Just booked my first SOLO trip... I'm a nervous wreck!

[rhyeck]

Someone hurry... get me a brown paper bag to breathe in... I feel like I'm gonna pass out!!! Inhale exhale inhale exhale...

Hum... am I crying because I am excited?? Or because I am scared to death??

Any advice would be wonderful...

 

[aggielawyer]

What is there to be scared of? You get to sleep as late as you want or get up at the crack of dawn and be at rope drop. Ride as many times in a row as you want or find a bench and people watch. If you are comfortable going to the mall by yourself, then you'll be fine.

My #1 tip for solo travel: if you want a super-easy conversation starter, wear a t-shirt from your school, favorite team, or affinity group. I discovered this by accident and met a family from the same town as me and ended up spending a little time with them. Never would have happened if they hadn't noticed my A&M shirt.

Have a wonderful time!!

 

[WaltD4Me]

Deep breath!!!!!!

Solo trips are AWESOME!!!!!!!!

I did my first one May of 2009 and I know how you feel, I was a little nervous, but I had a fabulous time! It was wonderful to go at my own pace. See things no one else ever wants to see. Talk to CM's, sit and people watch as long I wanted. Eat when I wanted. Take tons of pictures without anyone saying "Why are you taking a picture of that?!" Take my time enjoying the ride ques. Sleep late...or not. Stay out late...or not. Totally change my plans without warning or having to get permission. Loved it, loved it, loved it.

What are you specifically worried about? I know I was a bit worried about going around by myself in general...people looking at me funny, that kind of thing. No worries though, people have no idea if you are alone or just waiting for someone to get off a ride or something. Also for the most part they are into their own vacation and just aren't paying as much attention to you as you think they are!

 

[DefLepard]

Last trip we went on two rides in a row with a solo person, first was Soaring with a single rider next to us and he had a great time chatting with us, next was Mission Space and there he was again having a great time in the same space ship with us...

Seen him about 3 hrs later pushing a stroller with his family, I guess he needed his few hour Solo trip

You'll have a great time !!!

Just remember, the single rider line is always shorter

 

[dalt01]

while i have never done what you are about to do i am an alone type of person..... my phone will vibrate and my wife will say "where are you" and i will be at the movies. i dont mind stopping at a restaurant by myself.....on the 14th my wife and 17 year old DD are going to a Jonas Brothers concert in hershey and i will drive them down and go to Hersheypark by myself. the concert stadium is right outside the park. i know that a solo trip may be in my future as my wife is having more and more trouble getting around and when the last DD goes away to college i will be the only disney fanatic left in the house. have fun.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Just remember, the single rider line is always shorter

Yes, and be sure to listen to the CM's. Three times I got on Soarin' much quicker because a CM was calling for a single rider. The first time I wasn't paying attention and almost missed it, but then I heard her and raised my hand and she took me right up front. On TSM they were looking for a party of two, but no one was coming forward, so I said I was a single and they took me up front.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I took my first solo trip last year and loved it.

The only thing I was worried about was eating alone by myself at TS places. The servers actually made that easier, checking on me a bit more often.

I would chat with folks while waiting for my ADR's. I met one great family who had the friendliest little girl. They invited me on the Illuminations Cruise they had won. Unfortunately it was for the night I was leaving otherwise I sure would've gone!

I loved doing what I wanted, when I wanted. I even got to take lots of pictures and spent tons of times in Epcot WS which I sure don't get to do normally.

I had such a great time, I've booked myself another solo trip to see the Christmas stuff.

On a safety note, as soon as you enter your room make sure you chain the door so no one can accidentlly enter the room.

 

[FireDancer]

When I lived in Tampa I made a lot of solo day trips and went solo for marathon weekend in 2006 and 2008. I love solo trips. You can do what you want when you want and if you don't go at a really busy time you can walk into most restaurants which makes planning so much easier. Maybe not Le Cellier at 5:00pm on a Saturday but I never had to wait more then 15 minutes for a walk up since sitting one person is pretty east.

When are you going?

 

[rhyeck]

My #1 tip for solo travel: if you want a super-easy conversation starter, wear a t-shirt from your school, favorite team, or affinity group. I discovered this by accident and met a family from the same town as me and ended up spending a little time with them. Never would have happened if they hadn't noticed my A&M shirt.


This is a great tip!! Now I have an excuse to go shopping!!! "Honey, I have to go shopping... the forums said I needed some 'new' t-shirts!"

 

[rhyeck]

What are you specifically worried about? I know I was a bit worried about going around by myself in general...people looking at me funny, that kind of thing. No worries though, people have no idea if you are alone or just waiting for someone to get off a ride or something. Also for the most part they are into their own vacation and just aren't paying as much attention to you as you think they are! [/QUOTE]

I guess I am most worried about the 'idea' of being alone. I guess you could never "BE" alone at Disney!! I usually travel with my husband... there is just something secure about having him there. I hope that makes sense...

 

[rhyeck]

Last trip we went on two rides in a row with a solo person, first was Soaring with a single rider next to us and he had a great time chatting with us, next was Mission Space and there he was again having a great time in the same space ship with us...

Seen him about 3 hrs later pushing a stroller with his family, I guess he needed his few hour Solo trip

You'll have a great time !!!

Just remember, the single rider line is always shorter

Adding to list... Single rider line is always shorter Got it!

