I don't understand the desire for solo's?

[DCWarrior]

Ok, explain this to me. I honestly can't imagine the desire people have to go on a vacation, especially to someplace like Disney World, by them selves. What is the desire? honest question, here.

I see a lot of talk about solo trips on these boards and am baffled at the idea. Tell me what I am missing, seriously, convince me the advantages, and maybe I'll look into it. I think I'm more intrigued with the idea than anything.

 

[disykat]

For me, solo vacations would happen if I wanted to go someplace and didn't have someone to travel with - simple as that! Why stay home?

 

[Mr.MouseFan]

I go lots of places by myself. Now, don't get me wrong, it's great fun to be able to share some pretty incredible experiences with other people...especially loved ones. On the other hand, traveling alone, you can do what you want, when you want. I like to call them "private getaways". It sounds cliche, but traveling alone affords you the time to "get in touch with your inner self" and you never know, you might actually be surprised at some of the stuff you learn about yourself. I honestly think that everyone should travel someplace alone at least once in their life.

 

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by Mr.MouseFan
I honestly think that everyone should travel someplace alone at least once in their life.

Well, in most respects, I agree with this. This will be my first-ever TRY at it (as a Mom), with DISConII. My family has been with me at almost EVERY Meet I've attended and, as much as they'd LOVE WDW again, it isn't possible with school and/or money and, they aren't DISer's so, the trip would be quite 'different' if I traveled with them, for them and for me. It isn't an idea I jumped on with whole heart initially but, since I've been whining about missing DISConI since it took place, my DH kinda knew I'd be going to DISConII.

And, I don't consider DISConII as vacationing solo. There'll be sooo many others there to meet.

Now, if you mean real solo, get-away-from-reality and lose all touch with anyone, THAT I couldn't do!!

 

[DocRafiki]

Have you read the adults & solos board? There are some really good answers to your question over there.

I haven't gone on a complete trip by myself, but I've done full days at WDW solo (as a local). And when I wasn't local, I have stayed a day extra after my friend left, and it was FABulous. I have a new-found love for staying solo in hotels (esp Disney hotels)! You don't have to be selfish to feel the need to do it, but I have to say it is wonderful being selfish! You know that shop that you always wanted to explore a little longer but didn't because DH was getting bored or the kids were causing a scene? Well, you get to! And you don't have to keep 'pleasing everyone else' in the back of your mind the whole time. Did you ever want to go into the Stave church in Norway and read every last word on the plaques? Well I wanted to, and I got to.

I think the ideal is to split up your trip into solo portions and group portions. I can't do sit-down meals alone, and sometimes you just want to share things with other people. I wish I had the guts to do a big trip like Europe alone, but I am just way too shy. That social phobia doesn't help, either. Maybe someday.

KimRaye, I don't think of DIS con as a true solo trip, either (not that I've been). It sounds like the perfect combo of group and solo privileges.

 

[DocRafiki]

I was reading this just last night in my travel planner/journal:

"The key advantage of going with a friend, friends, or some sort of group is that inevitably you will be dragged to a place you don't want to go. Mysteriously, this usually turns out to be your favorite part of the trip. Friends and fellow travelers also lower costs, prevent loneliness, and make going out safer.

Lone-wolf travel also has its advantages, including ease of movement, freedom from annoyance, opportunities for reflection, more contact with locals, and more time to write in your journal. If you go alone, build in supports and reinforcements:..."

It goes on with some tips, then a quiz on whether your chosen friend is a good travel partner, then this true/false quiz ...

Are you a good solitary traveler? True or false...

1. After dark is a nice time for a walk or bike ride.

2. Hard to go anywhere without striking up a conversation with somebody

3. Fun to try to speak a foreign language

4. Can't understand how anyone could lose his/her car in a parking garage

5. Know when the map is upside-down

6. A meal alone in a restaurant is okay if you have a good book

7. Walking around in a new city is exciting

8. Could spend all afternoon in a cafe or museum

** > 4 falses means you should bring a friend.

OK, so a lot of that doesn't apply to WDW. I think WDW would be about the easiest place on earth to go solo.

 

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by DocRafiki
KimRaye, I don't think of DIS con as a true solo trip, either (not that I've been). It sounds like the perfect combo of group and solo privileges.

I sooo agree with you DocR! As well as many other points you've made and/or quoted! Solo is NOT something I live or plan for but, if given the opportunity, like DISConII, I'm there, FINALLY!

All I need to know is where the next Shop is at!! I haven't SEEN Downtown Disney since my 1st trip in 1991!!

And, I think your Quiz is VERY appropriate for DISConII solo travelers!! (I answered with 1 False! #6. I can't imagine reading a book anywhere in WDW!! Unless it was a park map!!)

 

[DocRafiki]

Well I think you've got the right attitude! Sounds like you'll have a blast!

I didn't get to see the new DTD toy store yet because my last day trip was with a MALE

 

[browneyes]

I'd love to have a trip where I'm not worried about everyone else having a good time. My SO won't ride a lot of the rides I love (ToT and RnR, Space Mountain, TeaCups, etc.).

A solo trip to me is a way I'd want to spoil myself-something I very rarely do.

 

[Pugsley]

At first I did it because I really wanted to go and didn't have anyone to go with. But now I actually prefer going alone. I feel so free doing whatever I want, whenever I want. I love not having to negotiate when to go, where to stay, what to eat, what to do, etc. And I get so energized when I'm there that a lot of people can't keep up the pace! There are a lot of places I'd like to go, and I haven't worked up the guts to do it alone. But at WDW I feel so safe and comfortable. And I stay so busy that I don't have time to think about being lonely.

