safety while traveling solo

[lissiesmum]

if you're traveling alone, do you tend to book a room on the bottom floor to avoid elevators, or do you prefer the top floor? Is it something you don't worry about at all? anything else you do for extra precautions that you could recommend?

 

[Candice30]

all the things you would normally do when alone. i am always aware of my surroundings and the people around me no matter where i am and just because i am on vacation doesn't mean that i relax on those things. when i took my first solo trip, i asked not to be on the ground floor but not really because i was alone; i just have a thing about being on the ground floor. the second time i went, i was at universal and i had a really far room at the end of a hall. i did feel uncomfortable at night when it was really deserted but again, i paid attention to my surroundings and had no issues.

 

[lissiesmum]

Hi Candice, I have the same issue about being on the ground floor...I just feel better for some reason being on an upper floor, but if you're staying at a value or moderate, the idea of dark stairwells and elevators make me a little nervous. I don't anticipate being out past ten too often, so there are usually plenty of people still out and about at this time, right?

 

[mef78]

It's a really good point about being at the end of a hallway. Book a room close to the lobby in a Deluxe or close to some sort of common area anywhere else.

Also, this may be crazy, but when I'm traveling alone, I tend to bring a rubber door stopper to jam under the door on the inside (just another precaution against break-ins) and a personal alarm.

Pay attention at night in parking lots, etc. in the same way you would at home. Check the backseat and underneath your car before you get in. And NEVER be too embarrassed to ask for a secruity escort no matter where you are. If you feel at all unsafe, better safe than sorry.

Also, keep your cell phone charged up and nearby.

 

[lissiesmum]

It's a really good point about being at the end of a hallway. Book a room close to the lobby in a Deluxe or close to some sort of common area anywhere else.

Also, this may be crazy, but when I'm traveling alone, I tend to bring a rubber door stopper to jam under the door on the inside (just another precaution against break-ins) and a personal alarm.

Pay attention at night in parking lots, etc. in the same way you would at home. Check the backseat and underneath your car before you get in. And NEVER be too embarrassed to ask for a secruity escort no matter where you are. If you feel at all unsafe, better safe than sorry.

Also, keep your cell phone charged up and nearby.

what's a rubber door stopper? what kind of personal alarm? WHere do you purchase? thanks for the tips, I'm taking notes

 

[SoloFriendly]

A rubber door stopper is like a little rubber wedge, narrow on one end and thicker on the other. You wedge it under your door so nobody can open it from the outside.

I always consider where I'm staying. I prefer hotels with only interior hallways, but at Disney, that's not always possible depending on your budget, so I asked for the top floor. I wanted to minimize the number of people walking past my room. I also kept my shades drawn all the time, so people wouldn't know whether anyone was inside or that I was alone when I was.

I have some more tips on my website on safe solo travel, if you're really interested: SoloFriendly.com

Disney is safer than most destinations, but it's still wise to be alert and take precautions, so then you can relax and enjoy yourself.

Gray

 

[debbiepump]

Had a friend who was mugged in an elevator! Her and the robber were in it alone. I live my whole life being aware of my surroundings, acknowledging people when i walk by (so they know I'm aware of them), never take a purse, backpack into WDW (like to travel light), somehow always glance behind me. Try to keep drapes drawn, 'stuff' off the bed to be seen, use the safe and keep a radio and/or tv on so folks don't think we're gone.
We've had our home broken into while we were in bed asleep, the folks came in our bedroom while we were asleep, learned alot over that one. Also, have a daughter as a cop, so she's given me some life advice on 'personal safety'. I'm amazed at the women w/grocery carts and their purses sitting in the basket hanging open or just leaving their kids sitting there. How many of you have your keys hanging somewhere in the open at home? Had a friend who had their house broken into while on vacation, robbers took their keys off the board, hooked their boat up to their brand new subaru outback, loaded the boat and car w/dh's tools and whatever they could find in the house (including taking checks from the middle of their check book so they wouldn't notice) and drove away!
Man, this is a subject I could go on and on about!!! We used to think 'never could happen to us', but once we were robbed, got a giant reality slap! Common sense is the goal here. Not that worried while at WDW, but still use common sense, that's why it's so safe to go solo!

 

[dahirsh]

I generally ask for the top floor close to the elevator at the Values. Even though I'm usually at the parks until closing, and then some (I refuse to fight the crowds at the bus stop) I never get back when it's so late that the public areas are deserted.

 

[ClareH37]

Thanks for the great tips, I'm going on my first solo trip next year - will definitely take a door stop now!

 

[dznybound]

When I travel alone, I usually also put my husband's name on the reservation and state that occupancy is for 2. This works for me at Disney because I usually book room-only with no passes and dining, etc....so it doesn't cost anything extra. I don't know, I just feel safer this way.

 

[Lil Tink's Nana]

This morning I tried to past this but my computer froze. My daughter purchased a flashlight at a gas station in our state. She tired it out while crossing the street to the pizza parlor and couldn't wait to get across and do a disapearing act.

The flashlight has a red light flashing too and a siren that is so loud everyone would come bolting out of their room to see what is going on in the hall.

Wish I had one when I use to travel solo with my youngest daughter. Don't have to worry now for my face would scare them away.