 

[rhyeck]

while i have never done what you are about to do i am an alone type of person..... my phone will vibrate and my wife will say "where are you" and i will be at the movies. i dont mind stopping at a restaurant by myself.....on the 14th my wife and 17 year old DD are going to a Jonas Brothers concert in hershey and i will drive them down and go to Hersheypark by myself. the concert stadium is right outside the park. i know that a solo trip may be in my future as my wife is having more and more trouble getting around and when the last DD goes away to college i will be the only disney fanatic left in the house. have fun.

Sounds like you were MADE for soloing... And you will be the only disney fanatic in the house?? There is definitely a 'solo' trip in your future!!

 

[rhyeck]

Yes, and be sure to listen to the CM's. Three times I got on Soarin' much quicker because a CM was calling for a single rider. The first time I wasn't paying attention and almost missed it, but then I heard her and raised my hand and she took me right up front. On TSM they were looking for a party of two, but no one was coming forward, so I said I was a single and they took me up front.

Great tip! So, I need to keep my eyes and ears peeled (get it? banana icon for peeled?) for what the CM's are saying... I need to practice saying, "I'm a single! I'm a single!" Is that right?

 

[BriarRosie]

I've been doing solo trips since 1997. Sometimes I'll come in a day earlier than friends, or stay a few days later than friends, or have complete solo time to myself the entire trip. Once you've done one solo trip, the future solo trips will be a piece of cake.

Like the others have said, you set your own pace on solo trips. You can have ice cream for lunch if you want. Or you can sit down and "people watch" for as long as you want.

As far as dining is concerned, I am comfortable dining solo, but many people find it hard to do when they are not used to it. Many restaurants that have bars attached to them will serve people food in the bar. Just ask.

At Dis-A-Palooza in December, I went up to the bar at California Grill and had a couple appetizers as dinner. I sometimes make ADRs for myself, but I'll often do the impromptu meal like that.

Relax and enjoy it!

 

[rhyeck]

I took my first solo trip last year and loved it.

The only thing I was worried about was eating alone by myself at TS places. The servers actually made that easier, checking on me a bit more often.

I would chat with folks while waiting for my ADR's. I met one great family who had the friendliest little girl. They invited me on the Illuminations Cruise they had won. Unfortunately it was for the night I was leaving otherwise I sure would've gone!

I loved doing what I wanted, when I wanted. I even got to take lots of pictures and spent tons of times in Epcot WS which I sure don't get to do normally.

I had such a great time, I've booked myself another solo trip to see the Christmas stuff.

On a safety note, as soon as you enter your room make sure you chain the door so no one can accidentlly enter the room.

I am REALLY glad you brought up the 'safety note'... I am happy you reminded me (and possibly others that may be reading this) to chain the door. I know sometimes all logic goes out the window when on vacation!!

 

[AnninIowa]

I envy you! I hope you'll write up a trip report and post it here!!

 

[rhyeck]

When I lived in Tampa I made a lot of solo day trips and went solo for marathon weekend in 2006 and 2008. I love solo trips. You can do what you want when you want and if you don't go at a really busy time you can walk into most restaurants which makes planning so much easier. Maybe not Le Cellier at 5:00pm on a Saturday but I never had to wait more then 15 minutes for a walk up since sitting one person is pretty east.

When are you going?

I will be there from September 5th thru 11th...

Too bad I won't be there at 5:00 PM on a Saturday... or I would challenge your quote of "Maybe not Le Cellier at 5:00pm on a Saturday". Actually, I am not sure if I am confortable enough doing a table service type restaurant (yet). We shall see.....

I have an idea?? I am taking a DROID... so I will have internet service. Maybe I can 'pretend' I am doing something while eating at a table service restaurant.

 

[BriarRosie]

I will be there from September 5th thru 11th...

Too bad I won't be there at 5:00 PM on a Saturday... or I would challenge your quote of "Maybe not Le Cellier at 5:00pm on a Saturday". Actually, I am not sure if I am confortable enough doing a table service type restaurant (yet). We shall see.....

I have an idea?? I am taking a DROID... so I will have internet service. Maybe I can 'pretend' I am doing something while eating at a table service restaurant.

I used to take books into the restaurants sometimes. Now with a smart phone, you can use a book reading app and still do the same.

 

[rhyeck]

I've been doing solo trips since 1997. Sometimes I'll come in a day earlier than friends, or stay a few days later than friends, or have complete solo time to myself the entire trip. Once you've done one solo trip, the future solo trips will be a piece of cake.

Like the others have said, you set your own pace on solo trips. You can have ice cream for lunch if you want. Or you can sit down and "people watch" for as long as you want.

As far as dining is concerned, I am comfortable dining solo, but many people find it hard to do when they are not used to it. Many restaurants that have bars attached to them will serve people food in the bar. Just ask.

At Dis-A-Palooza in December, I went up to the bar at California Grill and had a couple appetizers as dinner. I sometimes make ADRs for myself, but I'll often do the impromptu meal like that.

Relax and enjoy it!

You know... I like the 'eating at the bar' idea... Seriously, I bartended (in my younger years) and I would give more attention to the people that were alone. Duh! Why didn't I think of that?? AWESOME idea!!

 

[rhyeck]

I envy you! I hope you'll write up a trip report and post it here!!

Hum...a trip report... Hum... Wonder if I can keep track of everything. Hum... now you have me thinking "trip report". I may do that... good suggestion!