Nervous about going solo!

[glammadiva]

I join everyone's condolences about your mom's passing. I spent a week at AKL for a week earlier this month and had the best time ever!!! I did two tours, which I loved, got to have fun with my MB, had a lovely lunch at HBD, and my server was great, and had lunch at BOG. Don't stress and have a great time!

 

[JohnstonMandy]

Your post broke my heart. I too lost my mom to cancer, almost 5 years ago when I was 28. Disney was a very very special place for us.

I took my 5 year old daughter to the magic kingdom last September and found a LOT of healing there. It was bittersweet and I cried a lot, but it was also one of the best days of my life.

Please don't be nervous. Enjoy the solitude, take it all in, and heal. That is my prayer for you. I wish you a truly magical trip. Hugs!

 

[Farm Girl]

Hi Lily,

It is very sad about your Mom. I am sure you miss her very much. I typically travel to Disney with my sister but because we have a farm and many animals, we sometimes have to go solo. We miss being there with each other and you likely will miss your Mom too.

Going solo at Disney can be a wonderful experience. You can travel fast and relax whenever you like. It's kind of like always getting your own way, and who doesn't like that?

I suggest you stay at your favourite resort for sure. It will be more comfortable and like being at home. You will be more relaxed.

My sister and I are going in October as well. Let's hope for great weather and low crowds. I hope you have the best time.

 

[winthropf]

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...

If you enjoy planning, do it. But since you are solo, be ready at any time to dump the plan if something catches your eye.

 

[LilyWDW]

Going solo at Disney can be a wonderful experience. You can travel fast and relax whenever you like. It's kind of like always getting your own way, and who doesn't like that?

I think this might be the best way for me to think about it. Going solo means doing what I want to do. I am the type of person that always worries about making other people happy so this would be a huge change. If I want to ride Haunted Mansion 5 times in a row, then I can. If I want to not eat a real lunch but have a dole whip instead, then I can.

Maybe I am over thinking things. Have a general plan (which park on which day and ADRs) and then just go from there.

 

[karly05]

I think this might be the best way for me to think about it. Going solo means doing what I want to do. I am the type of person that always worries about making other people happy so this would be a huge change. If I want to ride Haunted Mansion 5 times in a row, then I can. If I want to not eat a real lunch but have a dole whip instead, then I can.

Maybe I am over thinking things. Have a general plan (which park on which day and ADRs) and then just go from there.

Sounds like you're on the right track.

What I've done on my solo trips is to go in knowing my priorities/must do's (and what I have to do to achieve them - TSM at rope drop, etc.), decide which park for which morning, and make the ADRs I want. (I always have Park Hoppers, wouldn't go without them, and tend to do Epcot mostly in the afternoon/evening because I like to eat several meals there).

This year's trip was great. On my arrival day (Thursday) I got to Epcot around 3 pm, was able to get a Soarin' FP for around 7 pm and used the Single Rider line at Test Track, so I got the two hard-to-get Epcot rides out of the way and didn't have to "waste" a Rope Drop on them. Friday was my MK day, Saturday was AK, Sunday was rope drop at DHS then I split the day between there and Epcot. I went into Monday and Tuesday with a couple of ADRs but no other hard plans, and could park hop as I liked. I did another morning at DHS on Monday, most of Tuesday at MK, and ended up both evenings at Epcot.

My favorite example of the joys of going solo (and park hopping): this year, on Tuesday (my last day), I was at MK and pondering what I wanted for lunch. Decided that what I really wanted was Fish & Chips from the UK stand at Epcot - so hopped the monorail and went to Epcot just for lunch, then went back to MK for the afternoon. (Then back to Epcot for dinner ADR - I am a park-hoppin' fool!)

 

[Cee]

First, I am so very sorry you lost your mom.


Second, going solo to WDW is awesome and you will love it. I predict so much so, that you just might schedule a solo trip every few years.

Enjoy!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Tigerlily952]

I too will be at WDW alone in Oct. though friends will arrive late the first evening, so I will not be completely alone. I am pondering the restaurant thing. I have decided to go to Tea at the GF the afternoon I arrive then possibly meet some. DISers later at Epcot. My last trip to WDW was in January for a memorial to my mother and step-father who also passed away, we gave them a lovely tribute with just a little disney magic sprinkled in. If you are at WDW on the 4th I would be happy to meet up with you.

 

[Funky Chicken]

I am going to try a couple of solo days Sept. 18-20.

Lost my mom in May due to complications from surgery-totally unexpected.. Hoping that 48 hours of doing whatever I want to do at WDW will provide some
diversion and healing. I am not going to run myself ragged, and there are a few things I will definitely fit into my time there-
Rent a SeaRaycer
Breakfast at Kona
Ride Soarin' a few times in a row
Have a nice margarita at La Cava
Wishes from Poly Beach
Sitting on various benches eating and people watching

I am staying at ASMo with an orbitz 20% discount-no need to splurge on a room. I may hit AK just to ride EE (which my wife and 8 year old daughter want no part of).

 

[JenLyn1620]

I'm going to be at Disney for 9 nights at the end of October. I will be there for a conference for 5 of the 9 nights. I am staying on property, so I plan to go to one of the parks each night after my conference lets out...and then I will have 4 days by myself in the parks. Most people are shocked to hear I am going to Disney World by myself. I, on the other hand, think it will be fantastic! I have been to Disney World plenty of times with other people and it always seems that I am catering to their needs. This trip will be all about me and I can do anything and everything that I want