Solo Trip Best Practices?

[mfriedl1]

Hi Everyone,
I've been a member of this forum for a long time, but this is my first time posting in quite a while...
Anyways, I will be attending a conference at the end of May at the Bonnet Creek Hilton and I've decided to extend my stay for a few days to have my first (and likely ONLY) solo trip to the world. I plan on checking in to my hotel early Wednesday Afternoon and I'll be leaving sometime on Sunday.

My big question is, what do I need to know to make the most of my solo trip? I'm not talking about obvious things like booking fast passes or making ADR's but more specific advice/tips to a solo traveler.

What sparked this thread was that I was just thinking that it might be easier to get ADR's for a table for 2 rather than a table for 1. Maybe it doesn't matter, but it sounded like a question worth asking.

In any case, any advice the community might have on the "best practices" for a solo trip, would be MUCH APPRECIATED! °o°

 

[NileNellie]

I don't really have any advice, but have fun! Just the thought of doing the single rider lines over and over would be enough to get me out to WDW for a solo trip.

 

[mfriedl1]

LOL - that's acutally a good point - probably no need to bother getting fast passes for attractions with single rider lines

 

[Alesia]

LOL - that's acutally a good point - probably no need to bother getting fast passes for attractions with single rider lines

Only Expedition Everest, Test track, and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster have single rider lines. It's not completely unusual for the single rider line at Rock 'n' Roller Coaster to take longer for the standby line.

 

[mfriedl1]

Hmmm- - For some reason I thought more attractions than that had single rider lines....Oh well, that doesn't help too much then - lol

 

[GATORinaZ28]

#1 Have fun!
#2 GOTO #1

I have done 3 solo trips now and have enjoyed them all. Sure I missed my family, but it was also nice to do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. These last two trips, I did 3 Halloween parties and 3 Christmas parties and did the Keys to the Kingdom tour. Probably couldn't have done that with the family.

 

[loves to dive]

Other than trying for an ADR for 2 instead of 1 if you can't get one, it's just like going with someone. I've made a number of solo trips. While dining at TS restaurants I have my kindle ap on my phone and I read, but I do that at home too. If you've never eaten solo, do it a few times at home first to get comfortable with it.

 

[mfriedl1]

yeah - I'm a little concerned about feeling a bit awkward being at a table service by myself, but I'll get over it as I don't want to do all quick service, nor do I want to do the "group seating" restaurants like Tappen Edo and Biergarten the whole time.

Do you find its rough getting single table ADR's?

 

[Oneanne]

I always do 1 for my ADR's and the things that I would expect to be available have been, so I don't know that it really makes a difference. When I'm going solo I like to do some meals with communal/family style seating like Teppan Edo or Biergarten, so there's an opportunity to meet others and chat... also like to do a tour for the same reason.

Ha ha... out posts overlapped. Places with bar seating are also nice, till you get comfy with eating alone.

 

[mfriedl1]

yeah - I've done both of them, and they are definitely enjoyable, but I'm not planning on either on this trip. What other TS restaurants do the family seating?

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Lucky you! I'd go to all the places I want to try that my family doesn't want to go like Spice Road Table (is that the name?) and the Wave. What a treat to just get to ride and see what YOU want to. When I travel for work I also like to eat at restaurant bars/lounges so I have some flexibility and don't need a reservation. I think there is one at Hollywood Brown Derby, for sure the deluxe resorts have them.

 

[mfriedl1]

yeah - i was thinking that any places with a bar is probably easy to get into with you an ADR....Like the the Tune in Lounge in 50's Prime time - I've heard they serve the full menu at the bar and its relatively easy to get a seat there "last minute"

 

[ZoZo]

I'm not sure, but I think the California Grill has a "counter seating" area right in front of their open kitchen. It would be fun to sit there and watch the chefs work their magic!

I hope you enjoy your solo trip! I ended up doing that one year at the last minute - my traveling companion hurt her ankle right before the trip, so I went solo. I'm pretty comfortable spending time by myself, and really enjoyed being able to do exactly what I wanted to do the whole trip! Once in a while, I'll chat up people in line (it's fun to ask kids and their parents what their favorite activity on the trip has been). I also found it nice to keep in contact with folks from home - helped me from feeling lonely.

