Nervous about going solo!

[LilyWDW]

So a bit of a backstory. I was supposed to go this October with my mother for Food and Wine Festival. However, last October my mom was diagnosed with Lung Cancer and passed away in May of this year. I decided to postpone my trip until next October because I felt this year the wounds would be just too fresh for me.

As of right now I am going solo. I might try and see if I can get my cousin to come, but not sure if it is at all possible. Her husband works full time and they have 2 little kids. So, gonna extend the invitation knowing there is a good chance she won't be able to.

However, I have NEVER traveled by myself in my 31 years. I'm nervous as heck about it. Any general hints or tips? I am going for Food and Wine as it is my favorite event at Disney. I am planning 9 days including travel days (so 7 days AT Disney). Is that too much?

What about dining? Do the servers treat you differently because you are dining alone? I am looking at doing Raglan Road, Via Napoli, Boma (Dinner), Hollywood Brown Derby, and Flying Fish. How do you handle buffets when it is just you? I worry I would go up and they would think I left!

Hotel wise I am thinking POFQ (it is my favorite). I know it well and it is very compact. I have a garden view room and am going to request close to the main building for additional safety (more people in general closer to the center of the resort). Anything else I should be thinking about?

Thank you all in advance for any answers. This is such a new experience for me.

 

[LoriZH]

I have never traveled to Disney World by myself, but have traveled around Disney World by myself during the Food and Wine Festival. So although I cannot answer most of your questions, I did want to offer my sympathies regarding the loss of your mother

If it were me, I would still go, I think you would enjoy yourself. The Food and Wine Festival is great to just walk around, taste the foods of the world, the wine and listen to the music. It really is enjoyable. I have done almost all the attractions and shows by myself and enjoyed them just the same as when I'm with my family, it's Disney Magic!

As far as your resort stay, if you're staying alone, let them know in advance and I'm pretty sure they'll accommodate you. I went alone with my children once when they were little and the resort accommodated me no problem. I too am thinking POFQ for my solo.

The only thing I wouldn't know what to do with myself and the reason I visited the page in the first place because I am going to take a trip to DW by myself most likely in January would be dinners. I don't know if I could do a sit down dinner alone. There are plenty of other options and I've probably tried most of the sit down restaurants that I've wanted to already anyway so I could live with quick service.

So whether you still go with someone, alone or postpone, I wish you the best and have a magical trip

 

[bettyann29]

First of all, I wanted to tell you that I was sorry about your mother..

I have gone to WDW many times, several of those being completely solo. I have also gone down there and met up with friends the entire time and also gone and did a partial solo trip, meaning some days I went solo and the other days I would meet up with my friends..

I think going during Food and Wine would be an excellent time to go. That way you can walk around and try out those foods if you choose to. I've gone once during Food and Wine and loved it. I've never sat down at one of the table service when I went solo. I always did counter service when I was on a solo day and saved the sit down meals for when I was with friends.. but this is Disney, I cannot imagine them treating you any differently just because you are by yourself. I would imagine they would make it a wonderful experience for you! If I was going to a buffet meal, I would probably say something up front to the server about putting your napkin on the plate so that would be their signal that you are actually finished with your meal and let them know up front that you wanted to give them a signal so they don't clear your table while you get up.

The first time I went solo I thought it was ok, but didn't love it so much.. but afterwards I reflected on it and realized that I didn't take advantage of what being solo means. You can do what you want, when you want. You can sleep in if you want or relax by the pool.. You can come back and take a nap or sit down for a parade hours ahead so that you can get the best spot ever and no one will complain. You can take advantage of talking to the CM's and learning their stories.. where they come from, etc.. you can also take advantage of the single rider line.. You can wander around aimlessly taking pictures.. The possibilities are endless!! You can soak up the magic.. You can take a behind the scenes tour.. There is so much Disney history to be learned and you can do just that..

And most of all, enjoy yourself!!

POFQ is an excellent choice! You are correct that it is not as big as some of the others.. I've been there several times and so far it is my favorite moderate! I will say that I have never felt anything other than completely safe on my solo trips! Now I wouldn't be walking around advertising to everyone on the bus that I was solo, but I wouldn't hesitate to talk with others.. just be aware of your surroundings and you should be fine!

