I'm having doubts about a solo trip especially because I'm a Pooh Girl.

[Bete]

I'm having a tough time deciding on a trip by myself. I've done WDW over 2 dozen times and it's always been with family or friends. I'm a Pooh girl and I think that's part of my struggle. Also, I'm older and I do fear some on safety being alone; although, I feel more secure at WDW than any where else.

In order for me to go with hubby I would have to dish out more money than our trip costs for someone to caretake for my mom while we would be gone. There's noone close I can ask to help on this matter, right now, either.

If I go alone my hubby can handle my mom while I take a short trip.

I've read some of the other posts about the pros of going solo, but I'm not convinced. I think since I've shared the experience so many times with others it's hard for me to do it alone. I'm already thinking there's no way I'll do a table service meal if I were to go alone. I would feel like I would stand out too much (in more ways than one) all alone. I think it would make me feel lonely.

I feel alot of the fun of doing WDW is sharing the experience with others while you are there. I've struck up conversations with strangers and cast members before, but it's just not the same as family and friends.

On the other side I think I really need to get away and WDW is among my favorite places to go.

I would appreciate comments especially from the Pooh crowd who go on solo trips. I want to get over my feelings here and I do want to take the trip, but I need some help to feel better about doing it.

 

[mrp4352]

Hello!

I've never done a full solo trip, but I'm Pooh-sized and have done a day and a half in the parks by myself before the rest of my party got there. The first time, I was surprised at how freeing it is to do only what you want to do. I went to see shows my family didn't particularly care to go see; ate what/when/where I wanted to; rode what I wanted to ride. I didn't eat table service, but that was because I was being cheap.

When travelling for business, though, I often eat table service by myself. I have no problem bringing a book, enjoying the atmosphere and dining. The nice thing is that Disney has so many options you can find a meal that you're comfortable with.

I don't think you'll stick out, often if I see someone by themselves, I figured they were sent ahead to get fastpasses or didn't want to ride a rollercoaster that everyone else did (or they babyswapped and don't have the child right then).

I say, "Go!"

 

[daisax]

Yes, within the park you could be on your own for any number of reasons. Likewise for a meal -- your hubby could be at a conference, or your kids could be off with Grandma, etc. You can use the opportunity to think of yourself as a Woman of Mystery! (Except realistically speaking, people really won't be paying any attention to you at all! Mark Twain said (something like) "you wouldn't worry so much about what people think of you if you could realize how seldom they do!" Really stop and think about how much time you spend paying attention to the total strangers at the park... not much, I'm guessing. same goes for everybody else! )

I'm such a reader that I don't mind at all taking a book out and losing myself in it as I eat. If you're not a reader, you could take a notebook with you and just record your trip for your solo trip report! (Maybe people will think that Woman of Mystery is a food critic!) For table service, you could do a buffet, then you'd still have pretty full control of how long you linger (and it would get you out of the burger/fried food rut).

I really do urge you to try it. Sounds like your hubby is open to picking up the slack at home, and you could use it.

Think of it this way... worse come to worst, you could just hang out at the resort and get rest. But I expect you won't! (And keep in mind, by riding in the solo riders line -- remember, they have whole LINES devoted to this because so many people can use them at any given time! -- you will move through the park much faster. And you can use the extra time to explore the dopey stuff you don't necessarily want to slow down your core group with.

If your hubby hates shows, see all the shows! (Again, how much time have YOU spent wondering if the 6 people behind you are one group of 6, a group of 4 and a group of 3, or a group of 5 and one solo?) If he hates World Showcase, explore every nook and cranny!

You can also take a behind the scenes type tour to fill up some time.

I do encourage you to go. I love traveling solo. My first solo to WDW will be in November, but I've traveled extensively elsewhere and you'll be perfectly safe assuming you follow all the safety rules you probably already follow when you're with others.

 

[dahirsh]

Honestly, the time I felt I stood out most being alone wasn't on any of the rides or in line or walking at my resort at any table service meal. It was when I made it into the hotseat at Who wants to be a millionaire Play It! and "Regis" asked who I was there with. Other than that no one ever really knows if you are on your own for 10 minutes, an hour, a day or a whole trip. And no one is really paying attention. Are you alone on line for SM? If anyone thinks anything at all they think the rest of your party won't ride SM. If you are waiting to ride Small Word- they may think the rest of your party is off riding SM and you won't ride it.

If you want to go to WDW, go. Don't worry in the least about what other people are thinking, because for the most part they aren't.

 

[djblu883]

you NEED this trip after being total caregiver for Mom...gooooooooo have a blast and do all your fav. things...more than once if ya want!!! ..sleep in late...go to bed early...eat what and when ya want...you deserve it!!!

