Solo Disney World Questions

[DogDad82]

Hi! I’m heading to Disney World solo the first week of May (5/2-5/8). My spouse is not a huge fan, so I’m leaving him at home with the dog. I have a couple of questions.

1. Are there are any good hang out spots within the parks (preferably with wine) to perhaps meet other solo travelers, etc (or ways to connect with other travelers in general)? I suppose I feel slightly awkward being a middle-aged guy alone at Disney World. I’ve done Universal solo, but that has a much more adult feel and more solo rider lines. Even at Universal I felt a bit silly on things like The Cat in the Hat, even though I know everyone else is in their own little bubble.

2. I’ve read a few things about couples being sort of rude when a single rider gets seated with them on Remy. I think it’s insane to get upset about seating arrangements in such a busy place as Disney, but I suppose you know how people can be. Has anyone had experience with this/should I be prepared?

I think I’m mostly just in my head about being a solo adult male with tattoos down his arms/hands in such a kid-heavy place. I know it’s going to be a blast and I’m way stoked (!); I just have some pre trip jitters.

 

[fla4fun]

Hi! I’m heading to Disney World solo the first week of May (5/2-5/8). My spouse is not a huge fan, so I’m leaving him at home with the dog. I have a couple of questions.

1. Are there are any good hang out spots within the parks (preferably with wine) to perhaps meet other solo travelers, etc (or ways to connect with other travelers in general)? I suppose I feel slightly awkward being a middle-aged guy alone at Disney World. I’ve done Universal solo, but that has a much more adult feel and more solo rider lines. Even at Universal I felt a bit silly on things like The Cat in the Hat, even though I know everyone else is in their own little bubble.

2. I’ve read a few things about couples being sort of rude when a single rider gets seated with them on Remy. I think it’s insane to get upset about seating arrangements in such a busy place as Disney, but I suppose you know how people can be. Has anyone had experience with this/should I be prepared?

I think I’m mostly just in my head about being a solo adult male with tattoos down his arms/hands in such a kid-heavy place. I know it’s going to be a blast and I’m way stoked (!); I just have some pre trip jitters.

I go solo a lot. I am not aware of any specific hang out spots that solos gravitate towards on a regular basis. You may find more solos in the bars and lounges, but I just hang out wherever I want regardless of whether the other patrons are solos, couples, or families.

Remy can be uncomfortable sometimes as a solo. For me, it depends on the size of the people involved. As a larger person, I do not like to be smashed up against a stranger, and I assume they don’t want to be smashed up against me either. Thinner people may have space between each other and so they may not have an issue with it. I usually save Remy for trips where I am with friends/family.

I would not be concerned about being a solo male or a solo tattooed person. Neither of those will cause you to stand out. I don’t care what the other guests look like. I do care if I am seated with someone who stinks though . . .

 

[bbn1122]

I will be heading to WDW solo for the 4th time this May. 60 something DVC owner, who cannot get anyone to get the time off to go as much as I want to go. Which is only once a year!!

I rode Remy twice last trip out of the single rider line. I rode once with two young men visiting from India and we had a ball.

I like the lounges for hanging out. I went to Space 220 lounge by myself and it was great.

I love Bar Riva at the Rivera.

In Disney Springs I like the Edison, solo table upstairs overlooking the entertainiment.

I have also been to Skipper Canteen twice solo in MK.

Steakhouse 71 lounge/bar at the Contemporary is an excellent spot.

Last time I also went to Cali Grill and sat at the bar, had a cocktail, appetizers and watch the fireworks!!!

The new Wailulu Grill at the Island Tower/Poly is a nice spot too.

The outside patio from Trader Sam's is a nice spot in the everning. Small food menu, cocktails and entertainment.

Good Luck and have an excellent trip.!

 

[Sweettears]

I can’t remember how many solo trips I have taken (10 plus) and have never had a bad experience. I’m male 68 and have never felt uncomfortable. I ride what ever I want to regardless of the target market and dine wherever I choose. I’ve found solo dining to be quite pleasurable the CMs are greatful to have a conversation with you and are always eager to relate their experiences working at Disney. Last trip had a waiter at Narcoossee’s who had been there for several decades. He was about to retire. Met his wife working at Disney who had recently retired. That type of interaction doesn’t occur when they are serving a big group.

