Scared to go solo ,but willing

[Elisa]

I've been a Diser for a year now but have never opened this thread before. I'm so desperately anxious to plan another trip but have nobody who will go with me. All the sister's have kids and even though I have 2, my hubby said he would take time off work so I could go. I tried all my friends but they don't have any Disney in them. (Yeah, right ! How could they be my friends then ! )Anyway... Expedia.ca is having a good deal on flights in October. I asked my mother but she's headed down to Florida with one sister to her timeshare in April. I just don't have any luck ! I never thought about going solo before until I looked here. I would want to be sharing all the sights and rides and fabulous food with someone who appreciates Disney like I do. Has anyone ever met up with strangers and shared a holiday with them successfuly ? I would think it was very risky. What if you didn't click ? Elisa

 

[mrsmom]

If you check the community board they are planninga all ladies trip. You might want to check it out
kim

 

[pennyplanner]

Elisa,

I went on a solo trip in April 2004. The circumstances in my life at the time, ie. my Mom had a terminal illness, dictated that I deperately needed sometime away ALONE. My DH, not a real Disney fan, understood completely. We had been twice to WDW as a family. I am the consummate planner so there was no doubt I could navigate my way around the world.

I stayed at the WL where we had all stayed before. I especially like the idea that you exit the buses or boats and head to the lobby. All rooms are accessible only through the lobby. I secured a room close to one of the elevator banks.

I don't mind dining alone. Brown Derby, Jiko and Wolfgang Puck's were delightful. Cirque du Soleil a wonder!

At WDW, there are people everywhere! If I wanted conversation, sometimes just a smile would do the trick. I made "friends" with young and old. I met people who "hated" Connecticut because we had just won both men and women's national basketball championships. Go Huskies!

I gave a family a tip on how to get from Westside to the Marketplace using boat transportation to avoid all the walking with little ones. The mom was sure we were meant to be on that bus together!

It was just what I needed to rejuvenate for the long road ahead. I laughed. I cried. Okay, Wishes did me in! People on the whole were just lovely.

My DSs were old enough to worry about me being alone and safe. I checked in every day. Sometimes I just left a message because I knew the boys were at sports practice and my DH was still at work. I missed them of course but savored every moment alone.

Would I do it again? You bet! And eventually I will. MCO is an easy airport to navigate. You can use ME or a towncar to get to your hotel. If you have the funds, I say, "Go for it!" Life is too short to wait for someone else to travel with. WDW is the perfect place to go solo!

--penny

 

[Elisa]

Thank you so much for the reply ! I'm glad it went well for you. I wish I could imagine myself alone so easily. I'd do a movie and dinner solo with no hesitation ,but a vacation, I know I'd be lonely. Even if I ever did go by myself , I'd want to hook up with some people down there. If we had reliable people to leave our kids with , I'd take my husband and we'd have a great time, but then that's 2x the cost as well. I just wish I had a carefree , no children, money to burn, friend who would jump at the chance to take on the Mouse with me . I've got lots of time. I'll see what comes up over the summer. Thanks again. And to those who have met up with people down there, how did it go ? Any horror stories ? Elisa

 

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

Does anyone know how to find the tread regarding the all ladies trip? The search function is not working. I would be interested in meeting up with other women who are also alone. Thanks.

 

[travelin' tigger]

And to those who have met up with people down there, how did it go ? Any horror stories ? Elisa

I've met quite a few people from DIS on my trips to WDW - both solo and with other people. Although a few times we didn't click (and went our separate ways), most I have met have become friends - and a few have become really special friends. Now I plan some trips to get together with them!!!

And as mrsmom posted, there's a sign-up for a "ladies only" trip 9/28-10/1. I'll be there during that time and it'd be a great way to go solo, but also have some DIS friends around also so you're not alone.

HTH with your decision!!!

 

[travelin' tigger]

Does anyone know how to find the tread regarding the all ladies trip? The search function is not working. I would be interested in meeting up with other women who are also alone. Thanks.

I don't have the link, but there are a few threads on this, including the info/sign-up thread on the DIS Meets board.

