Rides you just can't do alone...

[bryanb]

Do you ever feel like you're intruding on a private party when you're asked to share a row/car/etc. with a family? Especially on an attraction where a photo is taken... and now you're permanently that "solo guy" in the family's vacation photo?

 

[muppetofaman]

My first solo trip is coming up in the first week of November and this was always one of my bigger concerns...being the adult male alone on It's a Small World . But in the end I am trying to keep the frame of mind "It's my vacation and I am going to do whatever I want!"

I have never much cared for the Tea Cups so I was planning on skipping over that one, but Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story are two that I will definitely been doing. I have actually never rode either one as my trips are usually VERY short in nature and I don't want to waste the time in never ending lines. By all accounts they are two of the funnest attractions so I am going to be sure to check them out and I'll let people know how they turned out for me solo

 

[ludari]

I'm confident about doing just about anything alone including rides but the that makes me feel a little uncomfortable alone is Dumbo. I'm not much of a Tea Cup person so even if I was with someone I would not do that ride.

 

[DelftBlue]

Do you ever feel like you're intruding on a private party when you're asked to share a row/car/etc. with a family? Especially on an attraction where a photo is taken... and now you're permanently that "solo guy" in the family's vacation photo?

This happened to me on test track. I guess they were having a family reunion or something. They all wore the same shirt. The entire family filled up the car and I took the last open spot. It was odd moment. The worst was that I wanted to add the photo to that photo pass thingy, but they got there before me and the CM closed out the photo.

I traveled to Reno, NV solo and I went to the rodeo and took a box seat, which was occupied by a large family. There was a moment of awkwardness, but they were incredibly friendly and started talking to me and offered me beer. One of my best trips. So sometimes you'll feel like the square peg, other times it works out.

 

[Lyndarella]

My concern too is that I would be put in a group that would rather not have me there. I don't mind it myself when a single rider joins us, but if I was alone I think I would feel awkward. Maybe after a little bit of practice, I would get more comfortable with the situation. I only wish I could experience going solo to try it out!

 

[TreeSapp]

My husband and I always try to chat up any solos we run across on rides or in line. Some people might find it annoying, but most people are very friendly back. Our mantra at Disney is "here, everyone is family!"

 

[Disney Frenhines]

I'm about to do my 6th solo trip and the only ride I don't do is Teacups, but, I love to do TSM and Buzz on my own. I don't like Table service dining and Character meals on my own. I did Ohana and the Luau and with Ohana the characters walked right past my table, very upsetting and I was stared at by other guests, luckily Mickey and Pluto came to my table in the end (I think my server had a word) but, I wouldn't do that again on my own. I wish people would understand there are a lot of solo travellers at WDW and there could be a good reason why they are on their own (I'm a Military widow with no children)

 

[want2bminnie]

This thread is making me paranoid

Should I cancel my FP+ for TSMM??

.

 

[PoohLover78]

This thread is making me paranoid

Should I cancel my FP+ for TSMM??

.

I wouldn't! I'd make a FP+ for it every day if I could! I just love everything about that ride there is, alone or not!

 

[ZehnJahren]

I rode everything I could while on my last solo trip and never thought twice about it (Teacups included). I'll do the same thing this trip too. I love TSMM, and I like having it "to myself" and trying to beat the people riding on the other side of the car. I love striking up a conversation with families in line, and I REALLY like hearing that "single rider?" question called out by a ToT CM. My companions on trips are usually "talkers", so when I'm on a solo trip I get the whole time to pay total attention to the ride and look at everything going on instead of chatting with whoever I'm with or hearing "oh look at that!" and having to oblige.

Kids are super friendly too, and I meet a lot of kids who want to chat - I have no problem with that, as I have 8 nieces and nephews and kids just tend to really like me. I'll strike up conversations on buses or in lines. Last year, I ended up in the TSMM mad dash behind a German family who were going on and on in German about how much they felt like cattle - they were pretty surprised when I started agreeing with them, in German. I went to school in Germany, and they didn't live far from the city I lived in.

It's so much fun to go solo!

 

[holoroses]

Hi all! I've been a longtime lurker and this is my first post (and I realize it's a bit of an old thread...), but the topic brought up a cute memory

My last trip was a solo trip, and I love the teacups, so I went on and got the added bonus of a dad and five-year-old-ish kid sharing my cup. The kid "helped" me spin the cup (while dad got a spinny moment to relax?). Having never been with kids (or as a kid!), it was a really nice opportunity to share a child's enjoyment (and I normally am not a kid person).

Since I'm generally very shy and won't usually start up a conversation in a line or anything, group rides that encourage interaction are my little social times on solo trips.

- Erica

 

[davedmaine]

I believe you can do any rides alone... But, it would be very awkward and sad.

