Going solo Questions

[twinsmamma]

Hello there,

I will be going to California with my son but he is going to Blizcon. I will be solo in DL. I am not sure I will be comfortable going around by myself. A few questions: WHere are best places to eat counter and table service. What are must does? Is there a place here to see where meets are? IS there such a thing? I will be there Nov 5-9th.

Help Newbie to DL.
CHristine

 

[twinsmamma]

anyone?

 

[figment_jii]

If you're going solo, I would make use of the single rider lines whenever possible. You may not get to select your seat, but it should be faster than waiting in the standby line. Single Rider on Matterhorn is great because there is no FP for that one!

The November Check-In Thread is probably the best place to find out who else will be there when you are and to see if there are any meet ups planned.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3266892

In terms of dining, when dining solo, I like to pick a place that has entertainment or at least good people watching opportunities. French Market and River Belle Terrace are both good options. I've never dined solo at the table service locations, but I would think Carnations (outside) has some good people watching opportunities, as well as the French Market.

 

[vladimir p]

Disneyland by yourself is awesome! you get to do exactly what you want, at your own pace, if you want you can easily interact with other guests or cast members, you can take advantage of single rider lines, visit every store for as long as you want, ride you favorite ride as many times you want, there are many perks of going by yourself, my favorite alone food is the friend chicken at the plaza inn, hot dog at coke corner, or anything on the lower level of hungry bear.

 

[Laura_Lewis]

I went solo about 4 years ago. I was at a convention at the GC and I received a free evening ticket. At first I thought it might be a little weird, but I looked at a map, figured out what I wanted to do and went for it. It was my one and only trip to DL, but I've been to the Magic Kingdom several times, so I had an idea of what I wanted to do.

I didn't eat in the park, I picked up dinner at DTD and brought it back to my room. I didn't mind touring the parks alone, but I hate eating by myself

Have fun!

 

[lalasmama]

Hello there,

I will be going to California with my son but he is going to Blizcon. I will be solo in DL. I am not sure I will be comfortable going around by myself. A few questions: WHere are best places to eat counter and table service. What are must does? Is there a place here to see where meets are? IS there such a thing? I will be there Nov 5-9th.

Help Newbie to DL.
CHristine

I *love* and treasure my solo DL time! While I like going with my DD, I adore going with my DH, going on my own is on a whole different level. Admittedly, I don't get much time away from DD and DH, so any time on my own is fairly special, but being at the happiest place on earth is all the more wonderful! There's a lot to like about being solo at DL: single-rider lines, doing anything you want on your own schedule, eating where you want, riding what you want however many times you want, etc.

For meals, I tend to do counter and quick service, and don't do table service. This isn't really much different that when I am there with DH and/or DD--we just don't typically do a lot of sit down dining. On my solo trips, I like to be doing "something" and sitting to wait for food drives me bonkers! My favorite places to eat are: hot dogs (weird, I know, but the buns are whole wheat and soooo soft, available at multiple places), 5-cheese ravioli (Cali Adventure, Paradise Pier, I think it's the Boardwalk Pasta place), Clam Chowder bowl (Cali Adventure, at the Pacific Wharf, but it's available elsewhere as well), fish and chips (Golden Horseshoe), and Dole Whip (Tiki Room). I've also enjoyed a drink at Trader Sam's (DL Hotel), listening to the Hawaiian music).

My lists of musts for prior solo trips have been things like: eat 5-cheese ravioli as many times as possible (it's my favorite food there); ride every open ride (missed it by 1, because I'm scared of California Screamin'); watch every show (DD hates slowing down for shows); watch the entertainment at Golden Horseshoe (again, DD gets too antsy); ride all the modes of transportation (multiple things on Main Street, monorail, train, etc); play with the settings on my point-n-shoot camera to master the "blurry carousel lights" picture (got it!) and lit castle (didn't get it)... My BFF likes to do a "how many character meets can you do" challenge when she gets to go. Really, this is all about *you* and what *you* want to do, which really makes it unique and fun. If you are asking about the "things a WDW vet must do at DL," then I think Hydroguy has a sticky thread all about that--I've never been to WDW, so I have no idea what's different!

I believe there's a sticky for DIS-meets as well, but I'm not sure. Like I said, I really value my alone time on my solo trips, and don't want to think about having to be at x place to meet y and have to think about what y wants to do as well! If I want company, I'll get in a line and strike up a conversation with the people around me... But that's pretty darn rare for me!