 

[goofyernmost]

OK, first of all, I am searching for the words that will not make this sound like a negative, considering the title of the thread. So the negatives are only a small part of the experience. That said...I am leaving Monday for my fifth consecutive solo trip. The first four were a blast. I so enjoyed the idea that I could go anyplace, anytime and do anything my little heart desired. No one to clear or coordinate it with, nothing. If I wanted to ride the People Mover, for example, seven consecutive time, I did.

This trip has me a little more on edge. My Mother just passed away last November and I have had a very stress filled time settling the estate with my sister. Nothing bad really, just stressful and I somehow feel that it has tainted my outlook. I was thinking today about what it was I wanted to do when I was at the parks and found that I have eliminated about 70% of the attractions because they don't, at this time, seem like fun alone. I did the same ones last time alone and thought it was great. I am hoping that once I get there, my outlook will change and I will fall back into place. Otherwise I will probably spend a lot of time sitting on the bench, people watching.

Please pay more attention to the first paragraph because that is the one that applies to you. If you are looking forward to it, it will be fun. I do not regret any of my solo trips to this point. Have a great time.

 

[CarolynNC]

I made my first solo trip last August and it will not be my last. I had the most enjoyable time I've ever had at WDW. I was able to do what I wanted, when I wanted. It was a very self-centered trip and I deserved it. I was planning another solo trip for May but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to afford this one. I just had to shell out over $2000 for my son to have his wisdom teeth removed. Shame. But....I have signed up for the ladies only trip at the end of September. That would be a great time to go. It's the first weekend of the food & wine festival. I don't think I'm going to stay in the same resort since I'm going to add some days on but will meet up with everybody for the group dinners, park touring, and frivolity. A lot of people are signing up for room sharing. I'm going for my own private space so I can have some alone time, stay at a cheaper resort, and extend my trip.

Why don't you check it out? I don't know any of the folks going. Most of us don't. I'm sure we'll all know each other better when it's all said and done. You could participate in as little or as much as you want. Who knows, you might find several people you can turn to next time you have a desire to visit WDW and no one to ask.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Back in 2004, DVC announced the Grand Opening Ceremonies for SSR. As a DVC fanatic, I just had to go. The only thing was, was it was the third week in May and we already had a trip planned for the last week in May.

I decided to go solo so our family could keep our trip planned.

Long story short, I helped a Diser find a last minute ressie and in turn we struck up a friendship. We ended up meeting up for dinner on our first night there and pretty much hung out the next 5 days.

We kept it light and noncommittal and were really prepared to ditch each other at the first sign of trouble! LOL!!

We had a great time and have kept in touch ever since.

DVC did it again this year, Announcing the Member Cruise in October after I had already booked our DCL cruise for September. Again, I want to do both so we are hooking up again for the Member Cruise!!

The DIS is like a sorority, you are never really alone in the World!

 

[WillCAD]

I've done 8 solo trips so far. Solo is not such a big deal for me because I like being alone.

But for the last few years I have also attended many "meets" and "mini-meets" with online friends. These have generally been the hilight of my trips, because I have a chance to meet up with people I've been talking to online, sometimes for years, and share a meal or an attraction. I don't generally hang out with people all day, just for part of the day, except at MouseFest, where I tend to go from one event to another all day long.

So I say, go solo. Don't look for somebody to share your whole trip with, but don't be afraid to meet up with someone for an attraction or a meal, and you'll have a great time.

 

[Lenc324]

I think going solo and meeting other singles from t he bored would be fun.

 

[rkmassa]

I've been a Diser for a year now but have never opened this thread before. I'm so desperately anxious to plan another trip but have nobody who will go with me. All the sister's have kids and even though I have 2, my hubby said he would take time off work so I could go. I tried all my friends but they don't have any Disney in them. (Yeah, right ! How could they be my friends then ! )Anyway... Expedia.ca is having a good deal on flights in October. I asked my mother but she's headed down to Florida with one sister to her timeshare in April. I just don't have any luck ! I never thought about going solo before until I looked here. I would want to be sharing all the sights and rides and fabulous food with someone who appreciates Disney like I do. Has anyone ever met up with strangers and shared a holiday with them successfuly ? I would think it was very risky. What if you didn't click ? Elisa

Well, that sounds just like me. I am dying to go back. Just returned in December, but having withdrawl. My friends think I am nuts. They also don't have any Disney in them. DH would take care of the kids. I have a small credit on SW. I just can't seem to get the nerve up to plan the trip.