October Solo Trip - Against all the rules

[TillyDe]

Howdy, I have been wanting to do a solo trip for quite some time. I had decided on going this October during the Food and Wine. But an issue came up. I am a Direct Sell Rep and our Big convention is in Orlando in August. First thought was to combine both. August + Florida = Hot. So that was out.
I was almost ready to just go to the convention when I checked on the airfare. Southwest has some great rates (DFW - MCO). So, I booked both trips with Southwest. I paid $504 for both when with America it was going to be $840.

So, I will be at Disney October 18 - 22. Now is where all the rules are going out the window. I will not make ADRs or FP+. The only thing I wll plan is "Keys to the Kingdom". I will be staying at Pop and when I am ready to go to the parks, I want to go to the bus stop and get on the first bus that comes along. I will take a afternoon break at Pop and then get on the first bus that comes along.

I know it is against everything I have learned here and against my nature.
But I want to see just where the buses will take me.

So, just how nuts am I.

 

[Carolyn Louise]

I love the idea of getting on the first bus that comes by! Go where the road takes you.

 

[Flynnismine]

This is such a fantastic plan. When I take my first solo Disney trip next year, I plan to do this very same thing. The thought of not being tied to a time schedule and reservations, just wandering around and taking it all in, sounds blissfully relaxing.

 

[Mousefanmike]

I don't know if I could do that. Not even one ADR!

 

[Poohlove]

That is a great plan! I am thinking that our trip in June we are going to do the same thing. With all the changes since we were there last I find the though of trying to plan our trip overwhelming so we are going to wing it and see what happens.

 

[Deb]

Just a warning- often in the mornings, you won't be getting on the first bus that comes along, if you weren't already in line

 

[Simba's Mom]

Howdy, I have been wanting to do a solo trip for quite some time. I had decided on going this October during the Food and Wine. But an issue came up. I am a Direct Sell Rep and our Big convention is in Orlando in August. First thought was to combine both. August + Florida = Hot. So that was out.
I was almost ready to just go to the convention when I checked on the airfare. Southwest has some great rates (DFW - MCO). So, I booked both trips with Southwest. I paid $504 for both when with America it was going to be $840.

So, I will be at Disney October 18 - 22. Now is where all the rules are going out the window. I will not make ADRs or FP+. The only thing I wll plan is "Keys to the Kingdom". I will be staying at Pop and when I am ready to go to the parks, I want to go to the bus stop and get on the first bus that comes along. I will take a afternoon break at Pop and then get on the first bus that comes along.

I know it is against everything I have learned here and against my nature.
But I want to see just where the buses will take me.

So, just how nuts am I.

I predict you'll love that first bus thing-I've done it solo and really loved it. It was so freeing! And as a solo, I've only been turned away from one restaurant (the Plaza during free dining). With every other restaurant, I've gotten in as a solo within about 15 minutes. And when you're there, you won't be the only solo at WDW that week-my next solo trip is October 17-24th.

 

[tinkerbella16]

I love the idea of just getting on the first bus that rolls up. I may being doing the same thing on my Nov solo trip! Going wherever the wind takes me just sounds so amazing! I am doing the quick service dining plan with 2 early adr's for breakfast at my two favorite breakfast spots but other than that, I don't want to be tied down to any dinner adrs. I want a more relaxed trip. I wake up super early, head out and then come back to the resort midday and head back out in the evenings. With no one else to worry about!

 

[TillyDe]

Thanks for all the kind comments.
I have decided on 1 (one) ADR. I believe I would like to try Kona Cafe the morning I wll be doing "Keys the Kingdom". I have never ate there and would like to try it.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Thanks for all the kind comments.
I have decided on 1 (one) ADR. I believe I would like to try Kona Cafe the morning I wll be doing "Keys the Kingdom". I have never ate there and would like to try it.

Good choice! kona is awesome! the tonga toast, the french pressed coffee pot, mmmmmmm.

 

[LadyDiznee123]

Hello Tilly:

You are really owning it by doing the first bus thing. I applaud you. Im going solo in Oct and I am just too much of a structured planner to do such a thing. I am willing to go off plan... but I still always set a plan. Day one is ALWAYS BUT ALWAYS MK. DAY two is always but always EPCOT (and perhaps Epcot AFTER going back to MK first). First visit to Downtown Disney will always be somewhere between day two and day three. Day three always HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS and day four always AK. Now after day two I can stray off schedule and go back to another park to do something I missed before but the bottom line is that I stick to structure or I'd go bonkers. lol. Since I will be staying for eight days I can start winging it a bit after day four... even still I will know WHERE I'm going to start the morning. I would never just hop the first bus. I might spontaneously burst into flames! lol.

Anyway, Enjoy!

 

[RustManFan]

I have been over a dozen times and don't think we ever had an ADR....

 

[DisneyBelle_x]

I think its a great and fun idea, sometimes its nice not to be stuck to a schedule

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Southwest has some great rates (DFW - MCO). So, I booked both trips with Southwest. I paid $504 for both when with America it was going to be $840.

You are flying out of DAL (Love Field) right, not DFW? Southwest doesn't fly out of DFW since their hub is DAL.
Just making sure you know which airport to go to. I am assuming you live in the Dallas area, so you probably know.

We always find that Southwest has the best fares out of Dallas to Orlando. America is crazy expensive now.

With a solo trip, you have so much more freedom with your trip and even your planning. You will be okay without all of those reservations. And you will LOVE Keys to the Kingdom.

 

[winthropf]

I almost agree with no ADRs for a solo trip during F&W as I have been doing solo trips about the same time primarily for F&W. I suggest making a non-park dinner ADR for Saturday and avoiding the F&W crowd mess that happens on Saturdays.

As another suggesting, when the full details and schedule for F&W are announced, look into the cooking and beverage seminars in the afternoon held in the festival center. Gets you out of the heat during the hottest part of the day.

 

[EPCOTgrl1]

What you are doing sounds like a normal trip for me and my husband. We are to the point that we have been there so many times there is no need for a plan or rushing. We normally make 1 or 2 ADR and we have only been down once with FP+. You will have a great time!

We are also down there most of the same days as you. Just so you know there are a lot of MNSSHP during that time.

 

[guestswobags]

I like the first bus of the day plan! Some spontaneity, and, if there are lines, some people watching and people to chat with.

Kona Cafe is an excellent choice, too, by the way. Once you give their breakfast a try, your morning trip strategy may shift to first bus that will get you to Tonga Toast. ;-)

-Lauren

 

[TillyDe]

Maleficent Dragon: That was an error on my part. My flight is out of Love Field. I work for the FAA (Federal Aviation Admin) just north of the DFW Airport and we do not deal with Love Field. So, it was just a out of habit mistake.

Thanks to everyone for all the nice comments.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Maleficent Dragon: That was an error on my part. My flight is out of Love Field. I work for the FAA (Federal Aviation Admin) just north of the DFW Airport and we do not deal with Love Field. So, it was just a out of habit mistake.

Thanks to everyone for all the nice comments.

Then you definitely know where you are going. My point was not to draw attention to your error, but to make sure you were going to the right airport. I thought to myself that you might be headed to DFW from another state and just didn't want you in the wrong location.

 

[LizardQueen8]

This sounds like a FANTASTIC idea. I unexpectedly spent a day and a half on my own on my last Disney trip, and there is something truly wonderful about no plans and just winging it. I ended up doing things I never would have done if I'd been with my friend and it turned out to be a great experience.