I hope you have a wonderful trip and report back on your feelings about it... I bet you will be ready for the next solo adventure!

 

[blitz9999]

Dont be afraid You wont be treated diffrently ... I was supposed to take my nephew in October but it was cancelled too...I wish I had the guts to go alone !!

 

[DisneyInfinityFan]

As someone who travels to WDW by myself all the time, I absolutely love it. The cast members treat me the same way they treat a family of 4. They are trained to treat guests in a friendly manner. They don't look at how many people is in your party. As far as restaurants and buffets, don't worry about it. I have done several restaurants and buffets including Boma. The food is absolutely delicious. My waiter was extremely friendly. I was not the only person dining alone that night. When I left to get more food, the waiter knew it. I went up at least three times to get food. I have done the buffet in Frontierland also. At first I thought the portions will be too much for me because they brought plates of food for family of 4. I was pleasantly surprised that the restaurant actually provided me with smaller portion where I could enjoy everything. You should just relax and enjoy because they will take care everything. Don't worry too much.

 

[PoohLover78]

Hey Lily,

I am also going alone to Disney in late Oct/early Nov for somewhat similar reasons. My dad passed away last year and I wanna celebrate his memory at Disney as it was one of his favorite places in the world.

My biggest quarrel is dining on my own. I usually feel pretty out of place at any sit down place having lunch or dinner on my own. I travel a lot on my own, simply because of my job. Now, I have never been treated differently. I've often experienced the waiters were even more friendly, chatting me up an all just because I was on my own. I guess they felt I could need a little entertainment?

That said, maybe you'd like to get together for dinner at Boma? I have it on my list as a maybe atm simply because I am really torn about going alone.

 

[NJDiva]

To blitz and Lily, what about traveling solo has you nervous?
do you think people will look at you or treat you differently?
do you think it's not fun in the parks alone?
do you think that it's not a safe environment?
there are tons of people on the board that travel solo all the time, myself included, and the one thing I think we all agree on is that the freedom you feel when you go to the parks solo is so great. you truly feel the magic a different way, watching kids enjoying the experience for the first time, seeing groups of friends laughing and having fun from all walks of life is so awesome. there are many of us that can help you through your nervousness, just let us know what it is...

 

[winterman]

Lily, I'm so sorry for the loss of your mother.

My DH died in Jan. 2012, 3 months after being diagnosed with lung cancer. He was many things to me, including my travel companion. DH had managed to accumulate 80,000 miles and he didn't want the airlines to take them away, if they found out he was dead. So, our DS made a flight reservation for me for Orlando in the following Dec., at my request. WDW is where DH and I went almost yearly. I love it and am very comfortable there.

I had never traveled alone, except years ago when I would be met at both ends of a flight by family. I had asked DS to book the flight for me, knowing I could always cancel and would only be out $10 and some miles. During the next 11 months, I retired, sold my house, moved 150 miles in with my DD for 3 months while I had a new house built near her, and the saw birth of her son (the reason for my move). I figured if I could get through all that, a trip to my favorite place on earth should be easy.

The Dec. trip was a little sad but mostly good. It just gets lonely. My oldest friend lives in Orlando and she and her DD spent a day with me at MK. I even rented a car because DH and I always had. I proved to myself that I could do it.

This July I went back for a few days while DD, DSiL and DGS (now 14 mo.) were there. That was fun but I really missed the freedom of going as a couple or a solo, plus the heat was awful. So, within a week of coming home I booked a return trip for Nov. The last 2 trips I stayed at POR but this time it will be POFQ. I like those resorts because of the boat to DTD. At POR I was always in a preferred room, so I was not too far from the food court. I always took sensible precautions but I never was the least bit nervous about being alone. (In July DD was at POP.)

As I prepare for my 3rd trip to WDW in less than a year, I am finally really EXCITED to be going. Last time I accomplished another first for me by eating by myself at a TS restaurant. I will do that in Nov. again. I don't know if I will ever travel to anywhere else but I am proud of what I've done.

