Flying Solo at WDW

[gmi3804]

Any tips about doing WDW alone? It seems to go against the norm, but I'd rather go alone than not at all. I'll be in town for a conference, but can keep business to a minimum to maximize my WDW time. Priorities, you know.

Parks are good, food/wine good too. Not into nightclub/bar scene.

Thanks!

 

[rosiep]

I have always wanted to do a solo Disney trip. This coming one I have an evening all to myself before my Mom arrives. I plan to watch Wishes and cry.

 

[Saxton]

Solo is great - you can do things at your own pace. The other nice thing is single rider lines, use them, they are your friend! You'll have a great time.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Also remember, there are many great CMs on this board...and if you have the time, are great to hang out with.

 

[dustyraye]

I'll be solo for 2 days of our upcoming trip. I'm planning to use that time to do things that DP has no interest in, or would be grumpy about waiting through - like riding the same ride as many times as I choose (Space Mountain), especially one that she won't ride at all (RnRC).

And since my solo days are the first 2 park days, I can get weepy walking down Main St. for the first time and during Wishes without her teasing me about it.

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I am a huge fan of the solo trip! I did this back in April and I can't wait to do it again next April.

I love Corey with all of my heart and I dearly love spending time with her, but being able to have my own experiences at WDW is a really wonderful gift that Corey has allowed me to have. We figured out that we both need time to just do what we want to do and she gets time each year from now onward to spend with her family or best friends and I get a trip to somewhere for a week.

WDW was so nice even with the craziness of spring break crowds. I met OrlandoMike & RickinNYC from the boards. I got the chance to meet Deb Wills from Allears.net, as well as Jack Spence, LindaMac, and others from the Allears Team. I planned Lunch with an Imagineer. I traded over 100 pins with CM's too. Basically, I played when I wanted, people watched when I wanted, ate when I wanted, and slept when I wanted. It was really nice to just go and do it all on my terms. I took photos that are priceless reminders of the experience that I didn't have to share and I will never forget. I don't think that I rode over 12 rides out of the 3 park days, but it was still pretty freakin' awesome.

Going solo is pretty darn great. Just go, enjoy, and soak in as much pixie dust as you can.

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Do you like to take pictures? That is one of my all time favorite going-solo pastimes. There are SO many awesome images to capture and when you're by yourself, you can take the time to compose/expose the pic the way you want it.

People watching is fun/Sleeping in and not being there for rope-drop is another option.

So is trying new things... In December, I am going to try out Expedition Everest. (I'm not a roller-coaster person and I figure if I'm all by myself and I get so scared I pee my pants, it won't get entered into the T&SM family history of hideously embarrassing anecdotes. If it's a success, I can shock everybody on our next family trip by calmly NOT opting out at the last possible second when everybody else is already on the ride)

The one thing (for me at least) that I found that I didn't enjoy was eating in "Sit-Down" restaurants. I got a little lonesome for my peeps. Walking and Noshing -- much more fun and saves some money too.

Hope you have TONS OF FUN!!!!!

 

[gmi3804]

Thanks, all, for the tips. I realized after I posted that there's an entire section of this Board for adults/singles/couples. Oh well.

I really enjoy dining alone if there are no other options. I'm a real foodie, and love to go to Signature restaurants and sit at the bar or open kitchen, and you don't even need a reservation to do that (most of the time). That's not as much fun when with others.

Are there ever any Board get-togethers?

 

[tigger29]

I've gone solo once and it happened to be my most favorite trip. Although I enjoyed doing what I wanted at my own pace, I was able to see details that I never noticed while traveling with others. Sure, there are times that I wished that I could be there with somebody, but I ended up meeting a whole bunch of new people, including cast members, and had a *memorable* night at Pleasure Island.....but that's over with already, I guess. Don't worry, you'll have a great time. It'll be different, but great.

 

[Salinger]

I've thought so many times of going on my own, but have never had the courage. Unfortunately, that's meant not getting to WDW nearly often enough for my liking. You guys are really inspiring me!!

I have a big trip planned in May with friends, but I'd love to maybe do a long weekend at some point on my own to try it out.

 

[gmi3804]

I'm one of those types that doesn't mind going to movies or restaurants alone.

