Married but solo Disney???

[bstarprincess37]

As of now, I have been on two solo trips to Disney. Although I did really enjoy myself most of the time, there were moments where I was just wanting to have someone else there to enjoy all the magic with...

My husband is not interested in returning to Disney anytime soon, but I, if I have my way would love to return again within the year. I was wondering if anyone knew of any travel or meetup groups, that I could join that wouldn't leave me feeling out of place because a) I will be alone and b) I am married not single.

Any suggestions for ways to join in with others at Disney???

(BTW- I am 27 years old, so it could be good if the group or people in the group included people around my age.)

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I've done about 15 solo trips, all while my DH stayed home. He just is not interested like I am. I am a lot older than you. I just turned 59. My DH is quite a bit older than me - so I can understand why he doesn't want to go.
Besides that, he can watch our two cats. We have no children.
I keep in very frequent contact with my DH on my cell phone, so it is almost like he is there with me. He did go on 4 WDW vacations with me, so he can imagine where I am at any given time. At least he can relate to it. I also call my Mother frequently - she worries a lot when I am away from home.

Also, with some of my solo trips, I met some women on the DIS solo boards. They were all about my age, and we met up for some of the buffet breakfasts.
This was perfect to break up some of my "alone time". We had scheduled these meets even before I got there.

 

[bstarprincess37]

I've done about 15 solo trips, all while my DH stayed home. He just is not interested like I am. I am a lot older than you. I just turned 59. My DH is quite a bit older than me - so I can understand why he doesn't want to go.
Besides that, he can watch our two cats. We have no children.
I keep in very frequent contact with my DH on my cell phone, so it is almost like he is there with me. He did go on 4 WDW vacations with me, so he can imagine where I am at any given time. At least he can relate to it. I also call my Mother frequently - she worries a lot when I am away from home.

Also, with some of my solo trips, I met some women on the DIS solo boards. They were all about my age, and we met up for some of the buffet breakfasts.
This was perfect to break up some of my "alone time". We had scheduled these meets even before I got there.

Thanks for the input .

I think talking on the phone was helpful for me too - helped me break up my day and check in with my DH. Your DH sounds very sweet. It is awesome that he is able to talk with you regularly and you feel like he's there with you!

Honestly, I wouldn't mind meeting up with people who are older or younger than me at Disney. It just helps to have someone to share some moments with. There are others I relish having alone too .

I did find that there were sometimes families who I could chat with while there in line or in passing. I am a preschool teacher and love children, so I naturally found myself chatting with families with small children...

I am decently new to the disboards so I am finding making friends on the boards or meeting people to meet up with challenging. Maybe I just need more time before that happens?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've done about 15 solo trips, all while my DH stayed home. He just is not interested like I am. I am a lot older than you. I just turned 59. My DH is quite a bit older than me - so I can understand why he doesn't want to go.
Besides that, he can watch our two cats. We have no children.
I keep in very frequent contact with my DH on my cell phone, so it is almost like he is there with me. He did go on 4 WDW vacations with me, so he can imagine where I am at any given time. At least he can relate to it. I also call my Mother frequently - she worries a lot when I am away from home.

Also, with some of my solo trips, I met some women on the DIS solo boards. They were all about my age, and we met up for some of the buffet breakfasts.
This was perfect to break up some of my "alone time". We had scheduled these meets even before I got there.

Hi Claudia, it's definitely been too many years since we've met.

To the OP, yes, there are lots of us who are happily married, but do solo Disney trips. My DH goes to Disney sometimes, but he doesn't have a desire to go nearly as often as me, nor does he have the vacation time available. I remember a DIS meet-up a couple times in May, or you could just post on the DISMeets board when you're looking for someone to share a meal or a morning or an event. I felt kind of wierd the first couple times I planned to meet someone I'd met thru the boards, but I can honestly say that everyone I've met has been so nice.
I just noticed you're a teacher-me too (at least I was until a few years ago).

 

[bstarprincess37]

Hi Claudia, it's definitely been too many years since we've met.

