Safety While Traveling Solo

[disneyfav4ever]

What are some good ways to protect myself while traveling solo? This is my fourth solo trip, but I'm more nervous about being by myself now then I have been in the past.

 

[LoraJ]

What's different now than before?

 

[GoodFairies]

You can't be that nervous or you wouldn't constantly advertise where you're staying, where you're eating, and the exact outfits you will be wearing. And if you really are nervous, stop doing all that stuff.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

You can't be that nervous or you wouldn't constantly advertise where you're staying, where you're eating, and the exact outfits you will be wearing. And if you really are nervous, stop doing all that stuff.

I don't believe I posted where I'm staying or eating. Well, maybe I mentioned one or two of the restaurants I'd be eating at, but not when I'd be there.

I asked for safety advice though, does anyone have any helpful advice?

 

[GoodFairies]

I don't believe I posted where I'm staying or eating. Well, maybe I mentioned one or two of the restaurants I'd be eating at, but not when I'd be there.

I asked for safety advice though, does anyone have any helpful advice?

Well, IF this is a serious post...you do the same things you do when you shop solo, or go to work, or anything else. You make yourself acutely aware of your surroundings and don't let your guard down simply because you are on vacation.

 

[disneymom3]

I don't believe I posted where I'm staying or eating. Well, maybe I mentioned one or two of the restaurants I'd be eating at, but not when I'd be there.

I asked for safety advice though, does anyone have any helpful advice?

I am saying this for your own good. You have posted that you are staying at a value. You have posted pictures of the clothing you will be wearing. You have posted how much extra spending money you have--$500. All of that is just from skimming your pretrip report that is listed in your signature. In the past you have also posted your name. I believe first and last. I know for a fact the first one because I know what your name is and trust me, I do NOT stalk you.

The Disboards is a huge "place" even though it feels friendly. There are plenty of creeps out there in the world who won't have a hard time finding people who give out too much personal information. Try googling "Solo travel" and see what you come up with. Guess what? threads on the DIS are one of the first hits. Great if you are looking for travel advice. Not so great if a predator is out there looking for you.

I am not trying to scare you about your trip. However, you really do want to consider being scared enough about life in general NOT to post so much easily identifying information.

BTW--I have the same attitude and even stronger about moms who post pics of their kids in outfits they will be wearing in the MK and talk on here about exactly what they are going to be doing every day of their trip including having a countdown timer.

I really hope you have a nice trip and it is all you want it to be. But you might want to consider being more careful.

Oh, as for when you are going to be there, it also says that on Aug 24 you were three weeks from leaving and that you leave on a Sunday. Sorry but it's right there!

 

[allison443]

Well, IF this is a serious post...you do the same things you do when you shop solo, or go to work, or anything else. You make yourself acutely aware of your surroundings and don't let your guard down simply because you are on vacation.

Good advice! Also, don't drink alcohol (I'm not implying anything!) and maybe don't go to the clubs. I think DisneyWorld tends to be pretty crowded at all times of day or night, so I don't think you have to worry about being isolated.
Have a great trip!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Good advice! Also, don't drink alcohol (I'm not implying anything!) and maybe don't go to the clubs. I think DisneyWorld tends to be pretty crowded at all times of day or night, so I don't think you have to worry about being isolated.
Have a great trip!

When you say don't drink alcohol, do you mean at all? I'm not a heavy drinker, but I do have a drink with dinner sometimes.

 

[phorsenuf]

Disneymom3 brought up some very good points. You really do throw a lot of information out there. In your pre-trip report (which I just popped into after DM3 mentioned it) and you said you feel afraid because of the attention you got earlier or something to that effect.
I really highly doubt somebody is going to go all the way to Disney just to follow you around. You just need to take a deep breathe and relax. Ya there are certain posters on this board that "get followed" around for whatever reason but I highly doubt that anybody would carry it over into real life. That just seems a little over the top to me and I think you are a being a bit paranoid if you are looking at it from that angle.

Use common sense, be aware of your surroundings and things will be fine. You've done it before, you can do it again. But seriously, I don't think anyone is going to stalk you around WDW.

