Just booked my first SOLO trip!!!

jessicar82

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Joined
May 5, 2010
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145
I'm so excited! I just booked my first ever solo trip for December 6-9! This was a big decision for me because I am married with 2 small kids and just returned from our family Disney trip 2 weeks ago. I really want to see the parks decorated for Christmas and to see the lights at Hollywood Studios before they are gone forever! Any tips for a solo first timer??
 
Me too! Just booked my first solo trip for Dec 5-10! Just got back a month ago! We tried to see WS so many times last trip but were rained out, thunder and lightening storms, every time. Also need to see the lights one last time.
 
Be careful, you might just fall in love with it. Seriously though, I either go solo or with DS and DIL (now ex DIL so back to just me and DS). Solo is just a different experience. I find myself going slower, not worrying about rides or even FP+. Make it don't make it, make it and skip it, doesn't really matter I can do what I want. I watch shows, I take my time in shops, I eat when and what I want to eat, yes french fries can be lunch. I spend more time at the resort, just sitting on the balcony or on the grounds and enjoying looking at people and soaking it all in. Enjoy, take your time and appreciate it.
 
Christmas is a great time to go-assuming you are going the early part of December and not when the crazy crowds are there (after 12/18) Osbourne lights are amazing-and were crowded before they announced this is the last year. I would recommend going on a weeknight if possible in the hope that the crowd may be slightly lighter. Stop and take it all on in-esp when they start the music. MVMCP is fun-but not as amazing as the Halloween party, so if you are not a fan of the separate hard ticket event-it is skippable. If you go-weeknights/Sundays are less crowded...the parade and fireworks are the best part of the event. Don't miss-Epcot-they have special holiday storytellers and while it can be hard to catch them-an advantage of going solo, you can keep going back to catch your favorites. (Mine are Germany, France, UK and Norway-but also China...okay...I like them all) Also some special holiday treats...I used to love the candle light processional but the last time I went at this time-2014 (wow-just last year) the crowds had gotten insane-I was with a group who was not willing to wait in line to get a FP to come back later...even the dinner package had some kind of line involved. If you are solo, you can decide what is important to you-which is the best part of solo! Have a great trip!
 

Woop! Woop! Congratulations! I'd love to go solo near Christmas! Enjoy your trip!
 
I'm also doing my first solo trip in December this year. DH and I went in April for the Flower and Garden Festival, and I went with friends to Disneyland last month.

Tried to find someone to go again in December, but no luck. Decided that I really want to go again in December, as I LOVE the parks at Christmas, and I want to see the Osborne lights one more time.

I'm interested in seeing how I like being solo for a week. Have traveled for a long weekend solo in the past, but never for a week.
 
I'm so excited! I just booked my first ever solo trip for December 6-9! This was a big decision for me because I am married with 2 small kids and just returned from our family Disney trip 2 weeks ago. I really want to see the parks decorated for Christmas and to see the lights at Hollywood Studios before they are gone forever! Any tips for a solo first timer??

Advice-assuming your family's OK with it, it won't be your last solo trip! My first solo trip came when we returned from WDW with 2 days left on 1 ticket (back in the days of non-expiring tickets). I teased that that one ticket was meant for me, the family surprised me with a return solo trip, and I've gone solo MANY times since.
 
Love my solo trips. My husband tries at least once a winter to send me for a bit to escape the cold and get an extra disney fix.
I agree with others. It is a totally different way to tour. I go slowly, people watch, go to more shows, wander and take a ton of pictures. It is addicting.
 
I'm also doing my first solo trip in December this year. DH and I went in April for the Flower and Garden Festival, and I went with friends to Disneyland last month.

Tried to find someone to go again in December, but no luck. Decided that I really want to go again in December, as I LOVE the parks at Christmas, and I want to see the Osborne lights one more time.

I'm interested in seeing how I like being solo for a week. Have traveled for a long weekend solo in the past, but never for a week.

Have fun! I was thinking of inviting a friend but I really don't want to go to Disney at Christmas with anyone that doesn't LOVE Disney like I do.
 
slow down and enjoy yourself. Whatever you miss gives you an excuse to go back:flower1: I enjoyed my first solo trip in years this past April and going back in the end of January.
 
I
Be careful, you might just fall in love with it. Seriously though, I either go solo or with DS and DIL (now ex DIL so back to just me and DS). Solo is just a different experience. I find myself going slower, not worrying about rides or even FP+. Make it don't make it, make it and skip it, doesn't really matter I can do what I want. I watch shows, I take my time in shops, I eat when and what I want to eat, yes french fries can be lunch. I spend more time at the resort, just sitting on the balcony or on the grounds and enjoying looking at people and soaking it all in. Enjoy, take your time and appreciate it.

I'm headed out solo for 8-9 days on Oct 28th. Can't wait.
 
