Solo Trip Best Practices?

[automaticsoap]

I've been solo 3 times with another solo trip planned this spring. It's great! I've also never had a problem getting reservations for 1.

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!

Your trip seems long enough that you can alternate these approaches! You'll find that you're able to do things much, much faster solo than with a group.

 

[fla4fun]

Most of my trips are solo, and they are usually 10 nights each. I think the biggest advantage of solo trips is getting to do what you want, when you want. If you want to go to a park first thing in the morning, or sleep in until noon - your choice. You want to do just thrill rides one day, and just classic attractions the next, you can. You want to hit that restaurant that your friends/family always try to avoid? Go for it! Want to spend the whole day taking photos instead of going on attractions? No problem! I also find that it's easier to change FP+ on the fly when you are a solo where it's not when you are trying to find space for several people. Most days I go to the parks I'm changing something around, and it's pretty rare for me not to find availability. I never have to be up at midnight at 60 days to make my FP+ for solo trips. I generally start working on them somewhere between 45-30 days.

I have never felt awkward as a solo in a TS restaurant. There are so many conventions where people are traveling solo, and visiting the parks solo, and dining solo, that no one gives you a second glance. Sometimes I people watch, sometimes I read or use MDE while I'm waiting, sometimes other guests or CM's strike up a conversation - it's all good.

 

[Dug720]

While "best practices" makes my skin crawl (just not into the whole corporate speak thing), I pretty much exclusively travel solo. LOVE IT! You can do the rides and things you love that others might not (and do them over and over), you can slow down and take it easy - you really can get a lot more done solo even if just that you're not having to wait on slower people, you can do whatever you want (within Disney's guidelines of course).

Regarding TS, I have no issues eating solo. IF you think you might feel weird, have a smart phone or tablet or e-reader or dead tree book to occupy yourself. The only place I've had issues booking as 1 is 'Ohana - but from what I understand their system has issues with odd-numbered parties. I've been assured that I can book for 2 (not like they have 1-tops anyway) and as long as I show up I will not get charged that no-show fee.

Enjoy!!

 

[Mome Rath]

The biggest difference for me soloing is that everything goes much much faster. You can do more and see more in such a short time that you can have the time to just sit and people watch and do everything you want. I thought I'd be great doing TS alone, and wound up not liking it. Honestly, I was bored. It takes too much time and there are other spots I'd rather sit and read at than inside a TS restaurant.

 

[EdmondD]

1. The entire time you're in a queue, have an imaginary conversation with someone who isn't there. You'll see the other families whispering and giggling and it will just make the lines go a lot faster for all involved.
2. If you hear someone moving around your room, bear in mind that it is not your travel mate and your room is likely haunted. Sprinkle holy water (or your religious device of choice) and alert the front desk immediately. Unless you're really sleepy - then just tell them in the morning.
3. At table service restaurants make a ressie for two and order for two. Tell the waiter that you're going to propose to your sig other as soon as he/she shows up. After 30 minutes, put your head on the table and start crying while mumbling, "She went home! She went home!" They'll comp both meals.
4. Get a t-shirt that reads, "I'm with AWESOME" with an arrow point up, to you.
5. Disney's Best Kept Secret™ is Solo Swap. Details at this time are still coming out, but you do something like approach the CM at the ride entrance and say, "Never tell me the odds." If the CM says, "I'd just as soon kiss a Wookiee," Solo Swap is in effect! Simply proceed to the north side of that park's icon and stand on one leg until further instructions come. If the CM looks at you blankly, Solo Swap is NOT in effect and just slink away, laughing nervously.
6. With any snack item that comes in multiples (say, the three beignets at POFQ), don't be a pig about it. Only eat two and toss the other one high in the sky while screaming, "Free beignet!!"
7. My Magic Plus does not work for solo travelers. They will have a legacy fast pass machine at each ride for you (Everest not included, though no one is sure why)
8. Consider a discounted My Park Buddy - formerly sold by the now defunct SkyMall and, as they say, priced to move - MPB is a lightweight mannequin that attaches to you at the waist, allowing you free range of motion in both hands as your buddy (Jack...Jack is the only model left) makes his way around the park with you. While perhaps introducing some awkward conversation - "What on earth...." and "Is that guy allowed to be in here?" - it allows you to avoid any awkward conversations about why you're traveling alone.

 

[JimmyV]

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.

Just be mindful that seating at the bar is limited and is almost always packed. Sitting at the bar for a drink or a milkshake is fun, but it is a difficult thing to "plan". It is really hit or miss. You might walk in and find the place to be three-deep at the bar.

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

This thread is perfect! I am accompanying my spouse on a trip where he will be attending a convention during the day in about two weeks. I am a bit nervous but also excited to have some solo park time. We will share a Sunday arrival day at MK and a Wednesday evening for dinner at Epcot and we have both been several times so outside of 7DMT that I have not experienced we are flying free. I will have free time from park opening until 5ish M-W so I decided to do things I don't with kids and made a "eat no where I have tried before rule." So far I have booked Lunch with an Imagineer, the Discover Future World tour and decided to have a leisurely lunch at Spice Road Table and to skip DAK unless I decide not to, because I am free to choose! I was thinking of doing the World Showcase tour but it ends w lunch at Restaurant Marakesh and we have eaten there so it breaks the rule. I might try to tag on Behind the Seeds for fun if I can.