 

[wirki]

I agree with the other posters, go and have a wonderful time. Many people will not even think anything of you walking around or waiting in line by yourself. I have done this even when I had family with me.(I wanted to go on something and they did not) Do what you feel comfortable with. If you get somewhere and you feel like it does not feel right, go and do something else. You deserve to go and have a great time!!

 

[englishrose47]

When are you going? I'm going in Feb would behappy to have you join me!!

 

[lizardqueen]

I'm going solo next week for a few days. Am "Pooh" sized, 30 and a worrier by nature, but once you get over those few things, the excitement sets in. DH hates Disney and swears he won't go back, we have no kids and nobody else wants to go to Disney with me. So if I don't go by myself, I'd never get back to Disney (that's not gonna happen!). And hey, I am always up for a short trip to the world if you want to have some company!

Yes, I am serious!

 

[wirki]

I'm going solo next week for a few days. Am "Pooh" sized, 30 and a worrier by nature, but once you get over those few things, the excitement sets in. DH hates Disney and swears he won't go back, we have no kids and nobody else wants to go to Disney with me. So if I don't go by myself, I'd never get back to Disney (that's not gonna happen!). And hey, I am always up for a short trip to the world if you want to have some company!

Yes, I am serious!

Oh I wish you were going just a little later. I am going for a quick trip over Labor Day weekend. It was going to be a solo trip but my Mom has decided to join me. Would have loved to meet up with you.

I hope you have a magical trip
Debbie

 

[Love2Tvl1]

Hi! I'm Pooh sized, in my fifties, have no family or any friends who can travel with me (for one reason or another) and have done WDW, cruises, tours and many other things solo. If I did not go solo, I would not get to go, and I refuse to sit home alone and miss out on fun and experiences as long as I'm physically able to do it. I want to enjoy my vacation as much as possible and not regret not doing something just because I don't have a large family, children, hubby, or grandkids. I would have loved to have been so lucky, but, well, it didn't happen. Though I'm still looking for that hubby.....
I'm going to WDW Sept 6 to 10 and am staying at the Swan. I'll be there for the pin trading event, and am really looking forward to this trip after what's been a bit of a stressful year. I hope to meet some other collectors and DISers there!
To the OP, GO! You won't regret it!

 

[JennCa]

I think that having a break from regular life would be great, we all need it every once in a while. You are lucky to have such a supportive husband.

I am actually going to spend a few days by my lonesome in November and am really looking forward to it. I've never been to WDW alone, but I have been to other places and it is relaxing to me.

I do enjoy seeing my family members enjoy Disney, but I would also like to eat when I want, sleep when I want and do what I want ocassionally. I think it is a nice mix from time to time : )

Enjoy your trip and if you want to meet up with people for meals, etc, I bet if you just say when you are going you will meet loads of new people!!!

Jenn

 

[aubriee]

I'm Pooh sized and went through a rough stretch several years ago (seperating from husband of 27 years, etc). I got married during my senior year of high school so had never been alone in my life. I had never even eaten alone or gone to a movie alone. May '05 I decided to go to WDW alone for my first solo trip. My adult sons refused to believe I'd do it, all the way up until I got on the plane. You should have seen the look of disbelief on my elder son's face as he said "You're actually going?". I smiled, hugged him, and told him I'd see him in 10 days and made myself get on that plane. It was the best thing I've ever done. I had the best trip ever. I slept when I wanted, ate when I wanted and where I wanted, and did three backstage tours (KTTK, Backstage Safari, and Around the World on a Segway). I was amazed at how much faster I could go through the parks using my fast passes or single rider lines. I skipped the rides I wanted, but repeated rides I love. I people watched. Try eating a hotdog at one of those tables beside of Casey's, just looking at the castle and people watching. Get a massage if you want. As I said I had never eaten alone in my life, but found it wasn't that bad. I even forced myself to try two character meals and found I actually enjoyed them. Since then I've gone solo two other times (Dec '06 and May '07). Believe me, as you walk by some family who's two year old is having a meltdown you'll appreciate your solo time. Walk on by eating your Dole Whip, knowing you'll be seeing your family in a few days feeling refreshed, instead of exhausted and cranky.

If you don't want to be completely alone plan your trip for the second week of Dec this year. Colette and DaisyDuck have quite a few dinners planned for every night. You could spend your days alone if you want and dine with fellow DISers at night (or join us and go to Jelly Rolls or the Adventurer's Club or take the Yuletime Tour). Feel free to join us. I assure you, you'd be more than welcome. I'm normally very shy, but met a couple of groups down there last year and really enjoyed it. Plus the Disney Visa and AP have discounts out for that time. Get your Pooh sized butt down there and join the rest of us Pooh size travelers having a good time. I may be canceling one of my dinners with the other group in order to go to Jiko's. I'd really like to try it. Join me?

