How alone is going alone?

[TheHundredth]

I've wanted to do a solo trip since I was 10. Haha. But now that I'm 18 I think I would enjoy Disney World by myself.

However.

I feel like seeing all the families and having to dine alone would really make me want someone there...

So the question stands. How alone is going alone?

 

[rewardsinlife]

There are a couple of ways you can look at this. As I went yesterday to DL, completely solo, I can give you my opinion on the day.

Benefits for going solo:
-your schedule, your time.
-No fighting over what ride to go on next, no stopping in the middle of a crowd b/c one of the members of your family got lost in it
-great people watching, you get into conversations with complete strangers in line , and cast members always seem to take a little more time to speak with you and swap some stories while you wait in line or just in general.
-If you are observant, you can find a lot of 'hidden' paths out of the mainstream that you can use then, and for later trips to make your trips more efficient and pleasant!

Challenges for going solo:
-you are alone and you will feel that the minute you start heading to the park.
- A lot of the 'fun' and good times you have come with discussing things in line before and after rides. I found my head full of thoughts like ' I really liked how they refurbished the ride, or, ' that was a long ride!' but there was no one to tell or express emotions to, which kind of gives you a humbleness and solitude to your trip.
-Driving...both ways...believe it or not it , you will tire out quite a bit. I left the park after only about 4 hrs. B/c I was exhausted and still knew I had to go back to my car and drive 2 hrs home in traffic.
-I wanted to share my day and all I learned with others in my family...long story short..people don't want to hear about your trip when they were at work all day instead of with you at the happiest place on earth.
-tire quickly. You will find a kid here or there that will give you a boost of energy, but a lot of support comes from your family in keeping up with a pace and getting to the rides. I could tell I was dragging by the end of the day as pretty much every CM I passed made sure that I was having a wonderful day and asked if they couldn't do anything to make it a little happier

Anyway..take what you like but it definitely is pretty equal in benefits and challenges.

 

[Missytara]

It is heaven.

But I am an only child and eat out every night, so I am very used to amusing myself and eating out.

I had a college roommate who insisted I always go with her; she didn't even like to go to the mall alone.

I have done 11 trips to Disney; and five have been alone. One was an all resorts, no parks trip a few years ago. Here are some suggestions.

Bring some lightweight books to take to dinner; sit at the bar - there is alot of turnover due to people waiting for tables. You meet a lot of interesting people. The first thing somebody will say is "where ya from?"

Get to know the bartenders in the lounge where you are staying; you will get some extra attention during the evening.

Don't be afraid to go on your favorite attractions alone; there may be a few hiccups (I have been placed with a few families that were not very happy about it), but you will mostly find yourself in a row full of people and you won't really notice it.

Take the time to treat yourself to some really nice leisurely meals.

Treat yourself to a spa day.

Do tour the resorts and resort gift shops. Take a break and really enjoy what the resort has to offer; read a book in the lobby, take lots of pictures, have a drink or a snack and really notice all the resorts have to offer.

Enjoy having the room to yourself - I have four cats and I relished having a king sized bed all to myself.

Spend time by the pool in the afternoon; at mid-level crowds when the weather is quite nice, but not too hot - people tend to stay in the parks until evening and the pools can be somewhat quiet in the afternoons. I go the week after Thanksgiving and have had a pool to myself sometimes at POR in the afternoon.

Don't rush; you are on no one's time but your own! Enjoy!

 

[DianaLeslie]

I did a solo trip last May ('11), and like another poster said, it was heaven.


I had free quick dining with my package so I wasn't at a full service restaurant but no one looked at me weird or made any comments about me eating alone. I people watched, I wrote notes on what I'd done so far, looked at the scheduled things for the rest of the day and just figured out where I wanted to head next.


In lines there are always people around you if you want to strike up a conversation. If not you certainly don't have to.

I met a very nice lady on the ME from the airport, also traveling solo (for part of her trip), ran into her a few times. Ran into the same family a few times in AK after assuring the kids that if they did RnR at DHS they would be fine on EE. (When I saw them again the kids told me loved EE.) Had a really nice family next to me at Epcot waiting for Illuminations. And a nice mom and son in line with me at BTM, it was his first ride.

But then I'll talk to anyone anywhere.

 

[DCTooTall]

It's honestly not that bad, especially if you are used to doing things on your own currently like going to the movies or going out to eat. As others mentioned, the freedom you get to do things on your own and at your own pace.... including maybe checking out some of the lesser known/popular attractions/shows, is priceless.

If you enjoy taking pictures or the details of the park, You'll also find much more freedom to just explore and enjoy the sights and sounds of the parks.

At 18, You'll also be in the same age group as many of the people working there on the College Program, so you may find it easy and enjoyable to strike up conversations with the CM's all over the place. [and who knows.... you may find a group you can hang out with after-hours ]


And if you are worried about being completely alone, You can also hang out around the DIS and see about planning your trip around a DISMeet where you can meet up with other Disney fans who you could tour with or hang out with. (There is a meet planned in mid-October for the Singles Social Club here that you are welcome to join, or you can keep an eye out here for others planning trips around the same time as you or in other forums around the DIS).


Don't let the idea of being alone scare you away from at least experiencing Disney by yourself at least once. It's a different experience than traveling with family, or even friends and i believe everyone should try it at least once.

 

[TheHundredth]

Thank you guys SO much. You actually have me persuaded to not only go alone, but to do about a 2 week extended stay!

I especially love the idea to take notes of what I'd done, I may even throw thoughts and such in! And I'm big into photography so my camera will DEFINATELY be coming with me.

I've also considered waiting till I was 21 so I could enjoy the more adult side of Disney (and so I can go to the garden and wine festival!)

 

[Disney_Fanatic25]

I like going alone sometimes. You can do exactly what I want and be able to notice things that I wouldn't if I was with my kids or someone else. I get to see shows that my kids dont like and try restaurants that I wouldn't try with them.

 

[luvthemouse71]

My first solo trip is in December. My sister and I text back and forth all day at home so I'm sure I can do that there if I start feeling a bit lonely. But, I'm pretty independent and I think I'll be fine.

My one worry is that I'll like it so much that I make a habit out more solo trips!

 

[chiapetsrcool]

I went down last year 3 days before my family arrived to have a few days to myself. I will say the only times I missed having people around was waiting in line. The queues are a great place to chat but I'm not someone to chat in line with people I don't know. I passed the time by imagining back stories to all the people around me and how they got to Disney, where they were from, etc.

 

[PaulaSB12]

When you see families where mom or dad is taking pictures ask if they will let you take a picture of the whole family with their camera. That way they all have a good memory and it doesn't take more than a moment.