Going solo - ever get BORED?

[goofykb03]

My bf just found out he has to leave our July 2010 trip a few days early (work always gets in the way!!) and I'm entertaining the idea of staying behind for the last 4 days to go it alone. I've been to WDW many times and I think I'd have a good time alone. But I do have some concerns about whether I'd be able to stay busy enough to not get bored. I've read all the posts about things to do alone, etc. and I know exactly what things I'd want to do... but I'm really more interested in hearing stories about whether any solo trippers ever get bored, and if so... what helped?? Anyone ever not do a solo trip again b/c the boredom was just too much for you??

 

[j9000]

Only done a day at disneyworld (dead no queues, did all my favourite rides in 4 parks in one day!!) but visited other parks (Paris, and Dollywood) and travelled alot by myself. And ive only ever gotten really bored once, and definitely NOT in a theme park

It all depends on your mentality, if you are able to be alone and not be bothered by it, then you will love being able to do whatever whenever,

one recommendation, is start a book before you go, so something you have already got into by your trip, that way when in long queues you read, so you don't stand twiddling your thumbs as that is where the boredom will sink in.
you will get funny looks doing this though, just warning you

 

[Amysita]

I get bored if I plan a 'nothing but relax/laundry' day in the middle of my vacation...after doing laundry that morning and 'relaxing' for 1-3 hours...I'm done relaxing and BORED by noon! Remedy...I no longer plan a nothing day and bring more clothes to make it thru the vacation.

 

[Taja]

Boredom isn't an issue for me! And I usually visit WDW for 10 to 12 nights each trip.

It really depends on how comfortable you are with being solo and interacting with strangers. Everyone is different.

While my BFF (and frequent travel buddy) is the most outgoing person I know, she doesn't enjoy doing many things alone. But she is the eldest of four children and married directly out of school, and I'm an only child who established a career first. I think our early conditioning influences many of our choices.

 

[nurse.darcy]

I have never been bored alone. Let me preface this by saying I will talk to EVERYONE and befriend probably about 80 people on a 2 day trip. . .lol.

My favorite things to do solo. . .

Head to RnR and ToT. Get a fastpass for ToT and enjoy the single rider line at RnR. Then head to Tune Inn Lounge for a drink and fun talk with the bartenders. David, David, Enzo and the others will keep you entertained. . .

Take on World Showcase. Head to the shops in each country. Try some of the local food and drink in some of them (can't quite make it "around the world" with the drinking part). Hand your camera to fellow tourists and ask them to take your picture in "(insert country here)". They will have fun with that.

Explore the Animal Safari Treks at Animal Kingdom. There are several and they are better than going to the local zoo. The habitats are great for the animals and you get to have fun exploring. . .take your camera. The tigers are shy and only come out some times.

Explore a resort you have always wanted to stay at. Lets say AKL was an interest. Head over there via DTD and just explore. . .take in the lobby, enjoy the animal viewing areas, grab a snack at the Mara, have a drink at the pool bar if its early. . .after 4 p.m. grab a drink at Victoria Falls Lounge. Visit all the little out of the way nooks and crannies that are perfect for contemplating and finding your center.

Have a transportation day. Take transportation from your resort (bus, boat, monorail), then head somewhere fun, take a different mode of transportation from there and head somewhere else fun, take a different mode of transportation from there and head somewhere else fun. Here is what I did with my friend. We left AKL by bus and headed to MK. From MK we took a board to WL, from WL we took a bus to DTD. . .later that evening we went to Epcot and took the Monorail to MK because that was the park we planned for the evening.

These are just a few of the ideas that pop into my head. . .I am sure others have more ideas.

 

[GaRain]

I have done a couple of solo trips to Disney and never really get bored. Heck, I can just sit down and people watch there and it is good for me.
I have gotten a little "lonely" by the end of my trip, and had to call a friend or something to just talk to someone I actually know....
But as long as you have a plan and are not afraid of talking to people I think you will be fine!
HAVE FUN!!!

 

[goofykb03]

Thanks everyone It's reassuring to hear all this!

(PS - sorry about the double post yesterday. I was at work and was prompted for my password again, and thought I lost what I had written! I guess not... is there any way to delete a thread? I tried but couldn't figure it out)

 

[aggielawyer]

I agree with others that say it really depends on how comfortable you are being alone. I'm an introvert, so spending several days without having to talk to anyone unless I want to is very relaxing for me. My brother and sister are both extroverts and they would be dying if they weren't able to talk to someone. However, I still think that extroverts won't be bored--it just means that you are going to be out and about interacting with people or talking to friends on the phone.

When I was planning my last solo trip it never occurred to me that I might be bored. I do remember one night when I'd gone back to my room a little early and rested, so I decided to go to Downtown Disney on a whim. I walked around shopping and ate dinner, then went back to my room.

 

[eeyore 32086]

One of the things I do to keep it interesting is when I wait at the bus stop, I take the first bus that comes along and then make a plan from there. Sometimes it's kind of fun to see how the day unfolds from that.
I also take the boats from place to place to explore the resorts and sample the restaurants.
And like others have said...talk to people.... You're only as alone as you want to be.
Enjoy!!!

 

[goofykb03]

One of the things I do to keep it interesting is when I wait at the bus stop, I take the first bus that comes along and then make a plan from there. Sometimes it's kind of fun to see how the day unfolds from that.
I also take the boats from place to place to explore the resorts and sample the restaurants.
And like others have said...talk to people.... You're only as alone as you want to be.
Enjoy!!!

That's a fun idea with the bus, I like that! I'm trying REALLY hard to avoid making strict plans (I'm a planner, but I'm going to try and take it easier for this adventure!), so that could work out quite well for me and force me to chill a little. Thanks!

