Help me feel better about going solo

[Canadian Harmony]

I will have a friend with me for one day (my birthday) on my upcoming trip in October. I'm a very social person, so this will be weird to not even have one other friend with me for the rest of the trip. I'm arriving on a Wednesday, so hoping to hit a MHP that night, as well as again on the Friday. Thursday's my birthday, so we're planned up for that day. I'm staying til Monday afternoon so I have plenty of time.

What are some things you like doing when going solo? Other than the single rider line, that is

 

[whoever]

I've gone solo A LOT. Check out my TRs in my sig. As far as what I like doing... taking my time. I like taking pictures, going at a more relaxed pace than when I'm with the family. Riding attractions repeatedly. People watching and enjoying cove bar longer than I should...

 

[BrianL]

Solo can be a lot of fun. You get to go at your own pace and it feels like you can get so much done faster. One tough part is the waiting when needed, especially for the shows (like camping out on Main Street). Still you can have a lot of fun and are beholden to no one. I am planning a solo I think for my brithday (kinda sad, really, but my friends are lame). I'm starting to get excited about it!

 

[bcla]

You know, I've never really gone solo to Disneyland before. Sounds strange since I'm often a pretty solitary guy and went on a lot of solo vacations before I got married. I always went to Disneyland with family or extended family. Once I was in the area for something else, but my extended family was also there and encouraged me to go. That was back when I got a special deal as a guest of a Southern California resident. My relatives were annual pass holders, but they only had the locals pass that wasn't valid that day. They were able to pay half price to get in, and got me a special where I could buy a ticket that could be used like a park hopper on the same day or to both parks on separate days. I looked up the price history, and it was $47.

I have gone into DCA by myself once when I though I could get WoC reservations before her ticket was used. All I got was a blank pass. I have gone for early mornings though and went on Soarin', RSR (single-rider) by myself before I headed back to get my family.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I love going solo. I've been twice. It's amazing to go by yourself because you do what you want on your own timeline. I like soaking in the atmosphere a bit more, taking my time, seeing the shows, and trying some of the unique snacks, which are things I don't really get to do when my family or friends are with me.

 

[Angrose]

I've had five solo trips now and I really do enjoy them because of the freedom I have to do the things I want to do on my own schedule! I don't mind at all because I am a fairly solitary and introverted person in general. However, when at DLR I do enjoy striking up conversations with people in line or sitting next to me. Sometimes people think it's weird that I'm there alone, but if I'm getting that vibe then I just tell the person I'm talking to that my family is doing a different ride or back at the hotel, no judgment on MY vacation, please! Lol!

One thing that you will find is that you will get done with things a lot quicker than with family or friends so you may find yourself with extra time on your hands. How about taking a tour? Or giving yourself a challenge? Like, how many times in a row can you ride BTMRR (or whatever ride you enjoy the most)? You could embrace your inner child and try to get as many character autographs/photos as possible. Or, get one of those books where you look for hidden Mickey's. Something like that can really take your mind off the fact that you are alone. I would also pack a book, perhaps one about Walt Disney, that you can enjoy while sitting on a bench or while eating. Again, something that won't remind you that you are alone.

I hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[chirurgeon]

I go solo a lot, both DLR and WDW. I'm so used to it, sometimes I get impatient when I'm with someone. LOL Also, as a big reader, I always have books on my phone if I don't feel like talking. But it's so easy to strike up a conversation while in the queue or waiting for a show. I'm planning a trip for 2017 for the Christmas season. I'll be solo most of the time. I'm friends with a few people in the Los Angeles area so I'm sure we will get together for a day or so, but most of the time I'll be alone.

 

[longboard55]

We have met many solos at the Catal Uva Bar in DTD. Its a good place to spend some time, people are aways nice and never in a hurry to the next ride. There are a lot of people on conventions so it is not unusual. Also you get a few parents that do the drop and drink routine

 

[bcla]

One thing that you will find is that you will get done with things a lot quicker than with family or friends so you may find yourself with extra time on your hands. How about taking a tour? Or giving yourself a challenge? Like, how many times in a row can you ride BTMRR (or whatever ride you enjoy the most)?

During the mid-80s I wasn't alone, but Pirates had possibly the shortest line of any major ride in the park. A group of my extended family were left there - kids only. We must have gone on Pirates about four or five straight times. We would run out the exit and then back to the entrance and basically be on the second boat that we saw.

I suppose being solo really helps when there are single rider lines.

 

[bumbershoot]

Solo is fun!

And as a social person, I bet you will meet loads of people while in line.