To the OP, yes, there are lots of us who are happily married, but do solo Disney trips. My DH goes to Disney sometimes, but he doesn't have a desire to go nearly as often as me, nor does he have the vacation time available. I remember a DIS meet-up a couple times in May, or you could just post on the DISMeets board when you're looking for someone to share a meal or a morning or an event. I felt kind of wierd the first couple times I planned to meet someone I'd met thru the boards, but I can honestly say that everyone I've met has been so nice.
I just noticed you're a teacher-me too (at least I was until a few years ago).

Aww thanks for the reply. This really is encouraging. I am keeping up my search for a more organized group - partly as a newbie it sounds really exciting to experience the parks with someone who is seasoned in visiting the Disney parks. But I think with this much time to plan maybe I can talk myself into setting up some meet-ups or checking out a DISMeet. thanks!

 

[stindall]

I understand how you feel! I'm married but planning to potentially go solo because DH just isn't as into as I am and we've been twice together. I'm 23 (DH is 28) and I'll probably be asking the same question when I decide on a date!

 

[bluedevilinaz]

I am married as well( I'm 25, DW is 26). I have yet to go solo since being married but if the opportunity came up I certainly wouldn't turn it down. If you started a thread like the Single's Social Club thread on here but for us married folks I'm sure you'd find a LOT of people would participate. I've been active in the SSC thread since before I got married and still am. I made some great friends on there. Although I have yet to meet them in person, we do talk regularly through skype/facebook/texting. Luckily, my wife enjoys Disney , although she's only been to DL the 3 times we've been together and was at WDW once as a kid. I've lost count how many trips to DL I've taken but I've been to WDW about 4 times but haven't been back since 1996scared1! I always managed my solo time by just chatting with people in lines. I never really felt alone except at meals, I did sometimes get the "Just 1?" question like they were kind of shocked. I do a lot of people watching when I'm solo and will usually get in lines that won't get in if I'm with others that are longer than 20 minutes.

 

[Bete]

First, can you consider going with your mom even if you have to pay her way? Not sure of her health, but she can use a scooter or wheelchair. You may have to take it slower and do less thrill rides, but it still would be a great way to bond with her. You could also do this with friends or cousins or neices or nephews.

Keep in touch with others on the phone; so, you don't feel lonely. I wouldn't talk about Disney, but I would chat with them. Call a friend or relative. This is particularly good when you are alone in your room. Bring a book to read and during dull moments read some. I'm bringing my i-pad on my next trip and I'll take it to the parks.

I'll go during free dining and I'll eat the cost of the room (I would be paying for a room anyway going solo); so, someone can join me more affordably. This can make it easier for someone to join you. I would go as far as paying someone's way if I felt it would be beneficial to both of us. You would eat the cost of park tickets and airfare in this scenario. In your case as a teacher it might be more difficult to do free dining.

I'm not young and my hubby is 17 years older and he will go with me sometimes to Disney, but he'll use a scooter, take naps, and do some park activities but not a full day's worth of Disney parks. I'm satisfied; because, we are with each other some of the time. Even if it's just for meals. Make it easy for hubby to join you. Also, see if there is anything else your hubby would do in Orlando that interests him and give him a day of his own fun. You can even go fishing nearby. Golf is an obvious one. This might make him more cooperative joining you there.

Join the organization D-23 and go to some of their functions. I think there was a recent get together at Disney World; I'm sure there will be more. These folks are very serious about Disney parks and such. I'm considering this avenue myself. I did a Disney meet which was sponsored by different Disney websites one year (doesn't happen anymore) and met up with two other women that I enjoyed the parks with and ate some meals with them, too.

I've done one Disney solo trip and I wanted to try it out. I would do it again. I talked with others in ride lines, too. I talked with others during parade and firework times. I even talked to a few diners. Coral Reef restaurant on the lower floor by the tank really have tables close together. I just struck up a conversation with a couple next to me. There are times this can be awkward and if someone doesn't want to be friendly then you have to move on. I find seniors travelling alone (they have annual passes and are locals) love talking to anyone. I found a world war two vet once and talked with him for at least a half hour. He loved the Voices of Liberty at Epcot and he almost saw them everyday.