I leave Oct 28th too but only staying until nov 4th... nervous about my first solo trip!

Hello KellyG3 - we have the exact same dates. I am staying at POP. I will send you a private message.
I am meeting up with another DISboarder for dinner at Teppan Edo. So nice to meet up with people here.
See you at Parks!
 
im booked solo from nov 28- dec 1 and im terrified but over the moon excited!
 
Going solo is awesome!!! You can do what you want, when you want. Stay out late, sleep in, etc. It's a great way to do Disney from time to time.
 
You'll have a blast! As the others have noted it is more relaxing and you'll get to do (or not do) whatever you want. It is so much easier to move around when you're not trying to coordniate/keep track of others... and don't be afraid to just sit a spell and people watch, have a Mickey Bar, Ice Cream Martini - whatever suits your fancy.
 
Definitely excited for you! I am sure that you will have an amazing time! Like others have said, going solo is truly an awesome experience and I hope this doesn't open Pandora's Box for you :D Having total freedom to do as you please during your ENTIRE trip is certainly a fun way to travel! But seeing as how you seem to be well-versed in Disney travel, I don't know if there are many "tips" to offer that you probably aren't already aware of. The only difference now is you can take advantage of solo rider lines or proudly cut in ride lines when the CM is looking for a 1 or 2 to squeeze into the ride vehicle :thumbsup2 Or is there something specific you have questions about?

As others have pointed out, the biggest difference as a solo is that you only need please yourself. Having total independence to do what you want is definitely wonderful, so treat yourself! I don't mean this in a harsh way, but take advantage of not having your family around. It's a great chance to do the things you want to do that you wouldn't have done if you were there with your family. Maybe there are rides or shows or restaurants you have had your heart set on (or not set on)? Perhaps there is a resort or two you have always wanted to explore? Maybe you have always wanted to ride the TTA 26 times in row? Make a list of things YOU have wanted to get out of your past trips but never have had the opportunity to do; going solo means you get to be selfish :-) On the other hand, since you have a family, maybe there are things you can "scout out" for your family's next big trip? Maybe there are things they would like you to report on or take pictures of? Perhaps there are ways to "involve them" without them actually being there?

But definitely soak up the "me time" as it is such an awesome way to experience Disney. The one tip I can offer is to keep the freedom in check. What I mean by that is sometimes I get carried away with the ability to do whatever, where ever, whenever and go berserk cramming in a ton of rides and shows and whatnot, but then realized I forgot to eat both breakfast and lunch. Or I have planned for several things in between ADRs and rushed through stuff and missed out on actually enjoying those moments and storing away those memories. So in the midst of all of the crazy, fun times that you will have, don't forget to sloooooow doooooown and appreciate the finer, more subtle details that Disney offers.
 
Definitely excited for you! I am sure that you will have an amazing time! Like others have said, going solo is truly an awesome experience and I hope this doesn't open Pandora's Box for you :D Having total freedom to do as you please during your ENTIRE trip is certainly a fun way to travel! But seeing as how you seem to be well-versed in Disney travel, I don't know if there are many "tips" to offer that you probably aren't already aware of. The only difference now is you can take advantage of solo rider lines or proudly cut in ride lines when the CM is looking for a 1 or 2 to squeeze into the ride vehicle :thumbsup2 Or is there something specific you have questions about?

As others have pointed out, the biggest difference as a solo is that you only need please yourself. Having total independence to do what you want is definitely wonderful, so treat yourself! I don't mean this in a harsh way, but take advantage of not having your family around. It's a great chance to do the things you want to do that you wouldn't have done if you were there with your family. Maybe there are rides or shows or restaurants you have had your heart set on (or not set on)? Perhaps there is a resort or two you have always wanted to explore? Maybe you have always wanted to ride the TTA 26 times in row? Make a list of things YOU have wanted to get out of your past trips but never have had the opportunity to do; going solo means you get to be selfish :-) On the other hand, since you have a family, maybe there are things you can "scout out" for your family's next big trip? Maybe there are things they would like you to report on or take pictures of? Perhaps there are ways to "involve them" without them actually being there?

But definitely soak up the "me time" as it is such an awesome way to experience Disney. The one tip I can offer is to keep the freedom in check. What I mean by that is sometimes I get carried away with the ability to do whatever, where ever, whenever and go berserk cramming in a ton of rides and shows and whatnot, but then realized I forgot to eat both breakfast and lunch. Or I have planned for several things in between ADRs and rushed through stuff and missed out on actually enjoying those moments and storing away those memories. So in the midst of all of the crazy, fun times that you will have, don't forget to sloooooow doooooown and appreciate the finer, more subtle details that Disney offers.
Awesome ideas! (I need to make a list!)
And... how can you forget to eat?? :P
 


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