 

[JanetRose]

If you're single, wear a fake wedding band to keep men from hitting on you and not thinking you're alone.

 

[Dolce27]

I’ve been to Disney World solo twice now and I’ll be there for the first four days of my December trip solo. Things I’ve done at Disney while there solo:

Not even thought about room location – just took what was given and went on my way. First solo trip I was at All Star Movies in the Herbie section on the bottom floor. Second solo trip I was at POFQ on the 3rd floor of Building 1 – one of the furthurest buildings out.

Not worn a wedding band and never got hit on by strange men.

Stayed at parks until park closing and used Disney transportation to get back to my room.

Walked up and down the river at 12 – 1 am at POFQ after returning back to my hotel from the parks to unwind.

Went to Adventures Club at PI and stayed until closing at 2am. Sat out at PI waiting for the bus back to my resort – by myself.

Seriously, the thought never once crossed my mind to worry. I’ve lived by myself for several years now. It was no different being at Disney than doing my normal daily activities at home. In fact, I did feel safer at Disney due to the fact that there are usually CM’s around somewhere most of the time. Even the nights I’d walk up and down the river at POFQ, the water taxi would be passing me by every few minutes.

As someone else stated – just use common sense. I’ve also learned that if you are alone and pass a man - look him in the eye as you pass. Rapists don’t want their victims to recognize them. Most women will not look a man in the eye in passing, they’ll look away... at the ground... wherever except at the man. When a woman’s being attacked she’s usually too traumatized to take in details of her attacker. Also, looking at a man square in the eye and looking tough will dissway some of the attackers from picking you for their victim – they want an easy looking victim and not one that looks to put up a good fight … at least that’s what I learned in my serial homicide class in college. (Oh, and try spending two hours a night thee times a week learning about serial killers and then have to return to your dorm which is in a dilapidated old motel the university bought to use to house upper level students in. Oh, and you don’t have a roommate living in your room either. And you’re on the bottom floor. I guess nothing at Disney scares me after studying about mass murders and being freaked out most of that summer)

 

[lissiesmum]

As someone else stated – just use common sense. I’ve also learned that if you are alone and pass a man - look him in the eye as you pass. Rapists don’t want their victims to recognize them. Most women will not look a man in the eye in passing, they’ll look away... at the ground... wherever except at the man. When a woman’s being attacked she’s usually too traumatized to take in details of her attacker. Also, looking at a man square in the eye and looking tough will dissway some of the attackers from picking you for their victim – they want an easy looking victim and not one that looks to put up a good fight … at least that’s what I learned in my serial homicide class in college.

great advice! I will do this from now on. I absolutely look at the ground when walking by most men. I will look everyone straight in the eyes from now on. Very interesting!

 

[davidTan]

i will book the upper floors most likely but i will stay lower floor if I go
to Japan. it is a pretty safe place

 

[tennvalgirl]

If you're single, wear a fake wedding band to keep men from hitting on you and not thinking you're alone.

omg! I have actually done this

I think it is a good tip.

 

[americangeiko]

I generally carry something with me that isn't a "weapon" but can be used defensively--like a Maglite Flashlight. I also keep things like my ID, Cash/Cards, Keys in my pockets as opposed to in my purse.

I always have my keys out before I get to my destination unless I'm somewhere I feel very secure. (When I did the CP, I didn't worry about not having my keys out, but it's a gated community with transportation that requires ID.)

I'm aware of my surroundings, and if I don't feel comfortable I will sit next a family, etc, or follow closely behind a group of non-threatening people. I'm also fairly friendly, so I'll often start conversations with other park goers. I also don't tell people where I live, leave possible contact info in plane sight, nor do I alude that I'm alone.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

If people ask me if I'm alone, I tell them I'm meeting friends later. (Which is technically true, I do meet up with people at some point during my trip.)

 

[Taja]

Definitely recommend all of the common sense safety measures you would follow at home.

I always ask for a room on the top floor, whether traveling solo or with others. I prefer to minimize the number of people who can access the room easily. Everything is put away, the drapes open but the sheers closed when I leave the room. We do stay at the value resorts frequently--great budget savers! *lol* While I don't care for the preferred buildings, I do ask for one that isn't a million miles away from the main building and for a room that's about mid-point between the elevators and stairs.

Check the elevator before entering--and look outside the elevator before exiting. I've been know to turn around with the "I forgot something" body language if I don't like what I see in a corridor. No issues at Disney--this was elsewhere.

Overall, I feel very safe at WDW. I'm frequently out until the parks close--or the AC! *LOL*

 

[tlcoke]

I generally travel solo most of the time. I make sure I am very aware of my surroundings and those around me, as I do everyday. I don't make a big issue about being solo. I have never worn a ring and generally have never been hit on. In my day to day travels or on trips, I do not carry a purse. I use a small Id type wallet to keep ID cards and cash in, that I carry in my pocket. At hotels, I do usually keep shades drawn to keep passerbys from knowing I am in a room alone. My last trip I stayed off-site while at Disney. It was a gated hotel, but I still was very aware of those around me. Upon leaving the parks, I tended to stay with the crowds until arriving at my Rental Car.

I would not hesitate requesting a different room, if I felt uneasy about it's location. Generally, I accept whatever is offered.

Don't do stupid things to draw attention to yourself and you should be fine.