Let me hear your stories...

[kkymmy]

Hey guys,

Some of you probably know that I'm still toying with the idea of whether to take my trip solo or cancel altogether. I'm quite happy to go solo, FL is a very sociable place and I'm sure I'd be fine and have a really great time without having to worry about keeping people happy other than myself.....but...first solo holiday....to the US of A....before the age of 21...you can see it's a bit daunting.

So....in order to help me make my mind up I'd like to hear your stories, hints, tips, facts....anything from solo trips that you'd like to tell me....good, bad or ugly. But I just want whatever decision I make to be an informed one!

Thanks

Kirsty

 

[cleo]

Hi kkymmy! It's a pretty big undertaking, but once you travel solo you may find it's a really nice way to go! I always loved traveling solo when I was younger because I could switch gears on a whim, eat what and when I wanted to, stop when I was tired and go when I wasn't, and I met some nice people along the way, too.

I'm a huge fan of solo travel. The US is about the friendliest place you'll find (I'm biased, but I think it's still fairly accurate) and Orlando has so much to offer you certainly won't be at a loss for something to do. At the same time, you're perfectly safe hanging around your resort and doing nothing if the mood strikes you. Use your common sense and you'll be just fine.

My best tip as a solo woman traveler under the age of 21? Remember: just because you can't drink doesn't mean that cute guy over there hasn't been drinking. Use your VERY BEST common sense (remember all those rules your mother and grandmother gave you!) when it comes to all things men when you're abroad. Other than that, Enjoy!! Solo trips make fantastic memories.

 

[alisonbestford]

Hi Kirsty

I haven't travelled to Orlando on my own but have been to Greece twice and Cyprus just the once alone.
I loved it
No-one to please but myself, my own itinary (which could change at any time if something better came up ) and no-one to moan at me if I just felt like curling up with a book

DD (22) has just returned from two and a half years travelling alone.
She originally went for 4 months, just after her 20th birthday, but didn't return until last month
She started off in Bangkok, on to Thailand, New Zealand and spent most of the last 2 years travelling round South America.
At the moment she's struggling to settle back here and, I strongly suspect, will be on the first flight out of the country in the New Year once she's fulfilled her promise to Eve (7) to be here for Christmas

The only advice I would give would be the obvious ones of not walking in remote places on your own and making sure that you have your bag safe and in sight at all times - DD had her bag stolen a couple of times on her travels and it was up to 'good old mum' to sort out emergency cash to Western Union and replacement cash/credit cards

The only other thing I'd say is 'go and have a blast'

 

[kkymmy]

thanks guys, a great start to what i hope will be a very informative thread.

on the terms of safety I am staying on property if I go, and will be using the likes of Disney transport and probably will only leave Disney for one or two days to go to the mall and possibly Seaworld.

I know this doesn't make it 100% safe but it makes it more secure in my mind than travelling up and down I-Drive late at night alone.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

You may find some tips & advice on here too.

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=54

Staying on-site seems like a great idea.

 

[Madjock]

I was treated to a weekend in London for my 21st Birthday I didn’t travel alone but I had such a great time and loved London so much that when I got back to Glasgow I handed in my notice informed my family and friends that I was off and moved down to London. I guess that was my first solo trip I’ve now been south of the border more years than I was north.

After that, in my young, free and single days, I made a few solo trips; Cyprus, Italy and Goa to name a few. I loved being solo on trips, it really is an experience. When you travel on your own you make much more of an effort to actually engage with people and you seem to get to meet a much wider variety of people.

Now if my DDs said they wanted to go backpacking and stay in youth hostels like I did then I would be worried sick but if they told me they were off on a solo trip to WDW and staying on site then I honestly don’t think I’d bat an eyelid because I can’t think of anywhere, other than at home, that’s as safe.

There’s a lot to be said for being able to please yourself and having no-one to answer to. If you enjoy your own company and don’t mind some peace and quiet then a solo trip is bliss. This may sound silly but there is a huge sense of achievement in travelling alone.

 

[kkymmy]

yeah I mean with the whole only child thing I'm used to whiling away my own time....and it'll be so nice to ride singles lines without being bothered about being split up and just doing it to save time!

I have travelled alone before (flew from Uganda to London via Dubai, and back again) but always had people to meet me at either end....

If I did go solo I'd make such an effor to talk to cast members because I'm hoping to be one for a year when I finish here in Liverpool. So I guess it would be a great opportunity to do that without worrying about stopping other people from doing other things.

I think I've made my mind up, depending on the quote that I get back....but would still love to hear more stories!!

 

[edinburghlass]

I have travelled to NZ a couple of times on my own, staying at Hong Kong, Singapore, Fiji, Hawaii enroute and I would agree with the poster who said make an effort to engage with other people and I'm sure you'll find they are happy to chat.

Much to my daughter's embarrassment I talk to people anywhere, queues, supermarkets any shops etc and I think in Disney you will find it probably even easier.

At the UK Pavillion the UK CM's are more than willing to chat about their experience out there, I know as I have talked to them and the other "foreigners" are more than happy to talk about their own country.

Unless I was very hot and tired on the Disney buses invariably I would end up chatting to someone about what great thing we had done that day