has anyone ever done universal solo?

[Candice30]

i was supposed to be taking my mom with me but something came up and i still want to go alone. has anyone ever done universal solo that wouldn't mind sharing their experience with me? what kinds of things did you do alone? did you feel funny walking around the parks alone? how about eating; did you stick to counter service places or did you actually go to restaurants alone?

i am a little apprehensive as i have never been on vacation alone. thanks so much for any replies!

 

[phamton]

I go solo several times a week. It's nice as I can hit the single rider lines. I usually do counter service or one of the "inside" counter services like Louie's, Mel's, Richter's, etc., the kind where you pick up your order cafeteria style and seat yourself. I have eaten at Emeril's and Confisco restaurants as single though and had no problem. I'm usually in a hurry though so eat a t mostly counter or cafeteria places. I love going solo as I can do what I want when I want. I'm sure you will have lots of fun.

Are you a Universal newbie or do you know your way around? If you are a pro, you should do fine. If you don't know much about Universal/IoA, I'd be glad to meet up with you and show you around a bit if you would like.

Bev

 

[Beanie]

I have never done Universal solo, but just wanted to say "have a great time"!!

 

[Immelman]

guess what I'm doing the next 2 weeks? I'm on vacation and a friend of mine was supposed to fly down, but that fell through. but I'll be at the parks off and on solo. personally, I love it. single rider lines, doing what you want when you want. I love sitting on a curb with an adult beverage and taking it all in. as for dining, there are plenty of options. counter service works best, I just look at the map or eat on the patio at burger digs and watch IOA in the background. eat at the bar at emeril's or margaritaville, and someone's going to strike up a conversation with you. same thing poolside or in a hot tub at your resort. I guess it's all your own personality. you're not going to appear out of place. this past sunday we took our 11 year old daughter and her friend. they wanted to play in the curious george playland, so we gave them a cell phone. we had a and went to terminator. when we called them, they had gotten hungry and had hiked all the way over to amity for a funnel cake. if they can do it, you can no prob.

 

[ChisJo]

I went solo and LOVED IT! I had never been to IOA, but had been to USO. I had 3 days to myself. I was absolutely blown away at how much fun I actually had. I met so many people who just wanted to talk, I loved using single rider lines, plus I stayed on site for one of those days and loved FOTL too. I went to a place to eat in the Lost Continent that was close to Poseidon's Fury. It was happy hour and I sat at the bar. The bartender didn't really have much to do so he just sat and talked to me. I had many people offer to take my photo for me. I never felt out of place. I did have one guy on the Mummy comment that he was "sorry" for me being by myself. I told him "on the contrary - I'm having the time of my life!" I also found the characters (Shrek, Spiderman, Wolverine, etc.) paid more attention to me when I went to the front of the line - In fact, Spiderman wouldn't let me go. He said I had to stand there until I got the perfect picture with him, and there was a line!
I did miss not going through the regular queue, as I did miss some of the flare of the rides, but honestly, I rode the Hulk 3 times in a row, and some people hadn't even riden on it yet.
Be forewarned - don't wear white if you plan on going on the wet rides - it took me a while to dry off, and you could SEE EVERYTHING underneath.
I also found that Citiwalk was safe at night. I had a really good time there as well.
I loved the restaurants and ALWAYS getting a table when I walked in. If I couldn't get a table, there was always room at the bar - and where there is a bar, there is a bartender who talks to you. Or, if you pull out a book, or a notebook, they also respect that too. I also found people (restaurant servers, store clerks, ride attendants) were always more pleasant and talkative.
I never felt lonely, and had the time of my life. I could do what I wanted to do, when I wanted to do it. I didn't care how much I spent ever. I could stop for a beer whenever I wanted. I sat at gazed across the lagoon for 15 minutes one day, and I had no one to answer too. I got to ride whatever whenever, I got GREAT seats to shows because there is always space for one somewhere near the front. For one show (cannot remember the name), I actually was the only person with FOTL, and the staff member let me in and made the others wait. While I was waiting inside, all the actors came out and were talking to me and made me feel very welcome. They told where to sit to get the best view. It was wonderful. I had such a great time. I cannot wait to go back again.
Hope I helped - Jo

 

[Immelman]

Be forewarned - don't wear white if you plan on going on the wet rides - it took me a while to dry off, and you could SEE EVERYTHING underneath.
- Jo

please disregard this comment. everything else was a great post.

 

[robvia]

I tour parks alone all the time.
I can go where I want, when I want. Once you go alone, you'll hate going with others, because you'll always feel like you're dragging someone around.

I wear coaster shirts from other parks. People see them and strike up a conversation.

My favorite thing to do, is stand in the 2nd row of the coaster line. When the gate opens, if there is a front seat available, I take it. I also move thru the line faster, because if there is a single seat available, the ride ops will raise 1 finger, and ask for a single rider.

 

[kellymonaghan]

I do this all the time. Of course, I'm "working" so that might be a bit different. ;D

Going solo means never having to say "I'm sorry" to someone who doesn't want to do what you want to do or go where you want to go.

Don't worry about eating alone at the sit down restaurants. The waiters and waitresses will make you feel right at home. Being a single is also a benefit at Emeril's where you might get a seat at the food bar on short notice. Or at Hard Rock Cafe, where I like to eat at the bar. No wait and the best seat in the house.

In short: Go! Enjoy!

 

[ksdave]

I went alone a couple of years ago on a Sunday during a biz trip and had a great time. The advantages were being able to do what I wanted, when I wanted, being able to move around quicker, the single rider lines, taking time to take lots of great pictures of just the parks (no kids to take pics of). I ate lunch at Mythos right at lunch opening, and they were great. Gave me a table right by the windows, quick service, etc. Had dinner at Mama Della's at PBH. They have two tables set aside for solo guests that usually do not require a reservation. All in all, it was a good day, and I hope to do a partial day at IOA next month on my own.

 

[Candice30]

thanks for all the replies. you guys are getting me excited about possibly going alone. i took the kids last year to RPR so i think i will treat myself to PBH. Not sure if i am ready for sitting in restaurants alone though. i wanted to try.

ksdave: how was sitting in mama dellas alone? i really wanted to try this place but didn't want to feel like i was stairing at the families.

 

[ksdave]

Candice30;
The staff at Mamas made it really comfortable, taking the time to chat with me between courses and all. I am used to eating alone since I travel on business so much, but this was extra special. I have now eaten there alone three times on business trips and never was I made to feel uncomfortable. The last time I even went over to UO just to eat at Mamas. By the time I flew in, the parks and all were already closed, and I had to fly right back out the next afternoon. But, I just parked in the regular garages, walked down to Citywalk, and took the boat over to PBH. I even walked around the Piazza, had some gelatto, and sat by the Beach Pool for a while after eating.
Go ahead and enjoy the food and the service. You won't regret it.