You have to find your way if you want to keep doing Disney. I have a friend who has done many trips alone everywhere; his wife can't do it. He's been at it for probably 20 years with trips alone. He's very good at striking up conversations with anyone and he fairs well doing these trips (even Europe). I can't get on his level, but he does a good job enjoying himself every where. He will admit though at times it can get lonely.

Do some special Disney tours (behind the scenes tours) where you will be part of a small group. Even if you don't talk too much to one another you don't feel as alone being in a group. I loved the Disney Imagineer lunch experience at Hollywood Brown Derby. I've been thinking about doing that one again.

I really feel Disney World is a lot easier to strike up conversations with strangers. You have to decide if staying home is better or doing a trip alone will work. Some days, I liked the idea that I wasn't responsible for anyone, but myself.

Good luck.

 

[stosh]

I know what you mean! I am going to disney, universal on sept.28th,29th, and 30th...
I will also be on my own, but would love to meet up with someone or a group to go with. I am staying at the point resort in orlando, just across the street from universal....If anybody will be in the area at that time and would like to enjoy the parks, let me know....maybe we can meet up.
steve

 

[dtstampz]

I'm headed for WDW next month with dh, who has informed me that this is his LAST trip to Disney....REALLY???!!! I do have a great pal who will travel with me, and our touring styles match very well. But she can't go as often as I'd like.
So I do see a solo trip in my future...because I NEED to go back
and I want to see how a solo trip will work for me.

 

[bstarprincess37]

So funny you would suggest bringing my mom along, Bete...I just had this conversation with my DH recently but it would be quite a stretch for my mom to afford coming along so I would need to definitely save up and help pay her way...

So sweet that you were able to talk to a world war vet for 30 min! I LOVE voices of liberty so he and I would have gotten along just fine

 

[bstarprincess37]

I know what you mean! I am going to disney, universal on sept.28th,29th, and 30th...
I will also be on my own, but would love to meet up with someone or a group to go with. I am staying at the point resort in orlando, just across the street from universal....If anybody will be in the area at that time and would like to enjoy the parks, let me know....maybe we can meet up.
steve

So jealous of you! I would love to be headed back to Disney so soon!!! Would love to hear how your trip goes solo...

I'm headed for WDW next month with dh, who has informed me that this is his LAST trip to Disney....REALLY???!!! I do have a great pal who will travel with me, and our touring styles match very well. But she can't go as often as I'd like.
So I do see a solo trip in my future...because I NEED to go back
and I want to see how a solo trip will work for me.

I know...my DH said something very similar to me our last trip and he has only been 2 times If you are ever planning a solo trip let me know!

 

[bstarprincess37]

I am married as well( I'm 25, DW is 26). I have yet to go solo since being married but if the opportunity came up I certainly wouldn't turn it down. If you started a thread like the Single's Social Club thread on here but for us married folks I'm sure you'd find a LOT of people would participate. I've been active in the SSC thread since before I got married and still am. I made some great friends on there. Although I have yet to meet them in person, we do talk regularly through skype/facebook/texting. Luckily, my wife enjoys Disney , although she's only been to DL the 3 times we've been together and was at WDW once as a kid. I've lost count how many trips to DL I've taken but I've been to WDW about 4 times but haven't been back since 1996scared1! I always managed my solo time by just chatting with people in lines. I never really felt alone except at meals, I did sometimes get the "Just 1?" question like they were kind of shocked. I do a lot of people watching when I'm solo and will usually get in lines that won't get in if I'm with others that are longer than 20 minutes.

I might just have to take you up on starting that thread for Solo but married folks traveling to Disney . Any votes for what I should name it??

 

[bluedevilinaz]

I might just have to take you up on starting that thread for Solo but married folks traveling to Disney . Any votes for what I should name it??

Doesn't even have to be for solo married folks. It could be for us married folks to just chat and plan trips and talk about whatever.

Hmmmm.... I'll have to get back to ya on a name. I'm kinda at a loss at the moment.