If you had 1 day to spend at DLR by yourself...

[Monkey Monkey]

What would you do?

I am SO excited about my upcoming solo trip!

I have a tentative itinerary of 6 rides at DL and 6 at DCA - the thrill rides for the most part.

If I have time, I also want to see the Aladdin show at DCA, which I'm not sure that DS would sit through.

So what would be your must-dos? Anything you would make a point to eat? Something you would do differently than when you go with other people?

 

[DLR29]

-Use the single rider lines to get more done. The single rider lines are for Splash at DL and Mulholland Madness, California Screamin, Maliboomer, Soarin, and Grizzly River Run at DCA.

-You could just sit down on a bench with a dole whip or a churro and just people watch.

-Just go with the flow. Going solo means that you only have to listen to one person and go at the pace of one person and that's yourself.

 

[DisneyNic]

-Use the single rider lines to get more done. The single rider lines are for Splash at DL and Mulholland Madness, California Screamin, Maliboomer, Soarin, and Grizzly River Run at DCA.

-You could just sit down on a bench with a dole whip or a churro and just people watch.

-Just go with the flow. Going solo means that you only have to listen to one person and go at the pace of one person and that's yourself.

This would be exactly how I would go about it. Of course I too would have a list of rides that I really wanted to hit, but for the most part, it would be nice to just get to do what you want to do, when you want to do it without having to worry about anyone else.

 

[DangerMouse]

I had a list of things I wanted to do when I was there on the Ladies Only trip. I did a lot of them, but still didn't get to do everything I wanted.

I mostly wanted to visit all the Main Street stores I had never been into (which I did), I also wanted to sit on the porch on Main Street (which I did!). I ate a dole whip for breakfast and didn't have to share with anyone.

I never did get to go into the Jewel of Orleans store in NOS. I wanted to eat at Yambuki, but there just wasn't time. Of course not accomplishing these things just gives me one more reason to go back.

 

[bumbershoot]

Of course not accomplishing these things just gives me one more reason to go back.

Yeah, that whole "go by yourself and get it out of your system" thing I did last January didn't really work...just whetted my appetite*!


Monkey, you know what I did on my solo trip, so I don't have to remind you.

Since you're not having to travel long distances from your son, you probably won't have as many little pangs as I did (though nonstop from Seattle and driving from San Diego don't really take much more time as the other, LOL), but when you do see a sweet family know that you'll likely have a little "oh drat why am I alone" moment. Take it in, honor it, move along. Then you'll likely have moments of "oh thank goodness I'm not dealing with THAT right now" when you see a little tantrum, or especially a BIG tantrum, and those will help make up for the "drat" moments.

But since you're not staying overnight (though that could be fun for you, too, if DS could handle it) you probably will be so busy to notice any pangs.



*while depleting the discretionary funds that would have allowed me the ladies only trip, darnit!

 

[DoomBugger]

There are distinct advantages to going to by yourself, utlilize these advantages and you will cover so much ground that you will want to do it again! I go by myself every couple months and it is great.

When you are solo you also start up conversations with strangers much more and that can be a fun experience into itself as everyone is having a Disney fun time!

 

[disney-inspired]

I would definitely park hop. I'd get to DL really early for rope drop and hit Peter Pan first, teacups, and Matterhorn. I'd grab fast pass for Space and ride it too! Ride Buzz and then get another fast pass for Indy or BTMRR. Ride Pirates and Haunted Mansion. From there I'd go to DCA and get a fp for Soarin' and see if I can ride Mullholland Madness (single rider line!). Seeing how the crowds were I would see if I could ride GRR and then head over to Monsters Inc (if I'm not sopping wet) From there go back to DL and ride Indy and BTMRR and do Space mountain.

 

[ScrapperKimmyD]

I'd take a couple of cameras and a tripod and go on a photo safari! Kinda hard to make your DH and kids sit around while you're trying to figure out a shot.

 

[Jenn1116]

only one day?

 

[jasonk5]

I got to do this last year by myself for 2 days after the Pirates Premiere event (my wife was pregnant).

On one day, I utilized Early Entry, Fast Pass and Single rider to do Space Mountain x 2, Buzz, Autopia, Mr. Toads, Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Snow White, Splash x 2, Winnie Pooh, Indiana Jones, Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Haunted, California Screamin x 3, Orange Stinger, Twilight Zone x 2, Soarin x 2, Grizzly River, and finished the day with Golden Dreams (I had never seen it). Whew! All this, and I went back to the hotel for lunch and a swim.

On the second day, I left early, but did a leisurely visit taking pictures and such. Also hopped on Big Thunder and Matterhorn a couple times since the lines the previous day were horrendous?

Overall a very fun and enjoyable trip. I never felt completely alone because you can always strike up a conversation with somebody.

 

[Princesses3_bythesea]

I went a few nights on my own for Halloween time in 2006 (was on a business trip to Long Beach, so chose to stay close to the park and use my season pass). Mostly did downtown Disney since closing was early...had nice dinners by myself courtesy of the company card since it was business travel. Did go to the Halloween event tho, that was fun.

SO...what I would do...

- get a mint julep (or 2 or 3 or 4...) and sit listening to the jazz music in New Orleans Square.

- watch Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. love their show, just don't get sick of it.

- look for Maynard, who is always entertaining

- find a bench on Main Street to listen to the Disneyland band

- eat at Blue Bayou right next to the water (I love the much-debated monte cristo sandwiches, but kind of a pricy meal when you're taking a trip with a whole bunch of kids along)

- and would probably take an hour or two to try a service at the Grand California spa...I haven't done this before, but think it would be great to go for a relaxing treatment after a long day in the park.

 

[DoomBugger]

I thought he no longer was working there? Any information? What have you seen him do, just curious to hear your experience.

 

[stopher1]

DL can be so much fun by yourself! Just think - there's no one to "discuss" what you do next, when you stop for the restroom, eat, etc.

I'm going by myself next Sunday & Monday - I can't wait!!!

 

[nun69]

I agree with the Dole Whip and people watch for a little break between rides

 

[IASWAM]

-Just go with the flow. Going solo means that you only have to listen to one person and go at the pace of one person and that's yourself.

I couldn't have said it better myself!

I would also take advantage of the single rider line, as a PP had said. You will probably get in more rides that way.

 

[bumbershoot]

I thought he no longer was working there? Any information? What have you seen him do, just curious to hear your experience.

People at the ladies only trip just met him, working at the Opera House I believe.

I met him in January doing security for the fireworks on Main Street (I introduced myself and he gave me about a 20 minute "stand up" routine, which would NEVER have happened if I had my family with me b/c, well, for many reasons).