Returning to MK solo after everyone is asleep?

[DisneyIslandGirl]

We will be returning to The World on Friday (Yippeee!!) for seven days - our third visit. It's DH, DD(5), and me. There is a one hour time difference between home and Orlando, meaning that the corrected bedtime for DD is 7pm. While she will likely stay up a bit later while on vacation, we are all early morning people and have no trouble doing pre-open ADRs or RD every day. Both DD and DH will be happiest if they are asleep before 9pm.
But, this means we miss out on being in park for Wishes, Electrical Parade, and just generally the nighttime magic.
I'm considering returning to the parks (mostly MK and E) after bedtime by myself. We're at the Polynesian, so getting to the parks should be ok. I don't have any experience touring the parks on my own, so I'm worried I'll feel awkward, shy, etc. Any advice? Thanks!

 

[DisneyIslandGirl]

Sorry, I meant to say we will be there from Feb27-Mar3, and I have park hoppers. Oh, and this trip I'm celebrating a big (cough - 40 - cough) birthday.

 

[Disneylover99]

I've done this a few times when my kids were younger. My husband would stay with the kids while I headed off to the MK. It's so very freeing. You will not feel awkward at all. Enjoy!

Just to add, you may feel a bit guilty thinking about your husband looking after the kids back at the resort, but grab a Dole Whip and it will pass.

 

[nickcapp]

I do it all the time otherwise I never get to hit the "big" rides. I never feel awkward or out of place. It does get a little lonely standing in line. Its nice to stroll a bit and take in the atmosphere without having to worry about someone else. I would be remiss if I did not mention it can get a little boring with no one to share the parks with, so I usually buy a citrus swirl or dole whip and then I have all the companionship I need...

 

[PeasandCarrots]

I don't think you will feel awkward at all - so much to do and see and so many people a solo person doesn't stand out. Both my husband and I have done things the other either didn't want to do or couldn't do solo. He's stayed out to see night time shows when I was too tired. I've ridden rides he can't go on, etc. I never felt strange & had a great time! Besides the alternative is missing all the great entertainment at night! I would go and have fun!

 

[wisblue]

When our daughters were small, I did that so I could catch something like Illuminations or Fantasmic. My wife didn't mind staying with the kids and it was actually easier to get them settled down with one less adult around who wasn't ready to turn out the lights yet.

It certainly isn't awkward at all being on your own. There are so many people in different types of groups that nobody is going to notice or care about a solo adult. You can move around more quickly and don't have to worry about keeping track of kids in the big crowds leaving the nighttime shows.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I've done this a few times! In fact, on our first trip with DS (when he was one), we stayed at Poly and I did this exact thing! Went to MK after DH and DS were asleep and hit all the big rides, saw Wishes and had an ice cream sundae. It was awesome! I've done WS and Illuminations alone as well. Last August, DS and I were at Poly alone and he went to Lilo's Playhouse one night, while I went to MK. It's fun!

 

[DVCcurious]

I've left my family in the room and gone to a park many times. I never felt awkward, in fact I'd talk to people in line and make "friends" to pass the time. See the thing is, you wait in line with your family day after day at WDW, so you totally want to talk to somebody new for the 40+ minutes you're in line. So it's always been easy for me to find people to talk to in line.

Once my family went back for a nap and I stayed at HS and I was in line for Rock N Rollercoaster talking to people about how nervous I was because the ride was gonna be scary (I hadn't ridden it before). Sure enough, the ride was terrible. Later I was in front of the elevator at Tower of Terror and one of the people I was talking to in line of RnR was there and he asked "so how was RnR"? And I was like "It was terrible!" ha ha. Good times.

 

[DisneyIslandGirl]

Thanks everyone! Now I'm super excited to have my little adventure!

 

[anniemae]

Do it!!! I will live vicariously through you!! I have always wanted to do this, but when I put my son to bed, I lie down with him and am out cold in minutes. Like snoring, deep sleep, I'm not opening my eyes until morning. It's embarrassing, but we are all usually asleep by 9:00. I don't think we will ever make fireworks! It's a goal for us. Someday.

