Have you done a solo trip and left the family behind?

[mrzrich]

I love solo trips. I am not a person who minds eating alone in a restaurant or going to a movie alone.

I cherish my solo time.
I get up when I want. I ride what I want. I eat where I want when I want. If I want to meet a character that my teen boys think is lame...I go for it.

I GO TO THE BATHROOM ON MY OWN SCHEDULE!

 

[serenitynow]

No, but I dream about it!

 

[Babydreamz]

I would love to try a solo trip but I'm sure there will be parts of the trip where I'll be missing my kids (4 and 1). Plus they would be super bummed if I went without them.

 

[BigAlsGal]

Did a solo trip and left my DH and 3 kids at home. I live about 800 miles away. Had a great trip. It was different but cool. Highly recommend.

 

[100acreHiker]

Thanks, everyone! I am still quite torn. If my parents decide not to come on this trip, I think I may ask DH if he's ok with me staying on a day or two by myself. Not quite the same as a solo trip, but it may give me the quiet time I need. Not that Disney's quiet, but I'm sure you all know what I mean.

 

[Neesy228]

I have done 3 solo trips and I love it. I am introverted by nature, so I really love the quiet and time alone - which I don't get much of as a SAHM to three!

My children have been to Disney more times than I can count and my two sons have lost interest. My DH just isn't a fan. So instead of dragging them and having them make me grumpy, I go alone. It's seriously the best part of my entire year. I don't go for long - usually 4 nights - but it is GLORIOUS. I go where I want, do what I want, eat what I want...I take my time and appreciate the little things that you can't do when you're busy being "Mom"...

Two years in a row, I combined my trip with the Princess Half Marathon weekend and that was fun to participate in. Last year, I went to breakfast at the Grand Floridian Cafe and had a mimosa to start my trip. The possibilities are endless and all up to you!

I would encourage you to try it. If you don't, you'll never know!

 

[crazylady]

Anyone take a solo trip and regret it, wished they had brought the kids and spouse, or was it amazing? We have a reservation for December and we're working on bringing my parents in addition to our family. Our family has done 4 trips in 3 years--kids and I love Disney (DH likes it well enough). The last trip was a short visit with just the four of us (two kids 11 & 8) and was fantastic, and the trip before that was a big, two-family trip, which turned out to be challenging and stressful. Even though the last short trip was great, I keep wondering what it would be like to have a vacation to myself. When we were in Haunted Mansion line last spring, I struck up a conversation with a woman who was there solo, her teen sons and husband at home. She said it was a very relaxing trip, doing as she pleased, but she still felt guilty at various points every day. And that's what I wonder: do those of you who go solo and leave your spouse and kids home wind up feeling bad while you're there? Do the kids resent it? Sometimes Disney with my kids is the best, and sometimes it's a headache getting everyone out the door early and managing disagreements about who wants to do what.

I know part of this is that it's the end of summer and I've been home with my kids for weeks, so escaping for some solo time sounds appealing, but I wonder if I'd get down there and start to feel lonely after a day or two, or if my kids would take it hard. Curious to hear from others who have done it and how the family unit handled it, and how the trip itself turned out.

I haven't gone solo but I have gone with a group of friends without the children/husband. It was a fun trip with my friends but we would have just as much fun anywhere really. I did feel a little guilty but not too much. But, being at Disney without my family felt less magical to me and not as much fun. I wouldn't do it again.

 

[suzimar57]

Have done several solo trips alone (no DH, no DS - just me!) - BEST. TRIPS. EVER. - No one whining about their feet or headache or being bored or hungry - Nope, it was WONDERFUL not having to compromise or cater to anyone - Went each time during the F&W - ah, the happy memories are flooding back now.....

 

[Amelia :)]

I would feel guilty all day long going to Disney without my daughter. I know everybody's different, but I just couldn't do it. (She'd also be furious with me lol)

 

[Disneytam]

I think everyone is so very different that you just can't know until you try it. I did a short trip without my husband and HATED it! Quick background, my mom had passed away and it had been a really hard year and the thought of getting away for a few days sounded wonderful but since we run a dairy farm together it just wouldn't work for the three of us to go. Our son had run things on the farm a few months before so that we could go to Disney for dads birthday so hubby offered to stay home and our 22 year old son and I went. I felt so guilty and lost without him from the very start. My son and I had a good time but now I know that to do a trip by myself just would not work for me at all. I don't know how many times I thought, I wish your dad could see this or he would have loved that. In my case life is so short and I want to spend every minute with the people that I love the most. YMMV though.

 

[klmall]

I've done 2 solo trips as well as 10 or so trips with my family. Since I'm the Disney fanatic it was easy for DH to say 'if you want to go, do it' and I did. Both solo trips were great; filled with time to take pictures, eat what and when I wanted and plenty of time to explore. I signed up for a few tours and talked with everyone in lines and the buses. While I did miss my family at times, especially in the evenings I wouldn't hesitate to go alone again!

