On the fence about solo trip

[CaliforniaDreamin]

HELP! I had planned Nov 30-Dec5 with a friend. Already purchased my airfare from CLT, already have my Disney ticket. All I need is hotel, which will be Pop and I can afford on my own.

My friend is very sick, probably terminal with ovarian cancer. I don't think she will be able to make it. I have ALWAYS dreamed of seeing Disney decorated for Christmas.

I could put the trip off until Feb and lose the airfare (DH is the store manager of a retail store so no time off from Oct thru Dec.). My girls are in school and cannot miss a few days. Believe me, I asked them. I have asked a ton of friends, most of them won't have vacation left that late in the year, or they wont have the money because it's so close to Christmas.

I have never considered a solo trip. I have only done family trips to the World. Someone please tell me how bad it is to eat alone, ride the rides alone, do everything alone.

I need some Major help with this!!!!!

 

[nurse.darcy]

Going solo is probably one of the most exciting things I do. I get to do exactly what I want when I want with no one dictating a schedule. Its also the hardest thing I do because who do I share my love of all things Disney with when I am solo?

The truth is I actually do miss having others with me, but I don't miss dealing with others. Go, enjoy. Your friend would want you to. You don't want to wait. You want to share every last moment you can with your friend. She can't be there, but she would love to be.

Eating alone is not horrid. I personally don't do table service. I eat at the bar at restaurants that will serve full meal service at the bar. Bartenders are fun to talk to and you get to kind of blend in. Its a nice alternative to sitting alone at a table.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Going solo is probably one of the most exciting things I do. I get to do exactly what I want when I want with no one dictating a schedule. Its also the hardest thing I do because who do I share my love of all things Disney with when I am solo?

This is my BIG fear. If I knew how to meet up with some Disers, I would look into that. At least I would be able to share my excitement with someone. I just don't know where to begin.

 

[nurse.darcy]

This is my BIG fear. If I knew how to meet up with some Disers, I would look into that. At least I would be able to share my excitement with someone. I just don't know where to begin.

Meeting up with other DISsers is the easy part. . .just post your dates and those of us that love meeting others will get in touch. I know the dates are here on this thread, but you wanted some advice and help. Truly, the first time I met up with this bunch was because I saw a post about a singles trip and decided to join in.

It was the most awesome thing I ever did. . .

 

[roxysmum123]

DO IT!! I'm 27 and I've done Disney solo a number of times and LOVE travelling to Disney solo, and this past trip when I had someone with me I sometimes wished I was there alone. Here are some major advantages.

Single Rider Lines
Quick seating at any restaurant
Going to any restaurant you want
Picking your own schedule
Being spontaneous without worrying about anyone else
Super friendly CM's
Meeting lots of new people

The only meal I didn't enjoy solo was the Spirit of Aloha, but everywhere else was fabulous. I'll eat at signature restaurants as well as the regular TS places. The ones I'll avoid are the family service places because they'll give you a serving for 6 even if you're a table for one. You can choose to sit at a bar if there is one and eat there, or get a table like I usually do. The servers are often more than happy to talk to a solo traveller, it gives them a bit of a break from having to be "on" I think. If you're worried about being bored, bring a Kindle or a book with you. Nobody will be looking at you funny because everyones worried about their own thing. Sometimes, people will even invite you to sit with them and I've met some lovely families this way. Let me know if you want a list of restaurants that I had good experiences in as a solo traveller.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I'm a little nervous, but a lot less nervous since you 2 posted with your solo experiences. I think I may have fun. I do think it will be harder to enjoy the Christmas decorations without family.

So as far as meeting up with Dissers once in a while, where do I post dates? On this board or the Dis Meets board?

Thanks so much for all your advice. I'm slowly getting a bit excited! PLUS, if my friend contacts me last minute and says she can go and she is feeling better, it wouldn't be a problem to add her to the trip. Thank you SO much! This advice is invaluable!

 

[nurse.darcy]

I'm a little nervous, but a lot less nervous since you 2 posted with your solo experiences. I think I may have fun. I do think it will be harder to enjoy the Christmas decorations without family.

So as far as meeting up with Dissers once in a while, where do I post dates? On this board or the Dis Meets board?

Thanks so much for all your advice. I'm slowly getting a bit excited! PLUS, if my friend contacts me last minute and says she can go and she is feeling better, it wouldn't be a problem to add her to the trip. Thank you SO much! This advice is invaluable!

post your dates here for sure, but also on the dismeets thread. . .

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

post your dates here for sure, but also on the dismeets thread. . .

Thanks Nurse.Darcy. I'll do that right now!

 

[roxysmum123]

I'm a little nervous, but a lot less nervous since you 2 posted with your solo experiences. I think I may have fun. I do think it will be harder to enjoy the Christmas decorations without family.
!

Solo you can take all the time you want to look at the decorations and don't have anyone saying "lets go!".

 

[stasijane]

I could see how it would be lonely but after reading peoples experences from here on the board then getting a few hour trial run in May when my mother watched my DD for me I realize how much I am going to love it and now have one trip comming up and a second one in the works!

 

[dawnhen]

Hello!

I have always gone to Disney World with family or loved ones, and after my divorce in 2007 I decided to go it solo!

I have to admit, it was a but emotional at times (considering I was there 7 yrs prior for my honeymoon), but how can one be sad at WDW? It was an adventure, and like the posters above me said, there are so many benefits about a solo trip!

