PROS/CONS: Going to Disney solo

[NY Disney fan]

I have the opportunity to go to Disney World this year by myself (first time going solo but have been to Disney numerous times). I have never traveled anywhere by myself and I'm not necessarily anxious about traveling...just getting there and enjoying my vacation. What are the pros/cons of going to Disney by yourself?

 

[Amysita]

LOADS of pros: Do what you want when you want - not having to compromize every single decision of what to ride, when to ride, when to arrive, when to leave, where to eat, etc...it's very liberating. You'll get to see things you never noticed before because you won't be preoccupied with your group. Getting in the single rider lines can save you OODLES of valueable time...they fill in spare spots on rides...giving you more time to do other things. People do NOT look at you funny...think of all the groups out there that split up briefly so that peeps can ride their favorite ride or watch a show the rest of the group does not want to do...as far as the 1000's of strangers are concerned...that's what you are doing, and quite honestly are too busy having their own fun than to notice they've even seen you in the first place. Eating alone is not a problem either...if you really feel wierd eating alone...opt for eating at the bar...bar-tenders will make small talk with you (and maybe even entertain you with tricks) throughout your experience. And when you're at the bar, it's hard to tell where one 'group' ends and another begins.

I can only thing of two cons: 1) my friends and family think I'm nuts every time I travel solo...but but yet none of them want to go either...they will come to accept your solo traveling the more you do it...just be braced for it on your first trip, some will even try to talk you out of it. And 2) I arrived at a parade site early at DLand (45 pre-parade time) to ensure I had a curbside view. Adults w/ chlidren would show up much later and ask if I would mind stepping back so they (and their children) could have my front row view. As bad as this sounds, I held my ground, I would tell them their children were welcome to since I could see over their heads, but that they (the parents) would have to stand behind me (where they would still have view of their children) that I had shown up 45 before time to get the spot I had not by accident. The first 4 families wouldn't take me up on this offer and I did feel the stares of them and the families around me of what a horrible person they thought I was...the 5th family took me up on my offer...two delightful girls & I had the most wonderful experience.

 

[MyMuse]

I had a great time solo, the pros are what the previous poster stated.

The only time when it was a little odd was dining at a table service alone, but my waiter was great. I kept myself busy by writing in my journal.

See my TR below for more info.

I recently went again to celebrate my niece's bday with her and my bro..I wish I went solo!! LOL!!!

 

[Candice30]

tons and tons of pros. love being the sole decision maker...not having to compromise what so ever is the best. i didn't mind eating solo but i have mostly stuck to counter service places. the only con i can think of is that there are some times that i miss not having somone to share things with. you know the funny thing you just saw or how great a ride was and you look around and your alone. that gets to me sometimes but not enough to stop me from going solo. i tried it once at universal and hated it. disney was definitely the better choice solo.

check out my trip reports below. there are 2 solo disney trips there!

 

[Floydian]

tons and tons of pros. love being the sole decision maker...not having to compromise what so ever is the best. i didn't mind eating solo but i have mostly stuck to counter service places. the only con i can think of is that there are some times that i miss not having somone to share things with. you know the funny thing you just saw or how great a ride was and you look around and your alone. that gets to me sometimes but not enough to stop me from going solo. i tried it once at universal and hated it. disney was definitely the better choice solo.

check out my trip reports below. there are 2 solo disney trips there!

Gotta agree with everything here. I've been a local solo visitor on and off for the past few years. Well, I just finished my first DIS Meet at WDW and had a blast too. Mind you, I was still technically solo, but also met up with folks for meals or to tour the parks for a bit or whatever. Like Candice said, I really got something extra from enjoying moments with other people, but I also saw how trying to plan for everyone's ideas would be distracting. Fortunately, I'm a local, so the whole idea for me was to spend time with the people, and WDW just made for an ideal locale. Rides and shows and meals were just a bonus.

With all that said, again, I agree completely with Candice. The only Con I've found is some of those unique or silly moments where you look around and realize you're alone.

 

[justlikeeyore]

One con I can think of is if you go to one of the parades or fireworks and get there early for a good seat you cant get up to get youself a snack unless you ask a stranger to hold your spot.

 

[MyMuse]

Maybe a con is taking photographs without you in it. Usually Photopass will serve well or a nice CM will take pics, if you are in a character meet line or meal.

I did do better going on the thrill rides with my niece and bro than I did by myself. I actually did Splash Mountain and Rock n Roller coaster this time around.

But other than that, it's all goooood.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I had never traveled anywhere by myself either and I'm in my mid-40's. At the very least I always had the kids with me.

I went to Disney solo April 29-May3rd.
It was fantastic and I encourage anyone who wants to go solo but is a bit nervous about it to go for it.

The only con I could think of is you might get lonely without your family but I actually didn't.
I talked with people alot - on the buses, in lines, waiting for my ADR's or fireworks or shows. I met alot of great people.

I loved being able to do what I wanted, when I wanted. It was so easy and quick to just get myself up in the mornings and out the door.

I even rode ToT for the first time since I'm usually the one watching the kids while DH rides it. I'm not sure if I liked it but at least I got to try!

I have tons of fun photopass photos of me and since I volunteered to take several pics for folks so they could all be in them, they took some of me too.

It was great fun and I want to do it again someday.

Plus I had the added bonus of my family telling me they didn't realize everything I did everyday and they missed me.

 

[jewjubean]

I just got back from the world on friday and I realized alot about myself and life in general on this trip. I figured out that your a much stronger person if you can go somewhere by yourself and keep yourself occupied for a week, not relying on another person to keep you entertained. I totally enjoyed my trip the post above me states exactly what I would say...no need to repeat myself!!
I especially loved to talk to random people I wouldnt have normally met if I was occupied with family/friends with me.

 

[SoloFriendly]

I actually did a blog post last year on the Pros and Cons of traveling alone to WDW.

Jewjubean, that's an astute observation. People do often use traveling companions as a crutch to keep them entertained. I think one of the reasons so many people are on their cell phones in public as much as they are is that they haven't developed the skills to be alone for any length of time. Keeping yourself entertained requires more effort, but can also be so rewarding. I came back from my solo trip just last week with some awesome photographs that I wouldn't have been able to take if I had someone with me tapping their foot impatiently and saying "Come on, can we go already???"

 

[auntfrannie]

tons and tons of pros. love being the sole decision maker...not having to compromise what so ever is the best. i didn't mind eating solo but i have mostly stuck to counter service places. the only con i can think of is that there are some times that i miss not having somone to share things with. you know the funny thing you just saw or how great a ride was and you look around and your alone. that gets to me sometimes but not enough to stop me from going solo. i tried it once at universal and hated it. disney was definitely the better choice solo.

check out my trip reports below. there are 2 solo disney trips there!

I agree! The pros far outweigh the cons. As Candice said, the only con I can think of is when something special happens and you have no one to share it with. I've never had a problem dining solo at any of the TS restaurants. As a matter of fact, I think the CMs go out of their way to make you feel more comfortable.

 

[MyMuse]

I actually did a blog post last year on the Pros and Cons of traveling alone to WDW.

I did go to this link and read the posts. I have to go back and finish. It's a great read!

I did 2 Disney trips this year and my solo one was better in some ways. I have both trip report links below if you want to check out the difference.

And there is quite alot of solo meets going on, so you can always meet up with people, if you want. It's sort of the best of both worlds!