Has anyone done any special tours at the parks when going solo?

[OP95]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been wanting to do the keys to the kingdom and wild Africa trek for a while but have always found it a bit intimidating doing it solo as I imagine other families etc will be doing it. Has anyone ever done these solo or any other tours that you could share your experience of what it was like?

 

[nherbert]

I haven’t done either solo but have done both, and at each there was at least one solo person joining in. Once the tour starts it doesn’t really matter, you spend most of the time listening or looking at stuff so much so that everyone feels a bit individual - by this I mean you don’t spend much time talking with family members other than ensuring none get left behind. There is nothing on either tour that is going to make a solo traveler feel out of place or draw attention to them. Most people on the tours are willing to talk with others, especially the guides.
I think the only time might be during the meal, people did sit in family groups. Not such a problem on Africa trek, as most people up and moving around while eating.
Go for it, especially wild Africa trek, this is awesome experience!

 

[titojackson84]

I did the rhino tour solo. It wasn’t that long and the guides talked throughout so I didn’t really feel like out of place. The only place I felt a little out of place was the restaurant in the pyramid in Mexico because the tables were so close together.

 

[OP95]

I haven’t done either solo but have done both, and at each there was at least one solo person joining in. Once the tour starts it doesn’t really matter, you spend most of the time listening or looking at stuff so much so that everyone feels a bit individual - by this I mean you don’t spend much time talking with family members other than ensuring none get left behind. There is nothing on either tour that is going to make a solo traveler feel out of place or draw attention to them. Most people on the tours are willing to talk with others, especially the guides.
I think the only time might be during the meal, people did sit in family groups. Not such a problem on Africa trek, as most people up and moving around while eating.
Go for it, especially wild Africa trek, this is awesome experience!

Thank you, it’s a silly thing but I think the meal time is what’s making me concerned the most. But it’s nice to know it’s not much of a problem.

 

[OP95]

I did the rhino tour solo. It wasn’t that long and the guides talked throughout so I didn’t really feel like out of place. The only place I felt a little out of place was the restaurant in the pyramid in Mexico because the tables were so close together.

The Rhino and elephant tours are on my list too they sound great. It does seem like the meals are probably the worst part of it.

 

[nherbert]

Thank you, it’s a silly thing but I think the meal time is what’s making me concerned the most. But it’s nice to know it’s not much of a problem.

Don’t let fear of meal time put you off. The tour groups are small, there are going to be other groups of 1 or 2 or in our case 3, the tables hold 4 people so you will have people to sit with - if you want, but if you prefer by yourself there are empty tables. For WAT you choose your spot, for KTTK they have pre allocated spots for everyone - I noticed the single people on our KTTK sat with the guide over lunch and they had a great chat.

 

[goofyernmost]

Years ago I took the Keys to the Kingdom Tour and the Backstage Tour that covered all four parks. That was at least 16 years ago. Both were solo. I'll be honest, I do not understand what the deal is with doing things solo. It never crossed my mind that anyone else cared in the least how many people you are traveling with. They are pretty busy trying to see everything that the Tour has to offer to count the people you are with and as a single, I never cared enough about the others to notice if they were alone of with a crowd. I even went on rides like Winnie the Pooh, Small World, Peter Pan and everything else as far as that is concerned. Never once thought that anyone else was keeping score. Just go, enjoy the tours, chat with the others and if you make nothing of it, I'll guarantee that no one will notice or care if they do.

 

[kwdw]

I’ve done the Elephants, Behind the Seeds, and Wild Africa Trek solo. The WAT with the meal time was mildly awkward. It was all couples and one group of four not as young adults (2 couples, probably between 65-70 yo, but they were old friends).The older adults chatted some with me, but it’s like all the other couples wanted to be in their own world. I’ve spent a lot of time solo at Disney, including several dessert parties and lots of TS dining, but that one felt weird. I suspect that experience is not typical. I still loved the fact I did it!

 

[DLo]

I have done Keys to the Kingdom , Savor the Savanna and a behind the scenes EPCOT tour that is no longer available all solo. , I was seated with the guide and another person on KTTK and sat with a couple on the Savor tour. Not awkward at all. Everyone was friendly .

