Solo Souls -- Do you want to be bothered?

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I went solo at the end of April and normally go with my family. I sure wasn't lonely at all. I loved doing what I wanted and being alone.

When I wanted to, I'd chat away with folks. I met some fantastic people that way.

So not all of us solo folks are lonely - some of us love to have the time alone. But do say Hi if you want. It never bothers me to meet new folks.

 

[DFD]

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.

I missed this part... there was one time I got chatty with a lady while waiting for RNR... and eventually she did ask about my religion... "hmmm wait what is the next holiday.... ohhh Labor Day... no upcoming religious holiday ???" she looked at me ... "well if it is Xmas then I would be Catholic... and around January I am Buddhist I need to be off on Chinese New Year... whatever is the holiday... what religion do you belong to??? Maybe I will come visit on one of the social gatherings..." she turned her back on me...

 

[MyMuse]

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.

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!).

Couldn't have said it better myself.Well done.

 

[penguinkimberly]

I have never been lucky enough to take a solo trip, I have always been with family or friends, but I always sneak off before everyone wakes up and go to a park. Once at the park my cell magically turns on silent mode for a few hours. It is wonderful to be able to look at everything and just wander your own way!

 

[1littlespark]

I used to go by myself fairly frequently before I got my house, when I lived around the corner and had premium annual passes. Sometimes it's nice not to have to deal with anyone else's ideas of what to do all day. It can be a very nice, free of aggravation sort of magical day. lol That being said, I usually never mind if people strike up conversation with me. I'm that way...unless someone is creepy, of course. Thankfully around Disney World that's less of an issue than other places.

 

[suzycute]

Please don't feel sorry for me - I LOVE going solo and have travelled from the UK on my own just to do this!! Just doing what I want to do when I want to do it, after spending years doing what others want to do, is GREAT!!

Don't get me wrong, I love being with my family at WDW and am looking forward to a week with DD on our first girls only trip this September. However I'm looking forward to my next solo trip - although now I have bought in to DVC, I suddenly seem to have lots of people wanting to accompany me!!

 

[Racknack]

I took my fifth solo trip to WDW this past November, and really thought it would be my last (I'm 75), however I am now planning another visit to WDW for December of this year. This will be my sixth consectitive holiday time solo visit to The World, so I must have been having fun. Just wanna try it one more time ...

Karnak

 

[1littlespark]

My 90 year old Aunt still goes wandering around Manhattan by herself whenever she needs to, so I hope you have a lot more visits coming.

 

[Jamie77]

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 can't be bothered to take other people along. They sleep too much.

I always end up talking with someone while there solo. On my first night at the Studios, I met a teenager at RNRC after being assigned to ride in the front row with her. She adopted me and we spent the rest of the night riding in the front rows of ToT, Star Tours and RNRC again before it starting raining like crazy. The park was about to close anyway.

 

[princessCKL]

I'm from South Carolina and I am a very friendly American! I love going solo now that my kids are grown because I see so many things that I didn't see because I was too busy worrying if other family members were having fun.

In 2007 I did my first solo trip for my 49th birthday - loved every minute of it and it was a 10 day trip.

In 2008 did a trip with just my adult daughter and I for my 50th - it was fun too.

In winter of 2008 did a solo Disney Cruise - love, love, loved it!

This summer will be celebrating my 51st birthday with a solo trip!

I chat with people in line, on the buses etc. I've been an early childhood teacher for many years and young children seem to sense that and just start talking to me.

 

[Simba's Mom]

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.

Sometimes solos just give the impression of being lonely. I remember once, getting on PPFlight, when the CM said,"How many" and I said "One", he replied "Cheer up, it's not so bad." What a shock-up til then, I'd never thought I might look sad or lonely. Also, many "solos"you see are only solo for the moment-maybe others are napping, sleeping in, golfing, etc. We once talked to a solo at Biergarten, and found out he was alone because no one else in his large family wanted to eat there and he put his foot down and went anyways. He told us that up til then, his wants seemed to come in last. All that being said, I love talking with others when I'm on solo trips. Feel free to talk to me.

 

[Shenanigoat]

I can't be bothered to take other people along. They sleep too much. ....

Testify! That is exactly how I feel.

My first solo trip was because the company I used to work for had it's big meeting in Orlando last year and, since I lived in CA and hadn't been to WDW since 2001, I was not wasting that airfare. I ended up having so much fun on that 4 night trip that I booked another one in Jan'09 and I'm going again in Sept'09. I asked the DH if he was interested, and he wasn't at all. He goes to DL with me (maybe 1 out of every 5 of my day trips), but he's not as about Disney as I am.

I am never lonely or sad in WDW. I miss him, but I miss him whenever we aren't together, so that is fine. And I really do like doing things alone, at my own pace. I chat up people in line, use the SR line, watch the entertainment in World Showcase, and eat in restaurants my DH would never step foot in!

