Planning my first solo trip and looking for input....

[Born 2B a Princess]

I'll be at WDW with my sister in August -- she's there for work and will only be joining me for one park afternoon/evening. I'll have three park days...haven't decided about park hoppers yet. I may skip them this trip but I haven't decided for sure...because I can't figure out what I want to do! I've never done a solo trip and so I'd love input from everyone on their tips and favorite things to do on solo trips.

The first park day I won't actually get to the park until around 1 pm....I think will be my AK day -- KS at night, KRR, street performs (my family never wants to watch those so we always skip them and I really enjoy them), FoTLK, and Nemo, the wildlife trails perhaps....then Rivers of Light to close out the evening.

The second park day I would probably do Epcot -- TT, Soarin', Living with the Land, Nemo, and spend as much time as I could possible desire exploring WS -- another thing I love to do but my family doesn't really love....close out the evening with IllumiNations.

The final park day is where I'm getting a bit hung up...my sister can't join me until 4 pm and she wants to do MK that day since it's the day she'll have in the parks. I booked a dinner ADR at BoG that night. I really love TSMM but there isn't much else I want to do in DHS -- and I don't think I can justify adding park hopper just so that I can ride TSMM and maybe see the Beauty and the Beast show (can't really do roller coasters other than BTMRR -- motion sickness). But one thing I've thought of doing since I'll be by myself is a "four parks in one day" challenge -- and this day would be perfect for that, I think. It would definitely require park hoppers, but I think it would be fun to try to hit one ride in each of the four parks in one day, closing out by meeting my sister at MK, dinner at BoG, and our favorite rides. I would have to book all of our FP for MK, though, since 7DMT is an absolute must for her. I could start out at DHS and hit TSMM, then hop over to either Epcot or AK and do rides there, then hit the other park, and then end up at MK. I don't know...just a thought.

It will be so strange being there without my husband and daughters....but I'm excited to get to do some of the things that they don't really enjoy -- parades, street performers, shows, take in all the details, etc.

What are some of your favorite things to do on solo trips?

 

[SplashMo]

All parks in one day would be fun. You could take a selfie in front of a key thing in each park (AK tree of life etc...)

 

[DWillowBay]

I think you have the right idea. My solo trips allow me to accomplish all the things that are of interest to me, but not necessarily to my family. I have done a Body Scrub/ Wrap at Senses Saratoga Springs, eating at Flying Fish, sat on a bench and eaten a caramel cookie, ridden rides that my family doesn't love...enjoyed shows. Find the foods you'd love to try, experiences just for you, and ... joy! Just for you! Have fun!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I tried to do the 4 parks in one day thing on a solo trip and made it to 3. I got sidetracked in the 3rd park doing fun things. I love to do the things that other people in my family don't. I've done a couple of tours, eaten dinner at places they aren't interested in, taken alot of pictures and done quite a bit of people watching which I enjoy while I'm sitting down and having a snack. Oh and shopping - I like to window shop and I collect pins so I usually spend time doing that on solo trips.

I take advantage of single rider lines when possible too. I love my solo trips. Have a great time!

 

[tinkerbella16]

You are going to love WDW solo! I actually prefer going solo, even when with my family, I always make sure to find time for myself. I went in November solo. Met up with friends who were there the same time, for a few meals. But when you go alone, you really don't NEED a plan, when you have no one else to worry about, but yourself. Just do what you feel like doing. Wake up early if you like, and start the day when you want to. Touring the parks by myself gives me a chance to stop when I want and see things I never get to when I am with other people. Grab a snack and sit down and just enjoy the atmosphere and take it all in. Ride your favorite rides as many times as you want. There aren't many single rider lines, but use them - Test Track, Everest and RnRC. Enjoy it!

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I really enjoy just sitting on a bench (or curb) and watching the world go by. I especially like doing this early on MK days to watch the people coming in with that excitement brewing and people tripping over others while looking at park maps or apps. haha My family doesn't ever want to do that. I'm with you on the DHS thing. From what I've heard, this park is so close to being under construction (or might be walled off at spots already) that very little is happening there except for Hollywood Blvd (TT, RRC). Even though I love those two rides, I would actually skip it completely and spend that entire day in MK and save the hopper cost if you don't plan to use it for the other days.

 

[CinderellaElla]

Looks like you've already got a pretty solid plan going! I totally support the "4 parks in 1 day" idea! I think that would be so much fun, especially as a solo traveler!
I've never done a solo trip before. Usually it's just my husband and I or my mother and I. As I am getting a littler older I keep considering a solo trip, especially being pretty close to Disney World

One thing I will mention is that for dining, if you ever want company, try either Biergarten or Teppan Edo in Epcot. You are seated next to other people and can easily strike up conversations and get to know others

 

[prestoncaldwell]

I tried to do the 4 parks in one day thing on a solo trip and made it to 3. I got sidetracked in the 3rd park doing fun things. I love to do the things that other people in my family don't. I've done a couple of tours, eaten dinner at places they aren't interested in, taken alot of pictures and done quite a bit of people watching which I enjoy while I'm sitting down and having a snack. Oh and shopping - I like to window shop and I collect pins so I usually spend time doing that on solo trips.

I take advantage of single rider lines when possible too. I love my solo trips. Have a great time!

This is GREAT! So nice to be able to say, "I was planning on four parks, but I'm having fun here, so I'll just chill here the rest of the day," without having to consider the wants of other people.