I should add that a few weeks after I booked this trip, DS asked if he could join me. So, he will share my room for the first half of the trip. I'll have the last 3 days to myself.

Time really does help. Stick with your plans. It all sounds great.

 

[zianha]

I'm so sorry about the loss of your mom.

I haven't been on a solo trip yet, but I can't wait to take one! You'll be able to enjoy yourself and go at your own pace! Plus, you can take advantage of single rider lines!

As someone else mentioned, you won't be treated differently if you dine alone. Cast members have always been awesome about making everyone feel at home whether you are alone or not.

I'm not sure how comfortable you are with doing meet ups with others, but I know there are many people here as well as in groups on Facebook who travel solo and plan meet ups for rides and for dining. Just depends on how you feel about that!

I think you'll have a great time!!

 

[Woth2982]

I am going solo in November too......I think.....I have an open invitation out to any of my friends that may want to join me. However, if I do end up entirely solo, I am looking forward to it. I will probably do mostly CS just to save some money, but my TS meals I will probably have for breakfast and bring my Kindle, and enjoy my book while I enjoy my breakfast! I plan on doing a few tours that I know none of my friends would be willing to pay for. I am excited about the opportunity to do the trip my way on my time! Try not to be nervous and think of it as something new and exciting. I went to London solo a few years back and LOVED every minute of it! I didn't feel like I had to worry about what anyone else was doing or wonder if they were irritated because I wanted to take my time on certain things. It was great!

 

[ludari]

So a bit of a backstory. I was supposed to go this October with my mother for Food and Wine Festival. However, last October my mom was diagnosed with Lung Cancer and passed away in May of this year. I decided to postpone my trip until next October because I felt this year the wounds would be just too fresh for me.

As of right now I am going solo. I might try and see if I can get my cousin to come, but not sure if it is at all possible. Her husband works full time and they have 2 little kids. So, gonna extend the invitation knowing there is a good chance she won't be able to.

However, I have NEVER traveled by myself in my 31 years. I'm nervous as heck about it. Any general hints or tips? I am going for Food and Wine as it is my favorite event at Disney. I am planning 9 days including travel days (so 7 days AT Disney). Is that too much?

What about dining? Do the servers treat you differently because you are dining alone? I am looking at doing Raglan Road, Via Napoli, Boma (Dinner), Hollywood Brown Derby, and Flying Fish. How do you handle buffets when it is just you? I worry I would go up and they would think I left!

Hotel wise I am thinking POFQ (it is my favorite). I know it well and it is very compact. I have a garden view room and am going to request close to the main building for additional safety (more people in general closer to the center of the resort). Anything else I should be thinking about?

Thank you all in advance for any answers. This is such a new experience for me.

I'm very sorry about the passing of your mother. I understand the difficulty with losing a parent.

In regards to your WDW trip I believe your nervous reaction is normal but that you would be fine. I truely believe that you deserve this trip.

I travel solo at least three or four times a year to WDW for at least three or four days each visit, so your seven day visit is fine. Traveling solo gives you the opportunity to do what you want when you want which is something I enjoy about my solo trips. I've visited all those resturants you mentioned and my favorite is Boma. I don't feel I get treated any differently in fact I think I get seated faster than anyone else and that is without making any dining reservations. I have those same concerns you have mentioned about eating at buffets but I make sure when I first meet my server I inform them not to clear my table until I tell them I am done which works out perfectly. I also bring a magazine or book with me and I typically leave that on my chair when I return to fill another plate.

I usually stay at one of deluxe resorts (I'm DVC) and I also make sure I save time to enjoy and relax at the pool. You might also want to consider scheduling a tour, which I often do when visit WDW. One of my favorites is the Segway tour at Epcot.

Feel free and send me a private message if you have any other questions.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[LilyWDW]

Thank you ALL for your responses. It means a lot that you are so willing to help out. I also appreciate the condolences about my mom. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. Watching her get sick and then pass was horrid. I would never wish it on my worse enemy.

I guess what I am most nervous about it just being alone at Disney. Will I have as much fun as I did when mom was with me? Will it drive me nuts not to have someone to talk to about everything that is happening? I know Disney is safe (though you should still take normal precautions). I will be relying on Disney transportation.

