First Time Solo (kinda) Sept 08

[gismo1554]

OK so even though I always end up going off on my own when I go on holiday with other people to Disney I've just booked my first solo trip! Anyone got any tips on what to do where to go etc? I've been to Disney at least 25 times now so seen most of it but would love to find out any tips other solos have about dining or great places to go on your own. I'm staying at Pop Century and I think I've planned it so that I'm there for the first week of food and wine (going from the 27th September until the 4th October). I'm also hoping to get in Mickeys Not So Scarey Halloween as I love it so much.

 

[marsh0013]

i think your plan should be to do exactly what you want to do, and when you want to do it. i'm having a blast planning my first solo trip for feb. i'm making my dining ressies for where *i* want to eat, and planning out which shows and rides *i* want to do, without regard for anyone else. so i don't have any specific advice, other than to do what you want!

 

[kab407]

Take advantage of the tours Disney offers. I highly recommend, Keys to the Kingdom in MK, Segway Tour of World Showcase in Epcot and Backstage Safari in AK. If you really adventurous, Backstage Magic is an all day behind the scenes tour of 3 parks and other areas. Be sure to see if you can a discount with either an AP, AAA, or Disney Visa.

 

[gismo1554]

Thanks both

I've done the Keys to the Kingdom and Backstage Safari tours. Also done Backstage Magic a few years ago but might see about an EPCOT or MGM tour. I don't think I'm coordinated enough to use a segway. Can't ride a bike without screaming every time I have to think about breaking!

Anyway if anyone else has any fun solo activities let me know.

 

[fla4fun]

The best part of a solo trip is only being responsible for yourself. If you decide to change your plans at the last minute and go to MK instead of the Studios, no big deal. If you decide you want to sleep in and stay out late, or get up early and go to bed early, no one is there complaining. If you would rather shop and take in the live shows than ride the rides, that's OK too. Sometimes on solo trips, if there's something going on that I like to watch, like the candlelight processional at Epcot, I might sit close by and listen to all three shows, without anyone getting antsy and wanting to go "do something". On my last solo trip, I was at Fort Wilderness and saw something I liked in the shop, but it wasn't in great shape, so I went to MK to look for one. Found one in MK, and thought of something at Epcot that would go great with it, so hopped on a BC bus and went to Epcot and bought that. It would have been difficult to go to so many places within about four hours if I had to be concerned about someone else's itinerary.

A lot of people express concerns about TS restaurants, but I've never felt awkward in any TS restaurant. There are so many convention attendees there alone, or significant others of attendees passing the time, that no one looks at you twice if you're there alone. I've found the CM's go out of their way to be talkative if they feel you want to talk, and they will leave you alone if they feel you want quiet time. I've never felt that I got bad service or a bad table just because I was there alone. The only disadvantage to dining alone is if the CS restaurant is really crowded, there's no way to save a table. You just have to get your food and hope for the best. If I have a table for four and see another solo trying desperately to find a table, I'll offer the empty seats.

I've taken solo trips for many years, and although I enjoy the trips I take with friends and family, I really enjoy the solo trips more. They are more relaxing and more fulfilling than the other trips. Once you do it, you'll want to do it again, and again, and again. You'll be finding excuses to go on your own, or going for the weekend without telling anyone where you're going so they don't ask to come along. It's really fun!

 

[gismo1554]

Thanks alot for this. Sounds like solo is the way to go. Can't wait

 

[Straughn]

A lot of people express concerns about TS restaurants, but I've never felt awkward in any TS restaurant. There are so many convention attendees there alone, or significant others of attendees passing the time, that no one looks at you twice if you're there alone. I've found the CM's go out of their way to be talkative if they feel you want to talk, and they will leave you alone if they feel you want quiet time. I've never felt that I got bad service or a bad table just because I was there alone. The only disadvantage to dining alone is if the CS restaurant is really crowded, there's no way to save a table. You just have to get your food and hope for the best. If I have a table for four and see another solo trying desperately to find a table, I'll offer the empty seats.

This is exactly my experience in the TS restaurants. I have never felt uncomfortable at all dining by myself at Disney. I have always had a good table location, good service, and lots of conversation with the servers. On several occasions, I have had a converation with the folks at the next table. For my next trip, I am finally going to Jiko, a restaurant that DH refused to try. Oh the joys of going solo... no decisions by committee and no one to have a different idea. It's great!

