Possible solo trip-Advice please.

[lgp1]

I was planning a trip to Disney in MAy or Sept/Oct with my niece and her partner but it now seems they can't go.If I go by myself would I look out of place [I will be fifty one by the time I go].The last twice I've been I've taken my children with me but they don't want to go.Would I enjoy it as much on my own.Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance

 

[TLinden16]

Welcome to the DIS, lgp1!

I took my first solo trip to Disney World back in 2003, and I thought it would be weird, but I was surprised by the number of other solos I saw around.

I think whether or not you feel weird will depend on your personality. Do you mind sitting in a restaurant by yourself? Are you comfortable striking up a conversation with a perfect stranger on a bus ride, waiting for a show to start, or standing in a line?

I find that my solo trips are enhanced by the interaction I have with others. I always seem to find a nice family to chat with on the buses (telling someone they have a beautiful family is a great ice breaker). I'll chat with the kids asking them who their favorite character is, or if they got to meet Mickey yet. On many trips, I make a little game out of saying "Happy Birthday" to everyone I see wearing a birthday pin--people are usually quite surprised that I noticed.

Check out the DIS meet board. There are often opportunity's to meet up with other DISers. If you don't see one scheduled for while you're there, then plan one yourself! Suggest a meeting for a Dole Whip at the Magic Kingdom, or a fun night out at Jellyrolls or Pleasure Island. You never know who you'll meet. I've probably meet at least 200 DISers, and I have yet to meet one I didn't enjoy being around.

See if anyone else is going solo at the same time as you. If you post on the dining threads on this board, you may be able to meet someone for dinner one night. Some of my closest DIS friends are other people who were travelling solo who I met for a meal or a parade. I think there are even some locals who will meet up with folks if they are available.

Take a break from the parks and have a meal at one of the resorts. I find that the resort restaurants aren't as busy as the ones in the parks, and the servers are almost always willing to chat here and there.

So, I say go for it. You won't regret it (and will probably be ready to book your next solo trip before you head back).

 

[Valentine]

Just back from my 4th solo trip.. and each one is longer and longer.. but not long enough!! LOL!! I went for 10 days this time.. and could have stayed even longer! If you are used to being alone, then a solo trip would be fine for you... I live alone.. so.. to me it is nothing different.... Actually.. it's better.. because you are never alone at Disney... I talk to everyone... most people are friendlier at Disney.. so... try it out.. and worse case scenario.. if you hate it.. you can just go home! But I can assure you.. that won't happen.. you will get spoiled being able to do what you want, when you want... or doing nothing at all but lying by the pool with a good book!!

Have a great time!

Kathy

 

[Simba's Mom]

I was planning a trip to Disney in MAy or Sept/Oct with my niece and her partner but it now seems they can't go.If I go by myself would I look out of place [I will be fifty one by the time I go].The last twice I've been I've taken my children with me but they don't want to go.Would I enjoy it as much on my own.Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance

Believe me, you won't look out of place. I'm 53, and always try to get to Dumbo, Triceratop Spin, Cinderella's Carousel (I just have trouble hauling myself up if the horses are too high-hence my tag!), Character Meals, etc. And when I went to DL solo, my goal was to experience every ride in Fantasyland. Maybe there were a few wider than normal smiles from CMs, but no one made me feel "out of place". Solo trips are such fun!

 

[chyam]

You will not feel out of place at all..........and when you get your dates just post them, there are many solos that live in FL that may join you for a day or for a meal! I would suggest early May or Oct. The Flower and Garden festival in May at EPCOT is beautiful and they have many seminars, the same way with Oct. You have the Food and Wine Festival, with that you have seminars also and you can also eat at the booths and never feel out of place at all! I think most people say that they never notice solos but believe me there are many of them, you just have to look for them, the thing is when we travel with a group we are so immersed in our group that we really do not notice the solos! I have never had a problem starting a conversation with people either at the counter service restaurants or standing in line. People are at Disney for all the same reason...........to enjoy themselves.

 

[BonnieA]

I've made many solo trips (and I'm a few years older than you). I started going solo because my husband doesn't enjoy the parks as much as I do so I only take him every few years. I do go with relatives and friends too but when no one else can go, I'm perfectly happy to go by myself. In two separate trips, I met two different DISer's for the day (you guys know who you are ). Never felt out of place eating alone. I do mostly counter service but I have gone to the Tea at the Grand Floridian by myself. And I will even do the Fantasmic Package and go to Hollywood and Vine. The only time I've ever felt lonely on a trip was when I went with two other couples and my husband was joining me later in the trip. But before he joined me the other couples kind of "paired up" and then I felt left out.

 

[spiceycat]

People are easy to talk to at WDW.

offer to take their picture.

most people want to talk....

I have started up a conversation with the family in front of me to also get the family behind me involved.

you can do it!!!

you will have fun!!! you will enjoy every minute!!!

 

[tinkerbell87512]

i thought about it a lot. and after reading these boards ive decided to go on my first solo trip this june 5-9th. honestly i was really nervous before but now im really excited! go for it!!!

 

[BriarRosie]

I agree with everything Karen "Jellyrolls" has stated.

There is a lot of freedom when travelling solo. You can eat ice cream for
dinner if you want. There's nobody around to tell you otherwise.

You can watch your favorite shows without hearing anyone say, "I don't like
that show, let's do something else." You can even do nothing at all but
relax by the pool. The choice is yours.

I know that many people are intimidated by the thought of a solo trip, but
at WDW, it's really quite commonplace to see solos.

The only drawback I've ever had is experiencing things I know specific
people would enjoy with me. "I wish so and so were here to see that!!"
kind of moments. Other than that, I like solo trips.

 

[siouxi31]

This year will be my first WDW solo trip. I've done Disneyland solo 3 times. The first time it was hard for me to enjoy it. I felt guilty going there without the kids. It's not that I planned those solo trips. I was out in LA on business all 3 times and when in LA, one must go to Disneyland.
I had such a rotten time the first time that I vowed to never waste such a wonderful opportunity again. The 2nd trip to LA for business, I decided that I was going to go to Disneyland and enjoy it. I stayed at Paradise Pier, had breakfast with Minnie, and headed over to Magic Kingdom. I had a terrifc time.
In addition to the above tips, just vow to yourself that you will use this alone time to enjoy yourself, do what you want to do, do what you cannot do when family is around, and soak it all in.
Have a great time!

 

[lgp1]

Thanks everyone I feel a lot easier about going solo after reading your replies.Hopefully I'll go in September because I know it's easier to get on the rides and with a bit of luck I'll have nice weather.