Not what I planned but trying to ignore the anxiety-A solo February PTR

[Kristi391]

So I am going to WDW solo in 18 days! I love WDW so I am excited to be going and honestly, nothing sounds better than getting away for a while, but because it is not the vacation I planned I am really nervous about it.

Backstory:

Last summer my brother and his girlfriend of 10 years were planning a trip to the World in February for girlfriend to run the Princess Half Marathon. I was included in this planning because I love WDW. Things had been kind of up in the air about the trip due to my brother losing his job in June. He did what he needed to do, went on lots of interviews and got a new job in August. The trip was still on! DB and I did a ton of research and he and GF were able to get a few nights at Boardwalk through a friend with DVC and were in the process of picking another resort for the other days. I booked AoA LM room for the week. We found great airfare, which we booked and things were set!

Until...a week later when GF decided she was done with the relationship and left. DB was pretty devastated and is still grieving this loss. He's doing a million times better now than he was back in the fall but definitely not ready to take a trip he was so looking forward to with his former GF. (And the possibility of running in to her is also enough to keep him away).

That leaves me with a already paid for flight and 7 night vacation. DB felt awful about the whole situation and I have been telling him, "No big deal. I will still go and have fun on my own." even though in my head I was thinking, "Am I going to be crazy lonely at a place that is full of families???"

At one point my DSil and DN5 were going to come down with me, which got me really excited about the trip again, but then some health issues popped up and I was solo once again.

So, I leave in 18 days and a bundle of nerves and excitement. So many questions I keep asking myself:

Will I be lonely?
Can I eat at a TS meal alone and not feel self-conscious?
Do I add days on to my 4 day park passes or have 2 non-park days?
Should I leave the bubble and go to Universal for a day? (I love Harry Potter and haven't seen the new stuff at US)
Should I spend the extra money and do a backstage magic tour?


Thanks for reading and stay tuned!

 

[Kristi391]

So because I have a snow day today (3 feet of snow last week another foot today) I figured I would give a bit more information for this report.

I will start with an introduction:

I am Kristi.

I am single and have no children, but I have an almost 5 year old nephew who I take care of several days a week and I adore. I am a special education teacher who works with emotionally and behaviorally disordered middle school students in an out of district placement. I love my job most days, but it can be exhausting. In addition to my full-time job I work weekends at Toys r Us. I have been working there for over 20 years and it helps fund my travel addiction. I also have a seasonal job during the winter for a local high school girls hockey team scoring and time keeping. I also baby-sit my cousin's 7 year old daughter twice a week after school. (One of those days I have both the 7 year old and 5 year old and the conversations in the car are hysterical!)

So I keep pretty busy. I love to travel and have been lucky enough to go on some amazing vacations. I also love reading, movies, concerts and hanging out with friends.

Disney favorites:

Movie: Frozen
Park: Epcot
Resort: Port Orleans French Quarter
Snack: Funnel Cake
Attraction: The American Adventure

That's all for now. Time to do something productive.

 

[Kristi391]

So even though I don't think anyone is reading this, it is kind of getting me more excited for this trip so I am going to keep writing. Also the fact that we have a few feet of snow on the ground and more on the way is enough to get me excited about going someplace with no snow. (And this from a chick who loves winter!)

This is what I have so far for plans:

Friday February 20

Fly out of Providence at 5:15 get to MCO at 8:30 (Hopefully no weather issues)
ME to AoA (Super excited about staying here!)
Get some food and go to bed!

Saturday September 21

Breakfast at Wolfgang Puck Express-Dying to try the chocolate chip waffle!
Hang out at DTD
Movie at AMC
Sundae at Ghiradelli
Back to resort to explore
Dinner somewhere...not sure where yet.

Sunday-Magic Kingdm
Monday-Hollywood Studios
Tuesday-Epcot
Wednesday-Non-park day...considering Backstage Magic tour (If still available)
Thursday-Magic Kingdom
Friday-Not sure-Flight to MHT is at 7:45 so I have a good part of the day to do something before heading to the airport.

I have fast passes for all the park days. No ADRs, as I don't think I am comfortable eating at a table service on my own. Probably just counter service. We shall see what happens.


That is all for now.