It is just such a NEW experience for me. I will be flying (since I am moving to Indiana before too long) and I have never flown alone.

I will have a schedule for myself (I am actually OCD and scheduling helps keep my anxiety low). 7 days in the parks. 1 morning at each for rope drop to hit the rides. Then 3 more days at Epcot for just Food and Wine. I also have a lot of evenings that are not planned (when I do rope drop I leave about mid afternoon (3ish)). Mostly to rest at the resort, hang out at the pool, or go to DTD for dinner (YUM Wolfgang Puck Express and Earl of Sandwich).

I actually am not as nervous about eating out alone as I was because I had an awesome experience today doing so. I went to an outlet mall about 1.5 hours away and had a sit down lunch at my fav restaurant there. The server was great! I was worried that by eating alone the server wouldn't care as much about my service since it would be a smaller bill. This woman was so great that I tipped her $10 on a $25 bill (it was a steakhouse so a bit more expensive).

It will be an emotional trip and I think that is also something that is throwing me off. Not having anyone there with me for comfort the first time I walk into MK without my mom at my side. Even thinking about it now hurts.

 

[Disneyfan71]

I am sorry to hear about your mom. I've never been to WDW solo either. But I figured, I might as well. Because I feel like it's way past time to visit. I've decided to go the first week of May 2014. When I can, I am going to book my trip. Thinking of staying at Pop Century. Then again I might splurge and stay somewhere a little nicer

 

[DakotaRose]

Going solo at Disney was easier than I expected. Cast members are quite friendly, and waiters/waitresses would visit with me if they had a few moments. I had a good conversation every day, sometimes a few of them, with fellow travelers. I am not outgoing, but offering to take a photo or saying something kind seems to put people at ease.

I didn't ever feel concerned about my safety. I am alert to my surroundings, and stayed with other foot traffic after dark. At night, I get my room key out on the bus to avoid searching for it at the door.

I had one or two table service meals every day because I love to eat. Other diners are pretty absorbed in their own conversation/food to notice single diners. It was a nice, air-conditioned break, too. I usually had something to distract me while waiting - deleting photos, catching up on texts, reading. Rather than tote around my Kindle, I bought a paperback book for the trip and carried around 40 pages or so at a time, throwing them away as I read. It took less space and less weight in my purse.

I hope this gives you tips and encouragement for your trip. Think of it as just a few days of something different. And remember, there are a lot of people who feel sentimental at WDW, for all kinds of reasons. Wishing you the very best!!

 

[Jvb24210]

It's good to hear this. I have my first solo trip in Oct.

 

[karly05]

First off, let me add condolences on the loss of your Mom. I know how tough that can be.

In 2012, I went to WDW on my first solo vacation ever, anywhere, and I'm older than you are. I was nervous, too; this was a big adventure for me. But it was awesome - so much so that I did it again this year and am already booked for next year.

I did a couple of things you're doing: I splurged on the Beach Club because I had stayed there before, it was familiar, and I knew I liked it. And I deliberately went out to eat solo at a couple of familiar restaurants at home, because I'd never done that before, either. (I also had good experiences with that.)

This year, I stayed at POFQ to save some money, and I loved it! You are already familiar with the resort, but I lucked onto a great room location, Garden View in Building 5 facing the lawn, in the section closest to the main bldg (I was 5344). I'm not a night owl, so was never out super-late, but when I came home, the movie was always playing on the lawn and there were plenty of people/families around.

You've got a couple of my favorites on your restaurant list: Via Napoli and Flying Fish. I've never been uncomfortable with solo dining at WDW and always been treated well; they nearly always seat me at a 2-top by a window, which is nice.

I don't know if you have anyone back home to communicate with, but I text and send pictures to my sister from time to time during the trip and would call and chat with her in the evenings. (We do this at home a lot, too.)

Good luck on the solo trip; I know it can be daunting at first, but it's definitely doable and can be a great time.

 

[NJDiva]

Thank you ALL for your responses. It means a lot that you are so willing to help out. I also appreciate the condolences about my mom. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. Watching her get sick and then pass was horrid. I would never wish it on my worse enemy.

