Questions for Disers who go solo...

[arcadiandj]

My wife will be hanging out with a friend during our next visit, so I'm wondering what my plan will be. I was researching a little, and one of the threads I read seemed to be focused on doing the attractions solo. I'm not sure that interests me all that much. Go figure.

So I'm wondering, for those of you who go solo, other than riding attractions, how do you enjoy the parks? I will certainly hit Trader Sam's (for an early lunch with drinks!). I was solo for a brief period during our last trip, and my first inclinations was to shop, grab lunch, and then nap. But I wanted to see what others who go solo like to do?

Thank you in advance

 

[disneyxica20]

i've never spent a whole day by myself, but since i'm pregnant right now i will do my own thing while the rest of my group gets on one of the big rides. i look for hidden mickeys or other hidden gems in the park (like the four leaf clover in a bug's land, the house of the little man of disneyland, etc), take pics with characters, check out a show or other entertainment in the park, check out the animation building, and of course eat!

 

[Angrose]

I would do the things your wife may not enjoy or things you may not have time to do with your wife on this trip. I like to shop so I do a lot of that when solo. I also enjoy the Disneyland band so I try to catch them, especially the castle show. Sometimes I just grab some beignets and people watch.

 

[ej119]

I've been solo 1.5 times (one was a partial trip). I saw shows that I knew my DH and friends never wanted to see again (i.e. Mickey and the Magical Map, parades), I went shopping, I treated myself to drinks and dinner and met some very nice people. My first solo time, I felt like I needed to do everything. The next time (my first totally solo trip), I felt like I was able to enjoy everything -- I had just a short list of must-do's.

 

[lalasmama]

I go solo 1-2 times a year for 3-4 days at a time, so I get a lot of time in by myself, seeing that I leave my family 934 miles away

I may:

--Take advantage of single rider lines for attractions I like that DH doesn't like as much. (Hello, Matterhorn 4 times in a row!)

--Take pictures. Lots of pictures. Came home with 450 my last 4-day trip in October, 350 the time before that.

--Watch "sitting" attractions (Lincoln, Tiki Room, Mickey and the Magical Map, vaudeville shows, etc).

--Eat an unreasonable amount of snack foods (mainly, lots of ice cream that my family doesn't want to eat).

--Watch the swing dancers on Saturday night.

--Sneak in for a last-minute parade viewing (people often leave a bit of a "space cushion" between them and the group next to them, so I just ask if I can squeeze in that space, explaining that it's only me, not a whole family).

--Eat places my family doesn't like/care about. (Pomme frites at Cafe Orleans)

--Just wander and enjoy the ambiance.

--People watch on Main Street.

--Ride the Main Street vehicles. They provide a much different view from just walking down Main Street. Riding the fire engine was especially fun--I got to ring the bell. However, I was admonished that I "didn't ring it enough" about half way through, so I rang it a lot more after that. Let me tell you, as a grown adult (like, with grown children and everything!), I felt more giddy and silly ringing that bell, and left with the biggest smile on my face, and such a fun memory of something I figured would be pretty "meh."

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Aside from rides, I typically go shopping (I don't get to really look much when my husband and kids are with me as they get bored), have a meal my family wouldn't normally want to eat with me, and watch some of the bands/performers on Main St. Mostly, I try to focus on doing things I don't get to do when I have people with me.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I haven't done a whole day alone, but the other night I stayed after my friends left and walked on to a bunch of rides. It's fun for me if there aren't waits (but I probably wouldn't enjoy waiting in long lines all alone...).

I would definitely hit up all the shows, and I love people-watching with a glass of wine over at DCA!

 

[Darkbeer1]

As someone who has done the parks solo, I don't mind it, but in reality, I am usually doing some work and taking photos or coming to check out one specific thing.

I remember during the World of Color construction, riding the Fun Wheel too many times,and usually the swinging cars,as they provided better views of the construction.

Once, I was at the park, and talking to the infamous Maynard, somehow he got sent to DCA for Parade crowd control, and a guest came up and asked where the nearest bathroom was. I tend to keep my mouth shut, as it is the CM's job to answer, but Maynard gave me this "I don't know" look, so I stepped in and pointed them to the closest one....

Of course, I used to finish the day talking to the Cove Bar bartenders when at DCA,who sent me to talk to specific people when they thought I would be helpful,and that included some "celebrities".

But I usually like to walk around,checkout out things visually, don't ride too much, sometimes a roller coaster with a short line, or I got a FP for it. Lots of Monorail trips, usually to see something from above and take photos. Talk to some CM's friends of mine, or avoid them if some other people are around. (And I have been followed by Disney Management multiple times,watching what I do, and how I got some of the photos without breaking the rules. (one of my favorites, I talked the Rainforest Cafe manager to let me go upstairs during a special DCA event. One of the senior Media folks saw me, and looked shocked, and went to talk to his boss, and they realized they couldn't do anything about it....

But to be able to say enough, getting too crowded, or just need a break, you can do it without upsetting the rest of the group. I also usually have an earbud in one ear listening to something to keep me entertained.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I am a solo and I have been to Disneyland California and Disneyland Paris multiple times solo. I like to do rides multiple times in a row, ie in Pirates, I will do the ride, and go around and go straight back in. Or I will do Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Haunted Mansion. I skip things like parades and character meets and shows and concentrate on rides. I use the single rider lin alot. Sometimes I dont have a proper meal just snack on the go, other times I book a spluge table service meal and chill out for a few hours with a book. I sit and people watch in the hub. Basically going solo in the parks means you are totally free to see the parks your way. Do rides and attractions you always seem to miss when with others, do your favorite rides multiple times in a row, eat when you want and the type of food you want without having to worry about price or pickey eaters. If you are usually go go go with with others, chill out, walk slow and relax or if you usually have to take a slower pace with others, now when solo you can do sooo much more without having to wait for others. Dont let being solo stop you from doing things, in fact most of us find that being solo in the parks is far more enjoyable than being with a group

 

[bumbershoot]

I do exactly what I want to do at that moment and revel in the fact that I don't have to explain myself to others.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I spent a couple days solo recently. The most amazing thing I found about it was that I got so much done in so little time. The first day I park hopped a few times (was on both parks twice) and that was really nice. When I wanted a dessert, I went to almost every place in DL and then DCA before I decided what I wanted. I watched Mickey and the Magical Map, had curb seating for 2 different parades (there is often room for one to sit), went on a lot more rides than I normally do. I found that not having to discuss every move and decision saved a lot of time.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I found that not having to discuss every move and decision saved a lot of time.

This is what I love, just doing rather than having endless discussions about whats next, wasting so much time getting a group decision about every single thing

 

[arcadiandj]

Thank you so much to all! MUCH good food for thought!

 

[disneychrista]

My last trip (this past May) was a solo trip. I did attractions, enjoyed shows/parades, ate at places I hadn't before (either because of cost for 3 vs 1, time, liking), I did look in the shops but didn't buy anything (not big on "stuff"). And for the first time I allowed myself an adult beverage (or two) at DCA.

Honestly, it was awkward, at first, being solo. But I am used to doing things solo, so I got over that pretty quick and just enjoyed myself.

 

[chrisaman]

My mom does it all the time. She will just sit by rivers of America with a book or sit on the porch at Main Street and people watch. She eats carnation cafe every morning.