Scared to be solo..

[Goofy4Disney!]

I'd love to take the trip to WDW in December for the meet, but I think I'd be so sad traveling to Disney without my kids (who I'm afraid have already had their fair share of Disney) We are such a "velcro" type family, that it'd be odd being there alone. I always feel so sad for those people that raise their hands when the CM's ask if there are any solo's to fill in a space on a ride etc. Why, I don't know. I just do. And how do you handle eating alone and stuff? I really want to go, but I'm afraid I'd feel sad

 

[Terk-1]

Have been 4 times solo and have loved every trip!!! Please don't get me wrong. I love going with family, too, but it's just an amazing sense of freedom when I alone. You get to go where you want, when you want. You can dine where and when you want. You can go on an attraction 10 times or skip it altogether.

Please don't feel sad for us solo travelers. Heck, if I waited for my family to go, I'd go once every 2-3 years.

As far as dining, I always have a book in my bag, so I'll take it out and read while I dine. I also read while waiting for a parade or show to start. I find it takes any awkwardness away.

 

[makinorlando]

I realize that it's not a whole trip for me - just a few hours here and there... but I LOVE the days that I am able to sneak away to WDW while DD is in school. It happens so rarely (11/10 is my next great escape to EPCOT) that it is an extra special treat for me. DD and I are ALWAYS together if she is not in school - (for any that read my posts you all know !) - that it is a treat for me to be out of the house as an adult and not a Mom! (I work at home - ALONE too - so it's nice to be out around people and be able to talk to CMs etc on a adult level!)

 

[Cheshire Figment]

There is an old saying: "Life begins when the children leave home and the dog dies." At some point this is going to happen so get used to it.

When you are by yourself you are at your own pace, you can go on what you want when you want (lines allowing).

As far as meals by yourself, bring along a book and enjoy a meal of what you want to eat at your own pace; you don't have to read if you are in a good people-watching position.

Oh, and there are other single women from the Boston area who will be coming down, check out www.dismates.com , especially Chat starting about 9:00pm

 

[Goofy4Disney!]

Thank you everyone, the book idea sounds great. I guess I'm still not used to being "single" (widowed for 2 1/2 yrs)...so this solo stuff is scary, but hey, I can't stay hold up in my house the rest of my life!

I'll have to check that out, the Dismates thing, I just joined, and am still fumbling my way around that site!!

Thanks again, to all of you.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just start slowly. My first solo trip was 1 full day. And I didn't feel comfortable with sit-down dining until my 5th trip. Even then, there were some resturaunts that were less intimidating than others. For some people, it takes longer than for others to truly feel comfortable. You want to enjoy going solo and that's what's important.

 

[SplshMtnLvr28]

Doesn't really have to do with your question/comment, but when there are solo riders on attractions, it doesn't always mean their by themselves. I always go in the single rider line, because my family doesn't like the more thrilling attractions.

 

[disneytraveler]

I have been traveling solo for many years and still enjoy it. Lot of trips
to Disney and some to Europe also.

 

[Goofy4Disney!]

That's very true. As a matter of fact, a really hot guy was traveling by himself on the Jungle Cruise at AK...our eyes kept meeting..now it could have been because I was drooling and he thought I was a freak, not sure, ahhhh, if I had only had enough nerve to see if he actually WAS traveling alone!

 

[geffric]

A far as the meet in Dec ( MouseFest) , a number of us are solos, so join us and and you can go with a DIS group....

 

[rkmassa]

Know how you feel. Planning solo for 12/10 to 12/14 or 15. Still a little worried about the trip. Excited, but nervous. My kids will be home with DH, so I know they will be fine. DH wants me to go and enjoy myself, but I am still nervous. Post your dates once you get them, and I am sure others will meet up with you. I am meeting a bunch of "strangers" for dinner Monday the 11th at Prime Time for dinner at 5:45. Not sure if there is still room for that dinner or if your dates would be any where near that time. Check out the thread solo in December.

 

[Goofy4Disney!]

Know how you feel. Planning solo for 12/10 to 12/14 or 15. Still a little worried about the trip. Excited, but nervous. My kids will be home with DH, so I know they will be fine. DH wants me to go and enjoy myself, but I am still nervous. Post your dates once you get them, and I am sure others will meet up with you. I am meeting a bunch of "strangers" for dinner Monday the 11th at Prime Time for dinner at 5:45. Not sure if there is still room for that dinner or if your dates would be any where near that time. Check out the thread solo in December.

that's the time I was thinking of going. I think folks are also meeting on the 10th? after wishes, near the flagpole?

I hope you have a great time! If I don't see you there, that is.

 

[rkmassa]

I think most of the rooms are booked up for Mouse Fest. I tried for early in the week, and found nothing. I thought I would catch the tail end of Mouse Fest and then stay for the rest of the week and enjoy myself. Planning on the flagpole meet too. I hope to arrive in the afternoon, check in, and take off for MK. I still haven't figured out where I am staying. POP or POFQ--still debating. There are rooms the 9th on, so need to make a decision and make a reservation. Of course if SW doesn't have a good DING or sale, I won't be going at all.

Where are you staying? Hope to see you at the flagpole!

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

I always feel so sad for those people that raise their hands when the CM's ask if there are any solo's to fill in a space on a ride etc.

Ironically, the only thing that ever makes me feel sad myself on solo trips is when people feel sad for me, LOL.

That's why, for instance, when I raise my hand for those "single rider" questions I have a big smile on my face, 'cause I'm happy - I'm skipping line, baby!