 

[NARM Forever]

Sounds fabulous, Kristi. I understand your anxiety and excitement. I'm sure that you will have a wonderful time. I am going in March, I only have one day on my own but I'm really looking forward to it. I want to go to Fort Wildness to take a look around, I might even rent a bike, I'll probably spend some time at DTD too, I love to people watch. Have fun!

NARM

 

[PippiDancer]

I'm going on my first solo trip in April, so I totally get the anxiety. It is a bummer that your trip isn't going to be what you thought it would, but I'm sure it will still be amazing! I think doing the Backstage Magic Tour sounds like a lot of fun. But if you aren't sure if you want to spend the money or dedicate an entire day to it, I suggest looking into the Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour. It is only $30 for a 3 hour tour.

 

[Kristi391]

Sounds fabulous, Kristi. I understand your anxiety and excitement. I'm sure that you will have a wonderful time. I am going in March, I only have one day on my own but I'm really looking forward to it. I want to go to Fort Wildness to take a look around, I might even rent a bike, I'll probably spend some time at DTD too, I love to people watch. Have fun!

NARM

Thanks! I had thought about going over to Fort Wilderness and exploring. I never thought about renting a bike. I am going to look into that because I bet it would be fantastic!

I'm going on my first solo trip in April, so I totally get the anxiety. It is a bummer that your trip isn't going to be what you thought it would, but I'm sure it will still be amazing! I think doing the Backstage Magic Tour sounds like a lot of fun. But if you aren't sure if you want to spend the money or dedicate an entire day to it, I suggest looking into the Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour. It is only $30 for a 3 hour tour.

Thanks for the advice! The Marceline to Magic Kingdom is a great idea if I decide not to to the Backstage Magic. It certainly would save a lot of money. I did Keys to the Kingdom last year with my mom and we both thought it was fantastic. I haven't really heard anything bad about any tours.

 

[princessbelle2015]

Joining in. I am also single and understand your anxiety with going to wdw solo however if I was travelling anywhere solo I would want it to be disney.

 

[Kristi391]

Joining in. I am also single and understand your anxiety with going to wdw solo however if I was travelling anywhere solo I would want it to be disney.

Hi! Glad you stopped by! I have gone on a few other weekend trips on my own, but they were planned as solo trips and they were only for 3 days, so I think that is what is making this more anxiety provoking for me. That and the fact that Disney is so family centered, but I keep looking at things that I wouldn't necessarily do with friends or family, so that is making it a little easier to get excited.

 

[ursalita]

Hi!

It certainly sounds like you deserve a vacation with how hard you work. I hope you are able to relax and enjoy it. I know I would be thrilled to be leaving all this snow (I'm in RI) for sunny FL this month.

Your DTD plans for your non-park day sound fantastic. You'll be so busy you won't even realize you're by yourself.

 

[NARM Forever]

...and just think of all that people watching you can do. My favourite was seeing Alice in Wonderland on the teacups with a little girl dressed as Alice, super cute

NARM

 

[ksl5f123]

I just had to comment on a PTR where the favorite attraction is American Adventure! My family often rolls their eyes at me when I want to do that. See, I just found an advantage of going solo - nobody to roll their eyes at your attraction choices!

 

[Kristi391]

Hi!

It certainly sounds like you deserve a vacation with how hard you work. I hope you are able to relax and enjoy it. I know I would be thrilled to be leaving all this snow (I'm in RI) for sunny FL this month.

Your DTD plans for your non-park day sound fantastic. You'll be so busy you won't even realize you're by yourself.

Seriously! The winter was so tame until about 2 weeks ago! I am about 30 miles NW of Boston and we have SO much snow on the ground and more on the way!. I need to get out and try to get some of it off my roof before we get hit again!

I'm hoping for just the right balance between having tons of stuff to do and some relaxing/resort exploring/reading time!

BTW, this will be my first time flying out of Providence and I have heard great things about that airport, so I am looking forward to that new experience.

...and just think of all that people watching you can do. My favourite was seeing Alice in Wonderland on the teacups with a little girl dressed as Alice, super cute NARM

People watching is so much fun!!! The little girl in the Alice dress must have been super excited! I love magical moments like that! So simple but I am sure it made that little girl (and her parents) day!

I just had to comment on a PTR where the favorite attraction is American Adventure! My family often rolls their eyes at me when I want to do that. See, I just found an advantage of going solo - nobody to roll their eyes at your attraction choices!

