Has anyone been on a solo trip to DLR?

[lildreamer101]

I am thinking of doing that as I don't have any friends that are Disney fans to go with. Do hotels charge more for solo travelers? Is it safe? Is it fun?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I am thinking of doing that as I don't have any friends that are Disney fans to go with. Do hotels charge more for solo travelers? Is it safe? Is it fun?

I did a solo trip there once. And it was my first trip to DLR. DS had gotten a summer internship in the parks (musical entertainment) and DH went a different weekend. I stayed at an off-site hotel, and at first I was a little concerned about walking back to my hotel by myself. But I quickly learned to just follow a family and sort of pretend I was with them (thank goodness no one noticed or minded). The hotel price was per room, whether there were 1 or 2 people in it. As expected, being in the parks was perfectly safe and comfortable.

 

[BriannaRuth]

I would go by myself in a minute! I'd rather go with my family, but if they weren't available, it would be nice to just go do whatever I wanted. I personally wouldn't worry about safety, but I think Simba's Mom had a great suggestion!

The one thing I would do is to be sure to stay in a hotel that has guest room doors on the inside that requires a key for entrance after a certain time of the night, not guest room doors on the outside. In other words, a hotel rather than a motel, although some places don't call themselves motels that should!

 

[WonkaKid]

I do solo trips to DL all the time -- just about every Sunday. My reasons are mainly the same as yours. Few people I know enjoy the park as much as I do. And going solo is a blast. Single-rider lines are a blessing and it's easy to weave in and out of crowds. You get to go and do exactly as you please. Hope you go and hope you have a blast!

 

[DharmaLou]

I just got back from a 4 day solo trip for my bday. I had a blast!

 

[casagray]

Is it fun? I'd say that would depend on you to a degree, and what you are comfortable with. I like being able to go at my own speed, and see things in the order I want to see them at, and ride my favorite rides as many times as I can; I like using the single rider line; I like striking up conversations with other people.

I don't however, like doing dining by myself, although I manage - both because I feel awkward and if there are three things I want to try on the menu I can't try them all by myself; I don't like finding a great spot for a parade and realizing there is nobody to help me keep it when the soda I had to keep me up for said parade suddenly decides it is time to go to the bathroom NOW (although finding space for one person is way easier than two or three or four ...) - and like others I am not fond of going alone back to my room, but I never felt unsafe.

For me going alone has been great. This year my daughter is coming, and after several solo visits I'll see how I adjust!

 

[danceanddisney2010]

If no one wanted to go with me and I wanted to go .. i'm sure i'd definitely go! That's how much I love Disneyland, but honestly i'd rather have someone to go with. I have never done a solo trip, but the last trip a few months back the other two in my group pooped out early and went back to the hotel... so I had a solo evening! Walking around and looking at stuff was GREAT! Stopping and getting a snack was great! I loved being on my own time! But then I decided to ride a ride and it was AWKWARD. The cast member asked me how many were in my party and I said "One" and he just gave an odd look.. soooooooo that is something I still have to get used to! But i'm sure as soon as I get over that .. like if I actually did a solo trip... it would be fine!

 

[TinkLoverSam]

@Disney_Alli

 

[nikerbokers]

I will be going on my first solo trip on the 30th for 3 days. I am staying at CCI which has the shuttle for night time when I may not want to walk back by myself. I can't wait!!! I have been to DL 25ish times and I still have a long list of things I want to try and I won't have to worry about what anyone else wants to do.

I'm flying in, taking Lyft to my hotel, and then back of course. You just have to feel confident as a traveler.

 

[StormyCA]

I've had solo time in the park, but not a solo trip. DH is (to put it mildly) NOT a Disney fan and so when we were there in 2015 with our trailer he kicked back and I went to the parks during the day by myself. My BFF & family joined us a few days later for us to go to the 24 hr kickoff and for the nDHs (nonDisney Husbands) to pursue their hobby elsewhere.

The good parts are being able to eat, ride, and do what you want when you want. I did a lot of shopping, ate lunch, and rode rides when and how I wanted to. Shopping and eating on your own are a 'plus' because you can spend as much or little time as you want/where you want without having to wait for others. I will say that riding the rides is a 'mixed bag'. On one hand you can really focus on details when you're on your own, but on the other hand it's nice to share the experience.

