Only 4 Hours In...

[iKristin]

I've only been at the parks for 4 hours on my first solo trip and have already come to the conclusion that I'm lonely and the trips are just way better with my mom here Can't wait til our trip next year again. No more trips without her. Looks like solo trips are not for me

 

[Moomduck1]

I'm sorry. I did a somewhat solo trip a few years ago. My husband was there but he had a conference all day so I only saw him at night. I felt funny going by myself. I'm so used to talking to family and friends while I'm there. After a little while, it got better. Try to ride your favorite rides and maybe you'll cheer up!

 

[Disney Dreams]

I've only been at the parks for 4 hours on my first solo trip and have already come to the conclusion that I'm lonely and the trips are just way better with my mom here Can't wait til our trip next year again. No more trips without her. Looks like solo trips are not for me

Oh no! I LOVE solo trips to the Park. What are you not liking? (Trying to help.) It is different, but you can do what you want, when you want, and as long as you want. Think about what you enjoy that Mom would not want to do - and go do it! I can understand wishing she was with you, but there are lots of wonderful things about being solo at DL. Also, remember, one is easy to find a table, a parade spot, a fireworks space, and on and on.

Hope you find the magic,
Dreams

 

[skiingfast]

Want a suggestion for a challenge to do while you are there?

Find a good spot to people watch. Talk to people near you in line or some CMs. Like Dreams said go right to where you want to see a show from and find those spots that only have room for one more person.

 

[Sherry E]

I can understand, Kristin! But I was hoping you would love the solo experience. Give it time. It may grow on you in the next several hours.

As much as I love my solo DLR time now and am actually trying to devise ways to get more solo time out of my trips and less 'people time', there are still certain things I prefer doing with friends (like going on rides and eating at table service places).

But, at the same time, when I have people with me, there is no way I can ever get as many photos as I can get without them around, and I love to take pictures. So I totally immerse myself in the details and start taking photos of every little thing I stumble upon.

Try that - just start snapping away at everything and gets tons of photos. Not only will you keep yourself occupied in between rides so you don't have a chance to feel lonely, you will also begin to notice all these things in DLR you never noticed before!

 

[larina]

I agree about the people watching. I know it sounds crazy, but find a nice spot and just "be" in the wonder that is Disneyland. Soak it in.

I totally get feeling lonely, I'm sure I would too, but try to have fun with it.

 

[sonnyjane]

I also hope things turn around because I LOVE my solo trips! Are you eating enough? I'm never sad when I'm eating...try more of that!!

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

I am so sorry you feel this wat I hope things get better.

 

[rentayenta]

You lasted 3 hours and 40 minutes longer than I did before realizing solo trips weren't for me. I was in tears by the time I hit Main St. I'm sorry. Try to enjoy your trip, take lots of pics, and eat something yummy.

 

[Eeee-va]

I'm sorry! I like my alone time, but I'm not sure I could do a full solo trip either. Maybe you could post in the thread for September and see if anyone wants to meet up?

I had an unexpected bit of a solo trip at one point on my birthday...it was just for a couple hours at the end of the night but I was sad to have been left unexpectedly. What snapped me out of it was waiting in line for the Storybook Land boats and there was a mom (?) and her little girl ahead of me, and the girl was so cute and excited (even though it was like after 11 PM!) and singing like Ariel and everything. Cheered me right up! Later I saw a cartoon in the Main Street Cinema--I always think they're cute but if it's late at night and you're tired, they can be outright hilarious!

There are lots of things you can do alone that might not feel so odd, like shows and exhibits (I had a great time doing the Walt Disney Story and what was then the 50th anniversary movie when my mom had to go home), single rider, the Penny Arcade, and shopping. There are SO many things you might not stop to do if you weren't alone. I do feel slightly strange saying just 1 person in my party, but it's usually not a problem. There are some rides where you don't even need to say party size, like Haunted Mansion, and quite a few where you don't have to ride alone, like Indy, Soarin', Nemo, etc.

I second the idea of taking pictures. It can be fun to have a little plush "friend" with you. And not to sound like a shill, but I think Disney makes a great one in Duffy. I believe they still have little keychain and/or magnet ones that cost $10 or less (unless the price jumped, which is possible), or the big ones are rather more. You can get a lot of pictures of Duffy, and you could even give Duffy to your mom when you get home, and then if you go on other trips without her, maybe take him along. Then it will be kind of like your mom is with you? I don't know, but I think he's a really fun bear.

Look! It's tiny magnet Duffy in the Tampa Bay airport! LOL

(Yes, that was one long layover. )

 

[disneychrista]

I have wanted to go on a solo - trip for years. But I keep going back forth, on if I really want to go all by self or not.

Now if I was local, it would be different. But since it would be a 9 hour drive and cost a minimum of $700 (including hotel, pass, food, gas) I just can't bring myself to do so.

 

[rowan1813]

I'm sorry that you are not feeling great. I know how you feel. I also had an unexpected solo trip and it was not fun at first (AKA I was in tears calling my mom cause I wasn't having a great time) but after a while, I started feeling a little better. Its still not as much fun as going with my family, but I did find the perks. I talked with random people in line and had some great conversations. I did what I wanted and went wherever I wanted to go. Maybe you could go to the Animation Building and go a few rounds for the character drawing lessons (that was my fav to do). I totally agree with the previous posters as well, find a great place for people watching. That can actually be quite fun and often hilarious. Grab a great seat for the fireworks and watch the people go by or even chat with the people around you. I know it kinda sucks, but try to find the fun in it. I hope you feel better.

 

[MenchieMan87]

Have you considered a tour? I bet if you go to the guided tour counter in the morning and say "Are there any spots available? I'm by myself" they'd have a spot for you. Could be fun! And the people on the tours are usually nice.

My visit in two weeks is partially solo and I have a tour booked for my solo day.

 

[kailuagirl]

Hugs, I'm sorry you aren't having a good time. Just try not to focus on being solo and just remember where you are and how lucky you are to be there. I'm sure it will get better

 

[bumbershoot]

I hope it will turn around.

I found that a solo trip involves periods of wistfulness, but if you focus on what you HAVE, instead of what you're missing, it can be better.

 

[JH87]

Do you have the App MouseWait? There is a lounge on it where people post stuff, lots of them do meet ups and it always sounds really fun!

 

[Hawleys]

Hoping you find the magic.

 

[jemimabean]

Oh no. I hope that it improves for you.

I'm planning a solo trip in December (for my birthday), and I'm really looking forward to it. I do think that certain parts will be awkward, but I'm looking forward to just sitting on Main Street and soaking it in for an hour or so, reading in my room, taking tons of photos, and just sort of moseying.

I hope that you can find some way to make it a blast for yourself.

 

[Peanut Giggleface]

I'm so sorry you're not enjoying your time there by yourself. I agree with you! I don't think there's magic if you're not sharing it with someone. But, since you're there, take advantage of the things you like to do that the other people you normally travel with don't. What about photography? Maybe you could take some time to get those hard to get shots when you're traveling with others. Maybe photograph the castle at different angles and at different times of the day. Or get those photos of the little details that you love but just don't think of taking the time to photograph. HTH

 

[BelleLvsBooks]

I totally know what you mean! I was at DL for a solo trip last month (tagged on to the end of a work trip). The only other time I had been to DL was my honeymoon. We usually visit WDW, so I got all teary in line for the Nemo submarine, because I knew the last time I visited I was with DH. I do lots of things solo and didn't expect anything by fun at DL.

I pushed through ... and really did have a lot of fun. But it would have been better with my family!

I think I would do it again then ... just prepare myself a little better mentally.