I have no problems traveling alone, and I actually enjoy it. I got to WDW many times a year (3 - 7 trips) and some are with family, some are with friends, but in some ways the ones I look forward to the most are the solos. Not because I don't love taking everyone around, showing them WDW, but it's always a HUGE responsibility - I'm the "Disney expert" on our trips, so it falls on me to make sure everyone has a blast. 99.9% of the time I have a blast just watching them having a blast...but solo it's just a whole new world. No worries at all!

As I said, though, the only time I'm ever bothered is when it seems to bother other people. Very co-dependent, LOL. When I feel it happening, though, I just make sure I'm showing what a great time I'm having and usually that makes them more comfortable.

However, those concerns come up for me few and far between. It's because most of the time, people don't know or care you are solo to begin with. Walking through a store, walking around the parks, you could be going anywhere. Regardless, it doesn't matter - as long as you are comfortable being solo, it's just not a concern.

I assume you'll be bringing a cell phone? If not, pick up a Track Phone for the trip. And bring a list of phone numbers of friends/family/etc. of where they'll be during the day while you're away, and let them know you'll be checking in. If you are feeling lonely, it's a heck of a lot of fun to pick up your cell and call someone while you're standing under Cinderella Castle and sharing the magic. I've got a couple of friends that really look forward to those calls to brighten their work days.

Anyway, you've gotten this far...just go for it, and don't be afraid to do whatever you want. It's YOUR vacation.

NED

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I always feel so sad for those people that raise their hands when the CM's ask if there are any solo's to fill in a space on a ride etc. Why, I don't know. I just do. And how do you handle eating alone and stuff? I really want to go, but I'm afraid I'd feel sad

It's been a thrill for me every time I got to get on a ride sooner because I was solo and they needed one person to fill in a space. It's one of the best advantages of being there solo. We solos are elated when that happens, so please don't continue to feel sad for us about that.

As for meals, I enjoy dining with others. If you'll be at WDW anytime during December 4-11, please check out my posts on the DisMeets page. I'll be making some dining reservations this Monday, and would welcome your company at any of them. Let me know if you'd like to be included in any of the reservations.

 

[cjb71870]

Don't look at it as going by yourself, look at it as going with yourself. I'm a regular at the parks and don't feel bad for the single riders, they just got on the ride as I'm still in line. Honestly, your thinking to much about what you think others will think. Maybe because that's what you think about solo guests. Just go and quit thinking so much about everyone else. You'll have a great time!!!

 

[Goofy4Disney!]

what wonderfully sweet people!! Heck, let's just all go together!! Thank you for all the helpful responses! I just might book!

 

[DVCajun]

When you take trips with your family, do you ever get to get away for a "break" from the kids? I don't know how old your kids are, but even when it was just me and DH, we would occasionally split up because I wasn't keen on hanging at DQ for an entire day and he was. Well, those times alone are some of my favorite memories! My favorite thing to do is slowly wander the World Showcase, picking up the occasional local drink (read: margaritas first thing... and the absolutely mandatory wine and cheese in France ), listening to the music in the various pavilions ... I just LOVE it. And I don't have to wistfully gaze into Mouse Gears as I pass ... I get to go in if I want to! And stay as long as I want!! I don't have to please others' pallets, I can eat at the Tangerine Cafe for lunch every day if I want. It's pure self-indulgence.

 

[DisneydaveCT]

My most recent trip (last month) was a solo trip. My next trip, December 18-22, will also be a solo.

While it is nice to travel there with my daughter and other family members, solo trips can be fun. Especially if I get a chance to meet some fellow Dis'ers. But reading the December threads, it looks like there won't be as many Dis'ers there that week as there will be there in early December.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Don't look at it as going by yourself, look at it as going with yourself.

I think that sums it up about as well as I've ever heard it, LOL.

Solo isn't for everyone. Nothing is for everyone. Some people really feel out of place, or can't have a good time unless they are sharing it with someone they know. I totally get that. It's really special when you can share that magic with others.

However, solo has a special magic of it's own. You notice things you don't notice when you are always with others. You take the time to see the little bits of magic, and can observe the big bits from a whole new perspective.

I think a good test is the movies. Can you go see a film by yourself? When I was growing up, I lived very close to a theater and would often go on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and go see two films in a row. Sometimes I'd bring friends, sometimes I wouldn't. It never occured to me that it was odd at all. Now, some people would never go to a film alone.

Eating out alone has always been the least of my concerns as well. I still haven't done a character meal solo, but there is no place else I haven't gone/wouldn't go. I figure I need to eat - if I waited to always eat with someone else I'd starve half the time LOL. There is the odd wait person who doesn't quite get it, but by and large (especially the nicer the restaurant is, at WDW especially, as lots of execs and business people eat there solo in addition to tourists) it's such a common practice it won't be mentioned after you are seated.

I think besides the "bring a cell phone so you can call friends and share the magic" trick, the other good idea is to bring a small journal. You will see and remember a lot more this way (and it's great for making a trip report when you get back). Go to a local discount store and I'm sure you'll find some sort of small journal book, maybe even Disney. Or, as someone I know does, use one of the autograph books they sell at the resorts and parks. Then if you feel like you want to get a signature from a character, you can have it right in your journal. (Hint for this hint : if you do this, bring a small piece of scrap cardboard to put in between the page you are writing on and the page behind it. This is even a good idea for just getting autographs with the kids - the autograph pages are very thin and ink not only shows through sometimes but you just mark up the page behind it.)

I'm of the mind that if you can even consider it, you should go for it.

NED