Solo Souls -- Do you want to be bothered?

[Sir.Walks-a-Lot]

During our trip, we saw quite a few solo trippers (or at least they were solo when we saw them)...my better half and I felt sad for most of them as they seemed lonely.

When you solo, are you mainly doing it because you don't have anyone willing to come along that you want to go with, or are you going solo so you can just enjoy the sights and sounds on your own without being bothered?

My other half wanted to adopt half of you into our group , but that can make some people quite uncomfortable.

(And I can understand the draw of going alone...most of my trip I spent wishing I was solo -- family trips can be quite trying.)

 

[aubriee]

I go to WDW at least four times a year. I try my best to make sure that at least two or three of those trips are solo. I go at least once a year with family, but spend part of those trips wishing I was solo. You can get so much more done when you are solo, plus you can ride what you want (over and over, if you want). You get to eat when and where you want. If I want to spend a morning just looking for Hidden Mickey's, I can do so. There are always other solos down there if you want to meet up. I usually post some here on the solo board before I go and always have at least a few meals lined up with others. However, on a solo trip you get to do what you want when you want. If you want to make every rope drop you can, or you can sleep in until noon if you want. If you want to take a nap in the afternoon you can. Single rider lines are so much quicker than the regular lines and are great for solos. I can go on backstage tours and eat anywhere I want. I can simply sit and people watch if I want. Anytime I'm solo I usually see parents with screaming kids or couples yelling at each other and thank God I'm solo and can do what I want when I want. My family is just a phone call away if I decide I miss them. Don't feel sorry for solos. I assure you we are perfectly content.

 

[mgoblue21]

I like talking to new people in lines and whatnot, but don't feel sorry for me. While this may seem antisocial, I'd feel kinda weird and weighed down if I joined some random family. I'm not lonely while at Disney solo, and I enjoy the abilities to hop around, be a single rider, do whatever I want, etc.

Then again, I know some people who cannot see movies alone in a theater, they have to be with someone (or a group). I'm just more independent I suppose, so that can be weird to some people.

Feel free to say hi and chat (or whatnot), but don't feel like we're sad, lonely people because we're having just as much fun as you are

 

[SoloFriendly]

If it were me, I would be more than happy to chat with you for awhile (I love meeting new people when I travel!) and possibly join you for an activity or two (like drinks or watching a show), but not for the whole trip. I like being on my own. Even when I travel with someone, I prefer traveling with people who are independent so we can split up and go our own ways for a morning or afternoon and then meet up again for a meal.

I think it's great that you gave thought to the solos you saw, though. I encourage you to be friendly in the future to any solos you see. Although we like to be on our own for much of the time, we also crave conversation with another human being once in awhile, so feel free to chat with us.

You know what would really be a great ice breaker? If you see us with a camera, ask us if we'd like our picture taken at the parks. Solos come home with very few pictures of themselves when they travel, which is one of my biggest disappointments. (Thank God for Photopass photographers!) I was asked and volunteered to take pictures for groups all the time, but none of them offered to reciprocate, even though it was obvious I was alone and had no one to take my picture.

 

[Floydian]

I agree with every response so far. Everything mentioned applies to me as well. Taking it slow, people watching, napping, riding something 7 times in a row, chatting for a bit with strangers, even the picture things. But please don't try to adopt me. I love knowing that I can come and go as I wish without having to consider what anyone else thinks. So unless I make plans to give up that freedom for time with people, the whole "adopting thing" could spoil that.

 

[tinkergrumpybuns]

Hey, it took a long time for me to get a " single " trip. Family all grown up. I like to go and do what I like. There are many things I skipped and really wanted to see for the sake of everyone else. I drag my camera along and took well over 2000 photos last trip. I toss many, but I came back with some good ones.
I enjoy the circle vision stuff, strolling and sitting for a bit and watching the crowd.
Meals are peaceful , and someone always chats with you.
I get to pick what bed I sleep in, and the other holds my open suitcase!

I feel so absolutely comfortable and safe alone in WDW.
Also, consider there are many business people who are taking a break from business meetings. I stayed at CS once and they assumed I was business.

Sometimes I meet up with friends for part of the stay too.
It's amazing the new things you see, do alone.

Someday, I hope to be going with grandkids!

 

[soulmates]

For me, I will never understand the concept of SOLO trip. As much as I LOVE Disney World, I can't imagine going and having no one to share the experience of it with...more power to you all who love them...but for me, half the fun for me, is sharing it with a loved one.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I'm planning my first solo trip to the world this December, and absolutely can't wait. All my other trips have been with family or friends, but I really am looking forward to having the chance to just have a leisurely peaceful trip. It's been hard planning this trip, because everyone wants to come along.

