My tips for solo travelers

[exDS vet]

For those solo WDW guests, I have some tips from one of my two solo trips.

For transportation, I really think you need to have a car. I found it to be very useful and helped me to avoid long lines for busses and dealing with crying children and fighting parents at the end of each day. Also, you have the freedom to explore all of the resort. perhaps even allowing yourself to get lost for a few moments.

Lodging. If you must stay on property, do whatever your budget will allow. I have stayed at the ASMu resort and I have even camped at FW. But I must say that staying in Kissimmee was not bad either. If you are budget minded, you can stay off property and eat most of your meals away from WDW. This will save you $$$ in the end.

Parks. See them all and always get there when they open. Take a break in the middle of the day and see some of the other attractions. If there is an event going on with celebrities involved, you might spot some of them at DTD during the afternoon. As a solo traveller, you don't usually have to save a seat early for Illuminations and other shows. You can always just squeeze in. Use FASTPASS only for those attractions with very long lines.

Explore. Take time to see everything the parks have to offer. And relax. You don't need to rush. You are on vacation afterall. You will always find things that you never knew existed when you take everything in.

Rent a boat on the Seven Seas Lagoon and see things from that perspective. It's pretty cool. I usually rent them from the marina at FW and drive the boat over the the lagoon. Very fun.

Take a tour. I strongly recommend "Backstage Magic" if it is running. It's a seven hour tour behind the scenes at several of the parks. When I took the tour in 1997, the non-discounted price was $200. My AMEX discount knocked some money off of the price, but either way, it is worth every penny.

If you are a Cast Member from outside of WDW, you must explore the CM areas. Visit all of the Company D stores. cast connection and other areas. Don't be affraid to go backstage (with your ID). It's best to ask working CM's for direction and/or help.

When seeking advice and/or directions from CM's, it's best to look at their name tag and see if they have the small Steamboat Willie pin attached. This signifies that they have worked there for at least 1 year. Otherwise you might be talking to a two week old CM, who has no idea what you are looking for.

These are just a few of the many things that will make your solo trip to WDW a very memorable one. Have fun.

 

[KarenNY]

Thanks for some great tips. I enjoyed the "Backstage Magic" tour a few years ago. It was well worth the price.

 

[DocRafiki]

If you are a Cast Member from outside of WDW, you must explore the CM areas. Visit all of the Company D stores. cast connection and other areas. Don't be affraid to go backstage (with your ID). It's best to ask working CM's for direction and/or help.

When I worked at TDS, non-WDW CM's were not allowed backstage. They were when I was a WDW CM. So, don't assume that you won't get stopped. Not only do the rules change, but at any given time a certain percentage of CMs will not be aware of the current rule.

Oh, and don't blow off new CMs. I knew more about WDW on my first day of work than most of my co-workers did. Most CMs visited WDW many times before deciding to work there. On the other hand, there are plenty of "lifers" there who couldn't care less about WDW; it is just a job to them and they don't put any effort into learning more about the resort than is required of their job. But then you've got the lifers who are true Disney fans. It's rare to find them onstage, but a great find if you are lucky enough.

 

[jerseydizdreamer]

Isn't it funny how one person's perspective on something can be completely different from another's? I agreed with many of ex-DS Vet's tips, and yet disagree on a few based on my own adventures in solo travelling at the World.

Personally, I eschew a car in favor of Disney transportation. Sure, it can be a little less inconvenient, and man oh man is Ex-DS right about fussin' and feudin' families come days end. But I'd also never want to trade some of the amazing moments I've had chatting with other guests. As a solo traveller, you can sometimes feel awful lonely... it's amazing how many times you'll wind up striking up a conversation on the bus, sharing tips, answering questions, swapping stories about the day you had or the tomorrow you're planning!

I'm also a big, big advocate of staying on site whenever you can. In my book, the extra cost will almost always balance out in convenience in the end. Of course, that said, I don't think I'd want to stay on-site unless I could afford to do it somewhere other than the All Star resorts. Nothing against them, or families or kids, but as a solo adult traveller, I'd just as soon be at a resort that doesn't specialize in that market. Sure, you'll find families and kids everywhere - it is, after all, Disney! - but there's such a thing, in my book, as overload!

Another thing I'd recommend is to bring a book or magazine, something you can shove in your bookbag, backpack or pocket. Because I go during the off-season, I don't usually find this necessary, but on that rare occasion where you're standing in line or waiting to be seated in a restaurant, it's nice to have something to read in case you don't wind up striking a conversation with someone. IT's also nice to have something to read when you sit down for a solo meal. Makes you feel less conspicuous if you have issues with that sort of thing.

I agree with the whole "explore, explore, explore" theory. I'm planning my latest solo trip and have compiled a list of things that I'm surprised I've never done before. I'm scouring the boards and websites for "hidden treasures."

I love the fact that I won't be at anyone's beck and call. If I want to stay up until 2 a.m. on Pleasure Island and sleep in the next day, nobody is going to nag me to "get up and go!" And if I want to be up at 6 a.m. to watch the sunrise over Port Orleans Riverside, nobody's going to be annoyed that I woke them up while trying to get dressed and out the door!

And that's my two cents!

Richard

 

[exDS vet]

I liked your tips as well. The book or magazine one was good too. It's just that I hate carrying things with me when I am in the parks. I will bring a camera in a small bag that will attach to my belt, and that's about it.

Another thing I did one time was bring my minidisc (MD) player with me. Also attached to my belt. This is a great item to bring because you can record your own music ahead of time. It's very small and it allows you to tune out a lot of stuff when you aren't in the mood to listen to others.

 

[theresaruth]

Richard I loved your reply. I am taking my first solo trip to WDW. I am actually going to do the things that I never get to do or have not done in awhile. The thought of staying onsite is definately something I am glad I decided to do. I have been going back and forth with the decision of whether or not to stay onsite because I have to pay the whole bill myself, but you know what, I can't see me staying anywhere else but on site...namely for the convenience of being in the middle of all the Magic and received a great AP rate...the thought of keeping my own schedule is so thrilling...get up or sleep in, room service or sit down meal at a restaurant, up at sunrise or sleep in...wow...the thought of having a book to occupy my wait time for say something like Fantasmic never occurred to me. Thank you everyone for this advise, I love this Dis Discussion board.

 

[PixieMagic]

I agree with using Disney transportation. One of the best things about going solo is the flexibility. I never know where my day will end up and if I had to keep moving a car -- yuck. One solo trip I did all 4 parks in one day and then went back to MGM at the end of the day for one last ride on TOT. I would never have done that if I'd been moving a car all over WDW.

 

[BostonTigger]

Originally posted by exDS vet
Explore. Take time to see everything the parks have to offer. And relax. You don't need to rush. You are on vacation afterall. You will always find things that you never knew existed when you take everything in.

I find that I can usually get more in by myself than I could with a group of people. Even if I go at a slow pace I still can get more in. I love going solo.

 

[Minniespal]

Thanx for the wonderful tips.