It is such a great attraction! It makes me tear up every time! But, yeah, a lot of people think it's boring so I might just have to see it multiple times while I am there!

 

[ursalita]

BTW, this will be my first time flying out of Providence and I have heard great things about that airport, so I am looking forward to that new experience.

TF Green airport is great. It's small and there are never long lines to deal with. I'm spoiled living only 10 minutes away. Are you taking the train to the airport?

 

[Kristi391]

TF Green airport is great. It's small and there are never long lines to deal with. I'm spoiled living only 10 minutes away. Are you taking the train to the airport?

That's what I have heard. My closest airport is Manchester (where I will be flying back into for this trip) and it is small and easy to get though the lines, so I am assuming TF Green is quite similar. I have to go to Logan when prices are a lot better and lines there are generally pretty miserable, so even though Providence is about an hour and 20 minutes away I love that I got a really good fare for a non-stop. I also thought I read that there is a Johnny Rockets there, so I am pretty excited about that! I am not taking the train, I am getting a family member to give me a ride down.

 

[ursalita]

That's what I have heard. My closest airport is Manchester (where I will be flying back into for this trip) and it is small and easy to get though the lines, so I am assuming TF Green is quite similar. I have to go to Logan when prices are a lot better and lines there are generally pretty miserable, so even though Providence is about an hour and 20 minutes away I love that I got a really good fare for a non-stop. I also thought I read that there is a Johnny Rockets there, so I am pretty excited about that! I am not taking the train, I am getting a family member to give me a ride down.

I don't know about the Johnny Rockets. I always fly in the morning so the only thing I'm sure of is the Dunkin' Donuts. I heard recently that they put in a Starbucks so I'll be on the lookout for that.

 

[Kristi391]

ANOTHER SNOW DAY!!!

I am so ready to be in an area of the country where the snow isn't piled up higher than me everywhere! I am so excited for a break from it. Only 11 days to go! I have started thinking about packing, but it seems like I am going to need some light layers and some of the things I am going to end up taking I will be wearing in the next week or so. I've already got some shorts and tee shirts in the suitcase, but will have to wait until next week to really do some hard core packing.

I also started thinking about food and how much of a food budget I will need.I think I will need approximately $250, which I plan to put on a gift card and if I have extra I will buy myself something or put it towards my next trip. I plan to bring water and granola bars to keep in my room so breakfast will be pretty much covered (except for the chocolate chip waffle I am dying to try at WPE). I will likely be doing mostly counter service but have really been contemplating 50s Prime Time Cafe for my HS day and/or Trails End if I decide to explore Ft. Wilderness. I have eaten at both of them and enjoyed them, but really not sure if I will feel weird sitting at a table by myself. Maybe if I go at off times, it would not be so bad. I haven't made any ADRs so it would be contingent upon them having seating available for my party of 1.

The only counter service that I know I definitely want to go to is Sunshine seasons in Epcot. I went several trips ago and got the pork chop and I loved it! The last couple of trips nobody else wanted to go there so I am excited to go back and see if it is as good as I remember. Other than that I am probably just going to see what I feel like each day. My tastes are pretty simple and not into really exotic so I should be fine. The only counter service I really did not like was Columbia Harbor House (I think that is the name). I thought the chicken nuggets were awful.

Ok, time to go move the car so the plow guy can do his job!

 

[Kristi391]

Had a few budgetary weather related setbacks today.

Weather has been an issue the past few weeks here in Massachusetts. Due to this I haven't babysat my cousin's daughter at all in February. Next week is her school vacation and the week after is when I will be in Florida (I teach in NH so we have a different week off) So, I will not be getting paid for February. In addition to that, the hockey team I work for was supposed to have their last home game tonight but it got postponed to Friday at 4:30, which is tough because I don't get out of my school until 5ish. We typically get out at 3:30 but every Friday we have a "study hall" for kids who aren't caught up with their weekly assignments and the teachers switch off each week and this week just happens to be my week. I am going to see if another teacher can cover for me so I can work the game. But that may not happen, so I may be out of luck with the game.

