Flying Solo at 27--Stories?

[VolvoManiac850]

OK--here's the deal...

I'm currently in the process of planning a family trip to Disney. However, there's a chance it may not work out.

Plan B is to go with friends or maybe this girl I'm hoping things develop with by the time I'm ready to go. However, there's also a chance I go alone.

Why?

I find a certain thrill in solo traveling. I have a very active social life and love every minute of it. I also am self-employed, and while I don't have any co-workers or bosses to make my life miserable, I interact with people all the time for my job. I'm very active around town and love the people I come into contact with on a daily basis, from the people I work with at church to my fellow historians in my township.

However--I sometimes like to just get away from it all and spend time with me, myself, and I!!! (I blame it on being an only child).

Disney would be a perfect place to escape to for a few days. I wouldn't need a fancy hotel (honestly, if you made me stay the night inside a Honda Civic, I probably wouldn't object to it). There's a 100% chance I'd drive, not fly, and I'd likely have only one meal at WDW (almost certainly Biergarten; my heritage is German and I am very proud of it). I'm comfortable staying outside WDW. I have friends in Charlotte and could stay overnight there on the way down and back. (I live in Pittsburgh).

I'd probably park-hop over the course of three days. I've done Magic Kingdom in six hours before and could probably split it with EPCOT on one day, then do World Showcase and Blizzard Beach on the second, hitting the Boardwalk at night. I'd go to Hollywood Studios on the third day (I know they do art workshops and would want to have enough time to get some in) and leave early in the morning.

Obviously, there would be some perks. Single rider line!!! No arguing over meal times!!! No worries about going to some lame show I could care less about!!! Time to converse with the folks from the Germany pavilion (auf Deutsch)!!! A whole afternoon at a water park without having to worry where other people are!!! The freedom to eat healthy food in my hotel room rather than waste money on bad-for-you stuff you can buy at Denny's for half the price!!! Nobody getting in the way of a morning run!!! I'll have family at home to check on and feed my frog while I'm gone!!! (Yes, I do have a pet frog--no shame).

But...I have a few questions I have about doing this...

1. Would I feel really out of place not having family, friends, or a girlfriend there? The idea sounds great now, but would it really be great when I got there?

2. Is it normal for people to go to Disney alone or would I be looked at like I was some sort of outcast?

3. Just to make it clear--I am NOT going to Disney with the intent of meeting someone there. Do people actually do that?

4. Does AAA do anything for solo travelers for discounts or are their deals only for families, couples, etc?

5. Do you need a partner to get into Jelly Rolls?

I'm really considering making this random trip...something I'd want to do for myself (otherwise, my solo trip this year will likely be to Great Britain).

 

[ArielseekingEric]

Went to disney back in November solo. First time and loved it. Didn't have any problems. Got to ride what I wanted to, eat when I wanted to. Love single rider lines. Went during food and wine so didn't really do restaurants except big river brewery on boardwalk and have never been to jelly rolls.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

1. Would I feel really out of place not having family, friends, or a girlfriend there? The idea sounds great now, but would it really be great when I got there?

2. Is it normal for people to go to Disney alone or would I be looked at like I was some sort of outcast?

3. Just to make it clear--I am NOT going to Disney with the intent of meeting someone there. Do people actually do that?

4. Does AAA do anything for solo travelers for discounts or are their deals only for families, couples, etc?

5. Do you need a partner to get into Jelly Rolls?

1. That depends on you. Many solo travelers have a mixed experience where they enjoy much of their trip but do have moments of feeling out of place among so many families.

2. Yes, many people go to Disney alone, but those who have never done so may not understand your choice. Then again, they probably won't pay much attention to you anyway, as they will be busy with their own group.

3. If your question is, do people actually go there without the goal of finding a date on the spot, the answer is yes. Not sure if I understood the question.

4. AAA sells discount theme park tickets to members. Doesn't matter if you are travelling solo or not.

5. No, to get into Jelly Rolls you just need to pay the cover charge and show an ID.

 

[TattooedMermaid]

OK--here's the deal...
1. Would I feel really out of place not having family, friends, or a girlfriend there? The idea sounds great now, but would it really be great when I got there?

2. Is it normal for people to go to Disney alone or would I be looked at like I was some sort of outcast?

3. Just to make it clear--I am NOT going to Disney with the intent of meeting someone there. Do people actually do that?

4. Does AAA do anything for solo travelers for discounts or are their deals only for families, couples, etc?

5. Do you need a partner to get into Jelly Rolls?

I'm really considering making this random trip...something I'd want to do for myself (otherwise, my solo trip this year will likely be to Great Britain).

1) I don't feel out of place. I live nearby and go solo just about every time I hit the parks. Heck, it's been a long time since I've been WITH someone( thankfully I met a great guy who's going with me this weekend ) I enjoy going alone, to do what I want and go at my pace.

2) Trust me, no one will notice you being alone. If they do, they won't say anything. I even go to eat by myself( TS and everything *gasp*) and no one cares. Everyone is just as polite as always. Sometimes I even have great interactions with other guests.

3) Yes. People meet up with other solo travelers at WDW all the time. There'd be nothing wrong with it. *shrug*

4) There are no single traveler discounts. Though I do LOVE the single rider lines on some of the big rides- I always end up doing EE like 5 times in a row when I hit AK.

5) Nope. Just money and an ID

Hope you have a great time!