One day solo at WDW - worth it?

[kermit116]

I have a conference to attend in south Florida. Because of a variety of factors, it appears it'll be easier & cheaper for me to fly to MCO and drive to the conference. The cheapest airfare will leave me one extra day after the conference. I'm considering taking my extra day & going to Disney World. Unfortunately my family can't join me on the trip, so it'd be a solo visit. I'm not sure how enjoyable it'd be since I've only ever been to WDW with family or friends.

Of course this is a very anecdotal/individual sort of question, but I'm interested in hearing from people who are used to going to WDW with family/friends who took a quick solo trip. Was it fun? Was it strange or sad touring a park without your family/friends? Was it weird doing rides solo?

I'm normally totally comfortable with solo business travel, dining alone, etc. but I'm wondering if being at WDW alone will just make me feel a little sad that I'm not sharing the experience with family.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Sounds fun to me!

 

[mesaboy2]

I enjoy solo trips. Go for it.

 

[TimothyG]

I've done the parks solo before and it's a blast. You get to do and see whatever you want, whenever you want. If you don't like an attraction, you skip it. If you want to ride Space Mountain 10 times you can do it. While I do love going with friends and family to the parks, I also love my solo trips. It's not really awkward and you'll be so immersed in the parks and attractions that you kinda forget about it.

Go ahead and do it. You only live once,

 

[csmith041177]

Have never been on a solo trip...but it sounds like a ton of fun to me. And from reading numerous message boards (including this one), it sounds like plenty of folks do solo trips.

 

[redsbe]

I have a conference to attend in south Florida. Because of a variety of factors, it appears it'll be easier & cheaper for me to fly to MCO and drive to the conference. The cheapest airfare will leave me one extra day after the conference. I'm considering taking my extra day & going to Disney World. Unfortunately my family can't join me on the trip, so it'd be a solo visit. I'm not sure how enjoyable it'd be since I've only ever been to WDW with family or friends.

Of course this is a very anecdotal/individual sort of question, but I'm interested in hearing from people who are used to going to WDW with family/friends who took a quick solo trip. Was it fun? Was it strange or sad touring a park without your family/friends? Was it weird doing rides solo?

I'm normally totally comfortable with solo business travel, dining alone, etc. but I'm wondering if being at WDW alone will just make me feel a little sad that I'm not sharing the experience with family.

I have done this several times including one day in MK just a few weeks ago. Yes it is a different experience without family but my kids are getting older (13 and 19) and not as excited about WDW after going several times growing up. At times it feels a little odd riding solo and touring a park full mostly of families or couples, but I still enjoy the experience as I can focus on the attractions and rides that I like and at my pace.

 

[FLchick415]

I took my first solo trip to MK last year after always visiting with family, and I have to say I had A LOT of fun. It was so nice being able to do what I wanted, WHEN I wanted, without having to consult anyone. I didn't feel weird on any of the rides at all. There were some I skipped (Dumbo, Teacups, Speedway), but rode just about everything else. You should do it! It'll be a blast!

 

[ZehnJahren]

I've done some solo trips too, and they're fun! A different type of fun, since it's more focused on you you you instead of the family, but still a lot of fun. It's nice to be able to stop for a break when YOU want, and not stop if you don't want to, and get back on TTA for the third time in a row without someone saying "that's too much TTA".

I had only been with family or my boyfriend when I went on my first solo trip (I was ready to go back, but DBF was not) and I was surprised at how relaxing and fun it was to just do what I wanted.

In all seriousness, if you can afford it just fine then I'd do it - what else will you do that day, anyway? Just make sure to bring back a nice souvenir for the family!

 

[staxia]

If you've done things in the past solo.. trips, etc.. then I'd say totally do it!!

I frequently go alone because I don't have any immediate family to go with me. I used to live in Florida, so I book myself a week's vacation at Disney, tour and play as I wish, and then during the week, friends and family in the area drop by to join me as they can. I *LOVE* it!! I can do whatever I want, see what I want, no one else to consult with! I usually make some sort of tentative plan for what I'm going to do each day, and about half the time change my mind in the middle because of crowds, weather or how I'm feeling and go and do something else.. and that's great, because no one else will get upset!

