SINGLE RIDER @ Land & D.c.a.

[figmentgoofy]

How do you feel about going to Land and DCA on your own?
Is it fun, is it awkward? Have you ever lived the "single rider" experience?
This doesn't count for those who have a large party and splinter off. This is more of, you, alone, get into your car, drive to the parks, walk through the gates, and then..... what?

 

[spacemermaid]

I've been to the Park a few times by myself. It wasn't awkward at all, and I got to do whatever I wanted to the entire time! Go and have fun!

 

[Sherry E]

I have never been to DL by myself but I have done lots of other things by myself. I have taken trips by myself and eaten in restaurants alone. I am not going to lie - it IS weird at first, but after a while, you don't really care anymore. I don't know where it is written that we have to be with people everywhere we go! I prefer to do things with friends but sometimes that can get too complicated, or people are not available at that time. I think that if I lived closer to Anaheim and had an AP, I would probably go there a lot just to look in the shops and seek out those little details and nuances that are sometimes missed with groups of people. If I felt too weird about eating alone in a table service restaurant, I would just eat at the counter service places and take my food to a less conspicuous place and people watch! When you are by yourself, if you happen to be uncomfortable because you wonder what others are thinking of you, they could easily be thinking that you are meeting up with someone else later or waiting for someone to get off a ride or whatever. I mean, that sort of thing happens all the time in DL. The only place where I might feel kind of weird alone is going on rides because I do like to ride things with friends, but I would probably still do it.

From what I have read, there are quite a few folks on this board who have gone on solo DL trips or would do it in a heartbeat because they can do what they want. I think a lot of AP holders do it. So I think you will be fine, and you may even spot some other people by themselves!

 

[figmentgoofy]

I'm nervously curious to experience the parks solo. I too think that many AP holders go alone, but I've never actually S E E N them. I look though, its like single rider scavenger hunt. But... I can never tell if they A R E by themselves, or waiting for someone... I do plan to go and enjoy. I'll listen to my nano in the beginning to get past the entry jitters but this should be interesting. I hope to hear more opinions on this, we'll see how the post goes, but I'm excitedly nervous.

 

[Sherry E]

I'm nervously curious to experience the parks solo. I too think that many AP holders go alone, but I've never actually S E E N them. I look though, its like single rider scavenger hunt. But... I can never tell if they A R E by themselves, or waiting for someone... I do plan to go and enjoy. I'll listen to my nano in the beginning to get past the entry jitters but this should be interesting. I hope to hear more opinions on this, we'll see how the post goes, but I'm excitedly nervous.

One thing you can do to kind of interact with folks more if you start feeling too awkward being completely solo, is to offer to take as many photos of people as you can. Any time you wander past someone snapping a picture, offer to take a group photo of everybody, or take pictures of couples together. They will appreciate it and it kind of keeps you connected to people so you don't feel totally isolated at DL. In fact, if you end up meeting people you like, they may invite you to eat with them or come on some rides with them. I have heard of that happening. I have been to Catalina Island (another big tourist spot in SoCal) on a couple of different trips by myself, and whenever I would start to feel weird, I would seek out people to take pictures of! And I ended up chatting with people in line to get on the boat, chatting with shop keepers, chatting with other tourists, and it was not so weird after a while, and I could appreciate the benefits of a solo trip.

What I also did on Catalina was make a list of all kinds of things I wanted to get my own photos of, and it kept me busy and focused so I didn't have too much of that lonely down time. At DL, you could make it a goal to take photos of, say, all of the unique bathroom signs, or restaurant signs, or shop signs, or attraction signs, etc., and as you make your way through the parks doing this, time will fly by and you won't feel weird, nor will you notice if anyone else is noticing you!

 

[disneyobsessed808]

I have gone to the park numerous times on my own. Once on a solo 3-day trip while I was in college and now, that I travel to California for business.

The experience I had was great, though I'm guessing its not the same for everyone. I have never had a problem eating alone or going to the movies alone, so going to Disneyland was fine. I was able to treat myself and do what I wanted to do. No one to slow me down or no one to rush me. It's especially nice, as I can take in the shows (like Billy Hill which is my fave!) without having to worry about others in my party. Also, its really easy to find seating for just one person.

The only awkward experience I had alone was at Goofy's Kitchen and the fairy godmother approached me, and asked me where was the rest of my party. But all in all, solo trips are tons of fun

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I really enjoy the quiet time at both Dl and WDW being solo. I haven't done it in a long time (read - addition of kids and spouse), but when I have, it was wonderful.

Like other poster said, you can do everything at your own pace. CMs really like to spend time chatting with single travellers, too. There are a few good lounges to eat at, where you can sit at the bar and chat with the staff. The Napa is especially good for that. Single rider lines at the big attractions are an added benefit. Take your camera - do a little artistic photography - take time finding the right shot/angle. Stop for the snack you love that you know others will tease you for.

I think you can really absorb the place and have quiet appreciation when you aren't worried about others.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

How do you feel about going to Land and DCA on your own?
Is it fun, is it awkward? Have you ever lived the "single rider" experience?
This doesn't count for those who have a large party and splinter off. This is more of, you, alone, get into your car, drive to the parks, walk through the gates, and then..... what?

You go wherever in the parks you want to. It's a beautiful thing. Say you feel like standing in line to meet characters. No one can complain that it's not "cool" to see Mickey or whine that you're too old to enjoy the characters. You'll always be able to find someone to take a picture of you if necessary, especially where the PhotoPass CMs are. Take time to watch some of the impromptu shows that characters put on that you might otherwise rush by since you have to do POTC before the pirate in your group loses it.

There are plenty of people that you can talk to. In August, I had a nice visit with two different groups of people next to me while we camped out for the fireworks about all sorts of Disney related topics.

In fact I rarely listen to my iPod in the parks. I may listen to it while I'm waiting a long time for the entertainment to start, but otherwise I just enjoy the experience. One thing you can do if you want to in an effort to strike up conversation with CMs is pin trade. I've had a lot of nice conversations, some long, some short with CMs through pin trading.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

I had the luxury of having 1 full day to myself at the parks, and it was HEAVEN! I got to ride everything I wanted to, when I wanted to. It was a drizzly Monday in May, so the parks were practically empty, and I won a dream Fastpass but hardly needed it with the low crowds and single rider lines!

I hope I get to go alone again sometime. I'm the kind of person that doesn't think twice about going to the movies by myself, because I couldn't care less what other people think about it. And hey, as a stay-at-home mom to a toddler, I cherish every moment I get to do things I want to do all by myself!

I highly recommend DLR alone if you are so inclined. There are always tons of friendly people to talk to if you get lonely!

 

[bumbershoot]

I did a solo trip and will have a solo day in November. I love doing things by myself, and since I was single for a long time, I had to do things by myself. Being at DLR alone was wonderful!

Love the Single Rider lines, especially at CA Screamin.