 

[epcotfan]

Years ago I went down by myself. After about 3 days I was bored. I never thought I would be but I was. It also gets very lonely eating meals by oneself. I suppose if you need a break from other people this is the ideal kind of trip. However if you're alone the majority of the time in your daily life this might not be a good idea, unless you have lots planned. Maybe my boredom was because I've been there so much. I'm not sure if I'd do it again unless I had a reason to go such as a convention, etc...

 

[let'sgo]

Oh, I'd do something different. Take one of the tours offered--the Segway one is lots of fun! Rent one of the little Sea Raycers and explore the waterways or pamper yourself at one of the spas. Try parasailing. There's so much to do you shouldn't get bored if you just try some different activities. Cirque DU Soleil is great too, or you can even see a movie in DTD.

I would be sure to take a camera and get pictures of what you do too. Think about what you may like to put into a scrapbook about your adventures. You can make it as fun as you want to. If you see characters around you can give your camera to the handler and they will take the picture for you. I would try and get as many pictures of myself having fun as I could.

The lazy river at the water park can be nice and relaxing for a change of pace. You could also rent a bicycle and have fun peddling through a resort.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Oh, I'd do something different. Take one of the tours offered--the Segway one is lots of fun! Rent one of the little Sea Raycers and explore the waterways or pamper yourself at one of the spas. Try parasailing. There's so much to do you shouldn't get bored if you just try some different activities. Cirque DU Soleil is great too, or you can even see a movie in DTD.

I would be sure to take a camera and get pictures of what you do too. Think about what you may like to put into a scrapbook about your adventures. You can make it as fun as you want to. If you see characters around you can give your camera to the handler and they will take the picture for you. I would try and get as many pictures of myself having fun as I could.

The lazy river at the water park can be nice and relaxing for a change of pace. You could also rent a bicycle and have fun peddling through a resort.

Great Idea. I always forget about the water parks. . .lol.

 

[ClareH37]

Having just experienced my first ever solo trip (7 nights) I never once felt bored

I ate a mix of meals with friends who live in Orlando, 'new' friends I've met through the Disboards as well as 'old' friends I first met last year, and I also ate some meals solo. I particularly liked Flying Fish for eating at the counter overlooking the kitchen, it was fascinating watching the chefs cook so definitely no time to get bored there!

I had a couple of tours booked but I ended up cancelling them, I enjoyed doing my own thing, going to one park and riding just a couple of rides without feeling obliged to spend the whole day threre, then heading over to another park, having a spa treatment (I'm definitely going to indulge in more of those next time!), it was wonderful not having to consider anybody else.

 

[Kaz137]

I did my first ever solo trip to WDW in Jan 2010 for the MLK weekend, and I loved it! I was a little nervous at first, but once I got down to Orlando, I was fine. I never got bored, exactly, just restless/tired. And if I felt like that, then I figured it was time for a break or to switch parks. By the time I got out of the park, took the boat/bus/monorail/etc & got to the new park, I was ready to go again. It's a simple thing, but I think a change of scenery (even a brief one) can help. If I felt like talking to someone, I just struck up a conversation with a cast member, or pulled out my phone to brag to my friends that I was in WDW. Another tip - all that walking makes you hungry! Or at least it did for me. I never got around to eating lunch one day, and I got very crabby late that afternoon. When I made it to the MK that evening, I think I broke land speed records getting to Cosmic Rays! Sounds silly, but don't forget to eat!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I did my first ever solo trip to WDW in Jan 2010 for the MLK weekend, and I loved it! I was a little nervous at first, but once I got down to Orlando, I was fine. I never got bored, exactly, just restless/tired. And if I felt like that, then I figured it was time for a break or to switch parks. By the time I got out of the park, took the boat/bus/monorail/etc & got to the new park, I was ready to go again. It's a simple thing, but I think a change of scenery (even a brief one) can help. If I felt like talking to someone, I just struck up a conversation with a cast member, or pulled out my phone to brag to my friends that I was in WDW. Another tip - all that walking makes you hungry! Or at least it did for me. I never got around to eating lunch one day, and I got very crabby late that afternoon. When I made it to the MK that evening, I think I broke land speed records getting to Cosmic Rays! Sounds silly, but don't forget to eat!

Yeah you are right! I haven't been to WDW solo but did a solo trip to DL Paris in March - I would forget to eat - not at all good. I am planning my meals better this time around - making some reservations at good restaurants!

 

[skyeblu79]

I did my first solo trip to Disney in March 2009. This was really my first real solo trip ever. I stayed for 7 nights and never got bored. I picked one day where I planned nothing and went into Orlando and checked out the outlets, downtown, and a local mall.

I stayed at the POR and if I got back in early I took the boat or bus to DT Disney. I found a lot of stuff to do.

Also, I took my Ipod with me in case I got bored for waiting in line and stuff. I don't think I ever actually used it though. Only 1 person even questioned me on being alone and he worked at Disney.

I didn't real love eating out alone. I ate at the bar @ Planet Hollywood, the parks, the food court @ the POR, mall, etc. Other than that I usually brought food back to my room.

 

[Missytara]

Never get bored alone; I am an only child and single, so I can amuse myself for hours.

I am actually looking forward to my solo trip this year, since I have taken friends the last few years and it is getting old. Tired of going on someone else's schedule.

 

[Stephanator]

Another tip - all that walking makes you hungry! Or at least it did for me. I never got around to eating lunch one day, and I got very crabby late that afternoon. When I made it to the MK that evening, I think I broke land speed records getting to Cosmic Rays! Sounds silly, but don't forget to eat!

This happened to me this year when I was solo! I was running around all morning trying to get in all the rides I wanted to do multiple times. I finally stopped around 12:00 to realize that I was going on a coffee and Powerbar breakfast. Needless to say, I decided to make eating a more important part of my schedule.