 

[OP95]

I’ve done the Elephants, Behind the Seeds, and Wild Africa Trek solo. The WAT with the meal time was mildly awkward. It was all couples and one group of four not as young adults (2 couples, probably between 65-70 yo, but they were old friends).The older adults chatted some with me, but it’s like all the other couples wanted to be in their own world. I’ve spent a lot of time solo at Disney, including several dessert parties and lots of TS dining, but that one felt weird. I suspect that experience is not typical. I still loved the fact I did it!

That sounds a bit unfortunate, glad to hear it was still enjoyable!

 

[abdgeek]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been wanting to do the keys to the kingdom and wild Africa trek for a while but have always found it a bit intimidating doing it solo as I imagine other families etc will be doing it. Has anyone ever done these solo or any other tours that you could share your experience of what it was like?

It’s been a number of years since I did both of these as a solo traveler, but I thoroughly enjoyed them. Back then, my hesitance in booking them as a solo traveler had more to do with the price and not wanting to miss time in the parks vs the fact that I was traveling solo. I don’t remember if there were other solo travelers on my tour, but I don’t think so. Meal times weren’t an issue because we had a specific place where everyone sat to eat. You just found a seat and sat down.

Everyone has a different comfort level when doing things solo. I always bring a book with me so that I can read when I get bored or don’t feel like being social. Good luck with your decision.

 

[chicagodisfan]

Thanks for asking this! I haven’t done any tours as a solo traveler yet, but I have Caring for Giants, Keys to the Kingdom and the Starlight Safari booked for my post-RunDisney trip next month. I’m really looking forward to them! I feel like on our family trips we don’t take the time away from the parks for the tours (and I have 2 kids too young still for KTTK) and they’ve always sounded so interesting to me. That’s great information about the meal on KTTK. I love meeting new people on Disney trips (all trips really) so I’m not nervous at all. I’ll report back and let you know my thoughts!

I did do Wild Africa Trek with my oldest son and I can see how the meal part might be midly uncomfortable. But honestly it’s so peaceful out there, if you are okay sitting at an outdoor patio table near a resort pool with a cocktail and some appetizers solo, the experience isn’t much different. The rest of the tour was more active so it would really not be awkward at all.

 

[BalooFan]

I have done Behind the Seeds, Up Close with Rhinos, and Wild Africa Trek solo. If you are uncomfortable dining alone, Wild Africa Trek could be awkward for you. I don’t mind dining alone, but on my tour there was a very nice older couple who joined me at my table and we had a good conversation. I didn’t feel at all uncomfortable on the shorter tours. The guides did most of the talking. I’m hoping to do Caring for Giants solo on my next trip.

 

[Capt_BJ]

I've done the SCUBA dive in EPCOT and the Steam Train tours both solo .... no problems. For SCUBA you of course need to 'buddy up' but I was not the only solo so no biggie

 

[nedlanders]

While not a tour, I recently did the la cava tequila tasting in Epcot solo. Felt a little weird when I sat down at my table for one, but once tasting began, everyone (including me) was focused entirely on the program. I had a great time and would do it again without hesitation!

No one else really cares that you are solo. Go for it!

 

[ajiuo]

I have went on the Wild Africa Trek solo. It wasn’t bad at all. The groups are not huge. I can’t remember if I was the only solo person on the tour or not. A Disney photographer will come a long with you to get lots of photos for you. I have actually found tours to be a lot of fun as a solo traveler. I’m pretty shy and not always great at being social… but I haven’t felt weird on any of the tours I’ve been on. I have a lot of fun.

Besides that tour, I also went on the night time Savana thing at animal kingdom lodge. I highly recommend that one as well, even though it’s really hard to get. I also went on the Walt Disney Main Street tour at Disneyland.. met some cool people there. I did a vip tour at universal Hollywood, which was a pretty good value, especially compared to what they offer in Orlando. I plan to keep going on tours solo. They are great.