 

[DogDad82]

I go solo a lot. I am not aware of any specific hang out spots that solos gravitate towards on a regular basis. You may find more solos in the bars and lounges, but I just hang out wherever I want regardless of whether the other patrons are solos, couples, or families.

Remy can be uncomfortable sometimes as a solo. For me, it depends on the size of the people involved. As a larger person, I do not like to be smashed up against a stranger, and I assume they don’t want to be smashed up against me either. Thinner people may have space between each other and so they may not have an issue with it. I usually save Remy for trips where I am with friends/family.

I would not be concerned about being a solo male or a solo tattooed person. Neither of those will cause you to stand out. I don’t care what the other guests look like. I do care if I am seated with someone who stinks though . . .

I appreciate this! I'm pretty sure I don't smell, so hopefully there will be no issues, haha.

 

[DogDad82]

I can’t remember how many solo trips I have taken (10 plus) and have never had a bad experience. I’m male 68 and have never felt uncomfortable. I ride what ever I want to regardless of the target market and dine wherever I choose. I’ve found solo dining to be quite pleasurable the CMs are greatful to have a conversation with you and are always eager to relate their experiences working at Disney. Last trip had a waiter at Narcoossee’s who had been there for several decades. He was about to retire. Met his wife working at Disney who had recently retired. That type of interaction doesn’t occur when they are serving a big group.

Thanks for the reply! I need to spend more time experiencing the dining options. When I'm solo at other theme parks, I usually just grab something quick and easy or a seat at a bar instead of sitting down and enjoying the atmosphere on nice sit down-type restaurants.

 

[DogDad82]

I will be heading to WDW solo for the 4th time this May. 60 something DVC owner, who cannot get anyone to get the time off to go as much as I want to go. Which is only once a year!!

I rode Remy twice last trip out of the single rider line. I rode once with two young men visiting from India and we had a ball.

I like the lounges for hanging out. I went to Space 220 lounge by myself and it was great.

I love Bar Riva at the Rivera.

In Disney Springs I like the Edison, solo table upstairs overlooking the entertainiment.

I have also been to Skipper Canteen twice solo in MK.

Steakhouse 71 lounge/bar at the Contemporary is an excellent spot.

Last time I also went to Cali Grill and sat at the bar, had a cocktail, appetizers and watch the fireworks!!!

The new Wailulu Grill at the Island Tower/Poly is a nice spot too.

The outside patio from Trader Sam's is a nice spot in the everning. Small food menu, cocktails and entertainment.

Good Luck and have an excellent trip.!

Thanks for the all the suggestions! I'm making a list! Is Space 220 lounge like Oga's where you need a reservation (at least they were required the last time I was at Disneyland in 2023.)

 

[fla4fun]

Thanks for the all the suggestions! I'm making a list! Is Space 220 lounge like Oga's where you need a reservation (at least they were required the last time I was at Disneyland in 2023.)

Yes, and the 220 lounge is a very difficult reservation to get. I would try to get that one first, if I were you. It’s a small area so there’s not a lot of capacity.

If you are unable to get into the lounge, I do recommend lunch at the 220 restaurant. It is prix fixe, but cheaper than dinner because it’s only the appetizer and entree, no dessert. Or if you still want to go the lounge route, GEO-82 is pricy but very nice. We (a party of three) went to GEO-82 on our November trip for drinks before going to Space 220 restaurant for lunch, so we had the best of both worlds. We sat at the bar at GEO-82 and had a very chatty bartender. I would not hesitate to go back to either one solo.

 

[CoachBeard]

The only real ride issue I've had as a solo was when I was smooshed into the front of the boat on the Frozen ride with 3 other adults I didn't know.

I love Remy and rode it a bunch last time, but do not have any memories of unpleasant single rider seating arrangements.