BFF and I usually stay onsite and if I were to take a 'true' solo trip I definitely would, especially if you plan to close the parks down. It's worth it for the added security/safety of being in the 'bubble' the whole time. But if that's not an option for you, Uber/Lyft and the ART shuttle are fine. When we RV'd, DH dropped me off in the morning (so similar to taking an Uber, I guess) and I took the ART shuttle back to the RV park in the afternoon. Easy peasy. Uber will drop you off right at the entrance to your hotel as opposed to ART which has specific drop off spots, so consider that when you pick your hotel.

I think on a solo trip you can probably shave a day off if you are planning on spending more than 2-3 days. You just get so much more done on your own. BFF and I normally go for 5 days, but I think if I were to be solo, I probably would go for 3 days.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

I did a solo trip in October for my birthday and it was awesome! I felt kinda lonely at first, but my friend came for my actual birthday the second day, and then had to leave the next morning. Once she was gone, I had 4 days by myself and it was outstanding! I didn't have to worry about my kids or hubby's wishes. I ate when I wanted (and WHAT I wanted), wandered where I wanted, changed my mind on a whim... I was in total control of my days. It was the first time in 14 years I didn't have to worry about anyone else but me.

I had my phone so I if I didn't want to talk to anyone in line, I didn't have to, but when I did, I had wonderful chats with other visitors and shared the knowledge I gained on this board if they asked (and referred a few people here too!), and just chatted about other things as the conversation took us.

I loved my solo trip and while I missed my kids and stuff, it was relaxing to not have to take others wishes into consideration.

As for the hotel - it's based on double occupancy, whether there's two people or not, so no savings but no extra charges either.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I am thinking of doing that as I don't have any friends that are Disney fans to go with. Do hotels charge more for solo travelers? Is it safe? Is it fun?

I have been doing solo trips to Disneyland for the last few years. I have a friend who lives in Anaheim, sometimes we meet up in the park for a few hours, depending on her work schedule but other than that I am totally on my own.

I fly solo from Europe ( 11 hours flight time) I dont drive and I stay on my own in hotels.

I get a shared shuttle van Supershuttle from LAX to my Disney Hotel.

I have previously stayed at Motel 6 Maingate and this year will be staying at Desert Inn and Suites

I am used to solo travel, outside of my annual California trip I usually do a few European City Breaks solo.

How safe it is , is really up to you and your awareness of personal safety and your surroundings. Disney and Anaheim, is like any where else. Late at night when the park closes, as long as you stay with the park crowds / walkers/ bus passengers you will be fine. Dont go down unlit empty roads or paths. When out and about, dont make it easy for pick pockets etc etc, basically take care of your personal safety the same as you in your home town.

A PP mentioned about motels with outside corridors. For some this might be a consideration, but for me, I am just super aware and used to motels with outside corridors. It all depends on your self confidence and comfort levels.

How fun it is is really up to you. No one cares that you are solo, no one is looking at you thinking oh that poor person, where is their family. Everyone is too wrapped up in their own Disney Bubble so dont be self conscious that you are on your own. You can do EXACTLY what you want, when you want. If you want to eat at and have the budget for the high end table service restaurants, go for it. If you want to go for a drink in one of the Disney Hotels, go for it. If you want to do a particular ride or attraction multiple times in a row, then do.

Book the ADRS you want, just put in for 1 person. If the time and restaurant is not available for 1 person, just put in for 2 people. There is never an issue at the host stand if you are just solo.

Sleep in if you want or do open close if you want.

Basically dont let being solo be an issue and stop you from doing a ride or attraction or show.

I usually bring a book and either read or people watch when I go to restaurants. As I am international, I dont have data roaming, but that might not be an issue

 

[Brenda Kim]

One of the branches for the company I work for is 5 miles down the road on Katella in Cypress, CA and I had to go there several times for training by myself and have never felt unsafe in that area. I would always stay over a few days and go to Disneyland solo. I stayed at both the Residence Inn and then further down Katella in Cypress area at the Courtyard by Marriott on Valley View, I felt safe at both locations. I have never heard of motels charging more for solo travelers, only more for in excess of 2.

 

[Disney_Alli]

I went solo for my 26th birthday 6 years ago and had a blast! It was great being able to just follow my own whims and do what I wanted when I wanted. I stayed at the Sheraton Park and walked back and forth solo and felt perfectly safe.