I agree. I always scratch my head when I see families on the single rider lines. You go on vacation to be with your family, not someone else's

 

[winterman]

I posted earlier in this thread that I was determined to ride TSM by myself during my second solo trip. Well, I did it - three times. It will never be the same as when DH was with me but I still had a good time and will definitely do it again.

 

[Dani C]

Sometimes you quickly stop feeling like a single rider. For me, I can never forget the experience of sitting next to another female solo rider who must have been a bit frightened as she grabbed my arm early in ToT and didn't let go until the doors opened. Anyone seeing the photo would think we were traveling together.

 

[princess@heart]

I'm about to do my 6th solo trip and the only ride I don't do is Teacups, but, I love to do TSM and Buzz on my own. I don't like Table service dining and Character meals on my own. I did Ohana and the Luau and with Ohana the characters walked right past my table, very upsetting and I was stared at by other guests, luckily Mickey and Pluto came to my table in the end (I think my server had a word) but, I wouldn't do that again on my own. I wish people would understand there are a lot of solo travellers at WDW and there could be a good reason why they are on their own (I'm a Military widow with no children)

I'm sorry that happened to you.

I did a day solo at California Adventure and went to Ariel's Grotto for lunch. I felt really awkward at first, but all the princesses stopped at my table and were super-nice. When I told Cinderella I was from the East Coast, she said, "Oh my! That's a very long carriage ride!"

 

[princess@heart]

Last year, I ended up in the TSMM mad dash behind a German family who were going on and on in German about how much they felt like cattle - they were pretty surprised when I started agreeing with them, in German. I went to school in Germany, and they didn't live far from the city I lived in.

I wish I could do that!! I took 2 years of German in school, but I have forgotten it all. It's been 18 years since I graduated high school! D'oh!

Anyway, your post made me snort I laughed so hard!!

 

[princess@heart]

I think ToT is going to be hard for me to do solo. The drops make me laugh so hard, I'm worried the person next to me is going to think I'm nuts!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

This thread is making me paranoid

Should I cancel my FP+ for TSMM??

.

I don't see any problem. I've done TSMM solo about 15 times-never done it except as a solo. The one time DH was at DHS with me, I was the only one with a FP, so I gave it to him and he went solo. Don't see any problem.

The only ride I don't do solo is Space Mountain. I have to have DH with me so I can bury my head in his shoulder and scream in his ear. I don't think doing those things to a stranger would make me very popular.

 

[Disney Frenhines]

It's not the rides that exclude me, it's the character meals (and the Luau) I did Ohana at the Poly and I was completely ignored by the characters, I was also stared at by other guests when some characters finally came to my table after I spoke to the server (except Stitch v.disappointing)
I never do the Tea Cups, but, I go on Buzz far too many times and I even went on Winnie the Pooh.
I also hate being in line and
a. parents tell their kids loudly that they are next when I'm at the front of the queue and when I politely point out I'm next I either get 'I thought you were with the people with the character' even though I have a PP card and camera ready and no interaction while queuing with the family in front of me or they simply get the hump.
b. The photographers making no effort for my photos, yes, it is a minority, but, it happens. Manny last week, who was taking photos in the entrance played to all the families and couples, my turn, snap snap and thank you and I have a lovely shot of his foot amongst my downloads. Fair play, most are great and the character, with the exception of Belle who whispered something to Beast that made me feel uncomfortable in Epcot are always great/

 

[Random Ninja]

It's not the rides that exclude me, it's the character meals (and the Luau) I did Ohana at the Poly and I was completely ignored by the characters, I was also stared at by other guests when some characters finally came to my table after I spoke to the server (except Stitch v.disappointing)
I never do the Tea Cups, but, I go on Buzz far too many times and I even went on Winnie the Pooh.
I also hate being in line and
a. parents tell their kids loudly that they are next when I'm at the front of the queue and when I politely point out I'm next I either get 'I thought you were with the people with the character' even though I have a PP card and camera ready and no interaction while queuing with the family in front of me or they simply get the hump.
b. The photographers making no effort for my photos, yes, it is a minority, but, it happens. Manny last week, who was taking photos in the entrance played to all the families and couples, my turn, snap snap and thank you and I have a lovely shot of his foot amongst my downloads. Fair play, most are great and the character, with the exception of Belle who whispered something to Beast that made me feel uncomfortable in Epcot are always great/

Sorry this happend to you. I've been ignored a few times at meals as a solo and it's a real downer. Often the characters don't know how much interaction a solo adult wants so they take the lazy way out and just do a pic or assume you are there for the food. I started carrying around Stitchy a couple years ago (he'a the little guy in my avatar) and never had an issue with character interaction again. He gives them something to break the ice with and is a clear indicator that I'm a character person. Maybe you could try carrying a Disney buddy with you?