My most successful/best experiences socializing with others while traveling solo have been at Geyser Point. I was staying there and went back twice after switching to another hotel on that trip. The bartender was awesome, and the environment seemed to lend itself to good conversation at the bar. I also had a fun time chatting with some folks at Abracadabar. Alcohol can be a social lubricant, so it seems that people sitting at a bar can sometimes be more approachable. I've noticed this at home, going to breweries or bars as well.

I embark on my 3rd WDW solo trip in a week, and I am looking forward to hopefully having some fun times with others should it appear organically. But most of all, just being in the bubble and having complete freedom to enjoy everything. I hope you have a great trip!

I'm also fairly heavily tattooed. No one cares. It's great!

 

[loves to dive]

A woman's perspective here. I'm a soon to be 69 years old woman and I go solo 3 or 4 times a year. I tend to not ride the "kiddie" rides but that is just because I don't want to, if I wanted to I wouldn't hesitate. No one knows if you are there solo or if your family is in another seat/car or maybe didn't want to ride that ride. I've ridden Remy solo many times. Sometimes they put with other people, sometimes not, just depends on how busy they are. It doesn't bother me but, again small woman so I'm not smooshing anyone. If anything I get smooshed by the man spread if there is a man in the car with me. I love Nomad Lounge at AK, if you want interaction with others sit at the bar, you can order food there and the bar tenders are great. Same with just about any lounge attached to a restaurant on site. At HS I'm a huge fan of HBD lounge but you are not going to get interaction with other guests there if that is what you are after. I've found the bars at the pools also tend to have chatty people and most times you can order some food there. No one cares that you are a solo man with tatoos. My son has a number of them on his arms and goes to WDW often. Used to be with me, now with his own family but when he went with me there were plenty of times we would split up and he would be off on his own (usually sitting at a bar somewhere).

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hi! I’m heading to Disney World solo the first week of May (5/2-5/8). My spouse is not a huge fan, so I’m leaving him at home with the dog. I have a couple of questions.

1. Are there are any good hang out spots within the parks (preferably with wine) to perhaps meet other solo travelers, etc (or ways to connect with other travelers in general)? I suppose I feel slightly awkward being a middle-aged guy alone at Disney World. I’ve done Universal solo, but that has a much more adult feel and more solo rider lines. Even at Universal I felt a bit silly on things like The Cat in the Hat, even though I know everyone else is in their own little bubble.

2. I’ve read a few things about couples being sort of rude when a single rider gets seated with them on Remy. I think it’s insane to get upset about seating arrangements in such a busy place as Disney, but I suppose you know how people can be. Has anyone had experience with this/should I be prepared?

I think I’m mostly just in my head about being a solo adult male with tattoos down his arms/hands in such a kid-heavy place. I know it’s going to be a blast and I’m way stoked (!); I just have some pre trip jitters.

I go to WDW solo (at least 25 times so far) for the same reason-the difference is that in our case, DS stays home with cats instead of a dog.

1. All my solo "meet-ups" have been pre-arranged via boards (mostly the DIS). Don't feel awkward-so many people are temporarily solo-maybe their fellow travelers are at other spots, just tired or unwell so staying at the resort, hungry so went somewhere to eat, etc. When you look around, you'll notice LOTS of solos. Besides, would your spouse be OK with you at a solo hang-out spot?

2. I've never encountered that, and I've been on lots of rides solo. But I admit that I haven't yet used to single riders line at Remy. Now I'm not so sure!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I travel solo quite frequently. As others have said, bars are a great spot to strike up conversations with other guests. I've met some great people at GEO-82, Steakhouse 71, and Flying Fish (the bar here is my absolute favorite spot to dine solo - the bartenders are incredible). I generally don't have an issue riding solo but there are a few where I feel like you have the possibility of really being smushed together with strangers (Ratatouille is one now that they're using single rider, Frozen is another) and because I'm able to visit frequently, I tend to avoid these on solo visits. But if I wasn't a frequent visitor, I wouldn't let it stop me.

 

[georgina]

Agree with CoachBeard about Geyser Point; I have had several nice conversations there while having a drink/dining at the bar.