Solo Trip after Prince Charming flew the coop!

[willonlyflytodisney]

Hey guys,

So I figured this was the best place to put this post.

Just got out of a 3 and a half year relationship with a BF who really made me fall in love with WDW. So much so, that we took 3 trips during our time together. I fell in love with it so much that I'll be heading down to work there in after I graduate.

Anyway, point of this post is that I love Disney so much, just as obsessed as many of you on this board are. I'd visit every month if I could. But, without the ex, I don't have others in my life that would be as willing to visit. My 21st birthday is coming up, and its always been my dream to drink around the world. These things are all compiling together, and I really would like to take a trip sometime in 2011.

Here's my question - do I take a solo trip, save the drinking around the world for another time, and risk sitting on benches crying thinking of the memories I had, or take a trip with friends who aren't really into it, but would help create new memories, even if they aren't the best?

I'm not really looking for advice here, just an opinion on what you all would do. I don't want my love of Disney to go hand in hand with my love for my ex, but I don't want to wait until I meet another prince to go back.

Hope this is making more sense than I think it is.

Happy Holidays everyone!

 

[karice2]

I understand exactly where you are. I was on a Disney Solo trip when my ex and I broke up after 6 years together after a stupid argument over the phone.

I was still determined to enjoy my trip and went to the park every day. There were a few tears on the trip but I went and made excellent memories for myself.

Why don't you go and enjoy yourself solo. You don't have to do the drinking around the world yet but you can do all kinds of other stuff and not even worry about having the ex-bf there.

 

[kpk89]

Either way you should get to enjoy WDW without the ex. If you know the place well you'll have a blast on your own, or you could have an equal blast introducing your non-Disney friends to the magic!

Have fun!

 

[ChisJo]

I drank around the world by myself. Why not? If its your trip, enjoy it! I stayed on property so I didn't have to worry about driving. I ended up meeting some pretty cool people there around the world. I think it lowered my inhibitions a bit, but I ended up meeting some girls who were celebrating a stagette, and they asked me to join them. I ended up meeting them at Jellyrolls that night too. Had a great time! Enjoy it!

 

[ludari]

I drank around the world by myself. Why not? If its your trip, enjoy it! I stayed on property so I didn't have to worry about driving. I ended up meeting some pretty cool people there around the world. I think it lowered my inhibitions a bit, but I ended up meeting some girls who were celebrating a stagette, and they asked me to join them. I ended up meeting them at Jellyrolls that night too. Had a great time! Enjoy it!

I agree with the quote above. I would not postpone going if you have the opportunity. Your only 21 once so go and enjoy yourself.

 

[lnk1229]

I say drinking with friends is better than drinking alone however if they are going to be "kill-joys" then perhaps you would be better off enjoying the trip alone...

Sorry about the DBF- Some day your prince will come!!

 

[spiceycat]

hey never let any ex - kept you from disney world.

just find places to go that you did not with him. If you only went to the parks - well Disney has alot more than that.

some of best memories are in the WDW hotels. Love 'em,

look at the money you will save w/o someone else along....

would definitely get my drinking down - you know drinking depresses you - plus unless you are staying in an Epcot resort - it is a long walk back to those buses.

 

[OhMickey]

I was kind of in the same position as you. Ten days before we were to leave on our Christmas trip, my husband of 27 years told me he was moving out in January and was not coming on our trip. We hadn't been getting along very well, but this was extreme and a complete surprise.

So, I took our four children and had a good time. It was different, but isn't every trip?

On Christmas eve and Christmas day there were moments when I thought I was going to break down and cry. But there were angels in the park that day. Christmas eve we waited in line with a single traveler and he was totally content being on his own. Christmas day we had dinner at Chefs DeFrance, and again there was a very content, happy, solo traveler dining at the next table.

I would be a lie if I said I'm not scared of my future. But I will never let my soon to be (I guess) ex-husband's actions keep me from something I love.

 

[Orlando313]

If you need a buddy, I'll come hang out with you. I'm 24, and have been enjoying the single life for a while. Soooo, that means I'm used to doing Disney by myself, as most of my friends really aren't into Disney like I am. I'm only about 30-40 mins from the parks so I'm over there all the time. You can PM me if you would like.

PS: I'm female, by the way, didn't want you to think I was a guy trying to hit on you or something...ha!

 

[willonlyflytodisney]

You guys have all been so incredibly helpful - I can't even express how much. Some of your stories are truly inspirational!

I can't thank you enough. I will definitely be taking a solo trip, w/o the drinking - you are quite right, SpiceyCat - the parking lot is a LONG way away.