Loving the ideas here! I am a planner so not herding the fam through the parks a and doing what I decide to do is so odd but exciting! Thanks for all the tips! And thank you OP for starting this thread.

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

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 am choosing the lunch w an Imagineer on my solo trip for exactly this reason. I will have some dining companions for that meal but I really related to the group seating issue! Hope you have a great time!

 

[DVCcurious]

my favorite thing to do is just kind of wander around, take in atmosphere, soak in the feeling of being in my favorite place, 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 done solo afternoons when my wife takes the kids back to the hotel for naps. Since it's the afternoon lines are usually huge. I totally agree with you about walking around and just "feeling" the atmosphere of Disneyworld.

I love to sit in front of Gaston's tavern with some ice cream and listen to the music and people-watch for awhile. I love the music in front of Gaston's Tavern - the song at the beginning of the movie (the provincial life song) and Gaston's song as instrumentals. It is very relaxing.

 

[mfriedl1]

Snowybelle,
That's great advice...
Hmm...what are the Disney geeky things that I need to indugle in while I'm alone that would annoy those who don't quite "get it" like we do...gotta give my list some thought!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I solo travel alot to WDW. Getting a table for 1 can be tricky sometimes - I've booked tables for 2 a few times to get ADR's where I want. I have only once felt uncomfortable eating alone and that was at Le Cellier. The tables were too close together for my comfort.

On my solo trips, I usually book things to do that other family members wouldn't be interested in like tours and certain restaurants. I discovered that I loved the Wild Africa Trek and showed off the pictures at home - my husband and son asked me to book it on a family trip and loved it too.

I love to take pictures and people watch. I also enjoy meeting characters which my family isn't into so I do plenty of that solo. I prepare myself ahead of time with some stuff to say. Plus I usually have something fun to get autographed. Last trip, I had characters autograph their Little Golden Book story. Those books became Christmas presents for my niece and nephews.
One of my favorite character meets was when I disney bounded as Ursula and met Ariel. It was so fun to do and the other guests around me in line loved it. I had a great interaction with Ariel.

I'm a fan of stopping in the bars and grabbing a drink and a snack instead of eating a whole meal at one place - some trips I do that more and have less ADR's. Although I noticed on my last trip certain bars like 50's Prime Time were so packed that I couldn't get near the bar to even order a drink so I skipped that one.

Have a great time!

 

[mfriedl1]

Hmm...Le Cellier was definitely on my list...LOVE the cheddar cheese soup!
What are the chances I could get an order of the soup "take out"

 

[mfriedl1]

Also -For discussion:
Do you get your money's worth from the Park Hopper option as a solo guest if you aren't going to take "mid day breaks" back a the hotel?

 

[beckyd13]

Also -For discussion:
Do you get your money's worth from the Park Hopper option as a solo guest if you aren't going to take "mid day breaks" back a the hotel?

I think that just depends on how you like to tour the parks. If I was going solo I would want to keep my options open and would spring for the Park Hopper so if I had the sudden urge to ride Expedition Everest 10 times in a row after riding Big Thunder, I could just hop on over to Animal Kingdom. And I think the 4 Parks, 1 Day challenge would be super fun to do by yourself. I think you would definitely get your money's worth with a Park Hopper if you're a "change your mind on a dime" type of person like I am.

 

[mfriedl1]

And I think the 4 Parks, 1 Day challenge would be super fun to do by yourself.

Yeah - I had thought about doing that one day possibly, but it kind of depends on how I would want to split up my other days. If I had one more day there, I'd definitely want to do 4 parks in one day, but I have basically 3.5 days..so its kinda hard to justify one day for that..but I'm contemplating it

Also, I'm hoping Rivers of Light will be open by then..

 

[officer tigger]

Doing my first solo trip in April during the Star Wars 1/2 marathon. I will only be there for four days and have not made any dinner ressies. I feel a little funny sitting by myself and may just do the quick service thing. I do plan on doing two things I really enjoy like SCUBA diving at EPCOT on Friday and fishing Saturday morning. After my run I think I'll do a hidden Mickey hunt around the resorts.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Hmm...Le Cellier was definitely on my list...LOVE the cheddar cheese soup!
What are the chances I could get an order of the soup "take out"

They don't do take out so if you want it, I say book the ADR. Just because I was uncomfortable doesn't mean you would be. Go For it!

 

[mfriedl1]

LOL - Honestly, I'd deal with being uncomfortable for that soup...one of my favorite things ever (not just in Disney). Maybe I'll jut go and get a double shot of soup and make another ADR some where else at a later time

 

[Dr.Mickey]

I'm a regular with the family, but I've managed 3 solo CE classes in Orlando in the last few years with an active AP. I think everybody else has hit most of the highlights, and I agree it was a lot of fun. But I've got one thing to add:

The last two trips, my family and I did FaceTime for the fireworks. After an evening of time to myself, this was an awesome way to include my wife and kids. Just find a good spot toward the back of a crowd or against a wall (so the other guests aren't looking at a screenshot of your family the whole time) and make sure you are in a good WiFi location and it is a blast.

 

[mfriedl1]

my family and I did FaceTime for the fireworks.

THAT IS AN AWESOME IDEA!!!!!