Last year I had a business meeting in Orlando and stayed off-property. I didn't get to the parks, but had several dinners at the better places in the World. That's where I learned to sit at the bar/open kitchen. I had an actual table at Artist Point, however, because they don't have a bar in the restaurant. I got a nice window table. I also ate at the bar at CA Grill, and the open kitchen counter at Jiko. I didn't have reservations at any place, and only had to wait about 20 minutes the night I went to Jiko.

 

[unfreshdiva1]

My ex hated going to MK, but did just to humor me. We would spend about 2 hours, then hop monorail over to Epcot. My new guy is not as much a Disney freak as I am, but humors me as well (I like all the parks except for MK he told me on one of first dates - good thing he is cute or that could have been a deal breaker). I go to MK on my own every once in a while and at my own pace. Can be a bit lonely at times, but i'd rather be at MK then at home!!!!

 

[glenpreece]

My ex hated going to MK, but did just to humor me. We would spend about 2 hours, then hop monorail over to Epcot. My new guy is not as much a Disney freak as I am, but humors me as well (I like all the parks except for MK he told me on one of first dates - good thing he is cute or that could have been a deal breaker). I go to MK on my own every once in a while and at my own pace. Can be a bit lonely at times, but i'd rather be at MK then at home!!!!

LOL priceless.

 

[Joshua_me]

I've often thought about going alone, but have never gone through with it...

My main fear is that walking down Main Street I'd be gripped with memories of family members and friends that are no longer with us, better times that will never return... All that stuff.

But, that's just me.

I've heard a lot of people rave how much fun WDW can be alone. Do what you want when you want... Doesn't sound half bad.

 

[glenpreece]

Going solo is fun. I can sooooo much done when trekking thru the parks solo. I can even do all 4 parks in one day. I am a character nut so I ask people to take my pic and they are usually really good about it. Dining can be lonely but I am usually so busy I don't really do and sit down meals. Good Luck and have fun!!!!!

 

[kingLouiethe1]

I'm beginning to think a solo trip is the only way I'm going to get to WDW anytime soon

 

[gmi3804]

I decided I'm going to do the Backstage Magic tour one day of my trip. I think that'll be a good way to socialize with fellow WDW buffs, and will be way cool to see backstage at three parks!

 

[dmwang9]

I decided I'm going to do the Backstage Magic tour one day of my trip. I think that'll be a good way to socialize with fellow WDW buffs, and will be way cool to see backstage at three parks!

Guided tours are great for the solo traveler for exactly that reason -- in addition to the fact that going backstage is awesome!

My last two trips have been solo affairs, and I've had such a good time that I'm worried I'm going to resent my family if our plans to go this coming summer pan out. What do you mean, I can't do what I want when I want?

 

[glenpreece]

on my solo trip in jan 2007 i did the keys to the kingdom tour and had a great time, this just reminded me that i wanted to take a tour when i go, thanks!!!

 

[padalyn]

Thanks, all, for the tips. I realized after I posted that there's an entire section of this Board for adults/singles/couples. Oh well.

I really enjoy dining alone if there are no other options. I'm a real foodie, and love to go to Signature restaurants and sit at the bar or open kitchen, and you don't even need a reservation to do that (most of the time). That's not as much fun when with others.

Are there ever any Board get-togethers?

I am beginning my solo portion of this trip tomorrow. I am planning on calling Rosie and a couple that I know from the east transatlantic cruise of 07. PM with your cell - we can cross paths in EPCOT or somewhere. My hunny (tiggr33) is a real foodie and has instilled some of that in me!

Going solo is fun. I can sooooo much done when trekking thru the parks solo. I can even do all 4 parks in one day. I am a character nut so I ask people to take my pic and they are usually really good about it. Dining can be lonely but I am usually so busy I don't really do and sit down meals. Good Luck and have fun!!!!!

OOOHHH - I do that also!! I am up to almost 200 characters! Who is your "holy grail"??? Mine is Darkwing Duck - he almost NEVER shows up! I found Launchpad one time

I have never found anyone else who "collects" characters! Nice to know I am not alone!


I usually take a book to dinner. Since I am back in school it is a text book this trip. I have found that the cast are either great or horrible about solo dining. I have been ignored and had awesome service. Other than that I love doing it alone. Having a mixed trip is really nice - since I have been hiking all over AK for almost a week with a couple that are here with me for a 5 days. I love seeing the park with them, but I am looking forward to seeing them at my pace!