So due to missing these earning opportunities I have to rethink some extra things I was considering while on vacation. I don't think a tour or trip over to Universal will be happening. I was thinking that I could always add a day on to my 4 day ticket because that is a very small amount and I could spend some time at Animal Kingdom, which I wasn't planning on doing. I could also spend a day touring other resorts. My mom and I have done that several times in the past and we really enjoyed it. So, it's not like I don't have some more frugal options and they would be pretty fun too.

Hopefully the weather will settle down sometime soon...or at least on the 20th when I am scheduled to fly out! I was ready for vacation before today but after raking the roof for several hours and shoveling at my house and my parent's house, I am so ready to be away from this weather!

 

[GAN]

I The only counter service I really did not like was Columbia Harbor House (I think that is the name). I thought the chicken nuggets were awful.

You've got to go with the Broccoli Peppercorn Salad there.

There is a Starbucks, but it is downstairs from where you will be dropped off... and it is before security check, which means you can't carry with you. Unless there is a small one somewhere else, but I think DD has that wrapped up after security check. There is a Johnny Rockets. I'm also from RI, like some others here...enjoy your trip!

http://www.pvdairport.com/relax/dining

 

[Tracy161]

Hi Kristi! Fellow solo traveler here and I want to reassure you - though I'm really sorry to hear about the circumstances that led to this - that solo trips are amazing! I'm planning my third if you want to check out my PTR for some solo-related travel planning... though I'm not too far in... yet! I'm also single, without kids, and have a nephew!

To answer some of the questions you threw out in the beginning:

Will I be lonely? NO! At least I'm not. I use line time to research Hidden Mickeys or chat with other people, or just take a break from all the commotion and tune out
Can I eat at a TS meal alone and not feel self-conscious? I haven't done that myself but I'm seriously contemplating it. I figure if I can vacation alone, I can dine alone, right?
Do I add days on to my 4 day park passes or have 2 non-park days? I would absolutely add another day or two... but I realize the weather hasn't been on your side lately - I'm positive that between resort hopping and DTD, there are plenty of ways to entertain yourself if you end up not purchasing the extra day(s)

I really love the freedom of solo traveling - you get to do whatever you want, whenever you want, without feeling guilty. I hope you do a TR after you return!

 

[alwaysadisneykid]

I have just under three weeks until my second solo trip, and I'm going for two weeks. Can't wait!

Talking from experience, you won't be lonely. SO MANY PEOPLE will chat to you. CMs and guests. I find the CMs are even more friendly when they know I'm solo, and make a special effort with me, and it was very nice. So many interesting people spoke to me, too. I had a wonderful bus ride to AK one morning with two lovely senior ladies who were going for breakfast with Donald. That was a highlight. Also sat next to a wish family with a beautiful daughter at Chef Mickeys and they were chatting to me the whole time. I only felt lonely a few times, and that was when I first got to my hotel room after I arrived, but it didn't last long. The other times were when I saw a small girl about the same age as my niece and it made me miss her a lot, and I felt a bit sad and lonely, but I went to the Character Spot and it cheered me up right away to get hugs and kisses from Mickey! The last time was actually my first day at the parks. I did everything on my list in under two hours and I felt a bit lost and dazed, because I suppose I'd forgotten that my plans would go by faster when I was alone. I actually found it better to wing it, rather than plan, but I suppose it's different with fastpass+.

I have social anxiety disorder and I was SO WORRIED about eating alone. But you know what? It was fine. It was lovely, in fact! I had a table service meal every day because I had the dining plan, and the servers always made me feel welcome and talked to me when they could. I wrote in my diary, read books on my kindle and browsed DIS and Tumblr on my phone when I was waiting for food, but I rarely felt awkward. I got a few funny looks at character meals, but I soon forgot about it. I say try it. Bring a book or something like that to keep you busy, just in case. But you'll be okay. Ask for a seat near a window, or away from the main area, that's what I did. It made it much easier.

I had one anxiety attack when I got on a bus full of local Orlando school kids to MK, because I have a few scars on my arms and I was wearing short sleeves and they were staring and laughing, but that was okay. A very kind man came and sat with me and talked to me about my favourite Disney rides. I found that a lot of guests were like this, mostly parents and older adults. They saw I was alone and made an effort to talk to me, especially when waiting in lines.

All in all, I had the time of my life and I can't wait until next month for my next solo trip.

I'm sorry this was so long, but I wanted to try to reassure you.

Hugs, from Becca.