 

[MushyMushy]

I think if you're ever going to travel by yourself or be home by yourself, you NEVER advertise it! Also you should trust your gut (read the book The Gift of Fear). If you're getting an "off" feeling, then you should listen to it and maybe reschedule your trip or just don't do it solo -- take someone with you.

When my DH goes away on business trips, I don't post about it on here or anywhere on the 'net. It's just not a smart thing to do -- even though I'm home with a big mean dog and a big strapping teenager, I still don't let people know.

I know it's fun to talk about upcoming trips and doing all the pre-planning with other Disney freaks like us. But going solo presents its own challenges and maybe you should just talk about your trips, but give the wrong dates. If want to have meets with online friends, do it privately through PM.

 

[Hedy]

Never tell anyone you're solo in the parks or outside of it.
Be aware of your surroundings.
As the whole DIS knows when I'm going solo, I don't decorate my room.

 

[phorsenuf]

When my DH goes away on business trips, I don't post about it on here or anywhere on the 'net. It's just not a smart thing to do -- even though I'm home with a big mean dog and a big strapping teenager, I still don't let people know.

I'm the same way. Even within the chat thread I'm in I never mention he is traveling. Its really just common sense.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

As the whole DIS knows when I'm going solo, I don't decorate my room.

I don't decorate my room either, though that's always been because of my complete lack of creativity. I never thought of it as a safety issue.

 

[SandraVB79]

I assume you're going solo to WDW and not to some far)away exotic place with a completely different culture.
I assume you'll stay onsite.

So what do you think could possibly happen there, that can't happen where you live and where you probably do solo things too?

I went solo to WDW and stayed Offsite, I never "feared" for my security. Just watch out for strange things, but how many strange things could happen at WDW, where there are a lot of people, quite some security and every place is well-lit?
You're an adult "normal" woman, not some weak whatever that can't take care of herself, right?


ETA: and btw, you're not that special that you have "groupies" that will follow you all the way to WDW in order to stalk you. You need to be called Britney or Beckham for that to happen. Or Palin, as for the moment.

 

[RitaE]

don't take a shortcut through a dark, deserted alley. In the movies, that never ever works out well.

 

[paintnolish]

don't take a shortcut through a dark, deserted alley. In the movies, that never ever works out well.

Oh, and it something jumps out and scares you, and it turns out to be a cat, don't let your guard down. The axe murderer is going to jump out next. Also, that's not your boyfriend under the sheets and if you have to flee, take off the stilettos. There. You're covered.
Okay, seriously though, it does help to be aware of your surroundings. Don't wander talking on the phone. Also, if you are in a deserted area (not that any exist in WDW) and you pass someone, make eyecontact, give a nod"hello", let them know you are aware of them. I also carry my keys in one hand as a sort of weapon when walking through a parking lot.
Have a great time. I am sure everything will be just fine!

 

[MontanaZoo]

Never look like you're alone. Look like you have a purpose to wherever you are going like you are meeting someone. Never admit to travelling alone. I personally don't go out a lot at night if I travel alone though WDW would probably be the safest place to do that.

 

[KAMLEM]

When you say don't drink alcohol, do you mean at all? I'm not a heavy drinker, but I do have a drink with dinner sometimes.

Do you really have to ask this? If so, I'd be concerned about traveling alone. I'm honestly not saying this to bash you, it's really just common sense and if you don't understand why someone would recommend not drinking that's a little worrisome.

 

[bigolive9]

don't take a shortcut through a dark, deserted alley. In the movies, that never ever works out well.

Also, if you hear a strange noise, don't go in the basement or upstairs. Try leaving the house.

You have gotten some really good advice on this thread. Like several people have said, use common sense and definitely don't tell people that you are alone.

 

[Chicago526]

Never ask directions from strangers, always ask them from an employee, security guard, or police officer.

If you're in your hotel room and someone knocks and says they're a hotel employee and you didn't call for anything, DON'T answer the door, call the front desk and ask them to verify they sent some one to your room.