As far as eating at table service restaurants...I say go for it! I had a reservation at California Grille and requested to sit at the sushi chef table. What a treat! I engaged in wonderful conversation with the head chef himself and had constant entertainment. I also dined at Boma (in the AK Lodge) and while it was buffet style, I enjoyed going up as many times as I could for 2nds, 3rds, 4ths hahah. I dined at Kona Cafe as well and also did a character breakfast. The characters really made a deal out of me sitting there alone and Tigger even sat with me in the empty seat and demanded I give him a Mickey Waffle lmao.

Riding is great too at the parks - I got to sit in an entire boat alone on the Pirates ride! And got the front seat on many others.

It is definitely something I will never ever forget and also and so proud of myself for doing it, and like someone mentioned above, your friend would want you to go.

 

[moonangel]

I've gone solo many times since DH is on the road a LOT for work. I'm usually solo when I go up for Disney races since none of my family and close friends are into that. I love being able to go where I want, ride what I want (as many times as I want), lounge around the pool and/or room when I feel like it, etc. Many times when I've gone with family/friends I didn't ride the things I wanted to since no one else wanted to ride and I didn't want to hold people up.

And as someone else mentioned, you've got those single rider lines...I especially like the one at Expedition Everest since it's kind of tucked away and not very visible so it seems to be really short all the time (at least when I've been there).

I've had great chats with perfect strangers that were also solo while there...I think most everyone should try solo at least once, you can then concentrate on YOU for a change :

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I'm actually getting excited! Food budget will be cheaper. I have hoppers, so I can go anywhere I want. I can shop as long as I want. Drink by the pool. I'm actually convinced this is a wonderful idea!!!
AK is my least favorite park, I don't even have to go if I don't want to!

Last time we went, 2008, before DHS closed for the night, the DDs and DH wanted to do Rock N Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror one last time. I didn't, so I spent my time walking around. It was dark and hardly anyone was there. It was so peaceful. That is one of my favorite memories. I really think it's gonna work out! I even changed my ticker

 

[ludari]

Like the others have mentioned I would say go and enjoy yourself. I am sure your friend would want you to go. On a side note, I usually drive to Disneyland every other weekend solo and I have the best time. I also have done several Disney cruises on my own and I even have my own WDW solo trip planned for early January 2012. Like many other disers we know what it's like traveling alone and believe me you will have fun. I not only enjoy the freedom of doing what I want when I want but also meeting people or just people watching.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Like the others have mentioned I would say go and enjoy yourself. I am sure your friend would want you to go. On a side note, I usually drive to Disneyland every other weekend solo and I have the best time. I also have done several Disney cruises on my own and I even have my own WDW solo trip planned for early January 2012. Like many other disers we know what it's like traveling alone and believe me you will have fun. I not only enjoy the freedom of doing what I want when I want but also meeting people or just people watching.

Dude, you know you are not solo in January. . .sorry but several of us will be "occupying" your time.

 

[Mokat76]

I went solo last year for the first time and had a blast..did it around the holidays and enjoyed everything about the holiday decorations. I agree with all the PPs' comments. I treated me to signature restaurants...awesome. It's all about attitude. Take a good one and you'll have a great time. I even did MVMCP solo. Big bonus is it's far easier to get a good spot at a parade for one!!!

Sorry about your friend. That's sad.

 

[jewjubean]

I took a SOLO trip when I was 19 to WDW and LOVED every minute of it! Now I am also the type of person who can go and not worry about having others being with me. I can keep myself occupied. Take a great attitude and dont worry about it!

 

[DisneylandForever]

I have never considered a solo trip. I have only done family trips to the World. Someone please tell me how bad it is to eat alone, ride the rides alone, do everything alone.

Sorry to hear about your friend.

Everyone is different. I don't love solo trips, but I do them when I have to (like if there's an event or something I really wanna see). Sometimes it feels great being able to do what you want. Sometimes it is super lonely.

I think eating alone is probably the worst, for me anyway. So when I go solo I try to do CS instead of TS.

I could see how it would be lonely but after reading peoples experences from here on the board then getting a few hour trial run in May when my mother watched my DD for me I realize how much I am going to love it and now have one trip comming up and a second one in the works!

I do like having a few hours solo even when I take trips with other people, but that's because I am a freak and like to ride the CoP more than once (not in a row) and hate subjecting others to it repeatedly.

I've had great chats with perfect strangers that were also solo while there...I think most everyone should try solo at least once, you can then concentrate on YOU for a change :

This is good advice. You'll never really know until you try!

AK is my least favorite park, I don't even have to go if I don't want to!

This is probably the best feature of a solo trip for me. AK is such a boring park, I only go there when people I'm with want to go. When I go solo I get to completely skip it!


Whatever happens I hope you have a great trip!

 

[Lynn57]

I do like having a few hours solo even when I take trips with other people, but that's because I am a freak and like to ride the CoP more than once (not in a row) and hate subjecting others to it repeatedly.

I'm going Solo in December and you just gave me another reason to be excited! I love CoP and can ride it as many times as I want now!!

 

[DisneylandForever]

I'm going Solo in December and you just gave me another reason to be excited! I love CoP and can ride it as many times as I want now!!

Yay, another "freak"!


Yes I love that ride but my friends (as well as most people) consider it a "once per trip" ride, so I always break off from them so I can ride it nag-free!