I will be doing the College program after I graduate, and I'm sure I'll meet Disney lovers there who are over 21 and willing to do that.

But, really, thank you.

OhMickey, you are a very strong woman and you should know how much your post inspired me to not only book a trip sometime in the future, but to not let my ex keep me from anything I love that we happened to have done together.

Thank you. Sincerely.

And Orlando313, I will definitely be PMing you as my trip gets closer. It won't be until August, but I could definitely use some company one night. I'd also love to hear about your past experience doing Disney solo as a female!

Thank you all! LOVE DISBOARDS!

 

[Ashley Marie]

Good for you!

I might be taking a solo trip myself in February. I'm bringing my younger sister if she can take the week off of school, but otherwise, I don't really have very many Disney-loving friends either -- and those that are into Disney probably don't have the money for a vacation so soon.

Oh, and it looks like we're living in the same city. And: I took a break from college (NYU) early on and did the college program about five years ago.

 

[Vromilos]

Have fun!

 

[flrose]

Oh so happy for you doing the Disney Program. And you are SO right, you will meet lots of people your age to enjoy Disney with you. My niece did the college program two summers ago. She made tons of friends and still is a seasonal employee so she comes down often.
I've been doing solo trips for several years. I wish I lived closer I would go every weekend. I love coming and going as I please and sometimes just sitting somewhere and watching the people. I've met lots of interesting people along the way. And I do get weepy sometimes, walking along the water at DTD in the evening 'cause it seems so romantic to me and I wish I had someone to share it with! BUT, I still go and learn something new or meet someone interesting every time. Enjoy your time being you!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

You guys have all been so incredibly helpful - I can't even express how much. Some of your stories are truly inspirational!

I can't thank you enough. I will definitely be taking a solo trip, w/o the drinking - you are quite right, SpiceyCat - the parking lot is a LONG way away.

I will be doing the College program after I graduate, and I'm sure I'll meet Disney lovers there who are over 21 and willing to do that.

But, really, thank you. LOVE DISBOARDS!

It is inspirational to see that you have decided to take the solo trip without the drinking. Meeting Disney lovers while doing the College Program is a great idea. Good luck to you.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Ask one friend, a close and supportive one, to go with you!!! That way you know the two of you will have a great time and she will be there to support you if you do cry over a lost memory.

I totally understand, When my daughter turned 2 I was single sad and lonely... I asked my best friend to go to Disney World with us and it was the best trip thus far!!!!!

 

[ebert]

The best traveling I've ever done was on my own. You meet more people that way because A: You have to and B: other single folks are more likely to talk to you if you don't have someone else hanging around.

Go have some fun!

 

[CarolinaMike]

Go! If you love Disney you'll have fun whether
you are alone or not. I made many many solo trips single since my divorce and have always found something to do and made new friends. The tears may come with some old memories but it's part of healing and moving on. Go for it!

 

[MeganFyne]

OH Honey

As someone who hasn't even been to the DIS boards for almost a year (yes, after my ex and I broke up a week after we came back from the World for my 30th birthday trip) I realize you have to do what makes you happy! Follow your bliss! Make you happy! I am planning on coming by myself ( as well as a trip with my baby, ok 26 but still baby to me, brother and father.) It's weird how longings get mixed up. I thought my desire do be at Disney was a sad desire to be with my ex. Maybe it is. But Maybe it's not. Maybe it's both. I DO have a new boyfriend now, but what I really want is to be at this magical place where my dreams can come true. Maybe Disney World isn't reality. But it IS real.

 

[kellym506]

I found lots of food for thought in this thread, although it's not my circumstance. My boyfriend and I planned a trip to Disney for February, 2011, his first visit ever. He died in December, 2010. Disney is one of my favorite places and I couldn't wait to share it with him. I'm making the trip solo with lots of Kleenex and good memories of him. Although this trip won't be the most happy one, I'll still have my boyfriend in my heart. (Won't watch Wishes--I'll be a basket case.) Looking forward to a prescription of "the happiest place on Earth" to mend a broken heart.

 

[ADisneyLife!]

I would be a lie if I said I'm not scared of my future. But I will never let my soon to be (I guess) ex-husband's actions keep me from something I love.

My DW and I have been fighting more and more and I am afraid she will soon decide she wants a divorce. One of my biggest fears is losing Disney. We have always loved it there so much and have so many memories, I worry that when I go I will just wallow and think of all the good memories.

I know that god forbid my predictions come true I should just go and make new memories but am so afraid of being alone, and it seems to me that seeing so many happy couples and families will be like salt in the wound.