing pictures from the day to my Facebook. Then I spend my time waiting in lines or during TS meals reading and replying to all the amazingly wonderful comments from my friends and family. In that way, I'm able to "take them with me." They always love this, some of them even calling their children over to the computer to see my photos with Mickey and friends, etc. They get to travel vicariously with me, and I get to enjoy sharing my experiences!

 

[flvy]

I was there solo on my birthday and it was great! I got the magical moment of having a bus empty from Magic Kingdom to my resort.

Personally I don't have issues talking to random people in Disney. My last trip I spent plenty of time helping people around, I fixed a phone or two, and complimented a lot of people. Disney is great for making random friends.

I also spend time enjoying the quiet. I love to observe and people watch.

 

[BellsFam]

I'm equal parts nervous and excited to be heading over from London to WDW, January 10 - 17.

I've just discovered this amazing forum and wanted to introduce myself and ask all you kind folk for advice and tips for my first ever solo holiday.

I'm a little bit worried about eating alone and also the fact that I'll be there for my 30th birthday so super nervous about any potential loneliness that may creep in on that day.

If anyone is around WDW in January I'd love to make new friends and meet up. If not, does anyone have any great tips on how to make friends in the park?

Many thanks
D

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

So my solution to loneliness is to eat a Mickey Bar they induce happiness!!!

You're going to have soo much fun! Enjoy it... and do stuff that you can't do if you had a group bringing you down... (single rider lines are AWESOME!), jumped on a few and got to the front right away! Get a good spot for parades, shows, because you can fit anywhere... (random seat left over oh, yeah, i'll fill in that awesome seat location to see this great show!)... and eat like a ham with no-one judging you, "oh popcorn and french fries for breakfast... WHY NOT!"

ENJOY YOUR TRIP... YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A BLAST!!!

 

[drayca]

I did a week for my 30th solo, had an insanely great time with it.

I might be down Jan 16-17 if I get bored.

 

[goddess_rx]

I'm equal parts nervous and excited to be heading over from London to WDW, January 10 - 17.

I've just discovered this amazing forum and wanted to introduce myself and ask all you kind folk for advice and tips for my first ever solo holiday.

I'm a little bit worried about eating alone and also the fact that I'll be there for my 30th birthday so super nervous about any potential loneliness that may creep in on that day.

If anyone is around WDW in January I'd love to make new friends and meet up. If not, does anyone have any great tips on how to make friends in the park?

Many thanks
D

Happy birthday! I would love to go to WDW for my birthday (for the occasional freebies, of course!), but the timing never works out.

I will actually be at WDW from Jan 10-16th. This will also be my first solo trip to WDW. I have another thread posted for January '16 visitors if you're interested in what my tentative itinerary is (I'm a planner too ) and are interested in meeting up!

As to eating alone, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I have some advanced dining reservations made, so even though I've never experienced table service dining on my own, I'm just going to wing it. Otherwise, I could be missing out on some great food.

I think Dug720's advice about not fixating on the solo aspect is spot-on. If you don't care that you're there alone, why should anyone else? Also, it kind of helps to smugly think about all the benefits of going alone!

 

[JusticeForGaston]

Thanks so much for all your lovely birthday wishes and amazing tips guys. I'm super excited with 10 days to go!! Will absolutely take on board all your advice, particularly around distractions while eating and not fixating on the solo bit.

Can't wait to try a Mickey Bar either

 

[disneywlf]

Happy birthday JusticeForGaston (love your username)! As a fellow solo traveler for the second time (1 solo trip in 2014). I advise you not to sweat it about being alone. Trust me, just the stimulation of the theme parks, the resorts, and everything else that makes Disney Disney will make you feel like you are not the least bit alone. As as far as making friends around the park, I would agree with other DISers and just let things flow, like conversing with someone in line. While I love traveling with others, traveling solo in WDW makes it easier to tour in some respects, like being able to be your own boss and using the single-rider lines. I would definitely love to meet you and I invite you to check out my PTR (http://www.disboards.com/threads/it...-me-a-january-2016-ptr.3454178/#post-54913738), so that you could see if any of our days overlap? Happy New Year and have a magical day!

 

[DLo]

I am going on my 1st solo trip in March. It is a quick one so I think I will be too busy to be lonely. For some reason , the only thing I am worried about is when I go to CP for breakfast - will they try to clear my table if I go back to the buffet ? I am sure the waiter will know I haven't paid but for some reason I imagine myself getting two plates so I don't have to go back to the buffet ? Crazy I know ! But , I am looking forward to doing what I want when I want. I usually travel with my mom and teenage son .

 

[doctorintheTARDIS]

I'm actually going by myself for January 14 and 15th but meeting up with the friend for the rest of my vacation!

However, I'm sort of looking forward to having two days alone. I was very blessed to have a pair of parents who took my to Disney every year from 6 months until I was 18 and sometimes twice. However, every time I went, I was limited to what they wanted to do and how they felt (we went to the parks at about 10 and left around 2pm or 3pm when they got tired and figured I rode everything I wanted).

They told me the gifts I wanted from the gift shop were silly and we never got to eat at any specialty restaurants and stayed off property. I feel like now I can finally choose how I want to do things. If I get tired at 6pm and want to go for a swim and come back for fireworks, I can do that!

I studied abroad in London for six months and did all my traveling around Europe and the UK by myself while the rest of my group were too afraid to go anywhere alone. I had the time of my life, doing everything I wanted to do and see, and my friends ended up nearly in fist fights and staying at home in our flat for the last two months of our time abroad!

Solo is awesome
(and yes, I agree eating is sometimes odd... but I've just learned to embrace it!)

 

[Grumpy247365]

I've traveled solo a few times and it's awesome! You get to do what you want, when you want and however many times you want. I wouldn't worry about eating alone, the staff does not treat you any different. Actually, I ate at Jiko solo and was able to sit and talk to the prep chefs as I ate. It was a very cool experience. I will have to say that the only downside of traveling alone is having nobody to talk to while in the room or waiting in line. Other than that, traveling solo is great. Just make the most of it and enjoy your 30th.