 

[faith]

I just could never do a solo trip. By the way DisConII isn't really what I think of as solo. You're there to meet and visit with others from the boards.
Can you believe I have never even eaten alone at a restaurant?
Maybe I'm insecure or something.
For those who can vacation alone I say why not? Life is short, so enjoy!

 

[DaveH]

Prior to meeting DW, I was a single parent empty nester. I did not have friends who wanted to go to WDW, they would rather go to the Jersey shore. I am not a shore person. The cost for a week at either for one person without sharing a place was about the same. So if I wanted to go to WDW it had to be solo. I did about 6 solo trips and 3 of those were the week after Thanksgiving. I had a great time. During one solo trip one of my son's did join me for a couple of days. The experience solo is different in many ways. Some of things I did solo and do not do as much with DW is take pictures of family for them so the person who usually takes the pics got to be in them. We do it for couples alot. Folks will talk to solos male or female more than to couples. The trips with with Dw are very special but solo trips are also special in different ways. One year I was at WL on a special deal. I spent the evenings having a beer or 2 in the bar there. It was neat seeing parents taking turns taking a break while the other was making sure the kid/kids did thier homework. Solos get to talk with CM's more ane I met alot of great young adults from all over the world. Solo is not for everyone, but if you do try, it is definately a different experience I would not ever trade.

 

[December99]

My purpose for solo is several things...

1) I live with a commando and I wanted to do a trip non-commando....and that's what I'm doing.

2) DD will be in school and someone needs to stay home with her - voted for dh to do that!!!

3) I NEED to go to DISCon and I was the first DISer in our family so thus, I'm going!

4) DH gets to go many places that I would LOVE to go when he travels for work (to conferences and meetings - one being the weekend before Thanksgiving he's going to DC....I WANT TO GO TOO but I can't because I'm going to DISCon 2 weeks later and DD is in school) and gets to see things we will never be able to see and do as a family - thus I'm going on a trip by myself to relax and have fun.

5) DH went to Disneyland a few years ago after telling me he wouldn't...thus I'm going to DISCon!!!!

6) I AM THE FEMALE AND I WHAT I SAY GOES!!!!!!!!!! (got a lake to sell ya if you believe that one fully...it happens for most of the time!!!)

7) My trip is almost totally being paid for by myself!!!!! DH has paid for my plane ticket that I owe him for yet but that's it. I'm paying for the rest of my trip on my own!

 

[amid chaos]

We did WDW without the kids DIScon1. DIScon2 is a solo trip for me even though i agree, it's not really a solo trip with all these great people going.

I do have to say that Disney is a different Disney without the kids, and I can't wait to go alone.

 

[Claudia1]

I think it depends on your personality.

Me.... I crave solitude, even at home. DH can't stand to be alone, even at home. I have often had a mid-afternoon restaurant meal, alone, while waiting for DD to finish her work-study program. It's doesn't have anything to do with not being everybody else's servant or stepping stone (which I am not!). It has everything to do with liking to be by myself. I love to cogitate a new devotional thought or to develope a new concept on whatever project I am currently working on. Most of the people who know me would be very suprised to know that I crave solitude as I am not a social hermit. I talk to everybody!

I like to go with DH on business trips and have some solo time while he is at meetings.

I would jump at the chance to go to WDW solo. There are always cast members to talk to. I could run or walk, as I desired. I could eat when & where I wanted. I would read a book while I waited for the meal. I would right long letters (which I never, ever have time to do these days).

I would smile alot while gone and even more when I returned.

As I said at the beginning, it depends on you personality.

 

[Rajah]

I've done partial trips solo -- one year I went to a conference at Disneyland. DH joined me for the weekend before, but then he returned home and I stayed out there for about 4 more days. I had a lot of fun, it was a great experience, but I got so lonely I really don't want to do an entire trip solo again.

On the plus side, I did end up meeting someone in the park who has turned out to be a very good friend since, and I wouldn't have met him had I not been solo.

I've also done half a day at Magic Kingdom by myself when DH wasn't feeling well. That was okay, but I really missed DH even more than I did at Disneyland. I spent the latter half of the time worrying that I was going to miss DH when he came back to the park and wouldn't hear him on the radio.

Long and short... I'm not big on solo trips, though if it were to Disneyland or Disneyworld, I'd do it again. I would definitely NOT do one by myself anywhere else, though.

 

[Poohbear123]

The kids stop going, but I Didn't. My DH is NOT into WDW, so I go alone twice a year. My BF from Daytona Beach meets me for a day or 2, but mostly I am ALONE! I meet a lot of nice CM's and other SOLO's and have a great time. I get to see things I normally DO NOT see when I am with others.

 

[preshi]

I had quite a time as a solo.... no one to tell you they don't want to do this or that, no one to say they are hungry when you aren't no one to tell you they have to go to the bathroom when you are in line...

I am one of those people who hates to be late to anything so I like to get there early. Dh and all my friends are the opposite. they are always late... now why would I want to fight with someone when I am on vacation?

It lets you relax and take it all in.... it's very nice.

 

[EROS]

I have so little time with my DW and DS that I would never wish to vacation without them ...........

 

[Blondie]

There are several things I don't mind doing alone like shopping and DISing .

I don't think I'd want to go to WDW alone though. Half the fun is sharing it with others. I'd miss my family terribly.