Questions, questions...

[stellamara]

Hi everyone! I'm stellamara and though I'm technically living in Ireland, I saw the UK Trip Planning Forum and thought 'that's close enough' - which explains why I'm posting here.

I booked my flights and accommodation to Orlando a while ago, so everything is pretty much sorted in that regard. However, a few things have been pestering me. I'm planning on going to Orlando and Walt Disney World on my own (a friend could possibly be coming with, but it looks unlikely). By the time I arrive there I will be 23, and while I do consider myself very independent and capable, I am slightly nervous of a couple of things.

One thing is: crowds. I'm going next April (because it fits with my college break), so should I expect to be in a stampede of visitors because of the Easter holiday?

The other and perhaps more serious concern is that I'm considered epileptic. My brain (apparently) gives the signs that I could one day have a seizure. Yet I have never, ever, experienced one yet. I am worried that maybe a combination of crowds, heat and theme park rides could possibly allow for a seizure. Am I crazy then to even consider going to Disney?

I would really appreciate any advise. And hopefully, if I do end up in Orlando sometime in April, I may see you all around.

Cheers!

 

[Thickey]

Hi stellamara,

I haven't done more than a few hours solo in Magic Kingdom before but I didn't feel awkward or anything like that. I went solo to San Fransisco a few years ago which was ok, but I'm the sort of person that would have had more fun with someone else.. I think I missed the 'should we do such and such' conversations. There is so much going on at WDW that you could quite happily fill your days and still have things left. There is an adults and solo travelers forum here http://www.disboards.com/forums/disney-for-adults-and-solo-travelers.54/ which after a quick looks like you can say 'Hey I'm going to be around on date X lets go round the park togeter' sort of thing.

As for the crowds, going solo is great and you should find you can weave around people. Also going on rides as one person is a huge advantage.. only a few rides have single rider lines but if you keep your ears open on most rides CMs will ask if there are any singles anywhere to fill up the odd space... it can save you some time here and there.

If you are very worried about your medical condition perhaps you can look at getting some kind of medical alert bracelet? but I guess it would probably be too late by that time. You are not at all crazy for wanting to go solo. If something happens then something happens, if it does then you will at least know that flashing lights or whatever will set you off. What is the worst that could happen? *I have no knowledge or experience of epilepsy so please don't trust what I say!*

Take a look at a few crowed calendars so you know what you are letting yourself into (http://www.easywdw.com/easy/category/calendars/ ) But I say go for it, enjoy it.... Imagine how sad it would be if you never went!

 

[disneyholic family]

regarding your medical concerns, i would put all your important information on a card/paper and get it laminated..
and then carry that around on you....actually several copies...
put one in your handbag...carry one in a pocket of your clothes..
even wear a little bum bag, just to carry the information where people will be sure to see it if something should happen...
it should include your name, your emergency contact information (your family or whoever), your hotel name, your medical insurance details...

one year when my kids were younger (10 and 8 years old at the time), i took them to WDW by myself (DH had to stay home)....i have a brain tumor and there was the chance that something would happen (there is always that chance, but this time i was with the kids by myself).....
all three of us carried that info in a bum bag.....that is, i had each child wear their own bum bag with only that info in it...there was nothing else in it except for the emergency information...
and i of course had it on me as well..

 

[stellamara]

Hi,

Thank you both for your reply. It is really appreciated. Also, thank you Thickey for linking me to the solo traveler's board! I will be definitely using that in the future. I can see what you're saying about the advantages of going solo though when queuing for rides. That will certainly come in handy when I arrive.

The suggestion of a bracelet or some sort of information card isn't a bad idea at all actually. Since I'm on my own, and if by some possibility I do have a seizure, it will tell the attendant what they're dealing with if I'm out of it. So again, thank you both very much!

 

[pinklotusflower]

I haven't done a solo trip but have done solo days in the parks and really enjoyed it, I did the rides I wanted but also things like looking for hidden mickeys and played sorcery's game in MK. It nice to do what you want when you want.

Re your medical condition I would wear an alert and speak to your consultant for advice on what to avoid or what might help. We tend to go to the parks in the morning back to the resort to relax at the pool in the afternoon and park/Disney springs/off site on an evening this way we miss the busiest time of day. April shouldn't be too bad heat wise and there are plenty of places with air conditioning where you can cool down and make sure you stay hydrated.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Yes if you are going around our Easter holiday you will have large large crowds. Get to the park early because by 10:00 a.m. they begin turning people away because they are at capasity. You need to plan to use FP or you will have a 4 hr wait for rides. A friend of mine went last year and the wait for Soarin was 4hr. When she posted this I went online and was able to book at FP that I could use within 30 minutes. She on the other hand knew nothing about FP and waited the 4 hours! So use the FP system