My last trip I had a few solo afternoons and it was wonderful. I got the chance to take it easy, and chat with people as I walked around. Lots of fun!

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Well ..... for me ...... I am 55 years old, and I love WDW SO Much !
I don't have any children, no grandchildren, and no sisters. My DH is retired, and I'm still working. We went to WDW four annual visits, starting in 1993.
He got tired of the place, while I became obsessed. So now, I am planning on my 9th annual SOLO trip to WDW. As much as I love my DH, he doesn't travel well, and I can have so much more fun leaving him at home.
DH insists that he does not want to vacation anywhere, at any time. He is already on vacation because he is retired !

My very first time solo I did solo because I wanted to go so badly, and I really didn't have anyone to go with. However, after that first solo trip, I go alone simply because I really love my solo vacation. I keep in frequent contact with my DH, and my Mom via my cell phone. I never feel lonely at WDW. Don't feel sorry for me. I don't want to be included in any one's family. HOWEVER , please feel free to stop to chat with me. I wear all my lime green Mickey heads for just that purpose !!!

 

[Magix]

While I suppose I can understand why you might assume solo trippers are "lonely", it really is highly insulting. Last time I was at WDW, I spent a week with a friend, then went on my own to visit friends in Tampa, then returned to Orlando and spent 2 nights at Universal and 3 nights at WDW on my own. The solo time was by far the most enjoyable! I had a great time, did exactly what I wanted to do and enjoyed the heck out of my time alone!

Those of us solo aren't sad to be alone. We're having a swell time (maybe even a better time than you are!).

 

[Dolce27]

My first solo trip wasn’t intentional. I had originally booked the trip with one friend. She bailed shortly after we booked. Another friend stepped in but bailed the week of final payment. My half of the trip was already paid for and I was beyond eager for a Disney trip so I had the decision to either go it alone or let my vacation be ruined because of my friends. I chose to go alone and found that I actually had fun. But, I’m pretty independent and don’t have a problem going out to catch a movie by myself or stop off at a restaurant for dinner solo. Count me as one of those people who can’t comprehend the people that must always have someone with them to do anything and if they don’t, lock themselves up inside of their homes and do absolutely nothing. Non-independent people would be miserable going solo at Disney.

I don't mind being "bothered" at Disney. I often chat with the people in the line/crowd around me and have met some very interesting people from all over the world that I wouldn't have met if I had been there with family or friends.

 

[DisCopper]

I've been solo to Disney a bunch of times. Usually, this happened as the result of a business trip where I added an extra day or two at the Parks for myself.

Would I specifically plan a solo trip? I doubt it. It's ok for a day or two, but long term just wouldn't be for me.

That said, on those solo trips, I would have been very happy to join up with another group... at least for a while. My advice would be:

1. Don't pounce on the solo person. If you're next to them in line or at a show, go ahead and talk. If they're interested, they'll talk back.

2. When you're done with the attraction, or show, and if you seemed to hit it off, then invite the person on to the next thing you're doing. "Hey, we're going to Tower of Terror next, want to come along?"

 

[ClareH37]

My first ever solo trip didn't exactly go as planned lol - my parents decided they wanted to return too! However, we didn't spend all day every day together (I need my space!), I spent some time alone and met other Dis'ers, I also have friends who live in Florida. I had a ball.

I always have one holiday a year with my boyfriend (and sometimes friends too), but I also need my own space, some pure self indulgent 'me' time. I feel comfortable at Disney, I wouldn't want to go solo some place I didn't know. I'm planning my 'proper' solo trip next year, although I'm sure I'll spend some time with other Dis'ers too

I love to talk, but I'm equally happy not talking IYGWIM, but more importantly I want some time doing what I want when I want and not having to consider anyone else.

 

[PaulaSB12]

During our trip, we saw quite a few solo trippers (or at least they were solo when we saw them)...my better half and I felt sad for most of them as they seemed lonely.

When you solo, are you mainly doing it because you don't have anyone willing to come along that you want to go with, or are you going solo so you can just enjoy the sights and sounds on your own without being bothered?

My other half wanted to adopt half of you into our group , but that can make some people quite uncomfortable.

(And I can understand the draw of going alone...most of my trip I spent wishing I was solo -- family trips can be quite trying.)