As a middle aged man in today's society, my solo presence in the parks would probably be viewed with suspicion

 

[rangerxenos]

I ended up getting park hoppers for my first solo trip last December after hemming and hawing, and I'm really glad I did. Of course, the Osborne Lights were there, so I ended up hopping over to DHS a couple of times just to see the lights, but I also hopped over to MK to see the fireworks a couple of times.

I considered trying the 4 parks in one day challenge, but ultimately decided I didn't want to just rush through things just so I could say I did it.

I kept riding my favorite rides multiple times, and waiting for character photos, which my hubby hates to do. You will love going solo!

 

[georgina]

As a middle aged man in today's society, my solo presence in the parks would probably be viewed with suspicion

I doubt anyone would even notice. There is a whole section on this forum for solo travel. http://www.disboards.com/forums/disney-for-adults-and-solo-travelers.54/

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

All parks in one day would be fun. You could take a selfie in front of a key thing in each park (AK tree of life etc...)

Great idea! Like I said, I can't do a lot of the thrill rides, but I could get a picture in front of the castle in MK, the tree in AK, Spaceship Earth or something fun in WS at Epcot, and who knows what in DHS.... I love this idea.

I think you have the right idea. My solo trips allow me to accomplish all the things that are of interest to me, but not necessarily to my family. I have done a Body Scrub/ Wrap at Senses Saratoga Springs, eating at Flying Fish, sat on a bench and eaten a caramel cookie, ridden rides that my family doesn't love...enjoyed shows. Find the foods you'd love to try, experiences just for you, and ... joy! Just for you! Have fun!

I hadn't even thought about going to one of the spas! Great idea....and I've always wanted to explore the Boardwalk but have never had a chance....that would be fun, too.

I tried to do the 4 parks in one day thing on a solo trip and made it to 3. I got sidetracked in the 3rd park doing fun things. I love to do the things that other people in my family don't. I've done a couple of tours, eaten dinner at places they aren't interested in, taken alot of pictures and done quite a bit of people watching which I enjoy while I'm sitting down and having a snack. Oh and shopping - I like to window shop and I collect pins so I usually spend time doing that on solo trips.

I take advantage of single rider lines when possible too. I love my solo trips. Have a great time!

I can definitely see myself getting sidetracked and dropping DHS completely, as much as I love TSMM.

You are going to love WDW solo! I actually prefer going solo, even when with my family, I always make sure to find time for myself. I went in November solo. Met up with friends who were there the same time, for a few meals. But when you go alone, you really don't NEED a plan, when you have no one else to worry about, but yourself. Just do what you feel like doing. Wake up early if you like, and start the day when you want to. Touring the parks by myself gives me a chance to stop when I want and see things I never get to when I am with other people. Grab a snack and sit down and just enjoy the atmosphere and take it all in. Ride your favorite rides as many times as you want. There aren't many single rider lines, but use them - Test Track, Everest and RnRC. Enjoy it!

Thanks so much!

I really enjoy just sitting on a bench (or curb) and watching the world go by. I especially like doing this early on MK days to watch the people coming in with that excitement brewing and people tripping over others while looking at park maps or apps. haha My family doesn't ever want to do that. I'm with you on the DHS thing. From what I've heard, this park is so close to being under construction (or might be walled off at spots already) that very little is happening there except for Hollywood Blvd (TT, RRC). Even though I love those two rides, I would actually skip it completely and spend that entire day in MK and save the hopper cost if you don't plan to use it for the other days.

I love to people watch!!! I'm seriously thinking about skipping DHS....I love TSMM but I'm not sure it's worth the effort and time it would take to be there really early to ride just one ride in that park...

Looks like you've already got a pretty solid plan going! I totally support the "4 parks in 1 day" idea! I think that would be so much fun, especially as a solo traveler!
I've never done a solo trip before. Usually it's just my husband and I or my mother and I. As I am getting a littler older I keep considering a solo trip, especially being pretty close to Disney World

One thing I will mention is that for dining, if you ever want company, try either Biergarten or Teppan Edo in Epcot. You are seated next to other people and can easily strike up conversations and get to know others

Great ideas -- thanks!

This is GREAT! So nice to be able to say, "I was planning on four parks, but I'm having fun here, so I'll just chill here the rest of the day," without having to consider the wants of other people.

As a middle aged man in today's society, my solo presence in the parks would probably be viewed with suspicion

I wouldn't think anything of the sort about seeing a man alone in the parks! Sad that society has come to that....

I ended up getting park hoppers for my first solo trip last December after hemming and hawing, and I'm really glad I did. Of course, the Osborne Lights were there, so I ended up hopping over to DHS a couple of times just to see the lights, but I also hopped over to MK to see the fireworks a couple of times.

I considered trying the 4 parks in one day challenge, but ultimately decided I didn't want to just rush through things just so I could say I did it.

I kept riding my favorite rides multiple times, and waiting for character photos, which my hubby hates to do. You will love going solo!

Meeting characters....that's something I'd like to do but I never know what to say to them....

Thanks, everyone!

 

[phtktz3]

The absolute best thing about going solo is shopping at World of Disney at Disney Springs and not spending all of your time there looking for the other members of your family!!
I love my solo trips and like others have mentioned I just do whatever I want when I want.
One thing I like to do is watch the films in the different countries in World Showcase. My family would never stand for that!!