Going to Disneyland solo?

[Belle1899]

I've been to WDW many times, so I felt very comfortable taking my first solo trip there last November. But I've never been to Disneyland.

Now runDisney has announced a Star Wars race weekend in DL and I really would love to go. But I'm apprehensive about taking my first trip there by myself.

What do you guys think. Have you gone to DL solo? Do you feel as safe there? What about transportation and nearby hotels (I don't want to rent a car)?

Any help or thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks!

(Also, I know this is technically the WDW section of the forums, but there's not a solo board in the DL section and I'd really like the opinions of people who are used to going to WDW).

 

[Drusilla99]

I know you wanted wdw frequent visitor opinions, but I'm going to chime in. I'm a dlr ap & have been for many, many years. I have never gone alone, but I have felt very comfortable taking my kids by myself, when they were as young as under a year...you can't be more vulnerable than that. If I didn't have a big target on me roaming around with a stroller w/ a baby, lugging a toddler, walking to a hotel, I think someone fit enough to run a race will be just fine. Just think of all the single rider lines you'll score!

 

[sky13]

Okay I'm not used to going to WDW but DL was my first ever solo theme park trip and got me used to doing theme parks solo (since then have done DL Paris solo, and doing part of upcoming WDW trip solo).

Transport - I flew in to SNA Orange County John Wayne which is apparently the closest airport to DL, then took Supershuttle to my hotel. All very easy - went to the Supershuttle kiosk at SNA and the driver took me straight to my hotel. Then Supershuttle back to SNA at the end.

Nearby hotels - I booked really really late so almost all of the very close hotels (e.g. Ramada Maingate) were sold out, so I ended up with a hotel that was about a 15 minute walk away. Felt fairly safe walking to DL (the one major road I had to cross had lots of pedestrian crossings with traffic lights). At night it felt a bit less safe but I just took the shuttle service (think it's $5 for a day pass and stops at lots of nearby hotels). There are so many families around though that I generally felt really quite safe!

Hope this helps - I had a fantastic time going solo at DL!

 

[dcfromva]

I did a couple of quasi-solo trips to DL last year.. I went into LAX both times. I took the super-shuttle on my first trip. It was super easy (I didn't even make advance reservations). I was accompanied by my DS on my 2nd trip. We rented a car for a day (one way) and dropped it off at a location near DL. I was a little nervous driving, but we had to stop at Randy's donuts, so we needed a car. It worked out fine. DS only stayed a couple of days and then took the express bus back to the airport. I took the super shuttle when I left.

There are lots of hotels that are very close and very convenient to DL/DCA.

I love how close everything is at DL/DCA-- flipping back and forth between parks is really easy.

 

[dcassetta]

I expect you are probably flying, but Amtrak has a station right in Anaheim. It's a quick cab ride to any of the hotels in the area.

I have stayed at 2 offsite for hotels for conventions. One was about a mile away and had a free shuttle. The other was just a couple of blocks. I did not feel unsafe walking as there were many other people doing the same thing. But, there is also the ART bus that visits many local hotels, which might make you feel safer.

It sounds like you might also meet lots of people with similar interests.

 

[Belle1899]

Thanks for all the feedback. It sounds like I should be fine. I guess the thought of "LA" was just intimidating and clouding my perspective. Thanks for the reassurance!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Thanks for all the feedback. It sounds like I should be fine. I guess the thought of "LA" was just intimidating and clouding my perspective. Thanks for the reassurance!

Disneyland is not in "LA"; it's in Anaheim in Orange County, so it's a different area. I've done many solo trips there and plan to visit again on Labor Day weekend. Would be glad to meet up with other solos during that time!

 

[ludari]

I've been to WDW many times, so I felt very comfortable taking my first solo trip there last November. But I've never been to Disneyland.

Now runDisney has announced a Star Wars race weekend in DL and I really would love to go. But I'm apprehensive about taking my first trip there by myself.

What do you guys think. Have you gone to DL solo? Do you feel as safe there? What about transportation and nearby hotels (I don't want to rent a car)?

Any help or thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks!

(Also, I know this is technically the WDW section of the forums, but there's not a solo board in the DL section and I'd really like the opinions of people who are used to going to WDW).

I'm a local and travel solo to DL nearly every other weekend. I've also done many runDisney events both at WDW and DL solo and sometimes with friends but since my friends are travelling from different parts of the country we usually just meet-up at the resort.

They are many local hotels within walking distance to the parks but if your a little farther away most will provide shuttle service to the parks and on race days. Obviously you will have to figure out your transportation from the airport to the hotel and back, but they are many options.

Good luck and I too am looking forward to the Star Wars Race Weekend.

 

[lulubel88]

Thanks for all the feedback. It sounds like I should be fine. I guess the thought of "LA" was just intimidating and clouding my perspective. Thanks for the reassurance!

In 2011, I flew into LAX and rented a car because I also wanted to do some sightseeing beyond Disneyland. I stayed at the Best Western Plus Park Place which is right at the crosswalk on S. Harbor Blvd. It was a little more than I would normally pay for a room but well worth the close location.

 

[ludari]

I noticed today that someone on the FB Star Wars Group site someone recently posted about going to the race solo and had a lot of good feedback from other race participants. Check out the FB site maybe you'll feel more comfortable about your decision.

 

[gericoronado]

But, there is also the ART bus that visits many local hotels, which might make you feel safer.

I'm a local and I highly recommend the ART also. The ART is incredibly convenient, clean, and safe. You buy ART passes usually at the hotel front desk. Do NOT take the local city bus!! They are sometimes quite dirty.