If you see me in the parks or lines I would be happy to talk to you. I am not sad to be solo but one of the things I like about Americans is how friendly they are (oh if you want to know me I am the one with the waist long brown hair and the ipod). One thing I found odd though when talking to women they usually asked me which religion I belonged to a question I am not used to and find a little uncomfortable being asked.

 

[litlpixie]

If you see me in the parks or lines I would be happy to talk to you. I am not sad to be solo but one of the things I like about Americans is how friendly they are (oh if you want to know me I am the one with the waist long brown hair and the ipod). One thing I found odd though when talking to women they usually asked me which religion I belonged to a question I am not used to and find a little uncomfortable being asked.

OK, I give up...where in the World were you when you found a "friendly American" They must not have been from NY I can say that, being a native NY'r.....I have done WDW solo, only once during a biz trip and it was AWESOME!!! However, this coming trip is my 40th birthday and I have already been stiffed by the person who was supposed to come with me. Now I'm scrambling trying to find someone to go and its either nobody has any money or no vacation time!! I honestly dont mind going alone, but, geez its my big 4-0, it might be a little depressing to be there that day by myself....maybe I can be adopted for a day by a family

 

[tinkergrumpybuns]

Paula, not sure why they would ask you about religion. Odd.
My last trip , I did run into 2girls , I assumed they are Amish, on their time alone to decide if they are staying with their "ways". I so wanted to chat with them, and get their impressions of disney, but I didn't want to intrude on their time. The only reason I noticed them is they were in front of me in line at AK , and they had the typical amish caps on.

I agree, please don't feel bad, or think I am lonely or a loner b/c I am at disney alone. Usually, it is a case of finding someone who is available at the same times I am , or someone who is a disney appreciator. I don't want to go with a disney drip. I had one friend who I though to ask but she had dissected the life out of a trip for me.
I waited so long to go to disney for the first time, and had it totally controlled and almost ruined ( except I refused to let it be). <G>

Sometimes I like to be alone at home, with a good book, my iPod or computer and a hot cup of coffee and the phone off the hook.

And I so enjoy meeting new people in the parks and chatting with them, but I can still take off and wander around. It is kind of fun to try and guess where everyone is from and " collect " people. ( as in, met people from all over the UK, Belgium, Au, Germany, Japan... etc.)

As to safety issues... I found one trip, I really enjoyed staying at CS. I really loved that inner court in Casitas 3. IT was the perfect spot for me. I had a wonderful long water feature that had lion heads I think , that spouted water and mexican tiles. I didn't even notice it until the second day there!

Can't wait for my next trip!

 

[lillasmom]

I love going to WDW. I go with family more often but there is just something so special about going alone. No one to fight with about what to ride, where to eat, or when to go back and get something to eat. I love talking with people but would never join a group. I would loose my freedom that way. I love my kids and my hubby, but some times a mom has to do what a mom has to do!

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Litlpixie ...... As much as I love my solo vacation, there's NO WAY I would want to be solo over my birthday.

 

[DFD]

During our trip, we saw quite a few solo trippers (or at least they were solo when we saw them)...my better half and I felt sad for most of them as they seemed lonely.

When you solo, are you mainly doing it because you don't have anyone willing to come along that you want to go with, or are you going solo so you can just enjoy the sights and sounds on your own without being bothered?

My other half wanted to adopt half of you into our group , but that can make some people quite uncomfortable.

(And I can understand the draw of going alone...most of my trip I spent wishing I was solo -- family trips can be quite trying.)

I dont mind being adopted... where are we eating ????

Just like a few posters I go about 4 times a year also and in that four I have a Me trip... not alot of meets and more of me hanging out whenever and where ever... and the other three trips well I leave my home airport solo but by the time I get to the MCO thats the end of being Solo... I have made a few good friends in my previous trips that some of our trips have coincide for us to be able to meet for lunch, share a ride or two or just plain hanging at and having a burger.. or two!!! So I really hope the one that your better half had witness was someone just deep in their thought trying to figure out what day it was, which meet she has to go and what dessert he or she is going to eat

and thank you for thinking of the "soloist"

 

[dorky dork]

i love taking solo trips to disney. most for my friends arent really "disney lovers" and they think its for kids. i have to admit its MORE fun being with a group but traveling solo gives me more independence and more flexibility to do as i wish.

but if someone talks to me or wants to hangout for a little bit, im down for that too. who knows, maybe i could make a friend or two during that time. as far as being "adopted", if it was a group of friends, i would go for it. but if it was a couple, i would feel like a third wheel and awkward around them.