Okay, I think I'm going to do it!

[stindall]

After a few days of thinking it over, I think I want to start planning a solo trip. I am still pretty unsure but I want to go so badly, especially since my last trip was a disaster! I am going to keep the option for a friend to go if I happen to find one that wants to.

Instead of getting overwhelmed by all of the posts and information right away (which I am on the verge of doing!), I was hoping you wonderful people could give me a hand and give me some tips on traveling and seeing the world alone! Best times to go, hotels to stay at, tours etc etc. I do want to stay on property and probably at value MAYBE moderate

 

[farfalla818]

I don't know about best places, just wanted to tell you I'm happy for you!

 

[jvptravels]

I'm getting ready to head to WDW this week for a solo trip. It's my first one in almost 12 years, but my 3rd solo trip overall. I love doing Disney on my own. I've also been to DL many, many times solo.

All of my past trips were in the fall. Three of them were during Epcot Food & Wine. As a solo, I have stayed off property twice, and once at All Star Music. This time around I will be at Port Orleans Riverside.

My plan for touring the parks is pretty basic. I do what I want to, when I want to do it. Nobody is with me to argue and compain about anything. On past trips with others, I have spent more time with myself than with my travel companions. They either poop-out too quickly, or they would rather stay at a hotel watching football or sleeping in. That's not me. I have to be active from opening to closing everyday. I take plenty of breaks and do everything at a relaxed pace.

Another advantage to traveling solo for me is that I want to be fully-immersed in the Disney experience. For the trip that I'm about to embark on, I have purchased the premium plan, which includes all of my meals, as well as unlimited recreation and tours. I'm a big tour person, and have booked six of them for this trip. Because of the tours, recreation and ADR's, I had to map-out and plan my entire visit. There's plenty of room for diversions, but everything I want to do is scheduled.

That's the thing about traveling solo. You are trully free. I will be connected to everyone in my life by phone, facebook, etc. But I can turn all of that off very easily. Funny thing is my partner of 12 years is going on his own vacation during the same time as me. He doesn't do Disney anymore, and I HAD to get my fill of WDW before we move to Hawaii. So he will be in Australia while I'm at Disney World.

Many people ask if I'm jealous that he's going to Australia. When I say "of course not, I'm going to Disney World!!" they look at me like I'm crazy. They don't get the Disney thing, and because we live in California, they think Disney World and Disneyland are one and the same. Let them think what they think. Another funny thing people tend to think is that because you and your significant other are going on seperate vacations, there must be a problem. These people have too much time to think about other people's business. Partner and I take 3 to 4 vacations each year, and we are going back to Hawaii for the second time this year in October. It's perfectly ok for us to take one vacation on our own.

You go on and plan a wonderful trip. I positive you will have an amazing time, and I'd love to hear about your planning and eventual trip.

 

[karly05]

My main piece of advice is, don't be shy about dining solo at any restaurants you want to try! I had great meals and service at Via Napoli, Flying Fish, and Les Chefs on my solo trip, and I'm planning to try Artist Point and Raglan Road next time.

Mostly, just relax and have fun and enjoy the opportunity to "go with the flow." I rode Star Tours six times, and just happened upon (and stopped for) concerts by the Main St Philharmonic at MK and British Revolution (I think that's the current name/band) at Epcot. I think being solo makes it easier to slow down and enjoy the unexpected. Oh, and when waiting in line for attractions, pay attention in case they ask for a single rider to fill a vehicle. That's how I got to bypass most of the FP line at TSM!

 

[stindall]

I'm getting ready to head to WDW this week for a solo trip. It's my first one in almost 12 years, but my 3rd solo trip overall. I love doing Disney on my own. I've also been to DL many, many times solo.

All of my past trips were in the fall. Three of them were during Epcot Food & Wine. As a solo, I have stayed off property twice, and once at All Star Music. This time around I will be at Port Orleans Riverside.

My plan for touring the parks is pretty basic. I do what I want to, when I want to do it. Nobody is with me to argue and compain about anything. On past trips with others, I have spent more time with myself than with my travel companions. They either poop-out too quickly, or they would rather stay at a hotel watching football or sleeping in. That's not me. I have to be active from opening to closing everyday. I take plenty of breaks and do everything at a relaxed pace.

Another advantage to traveling solo for me is that I want to be fully-immersed in the Disney experience. For the trip that I'm about to embark on, I have purchased the premium plan, which includes all of my meals, as well as unlimited recreation and tours. I'm a big tour person, and have booked six of them for this trip. Because of the tours, recreation and ADR's, I had to map-out and plan my entire visit. There's plenty of room for diversions, but everything I want to do is scheduled.

That's the thing about traveling solo. You are trully free. I will be connected to everyone in my life by phone, facebook, etc. But I can turn all of that off very easily. Funny thing is my partner of 12 years is going on his own vacation during the same time as me. He doesn't do Disney anymore, and I HAD to get my fill of WDW before we move to Hawaii. So he will be in Australia while I'm at Disney World.

