First Time Solo

[Southern Voice]

Thank you sooooo much for your inspiration. My husband is making me feel anxious about my first solo trip. I want to go for an entire week but he keeps telling me that I should scale it back to three or four days because I haven't traveled by myself before and that I would be lonely going for that long. I believe there is plenty to do between Disneyworld and Universal Studios to keep me busy. With the current cost of airfare (and everything else), I want to make the most of my trip as possible. I don't know when I am going to have the opportunity to go again.

Good for you stepping out on your own adventure! Don't let the hubby bring ya down....ummmm, maybe he's just slightly jealous????
YES, between WDW AND Universal, you will be going NON-stop! WOW! I've done both in the same trip ONCE, back in 2000! It was one of those "I'll probably never get back down here again so I need to SHOVE it ALL in at one time" vacations!! I never did that again! Since then, my trips to Orlando are DEDICATED to one or the other, WDW or Universal, and as I've aged, WDW wins out every time!
Follow through with YOUR plans and don’t let anyone bring you down! You will have an awesome time!!!

 

[Southern Voice]

I'm a fairly chatty person so I'm hoping I'll stumble onto some nice conversations around the parks and whatnot. I suppose I'll be more concerned that I don't come off as "that creepy girl that's trying to talk to us".


ya know what LockShockBarrel???? I PRIDE myself on being that girl….

Hey I saw you questioning Rainforest! I don't see it on your itinerary, but do keep it in mind next time! Cool place to eat, and due to the low lighting you feel as if you blend in more with the surroundings!!

I'm often dining alone so I always tell the hostess "Give me the darkest and most remote corner ya have, that way I won't look like the biggest Loser in this joint"!! Generally the hostess gets a kick out of that and I get the best treatment in the place! I like those dark corners, gives me more opportunity to relax and watch those around me...ya know the ones I'm talking about....those frazzled parents fighting with their younguns over eating all their chicken nuggets after a hot and sticky day in the parks! I just sit back and enjoy my solitude and think to myself, yeeeeppppppp, now THIS is the LIFE!!!

 

[let'sgo]

Thank you sooooo much for your inspiration. My husband is making me feel anxious about my first solo trip. I want to go for an entire week but he keeps telling me that I should scale it back to three or four days because I haven't traveled by myself before and that I would be lonely going for that long. I believe there is plenty to do between Disneyworld and Universal Studios to keep me busy. With the current cost of airfare (and everything else), I want to make the most of my trip as possible. I don't know when I am going to have the opportunity to go again.

I wouldn't scale it back! Two years ago my DH wouldn't come with me so I booked a Premium Package and had the most wonderful time. I did so many things that I've never done before--I went fishing, parasailing, personal water craft, and I did a tour that I hadn't done before. I ate in the Castle and other places that I hadn't tried out before, had a photo shoot, and had the best time ever. I can't believe the number of others who were also solo that ended up talking with me. I was never lonely.

Last year I did the Platinum Package (solo once again). I didn't think anything would ever come close to what I had done on the Premium Package. Well, this time I went to the spa, did two of the seasonal tours (I was there in Dec.) and now I'm looking at just a regular trip for this year in Sept. and a family member wants to join me. I'm kind of on the fence. I've gotten to like these solo trips. They are more relaxed and fun.

With the cost of airfare and not knowing when you may go again, take advantage of it and stay for the week. In fact, with a longer stay you could even do a split stay. Consider all of your options and and do what is best for you. Have fun planning!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

So here's a question for you solo folks.. I'd ideally like to try online check in, any suggestions on if/what I should request? I can't fathom saying "Oh hey Disney...I'll be by myself so could you put me somewhere that I won't get attacked?" I really have no preference on buildings as far as themeing. King size bed?

 

[LockShockBarrel]

and I might have kind of just changed things around...again. Who could resist being there on the first night of the Halloween party and not going?

 

[Debbyt28]

I'm going solo too in september 3rd thru 12th staying at POP booked CS dining plan but debating doing 1 or 2 table service
Any DIS meets on at this time??

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Shameless self promotion bump.

 

[goofyernmost]

I started going solo in 2002, about two years after my divorce. I guess in some ways I am lucky because I wander around fat, dumb and happy and it never crosses my mind, when I'm there, to be self conscience about anything. I suppose it is easier for a man then a woman due to outdated social expectancies.