I realize you're just looking at one day, so it's kinda different, but I'm sure you'll have a great time. Just go, let the magic wash over you and do just what YOU want to do-- The family will be with you next time!!

 

[lurkernj]

I tagged along on my BFFs work trip last year and had a whole day solo in the parks. OMG it was so awesome. I strolled, snacked, sat, spectated and even rode whenever/whatever I wanted. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about doing rides alone, but it was perfectly fine. Other people are busy with their families etc to even notice what you are doing (unless it's something odd) or that you are alone.

I enjoyed it so much that this year I talked DH into letting me go alone 4 days before him when we do the TOT race. I can't wait!!!!

 

[shadeauxe]

I did a solo trip once and I found it to be really depressing being there without my family. Especially at Magic Kingdom. No one else seems to have this problem but I thought I would mention it anyway.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

I haven't spent a whole day alone, but I have gone back for the evening and it was amazing. It's especially nice for a mom when you can stop thinking about what everyone else needs and what makes everyone else happy and just do whatever you feel like, including riding Dumbo twice in a row to catch the Wishes finale or riding BTMRR in the dark. It did not feel strange riding alone. Honestly, I didn't feel like I was riding alone but with the people around me, whom I just met. I would definitely spend a solo day, as long as you're the kind of adult who knows how to be a kid at heart.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

My last trip I was with a friend but by our last day she was "parked out". So I took that as an opportunity to tour solo and I LOVED it. Not having to worry about if I was walking too fast and just being able to go as I please was great. I ended up doing all 4 parks and got on all my fave rides and got a couple of my fave treats as well. Best day at Disney yet. Go for it!

 

[tinkerbesh]

I did exactly that a couple of years ago! Had only been to WDW with family or friends, but had an extra day after my conference - so I got a ticket & did Epcot solo for 1 day. I was a little nervous about being lonely, but once i got there i wasn't lonely at all- It was awesome! I got so much more done than most other trips, simply because there was no one else whose needs needed to be attended to. I did what I wanted exactly when I wanted to- from rides to eating to bathroom stops. Also, if I found myself wanting to share a moment with someone, I just took pictures & told stories about it later. I chose Epcot because easywdw recommended it as the best park for low crowds that day, and it was spot on. So I highly recommend you going for it!
Pick whatever park would make you happiest & enjoy!

 

[amberpi]

I do a day or so annually that's solo due to conference timing; sometimes a revolving conference is in Orlando so I get more than just 1 day solo. Its great. I usually hit 3 parks with the ph and do everything I really want to in each - ticket price is high if I don't have anyone meeting me to extend the holiday, but its worth it. Overall, its pretty amazing really I hit my faves in HS or AK to start, head to MK for whatever ride lines are low (this is always during the middle weeks of Sept. or late Jan./early Feb. as its conference season!) and then end in Epcot. Once I know its happening, I grab a very late Epcot dinner reservation, and eat a late lunch in the lands. If you have 1 day, I highly recommend it. Its kinda crazy what you can do solo!

 

[daizieduck]

I have done the parks solo many times. It's just me and DH and he usually spends a day or two golfing with his friends who live locally. So those days I do the parks alone. I enjoy it. I can move at my own pace (faster than his, lol!), ride my favorite rides multiple times, take my time browsing the shops, eat when and wherever I want, stop to take photos, etc.

 

[Kimosabe]

Not sure I could get away with actually planning a solo trip, but if I happened to be nearby for some other reason with a day to spare, I'd be all over it. I absolutely love going with our kids (9 and 12) and thoroughly enjoy watching them play hard, but it would be fun to have a full day of total control over dining, riding, exploring, etc. I can only imagine how messed-up my stomach would be at the end of that day!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I love my solo trips. Go for it!

 

[mare1203]

I love strolling around the parks solo! It's a totally different experience than with others. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want and it's a great chance to chat with others. I was nervous the first time I went to a park alone, but I ended up loving it. For me, it's oddly relaxing to be around all those people but to not have to worry that someone isn't keeping up or isn't wanting to do what we are planning to do.

 

[winniepie81]

Go for it!! What better way to spend a day in orlando!! Never been solo myself but always bump into people in queues etc that are and they seem to be having a blast.