Many people ask if I'm jealous that he's going to Australia. When I say "of course not, I'm going to Disney World!!" they look at me like I'm crazy. They don't get the Disney thing, and because we live in California, they think Disney World and Disneyland are one and the same. Let them think what they think. Another funny thing people tend to think is that because you and your significant other are going on seperate vacations, there must be a problem. These people have too much time to think about other people's business. Partner and I take 3 to 4 vacations each year, and we are going back to Hawaii for the second time this year in October. It's perfectly ok for us to take one vacation on our own.

You go on and plan a wonderful trip. I positive you will have an amazing time, and I'd love to hear about your planning and eventual trip.

I am also the kind of person who likes to go go go at the Parks instead of sit around at the hotel (I do like swimming though and I'm going to feel weird doing that alone!) I've never done a tour because I've been 10+ times in my short life so far (I'm 23) but I'm kind of interested in taking one/some. We almost did the one at The Land last time but never got around to it.

Let me know how your trip goes! I hope you have an awesome time!

 

[stindall]

My main piece of advice is, don't be shy about dining solo at any restaurants you want to try! I had great meals and service at Via Napoli, Flying Fish, and Les Chefs on my solo trip, and I'm planning to try Artist Point and Raglan Road next time.

Mostly, just relax and have fun and enjoy the opportunity to "go with the flow." I rode Star Tours six times, and just happened upon (and stopped for) concerts by the Main St Philharmonic at MK and British Revolution (I think that's the current name/band) at Epcot. I think being solo makes it easier to slow down and enjoy the unexpected. Oh, and when waiting in line for attractions, pay attention in case they ask for a single rider to fill a vehicle. That's how I got to bypass most of the FP line at TSM!

I've actually never been to any of the nicer sit down places aside from Brown Derby (which I wasn't a big fan of), San Angel Inn, and Tokyo Dining. I'm kind of looking forward to going to those! I don't think I'll have a big issue eating alone, my husband and I have opposite work schedules and I'm a courier so I'm alone a lot!

 

[luvthemouse71]

After a few days of thinking it over, I think I want to start planning a solo trip. I am still pretty unsure but I want to go so badly, especially since my last trip was a disaster! I am going to keep the option for a friend to go if I happen to find one that wants to.

Instead of getting overwhelmed by all of the posts and information right away (which I am on the verge of doing!), I was hoping you wonderful people could give me a hand and give me some tips on traveling and seeing the world alone! Best times to go, hotels to stay at, tours etc etc. I do want to stay on property and probably at value MAYBE moderate

Another solo trip virgin here. I was a little nervous that I'd be lonely, but I'm thinking that I'm going to have a great time. I love photography so I plan on taking lots of pictures and I may throw in a tour as well.

The Keys to the Kingdom tour is a nice one, as is the Behind the Seeds tour at Epcot. I'm a Deluxe girl as far as resorts but I wanted to check out Artof Animation since it's new. I'll be in a Little Mermaid room. I was a little worried that the decor will be over the top but then I just decided to be a kid again and enjoy it.

 

[Sweettears]

I usually do a split stay. It keeps things exciting. Next trip is POFQ and YC. I second the PP on dining alone. Once you do so any anxiety you may have disappears. It actually makes the rest of a solo trip more comfortable.

 

[stindall]

Another solo trip virgin here. I was a little nervous that I'd be lonely, but I'm thinking that I'm going to have a great time. I love photography so I plan on taking lots of pictures and I may throw in a tour as well.

The Keys to the Kingdom tour is a nice one, as is the Behind the Seeds tour at Epcot. I'm a Deluxe girl as far as resorts but I wanted to check out Artof Animation since it's new. I'll be in a Little Mermaid room. I was a little worried that the decor will be over the top but then I just decided to be a kid again and enjoy it.

oh gosh I was looking at AOA last night and it looks so neat! I love love love the Nemo room!

Those are two tours I'm considering, I'm also looking into the Epcot segway one just because I want to ride on a dang segway!

 

[newcomer52]

oh gosh I was looking at AOA last night and it looks so neat! I love love love the Nemo room!

Those are two tours I'm considering, I'm also looking into the Epcot segway one just because I want to ride on a dang segway!

I booked one night in AoA for my F&W trip in October because I wanted the experience there. My other nights are at DVCs.

Definitely do the segway tour. It is so much fun. I couldn't stop laughing the whole time I was on it. Fabulous. I may do the Ft Wilderness one this trip. It should be fun too.

Jeralyn

 

[Precious Disney]

Thought I'd share this link about going to WDW solo. It's from 2010 but enjoyed reading it. So many threads to post on, but decided to share it on this one.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/columns/travelling-alone-to-disney-world.cfm