 

[MyMuse]

Sometimes solos just give the impression of being lonely. I remember once, getting on PPFlight, when the CM said,"How many" and I said "One", he replied "Cheer up, it's not so bad." What a shock-up til then, I'd never thought I might look sad or lonely. Also, many "solos"you see are only solo for the moment-maybe others are napping, sleeping in, golfing, etc. We once talked to a solo at Biergarten, and found out he was alone because no one else in his large family wanted to eat there and he put his foot down and went anyways. He told us that up til then, his wants seemed to come in last. All that being said, I love talking with others when I'm on solo trips. Feel free to talk to me.

when I went down in March and most rides when they asked and I replied with "one", their eyebrows went up, but didn't actually say anything to me. I had the best time doing what I wanted, when I wanted.

When I went down in May with my bro and niece...ugh, I was tearing my hair out. Waking everyone up, grumpiness, "i gotta eat!", "i need coffee", "are we done?", "i don't want to do that".....

Testify! That is exactly how I feel.

My first solo trip was because the company I used to work for had it's big meeting in Orlando last year and, since I lived in CA and hadn't been to WDW since 2001, I was not wasting that airfare. I ended up having so much fun on that 4 night trip that I booked another one in Jan'09 and I'm going again in Sept'09.
I am never lonely or sad in WDW. I miss him, but I miss him whenever we aren't together, so that is fine. And I really do like doing things alone, at my own pace. I chat up people in line, use the SR line, watch the entertainment in World Showcase, and eat in restaurants my DH would never step foot in!

The SR line is great! Though, I've seen entire groups go on, intending to be together and they were split up. hehe.

I'm going back again in December 09....alone! Or perhaps with a Disney-crazy friend of mine as well. Though she and her mom are staying at Bay Lake, so I may or may not crash their place.

 

[FergieTCat]

Sometimes solos just give the impression of being lonely. I remember once, getting on PPFlight, when the CM said,"How many" and I said "One", he replied "Cheer up, it's not so bad." What a shock-up til then, I'd never thought I might look sad or lonely. Also, many "solos"you see are only solo for the moment-maybe others are napping, sleeping in, golfing, etc. We once talked to a solo at Biergarten, and found out he was alone because no one else in his large family wanted to eat there and he put his foot down and went anyways. He told us that up til then, his wants seemed to come in last. All that being said, I love talking with others when I'm on solo trips. Feel free to talk to me.

I always answer "Party of One!"

 

[1littlespark]

I just remembered that I went by myself this past Easter and some people do kinda look at you strangely, which is silly. In fact, I was on line waiting for the boat from FW to the World Showcase (I have in a lazyyyy mood lol) and there was this very precocious, funny little girl on line who was basically interrogating me about a variety of things. She started asking where I Got my bunny ears, then launched into questioning me about being there alone with quite the incredulous tone. lol

 

[MomsOf2boys]

We are a chatty family and do find ourselves chatting with this or that person. Not because we feel bad for them. Many "solo" guests we have found have someone else somewhere, with the little ones, at the spa... etc.

We have offered others to tag along with us if they wanted. Surprisingly, we have had several who have joined us. I am thinking however it had to do with the fact that we often travel with my DD18 and my nephews 21 & 23.....

 

[PaulaSB12]

when I went down in March and most rides when they asked and I replied with "one", their eyebrows went up, but didn't actually say anything to me. I had the best time doing what I wanted, when I wanted.

When I went down in May with my bro and niece...ugh, I was tearing my hair out. Waking everyone up, grumpiness, "i gotta eat!", "i need coffee", "are we done?", "i don't want to do that".....

I got that when I took my sister and her children, got to go to bed (10pm) not getting out of bet until 10 in the morning then having a swim and complaining about ride lines, how much food there is the heat everything. Add one thing one niece digging me in the ribs to complain about the non existant snoring!!!!!!! The cheek I don't snore!!!!

 

[mum24grlz]

I think its great that there are so many solo travelers! I've decided that once the kiddos are grown and on their own that I'm gonna do the solo traveling thing too. I don't want to do it w/ someone else and have to plan around their needs/wants, I wanna do what I wanna do! LOL I've done what everyone else wants for so long ( my oldest is 23 and my youngest is 6 so it has been a very long time) that I want time for ME!!

I do run out to WDW every now and again to sit and people watch. I'm gonna spring for an AP this year and venture to the parks to ride the rides, see the shows, etc all by myself when the kids are in school. I can't wait!

 

[MyMuse]

I got that when I took my sister and her children, got to go to bed (10pm) not getting out of bet until 10 in the morning then having a swim and complaining about ride lines, how much food there is the heat everything. Add one thing one niece digging me in the ribs to complain about the non existant snoring!!!!!!! The cheek I don't snore!!!!

LOL!! Exactly!
My niece kept hogging the whole bed! I had an ok enough time, how can I not when I'm in Disney?

I'm going to enjoy going down solo in December more though! Candlelight Processional, Keys to the Kingdom, PhilarMagic, here I come!

 

[jamstew]

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.

What she said I do enjoy meeting up with other Dissers (including aubriee, who I'll see in December) for meals and a few rides, and I've traveled with a friend twice now, but I really, really, really love my alone time!