Generally speaking, the other people on these tours are pretty big Disney fans so you’re going to get along pretty well with them… probably the hardest thing I had to get used to as a solo traveler was dining solo.. that doesn’t really even bother me anymore.

I say do it. You will have fun. I’m thinking of doing that tour again when I go in October. The only thing I didn’t love was the food they served at the lunch part… it just wasn’t my thing. But it was still a fun experience. a few of the items were OK and they did serve the same pog juice that they serve at Boma.

 

[CoachBeard]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been wanting to do the keys to the kingdom and wild Africa trek for a while but have always found it a bit intimidating doing it solo as I imagine other families etc will be doing it. Has anyone ever done these solo or any other tours that you could share your experience of what it was like?

I did KTTK solo on my bday in 2022. I did not have a great experience. I tried to make a little small talk a couple of time with people in my group but everyone was a party of 2 and I was a party of 1. They just didn't care to interact. Fine. Then we got to lunch and they had assigned seating and they sat me off to the side by myself away from the others so again, no interaction. I will not be doing that one again.

Behind the Seeds was much better solo.

I almost forgot, did the Sangria University solo and was at with 2 other solo travelers, both older ladies and we had a blast.

 

[OP95]

I have went on the Wild Africa Trek solo. It wasn’t bad at all. The groups are not huge. I can’t remember if I was the only solo person on the tour or not. A Disney photographer will come a long with you to get lots of photos for you. I have actually found tours to be a lot of fun as a solo traveler. I’m pretty shy and not always great at being social… but I haven’t felt weird on any of the tours I’ve been on. I have a lot of fun.

Besides that tour, I also went on the night time Savana thing at animal kingdom lodge. I highly recommend that one as well, even though it’s really hard to get. I also went on the Walt Disney Main Street tour at Disneyland.. met some cool people there. I did a vip tour at universal Hollywood, which was a pretty good value, especially compared to what they offer in Orlando. I plan to keep going on tours solo. They are great.

Generally speaking, the other people on these tours are pretty big Disney fans so you’re going to get along pretty well with them… probably the hardest thing I had to get used to as a solo traveler was dining solo.. that doesn’t really even bother me anymore.

I say do it. You will have fun. I’m thinking of doing that tour again when I go in October. The only thing I didn’t love was the food they served at the lunch part… it just wasn’t my thing. But it was still a fun experience. a few of the items were OK and they did serve the same pog juice that they serve at Boma.

Thank you I am like you with being social so this is one of the reasons I find the tours a but intimidating.its nice to know they are still fun. I did solo dining for the first time my last trip and felt the but I think it will be a bit easier next time and looking forward to doing more restaurants.I will have to look into it more but the videos of the trek do look very fun.

 

[OP95]

I did KTTK solo on my bday in 2022. I did not have a great experience. I tried to make a little small talk a couple of time with people in my group but everyone was a party of 2 and I was a party of 1. They just didn't care to interact. Fine. Then we got to lunch and they had assigned seating and they sat me off to the side by myself away from the others so again, no interaction. I will not be doing that one again.

Behind the Seeds was much better solo.

I almost forgot, did the Sangria University solo and was at with 2 other solo travelers, both older ladies and we had a blast.

That’s a shame, sounds like that might have been a one off experience. I’ve heard seeds is supposed to be great too.

 

[CoachBeard]

That’s a shame, sounds like that might have been a one off experience. I’ve heard seeds is supposed to be great too.

I had a great guide on the seeds tour. Not saying the KTTK guide was bad, he wasn’t but his voice had a tone that was hard to listen to. I’m sure my experience wasn’t the norm but one other thing that happened was they mention you get a souvenir of little gift for taking the tour. No one told me it was a pin attached to the place card with my name on it at lunch so I threw it away. That was frustrating.

The guts of the tour is cool. I feel like we spent too much time in a couple of places staring at warehouses but overall I learned a ton. I had been backstage at Disneyland several times for marching band as a young person so I wasn’t unfamiliar with the backstage areas being what they are. I learned some neat facts. It’s mostly about main street and I wish it could’ve extended to a little bit in each land but it’s pretty cool to do it.