I'm an anti-social person, I could be a hermit in a cave (except for the arachonophobia I have), and I meet many people in line. So a social person will meet more.

 

[Astylla]

Me and my husband have been forced to go solo before when one of us has been very sick unexpectedly while on vacation.

Things I did - Went into the parks in the rain , rode the back of Casey Jr. , Rode Dumbo and took photos from the ride , did more people watching , had a sundae at the upper level of Golden Horseshoe, took more photos at a lesiurely pace , took my environment in.

Last year during a 6 night trip I became VERY sick and was stuck at Grand Legacy Hotel for 2 days alone BUT my husband had a great time and did single rider for lots of things , did all the Photopass popup themes around the park and just did things at his pace. We both agreed it's best together but going alone isn't as bad as I thought being an introvert at times.

You'll find your way

 

[TinkLoverSam]

@Disney_Alli did a solo bday trip and had a great time... Hopefully she'll chime in

 

[Disney_Alli]

It's true I did... and I did! I wrote most of a trip report about it too but I don't have a link to it. I got a birthday button and wore it every day and generally just enjoyed myself. Each day I got to ride everything I wanted to and chat with as many people as I wanted to. I had some great chats with CMs and got a TON of photopass pictures taken over the course of about an hour with one Phototpass CM. I met up with another Dis-er who was also there solo for her birthday and we did a character meal together which was a TON of fun! We still keep in touch and have since met up in WDW too. It's going to be exactly the trip you make it so decide how you want to proceed.

 

[bswift]

I've been to both WDW and DL alone and I really enjoyed it, particularly DL. I wouldn't go for a long solo trip but 2 or 3 days is fine. That said, I'm an introvert and find it quite taxing to be with people for the whole day. I think the worst part was during meals, because it can feel like everyone is looking at you wondering why you're eating alone. Just bring a book or your phone and you should be able to distract yourself though

 

[avalon451]

I enjoyed my 3 1/2 day solo trip last year, esp. being able to do what I wanted, when I wanted, at my own pace. I did push myself too hard sometimes to do a lot-- I got blisters even with all my shoes/socks/ insoles/ moleskin precautions! But it's pretty fun to set your own pace and follow your whims. Enjoy!

 

[Kittyskyfish]

I loved my solo days during last year's trip! There were so many opportunities to do things that never came up when I'm with my DH. It's funny how that works - group decisions eliminate smaller rides like Pooh and Snow White, and especially Dumbo because *he* never wants to wait in the line. Same with Astro Orbiter. Being alone allowed me to hit any and every ride I wanted, and to do my favorites over and over again if I wished!

Other solo perks:

• Dining reservations for one - anywhere! Expensive restaurants aren't so bad when the bill is solo.
• Waiting for Carsland to light up.
• Sitting at night in the hotel room and suddenly deciding I really needed a Mickey pretzel. And going back to the parks for it! Nope honey, you're not here to shake your head at me. lol
• Time to walk through the shops and watch the train running along the ceiling in the toy shop.

 

[paintingoncelluloid]

I go solo all the time! The best part about it, I think, is that I am so much more aware of my surroundings than when I'm with another person. I see and notice more details about the park and its design, and take way more pictures. (Sometimes this means I see entire new areas of the park that i missed before; the first few times I went to Disneyland with my partner I didn't even know that the Harbour Galley existed! It wasn't until I was walking slowly by the water's edge that I noticed it...) When I'm alone I also like to do things that friends think is a waste of time, like take long reading breaks on a bench or in the Grand Californian lobby, or watch the screens in the animation building in DCA for awhile.

It's also just plain easier to be by yourself: navigating crowds, finding a seat at a restaurant or show, or deciding what to do next.

Just be warned: between extra picture taking and extra phone-reading time (especially while in line alone), I probably use double the phone battery power than when I'm with other people. Don't forget an extra battery so you can charge on the go!

 

[avalon451]

Sitting at night in the hotel room and suddenly deciding I really needed a Mickey pretzel. And going back to the parks for it! Nope honey, you're not here to shake your head at me. lol

LOL! Love it!

 

[Kittyskyfish]

LOL! Love it!

Me too! Being solo makes just about anything possible! After a while, it totally sinks in that I can really do anything I want, then my inner-kid is unleashed.

 

[disneychrista]

I just did my first solo trip back in May and it was one of my favorite trips. It was weird at first, especially waiting in lines. But after a few hours it was great.

I did things I wouldn't have done if my family was with me. I treated myself to the dessert seating for WoC, ate at Carthay Circle and just enjoyed the park on my own.