And I hope you don't feel awkward dining alone. Bring something to read, and you'll be fine. Remember that most folks are pretty absorbed in their own lives and aren't paying attention to you at all, much less feeling sorry for you.

BTW, there's a "solo" forum on this chat board for those traveling alone. Might be able to find some good tips there!

 

[Pluto0809]

I've gone on three solo trips now and I find it to be a lot of fun. I've never had a problem getting ADRs for 1. I actually prefer table service when I'm solo because finding tables by yourself at the Counter Service places is not fun. I do try to pick restaurants that have some kind of entertainment if possible so I don't feel awkward. Coral Reef, Raglan Road and Sci Fi are great ones for solo travel. I find character meals to be the most awkward if you want pictures with the characters. It's sometimes difficult to find someone to take the pictures. If you're interested, I've done Trip Reports for all of my trips, links are in my signature. "Did I Hear That Right?", "How Many Times Did I Meet Pluto This Trip?" and "I Can't Do That, I'd Be Too EmBEARassed!" are the solo ones.

 

[j2thomason]

I am following along for this thread. I will be doing a solo trip in 39 days!! My 21yo daughter is also doing her fist solo trip in 32 days. I teach and she is in college. Unfortunately our spring breaks didn't line up this year, so we are both going on solo trips! We have APs so it's really tempting to squeeze in trips when you have some free time. I'm going to give to single rider lines a try!!

 

[Hannahinwonderland]

I've done a whole bunch of solo days. my favorite thing to do is just kind of wander around, take in atmosphere, soak in the feeling of being in my favorite place, and really take the time to ride things that I LOVE. I admit that I have never met a character solo- I find that a bit uncomfortable.

But on my solo days in MK, my favorite things to do are very simple. Get a Dole Whip and watch FoF, ride Haunted Mansion several times in a row, eat my favorite waffle sandwich at Sleepy Hollow and watch the people around me. FP+ availability is usually much better for one person too! And if you want to wait in lines, you can. A solo trip is so relaxing- there is no one to debate with about what to do next and at least for me, no pressure to run from ride to ride. I know my family and friends would get frustrated with just sitting around in Adventureland, but it's my favorite area of the park.

I've only ever done one TS meal on my own, at Kona Cafe. It felt the tiniest bit awkward at first, but I brought a book and just enjoyed the chilled-out atmosphere.

 

[mfriedl1]

Yeah - I'm kinda torn between the "laid back - people watching" plan and the "do everything I want to do" plan...ha ha ha - what a problem to have!

 

[tstidm1]

yeah - I'm a little concerned about feeling a bit awkward being at a table service by myself, but I'll get over it as I don't want to do all quick service, nor do I want to do the "group seating" restaurants like Tappen Edo and Biergarten the whole time.

Do you find its rough getting single table ADR's?

I don't find it hard to get reservations for one. Don't forget many restaurants have bars in them where I can sit and have dinner in. Jiko, 50's Prime Time Cafe, Raglan Road and The Wave are restaurants I think of that have Bars that also serve the full menu at them. I frequently go without many ADR's because of this.

 

[j2thomason]

I don't find it hard to get reservations for one. Don't forget many restaurants have bars in them where I can sit and have dinner in. Jiko, 50's Prime Time Cafe, Raglan Road and The Wave are restaurants I think of that have Bars that also serve the full menu at them. I frequently go without many ADR's because of this.

I plan on hittting 50's Prime Time Cafe Tune-In Lounge for a milkshake. I also heard a great tip about getting the the Ohana bread pudding at the Tambu Lounge at the Poly.

 

[snowybelle]

I'm taking my first solo trip in September, I am SO excited about it! Two things on my agenda:

1) Do the 4-Parks-in-1-Day Challenge. Sounds easier to do this solo (just easier to get around) and my DH would never be up for attempting this, so now's my chance!

2) Spend as much time as I want on things that my traveling companions would NOT be into. For me, this includes multiple turns in the Tiki Room, waiting in line to get photos with a handful of my favorite characters, pre-park opening ADRs and lots of rope drops (I'm a morning person, DH not so much), attending more than 1 MNSSHP.

Make a list of your personal WDW indulgences, especially the things that might annoy or test the patience of people who you normally travel with, and then get your fill! Have fun!!