 

[spiceycat]

if you are going in Sept - might go with dinning plan (later on if your are fast enough might be changed to free dinning)

remember that if you eat from country to country some of them will take the snack points.

wouldn't eat at a TB the same night you are snacking - way to much food.

but on the other nights do the stuff that is just too darn expensive for your family or friend to want to do it. some of it will require 2 meals instead of just 1 - but you don't care - because some of the f&W will take snack....

here is a list of the tours
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tours.htm

 

[gismo1554]

if you are going in Sept - might go with dinning plan (later on if your are fast enough might be changed to free dinning)

remember that if you eat from country to country some of them will take the snack points.

wouldn't eat at a TB the same night you are snacking - way to much food.

but on the other nights do the stuff that is just too darn expensive for your family or friend to want to do it. some of it will require 2 meals instead of just 1 - but you don't care - because some of the f&W will take snack....

here is a list of the tours
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tours.htm

In the UK they are actually already offering free dining. Did look in to the free dining and its only on Moderate and over resorts so means its actually more expensive for me which is why I went for just accomadation. If the US site does start offering free dining with all resorts I can just cancel my UK reservation and get a new one but didn't want to leave it just incase there was a sudden splurge on Pop Century (lol I know its not likely to be fully booked for September but hey you never know).

I'm also not a big eater so last time I did the dining plan I had loads of counter service credits left at the end as I'd been having snacks while others were having a counter service meal. I just don't think I'd eat as much and I'd have to be more organised.

Because its food and wine I want to go to alot of the free demonstrations (like the wine and food tastings) so I think that the meal plan might just be a bit of a waste this time. If I hadn't been going the first week of food and wine I probably would have gone for it but as it is I think Id rather just go with the flow.

I think I've decided that I want to eat at 'Afternoon tea' at Grand Floridian, 'Snack' at Tune In Lounge (love sitting at the bar in here), and possibly lunch at Canada but the rest I might just go with what ever I can get when I'm there. If I'm hungry Ill just see about getting a resturant or go for a snack.

Thinking of doing a tour though. Has anyone done the Undiscover Future world tour? I've done 2 Magic Kingdom Tours and 1 Animal Kingdom one so want to try one either at MGM or EPCOT and there don't seem to be any at MGM other than the one that does all the parks which I did as a kid. Anyone done a tour they would really recommend?

 

[englishrose47]

Doing my first solo in Feb! I love the Table service restaurants and this time I am doing all the fireworks and Spectra (3 x) am in on aGG and have a few Dis meets .All of which were in possible with the family , kids were to tired in the eveningand the cost for GG and Firework cruise and P&PP for 5 would have been too much while just for me .. Okay I deserve it Happy Christmas to ME!!

 

[spiceycat]

done most of my touring at Epcot.

the garden tours and architecture ones are long gone. they were pretty good.

did the undiscovered it was good. Actually learned a few things I didn't know.

you get to go on a couple of rides - did Nemo before it was open for the public, Test Track, didn't do Soarin' - there was a reason which I forgot. Also got to see the illiuinations from a preferred place. although I really preferred between Mexico and Norway - even over the so called preferred sights.

 

[gismo1554]

done most of my touring at Epcot.

the garden tours and architecture ones are long gone. they were pretty good.

did the undiscovered it was good. Actually learned a few things I didn't know.

you get to go on a couple of rides - did Nemo before it was open for the public, Test Track, didn't do Soarin' - there was a reason which I forgot. Also got to see the illiuinations from a preferred place. although I really preferred between Mexico and Norway - even over the so called preferred sights.

hmm sounds like it might be worth it then.

Do they still do the world showcase tours? My Dad did one of these a few years ago and said it was good but I didn't see them on the list

 

[spiceycat]

no those were the garden tour and design or culture - don't remember the real name.

they were pretty nice. the garden tour generally had people who were into gardening so if the guide couldn't answer your question - someone could...

 

[gismo1554]

no those were the garden tour and design or culture - don't remember the real name.

they were pretty nice. the garden tour generally had people who were into gardening so if the guide couldn't answer your question - someone could...

Shame they don't still do those. Love wondering around WS. Everythings so perfect.