Basically, I have done the parks pretty much the same way I did when I was with someone, except I was able to pick and choose without having to take anyone else wants into consideration. That is freedom and it takes a little while to adjust to that.

I have never been much for ADR's, counter service at the parks works for me and since I usually stay off-site I just go with whatever works for me. I still did that to some extent when I stayed on-site because I always had a vehicle, either rental or my own, but I also used the food court at the resort if I didn't feel like heading to Rte. 192. That said, however, I wouldn't have had any problem going to any type of restaurant on my own. One thing that all humans have in common is that they have to eat to survive. It is not a social only event. Why would I not eat where I wanted as long as I am paying for it?

Some of the things I did do because I was solo are things that might have been a problem if I had been with someone else. I took a helicopter flight over WDW, I spent time just sitting in the shade and watching others hustle by me, I rode a number of rides continuously (crowd permitting), got there when I felt like it, left when the mood struck me, ate when I wanted, what I wanted and saved enough money dining off-site to literally pay for the car rental.

There were times when something was going on and I, for a short period of time, was sad that I didn't have someone to share it with. It might be something as simple as an extraordinary sunset or the Christmas light show in DHS. 98% of the trip was wonderful, so as soon as those moments pass the feeling dissipates as well.

In short, there is nothing to fear if you know the parks and you know what you like. Have a great time and go expecting to have fun and you will.

 

[tyiwara]

I'm in the same boat. I've just decided to take my first solo trip in August. Not to hijack your thread, but my mom(who is the whole reason I love Disney so much) passed away in March, and honestly as weird as it may sound ever since then I've had this overwhelming need to just go to WDW, alone. Her birthday is August 20th so I was think sometime around then. Any tips or advice would be welcome.

 

[NJDiva]

I've been to 50's my past 3 trips. I'm just curious to see if I'll be singled out or left alone.

Hmmmm, I wonder how they treat the single diner there? I took my nieces when they were in their teens, but "MOM" stayed on MY case the entire meal....what's up with that??? I was paying the bill! LOL

I enjoy September the most, as those with children are back at home and in school! I've yet to take the trip completely SOLO, but as the nieces grew into young adults they began doing their own thing and I did mine, so essentially I HAVE wandered the WORLD SOLO and loved it!

I know you will have a wonderful time! Post back about your PrimeTime experience after going SOLO!

actually that's the very first place I dined solo. you would be surprised, they are very friendly and tend to come over and chat with you more often although I normally have my tablet with me (then they yell at you for reading/play at the table). they don't single you out and make you feel bad for being alone. enjoy the comfort food, and have fun.

 

[karly05]

9-11 Breakfast at Captains Grille (never been, fingers crossed!)

I loved breakfast at Captain's Grille - so much that I had b'fast there 3 of my 4 mornings (one morning I did AM EMH at AK). Good food, good selection, MICKEY WAFFLES! and what may have ended up being my favorite breakfast item: their oatmeal! I had mine with brown sugar, but they also had raisins, dried cranberries, or a nut/granola mix you could add.

Here's a picture of what I had one morning: Oatmeal with brown sugar, pineapple and grapes, cheese danish, scrambled eggs, bacon, and Mickey Waffle (that's syrup in the little white pitcher). All yummy!

 

[aVASTGrl]

I loved breakfast at Captain's Grille - so much that I had b'fast there 3 of my 4 mornings (one morning I did AM EMH at AK). Good food, good selection, MICKEY WAFFLES! and what may have ended up being my favorite breakfast item: their oatmeal! I had mine with brown sugar, but they also had raisins, dried cranberries, or a nut/granola mix you could add.

Here's a picture of what I had one morning: Oatmeal with brown sugar, pineapple and grapes, cheese danish, scrambled eggs, bacon, and Mickey Waffle (that's syrup in the little white pitcher). All yummy!

I'm so glad to hear you liked the Captain's Grille! I'll be at Yacht Club on my trip...I usually don't do breakfast (bad, I know!) but I think I'll probably try this at least once while I'm there!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Personally I was eyeing the lemon ricotta pancakes with blueberry compote.