 

[Yahweh]

I think it all depends on your own personality. I'd enjoy a lot more with my family because I'm naturally awkward. Being at the Poly certainly makes it a lot easier to slip in and out. Being from PEI the last thing I want to do is be up that late with extremely tired kids, and have to wait for a bus with a thousand other people. The ability to take the Ferry right back to the Poly (TTC) makes it so easy! I'd do it at least once, and see how you feel. I believe you could also watch the fireworks from the Poly Beach if you wanted.

 

[EdmondD]

At least you're female, which makes it less weird. I'm a middle aged man....but i've never felt weird at all. The parks are so busy now it's hard to stand out, anyway!

 

[kschafer]

Hubby and I always give each other a solo night on our visits and they are the best! We each have a turn with the kids at the resort while the other gets to follow their wishes, whatever that is. Go for it!

 

[tjmw2727]

When my kids were small dh and I did this often and switched off who got to go back out! Sometimes one of us would just go back for the evening with the kids while the other stayed in the park or hopped, other times we would go back to the resort early evening for pool dinner and bed and then one of us would go back out. WDW is one place I never feel out of place alone and I have actually done a couple solo trips.

Our kids were good stroller sleepers so we sometimes got them in comfy clothes after bath and dinner for them and hit Epcot with them snug in the stroller. They loved to watch the live entertainment and we could get a drink and try foods from the outdoor CS shots and enjoy Epcot at night. If they were ready they would fall asleep in the stroller for the night. This is really easy at an Epcot resort or Monorail resorts (no carrying sleeping kid).

Now its me that sometimes hits the room early and my daughters hit the parks until closing

Have fun!

 

[PlutoFan10]

I recommend you do it! I've done that when my DH and DS were not feeling well. I felt odd not having someone to share my experience with, but seeing MSEP and Wishes is not to be missed! Take a relaxing ride on the Peoplemover, catch the Tiki Birds show, shop as LONG as you want....Enjoy!

 

[Paigesmom2013]

We will be there the same week. Wishes is at 8pm a few nights that week, so maybe your family could stay one of the nights? We're going to try it on Tuesday. Then the next day is our pool/hang out day so the kids might "sleep in" until 8am, lol.

 

[loves to dive]

I do solo trips often, so no it's not hard and no one even notices you. When my son is with me he likes to sleep late since it's the only time he doesn't have to get up and go to work or deal with his dogs and I get up early so I'll get up, walk around the resort, get coffee, get dress and head off to an early morning in the parks alone. I'll be honest, it's nice to have company but I think I prefer to go solo. It's just peaceful and relaxing not to have to worry about the other person getting bored or tired or separated from you in the crowd.

 

[Hannahinwonderland]

I've done this often! When I was a CM sometimes I would go into the park before or after work by myself and just do a couple favorite things. No one notices you, like others said, and it's relaxing! ALso, it's much easier to get a good parade/fireworks spot.

 

[Ensusieasm]

We will be returning to The World on Friday (Yippeee!!) for seven days - our third visit. It's DH, DD(5), and me. There is a one hour time difference between home and Orlando, meaning that the corrected bedtime for DD is 7pm. While she will likely stay up a bit later while on vacation, we are all early morning people and have no trouble doing pre-open ADRs or RD every day. Both DD and DH will be happiest if they are asleep before 9pm.
But, this means we miss out on being in park for Wishes, Electrical Parade, and just generally the nighttime magic.
I'm considering returning to the parks (mostly MK and E) after bedtime by myself. We're at the Polynesian, so getting to the parks should be ok. I don't have any experience touring the parks on my own, so I'm worried I'll feel awkward, shy, etc. Any advice? Thanks!

Do It! I sometimes do a couple whole days alone before other guests in my travel party even arrive! It's a whole new experience doing anything YOU want! Have Fun!

 

[Ensusieasm]

I do solo trips often, so no it's not hard and no one even notices you. When my son is with me he likes to sleep late since it's the only time he doesn't have to get up and go to work or deal with his dogs and I get up early so I'll get up, walk around the resort, get coffee, get dress and head off to an early morning in the parks alone. I'll be honest, it's nice to have company but I think I prefer to go solo. It's just peaceful and relaxing not to have to worry about the other person getting bored or tired or separated from you in the crowd.

I could have written this! You took the words right out of my mouth!