I guess what I am most nervous about it just being alone at Disney. Will I have as much fun as I did when mom was with me? Will it drive me nuts not to have someone to talk to about everything that is happening? I know Disney is safe (though you should still take normal precautions). I will be relying on Disney transportation.

It is just such a NEW experience for me. I will be flying (since I am moving to Indiana before too long) and I have never flown alone.

I will have a schedule for myself (I am actually OCD and scheduling helps keep my anxiety low). 7 days in the parks. 1 morning at each for rope drop to hit the rides. Then 3 more days at Epcot for just Food and Wine. I also have a lot of evenings that are not planned (when I do rope drop I leave about mid afternoon (3ish)). Mostly to rest at the resort, hang out at the pool, or go to DTD for dinner (YUM Wolfgang Puck Express and Earl of Sandwich).

I actually am not as nervous about eating out alone as I was because I had an awesome experience today doing so. I went to an outlet mall about 1.5 hours away and had a sit down lunch at my fav restaurant there. The server was great! I was worried that by eating alone the server wouldn't care as much about my service since it would be a smaller bill. This woman was so great that I tipped her $10 on a $25 bill (it was a steakhouse so a bit more expensive).

It will be an emotional trip and I think that is also something that is throwing me off. Not having anyone there with me for comfort the first time I walk into MK without my mom at my side. Even thinking about it now hurts.

I think this is the best way to honor your mom!! I know that I it will be a different feeling without her physically there but trust me, she will be with you throughout your trip. Go to those places that you shared a special moment and keep a journal of the trip. when you go to those places, write about a fun memory, something that makes you smile everytime you think about it. I know you will have a lot of emotions running through you...some good, some sad but in the end, your mom showed you the joy and magic of Disney, take that with you as a comfort...you will always be able to say "mom and I shared the magic of Disney"
You can do this trip, I'm guessing your mom taught you how to be a strong person...again, difficult does not mean you can't. we are all in your corner, and if you need some encouragement before you get on the plane, just send us a message here and we will be right with you (at least electronically!)
remember you mom is always watching over you...

 

[MrsBusDriver]

So sorry about your mother

You should go and enjoy yourself, think of it as an adventure. Being nervous is part of the adventure, once you have gone you will feel the thrill of victory as you walk around the parks and enjoy dinner at your favorite restaurants. This is something I would like to do myself but may only get to go off on my own for a little while when I go with others.

Speaking for myself I have pulmonary fibrosis so don't know how long I have left, so far I have outlived my original doctor's prediction and am planning on outliving a second doctor's prediction. Anyhow I am a DVC member and have told my daughter that when I am gone that if she wants to sell the membership that is fine but to take one more trip for me and to pull out all the stops. I would rather have her and her BF going on the trip of a lifetime then have a big funeral. When my kids were little we did a day at Universal CA in memory of my mother who would have wanted us to have a good time. I think that is a great way to remember Someone. Remember Mom is with you in spirit.

 

[LilyWDW]

Thank you all.. again. I don't know how to express how much your words have helped and how much it means to me. I can't thank you all enough.

Some of my worries have been stemming from health issues. I have had two moderate allergic reactions in the past week. Both ended up with me in the ER getting meds and breathing treatments. I also have a chronic condition that has not yet been diagnosed. Today I finally got referrals to specialists so hopefully soon I will have some answers. It is just hard to think about traveling with how I have been feeling lately.

I do think I NEED this trip even if it is over a year away. My life has been in such chaos lately and I don't see it changing much soon. I need something solid to look forward to. Something in the future that I know will be fun and enjoyable... an escape.

 

[LilyWDW]

Alright, that last post was a bit emotional and I sort of just had to stop.

Let me ask another "opinion" question. Do you all think I should plan as much as I might have when traveling with another person? Should I shorten my "to do" list, be more flexible, and take more time to just observe and enjoy? What do you all prefer to do when you are solo?

I usually plan a lot. Not only ADRs and what park, which day, but also things like what rides to hit first, what are better at busier times of the year, and things like that. It is so hard for me to plan a trip for myself because I have ALWAYS worried about others and if they are enjoying themselves. So I am finding it hard to know what I want...