 

[whoever]

Check out either of my solo trip reports in my signature. I have a blast when I go.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

I've been to DLR solo at least 30 times. And that was before I moved here last month. I love visiting the parks on my own. There's so much to take in. Single rider lines are a great addition to the parks. If you go to DCA, the single rider line for RSR wIll allow you to experience that rideamy times.

As for food, just about any restaurant at either park and DTD are great for solo guests. I'd probably avoid Big Thunder BBQ, because it's all you can eat, family style. But most everything is fine. Some of my suggestions for solo dining are:
Disneyland
River Belle Terrace (B)
Carnation Cafe (B,L)
Cafe Orleans (L,D)
Plaza Inn (D)
Bengal BBQ (L,D)
Hungry Bear (L,D)

DCA
Carthay Circle (L,D)
Corn Dog Castle (L,D)
Flo's V-8 Cafe (L,D)
Cove Bar (L,D)
Pacific Wharf Area (L,D)

Of course DTD and the hotels have some great dining options as well.

 

[Shock13]

Hello there,

I will be going to California with my son but he is going to Blizcon. I will be solo in DL. I am not sure I will be comfortable going around by myself. A few questions: WHere are best places to eat counter and table service. What are must does? Is there a place here to see where meets are? IS there such a thing? I will be there Nov 5-9th.

Help Newbie to DL.
CHristine

Hello Christine! I will also be going solo at DLR during some of your days! If you are interested in having some company for a few rides and or meals, PM me!
This will be my second time going solo (first time was in March) and I love it. You definitely make friends while waiting in line for rides and the parades. The freedom to do what you want when you want is...priceless!

 

[Skippydoo]

I love solo in DLR. I'm a slow walker and when I go with people I have to go faster than my normal pace, but solo I go at my pace. I ride my faves when I want.

Single rider is great everywhere they have it EXCEPT Soarin' where it is slower than standby.

I travel a lot for work so I don't mind eating alone. I read on my phone or catch up email.

Also, its seems like there are always nice and interesting people to talk around the parks so you never feel alone.

Have a great time!

 

[Angrose]

I think your comfort level depends on your personality type. I am very independent, a bit of a loner and like to do my own thing, so going solo for me is great. I LOVED my first solo trip back in March. Of course, I love going with family and friends too, but solo is tons of fun in a different way. Don't worry, no one will even notice that you are solo!

I would suggest counter service meals where you can enjoy the scenery, people watch and sit with your maps and plan the rest of your day/evening. Here's where I ate:
Hungry Bear Restaurant - on the Rivers of America, so pretty!
Rancho del Zocolo - sit on the outside patio near BTMRR and watch the fun
Flo's V-8 Café - sit out back and watch the Radiator Springs Racers ride

Definitely take advantage of the single rider lines mentioned above and have fun chatting to other people while in line. You will have a great time!

 

[Phoenixrising]

I LOVE going solo to DL without the family!! I've been on 2 solo trips to DL over the past 4 years and have loved it, and have another planned for 2017 after the family trip to WDW earlier that year. If you've never been to the Blue Bayou before, try it! It's one of those places that as a family we normally wouldn't be able to afford, but going solo it's worth it. I also like the Plaza Inn, The Little Red Wagon, French Market for CS. I also like Flo's as the food is excellent and you can people watch there. Depending if you are planning on going to Downtown Disney, both Earl of Sandwich and Jazz Kitchen Express are really good take out, especially Earl of Sandwich. They've got really good sandwiches and the prices are quite reasonable. Their cupcakes are really good too!

 

[cagirl4life]

I've gone solo once and I loved it! I never felt weird. I met some cool families in line who I talked to or I just took photos. I loved being able to meet character. The CMs where awesome and talked to me a bunch. As far as food went I agree with somewhere you can people watch. I did lots of snacks so I ate at cozy cone for dinner and went and sat on Route 66. Use the single rider!

 

[CheshireGato]

Going solo was one of the best trips of my life! Have a wonderful time!! Don't worry about feeling alone, I feel like every cast member/family standing next in line was part of my group, and you're so focused on details you've never noticed and taking in the experience that you don't really have time to feel alone.
Have a great time!