 

[Hedy]

I'm a pooh girl and went on my first solo trip last year. I didn't really have any problems-WDW is great when it comes to larger guests. Even it potentially awkward situations (I went on Primeval Whirl with me on one side, and a mother and her tweenge son on the other) it wasn't supremely awkward. The only hard time I've ever had as a solo large girl at a WW park was on the Matterhorn at DLR-I was alone in a two seater, and thrown all over the place.
HTH.

 

[jordancej]

GO FOR IT!!

You will have so much fun!!! I went last year at Halloween for my first solo. It was AWESOME!! Everything is your decision, when and where... you do anything YOU want!!

Eating by yourself... as others have said, bring a book or what i did (which I loved) was a brought a small notebook that i would keep a diary, it was great, because on other trips with my sister and mom, i would never have time to do that.... and it was a great documentation of my trip and the waiters were so nice! I got great service at all my sit downs.

Take your cell phone! If i was feeling lonely, or I wanted to share with someone, i would just call my mom or sister or friends, it was great to call them and share what i was doing...they were living the trip with me!

As for rides, i think i rode all the major rides 3 and 4 times in a row....i always used the single rider line... there were many times that i had rides to myself... like with POC and Splash Mountain.... talk about star treatment!!

I going again next year solo for my 40th... and I just cant wait!!

Again go and HAVE FUN! This will be a great adventure for you!!

 

[kapoof]

go!! just think you can take your time and look at all the shops that hubbys don't really like to do (well most anyway ) you can get up as early or as late as you want! you can eat where and what ever you want. you can take your time in the world show case and see everything you want without kids pulling and whining on you! if you feel odd eating alone 'practice' at home first, go to starbucks or a cafe for a cup of coffee then branch out to lunch. a book is a great idea or the newpaper or a pen and paper. if people happen to see that you are alone they will assume you are working, if that makes you feel better. the fact that you are a 'pooh girl' doesn't matter...you have every right to be there as anyone else does. please go and tell us how it went...i think you will be very happy you did!

 

[Karalea]

I'm a pooh girl too and going on my 1st solo trip in September. I say Go for it too

I will admit I was kind of nervous about it at first but now am totally excited. I made reservations for Tea at the Grand Floridian, lunch at the Crystal Palace and am going to go on Small World repeatedly. All things I have always wanted to do but couldn't when traveling with my brother and nephews. I can't wait to explore the World Showcase without getting the "look" from 3 impatient preteens.

In my teens and 20s I was very uncomfortable about going places alone. I spent too much time worrying with people would think. Now that I am well into my 30s, I just go and have fun. Life's too short to sit home. We deserve to enjoy it.

 

[chyam]

When are you going? If you can wait until Dec. there are alot of meets going on during Mousefest and you can check some of the other threads on this forum for some of the dinner meets etc. I always go alone during that time but try to do a few mousefest activities. I have never felt unsafe at any of the resorts at all. Go and relax and enjoy some fantasy! I will be there Dec 5-9. going to the MVMCP on the night of the mousefest meet (Dec. 6) there are many of us solos that go during that time.

 

[RAMWDWFAN]

Go for it! DS is at UFL and DH refuses to come to parks so I go alone. I have done WDW solo at least five times and have had no problems. Like others have said, you can do what you want, when you want. I like to take a book and just sit on a bench in the parks.

 

[fla4fun]

I'm a Pooh too, and I do solo trips all the time. In fact, I have 17 days booked for September, four in December, and 15 in February, all solo trips. Or at least, I hope they're solo. Living here, when friends hear that you're spending time at Disney, they all want to come over and share. Sometimes I have to keep my trips a secret if I want some real down time.

Since Disney is a big convention draw, there are always a lot of people wandering around solo, either because they are at the convention solo, or they are the spouse/SO of a conventioner who's in a meeting. I've never felt awkward in any of the Disney restaurants or on the rides. In fact, in the restaurants, the CM's seem to go out of their way to be talkative if they feel like you want company.

One thing I can say is that on solo trips, the resort choice is more important. I tend to spend a lot more time enjoying the resort amenities when I travel solo, especially on the longer trips. So give some thought to what you would like in a resort whether it was at Disney or not, and then book the Disney resort that best meets those needs.

Go for it! Get the rest and relaxation you deserve and you'll feel like a whole new person!

 

[fakereadhed]

I'm a little confused. What does being Pooh-sized have to do with going solo? I personally would be more nervous about going on a group trip with a bunch of supermodels. But solo is no problem!

I'm at an age where I have realized that this body I have is what I've got and I might as well own it. I wasted a lot of time in my 20's thinking that it was terrible, and let me tell you, looking back it was way better than it is now and I didn't even appreciate that. It's so sad. Since I'm destined to go downhill from here, I try to wake up every day and appreciate what I do have.