And there are many threads on the forum here: Disney for Adults and Solo Travelers. You'll find lots of info there from those who have taken the solo plunge!

 

[Micca]

My solo trips were not my choice. I've been to Orlando on business a few times and, of course, had to go to WDW. It's always great to be at WDW, but I much prefer traveling with my family.

 

[texasroni75]

I hope to some day! The closest I've come is two mommy-and-me trips, just me and ONE of my four kids. Even that was pretty darn relaxing!

While I would miss the kids, I am planning to do a solo trip in the future. Hubby did several solo trips when he had his motorcycle and the kids were younger. He didn't feel guilty touring from home to Canada, Vermont, and Daytona while I stayed behind with the kids, so I shall feel no guilt when it's my turn

 

[beesly]

I visited the parks for a day in July while I was in Orlando for a work trip/conference and it was AWESOME. As many others mentioned, I enjoyed having the freedom to make my own schedule and to be the sole decision maker about sticking to that schedule or changing it up (like skipping a FP to go across the lagoon for a drink at Trader Sam's instead). There were moments when I wished my DD and/or DH would have been there with me to share certain moments, but I didn't feel guilty for being there without them. I didn't tell my DD (7) ahead of time that I was going to visit the parks without her, but told her after I got home and she really wasn't upset. However, we just took her for our family vacation in April, and she and I will be returning at the end of this month for a long weekend for MNSSHP, so that probably helped to alleviate any jealousy she might have otherwise felt about "missing out."

 

[kangamangus]

I personally couldn't do a solo trip, I like socialization too much. But I would go with with a bunch of girlfriends and have a blast!

 

[Disney Addicted]

My family has only ever been to Disney once. Six long years ago this month. My husband seemed to enjoy it, and said we would go back in a year or two but we never have.

Our daughter is now 17 and going back in November with her Aunt's family. My husband suggested I take our son (now 12) and go at the same time. He (my husband) just doesn't want to go. I got as far as booking Free Dining for the same dates but I just can't get over the crowd levels.

Instead, I'm planning for Sept or Oct 2017 for just my son and I. I'm looking forward to it!! I wish my husband was going but I'm looking forward to spending time with our youngest! (13 by then)

 

[fla4fun]

Solo trips and friends/family trips are very different. I like the friends/family trips and sharing certain experiences, but I LOVE my solo trips where the only person I answer to is me. I can go on the attractions that no one else likes. I can eat in the restaurants that have my favorite foods without anyone complaining. If I want to hang out by the pool, or take a tour, or people watch, or spend a couple hours just taking photos, I can. I think a lot of it comes down to how comfortable you are doing things solo in your daily life. If you are the type of person who would go take in a movie by yourself (say, maybe while the kiddos have something else going on) or something like that, then I think you will have a good time.

 

[abja09]

I did my first solo trip in July and loved it. When I found out my son was going away with his grandparents for 2 weeks I jumped at the opportunity. Of course when he found out I was going he was a little jealous but dealt with it. It went for a long weekend but of course wish I had more time at Disney solo. My son and I go to Disney often and yes I did miss having him with me but it was great none the less. I wouldn't go on the new Soarin or Frozen ride without him (we are going in November so had to wait). While i missed having him, it was nice to be able to do what i wanted to do when i wanted to. I watched some shows and parades that he has no interest in, went to MK at night and ate a few places he doesn't like so it was a great change. I hope to do another solo trip soon!

 

[Loopster]

I did a moms-only trip in December (seven of us). We all left our kids and husbands at home. At first my kids (ages 5 and 10) were mad that I was going without them, but after I explained that I'm the one that does all the hard work and planning for all our Disney trips, that I deserved a more laid back Disney getaway. They actually understood when I put it that way and really loved hearing about my trip and seeing pictures. Everyone in our group had a similar reaction with their kids and spouses since they're the Disney planners in their houses too.

As far as guilt, nope. Not a bit. We had the best time ever and it was just a totally different experience without kids. We got to do things our kids don't like to do and it was nice only having to be responsible for myself and not the entire family. It was so great we are doing it again a year from now.

I highly recommend it!

 

[DizzneyDi]

One thing I noticed during my 2 solo trips is that I'm much more likely to have interesting conversations with CMs or other guests than I do when my DS and I are there together. When you're with your family you tend to just talk to them, but when you're on your own you don't have that comfortable bubble around you. I once spent over an hour chatting with a retired NYC cab driver while waiting for Wishes. His womenfolk were shopping, and by the time they showed up with their arms full of bags the two of us were practically old friends!