Solo Trip Discouragement

[DisneyFan2013]

I'm planning my first solo trip in September. It'll be my 3rd year in a row going, so I feel like I'm familiar with the parks and the whole Disney experience. I had originally planned to go with a friend, but she's unreliable, and since people got on my nerves the last two times I went, I figured I'd have more fun taking a solo trip anyway.

The only person raining on my parade is my mom who keeps telling me it's not safe to go to Disney alone since I'm female. I keep telling her that I'm an adult (over 25!), I feel safe going alone, and I'm looking forward to going alone. I've told her about all you wonderful people who have taken solo trips and loved it! She even accompanied me last year to Disney so she knows what it's like there. Still, she keeps nagging me that I need to take someone else with me. I keep standing my ground, so we keep arguing.

Just wondering, has anyone else been discouraged by someone else from taking a solo trip or is my mom the only one being a party pooper? lol

 

[jagfanjosh3252]

Moms will worry no matter what. Disney is a VERY safe place. Tell your mom not to worry!! You will be safe in Mickeys hands

 

[georgina]

Yes, as a mom I am a super-worrier. However, I sent my 18 year old DD to Disney with a few friends when she graduated from high school. I feel very safe there. I try not to let my fears hold my kids back. Acknowledge her worries, but ignore them!

 

[SueDonym3]

There will always be someone who says things are not safe. I have traveled multiple times to Disneyworld as a solo female and it is probably the safest trip I take all year. I had a boss who insisted Cancun Mexico is incredibly dangerous and yet I still go once a year with no issues. If you have been with others and found that get on your nerves-you will prob. enjoy a solo trip. It is fun to go and focus on what you want. Have a great trip!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

She's a mom, its going to happen. My mom wasn't worried about my safety, she knows I know that place well enough, she worries more about me missing flights.

And while Disney is very safe, that doesn't mean you can let your guard down. I think its more of a safety in so far as they will help you if something happens, but its still up to you to not let it happen.

 

[ludari]

I'm a single male almost 50 (I can't believe it), former US Marine and I have done countless solo trips to WDW and around the world and my mom still worries. Just remember when you are at WDW, Disneyland or anywhere for that matter no one needs to know your alone unless you tell them.

 

[Belle1899]

I took my first solo trip to WDW last fall and my family was concerned as well, so I did everything I could to make them feel comfortable. I bookmarked my Twitter feed on their computer and showed them how to use it. Then I tweeted frequently throughout the trip so they could keep up with what I was doing. It made them feel like they were right there with me (and saved me from having to answer a thousand text messages).

One of the biggest things they worried about was me walking around the resort alone at night. So I called every night once I got on the bus and talked to them until I was safely in my room. They felt better and it gave me a chance to recap my day with someone.

Hopefully, after I have a few more solo trips under my belt, they'll worry less. But they're parents and it's part of their job to worry about my safety. It's all out of love, so I'm inclined to cut them some slack.

 

[DisneyFan2013]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! I know moms can't help but worry, so I do plan to be in touch with her frequently during the trip. But this trip is something that I really want to do for myself. Can't wait!

 

[lilkimmyk]

I was in my early 20's, making ok money for my age and wanted to take a solo trip to WDW for the EXACT same reasons as you. Besides, none of my friends could afford the trip anyway (and don't care enought for Disney) and I like to do things on my own schedule.

My mother talked me out of it, giving me EVERY possible horrible situation, frightening me off the trip amongst many other life decisions I now regret not doing. I know she was just scared for me but she did and said everything she could to keep me "safe" if you will.

My advice is this, go on your trip and have fun. You never know when your situation (money, marriage, kids, job) will change. You may go now and not be able to go back for some time.

Have a wonderful trip and enjoy yourself.

 

[DisneyFan2013]

I was in my early 20's, making ok money for my age and wanted to take a solo trip to WDW for the EXACT same reasons as you. Besides, none of my friends could afford the trip anyway (and don't care enought for Disney) and I like to do things on my own schedule. My mother talked me out of it, giving me EVERY possible horrible situation, frightening me off the trip amongst many other life decisions I now regret not doing. I know she was just scared for me but she did and said everything she could to keep me "safe" if you will. My advice is this, go on your trip and have fun. You never know when your situation (money, marriage, kids, job) will change. You may go now and not be able to go back for some time. Have a wonderful trip and enjoy yourself.

Thanks for sharing! Your mom sounds just like mine. She watches all this stuff on tv about women being kidnapped, assaulted, etc. and likes to keep reminding me how dangerous the world is. I tell her that bad things can happen anytime whether I'm on a solo Disney trip or not and I can't live my life in fear thinking about all the bad things that could potentially happen. The thing about my mom though is sometimes I feel like she actually wants something to happen just so that she can say she was right and that I should've listened to her.

 

[JillyBean1899]

When I lived in Orlando I spent countless days wandering Disney, Sea World, Universal, and Busch Gardens alone. Nothing has ever happened to me, and I was 18 doing this. Not saying that it can't happen, but Disney is a crowded place, you're much less likely to be kidnapped or something from there than you are walking across an empty parking lot at the mall at night.

Go, have fun. Keep your mom up to date with what's going on (if that means sending her a text every hour, so be it ... pre-program some default texts into the phone and shoot one off every hour lol). You'll be fine as long as you don't do anything stupid.

 

[aacvacation]

I just got back from two consecutive solo Disney trips, totaling like 2 weeks. I am only 19, and, well- female. I was exploring all around Celebration/Orlando looking at apartments, staying onsite at 3 different resorts, out late at parks and dining reservations, and even spent some late night time at DTD.

I am a BIG worrier. I was the one really holding myself from taking the leap to go on this trip! So much so that for the first couple of days, I was actually really sick in the morning because I couldn't get over how anxious I was being by myself... My mom isn't severely overprotective, but she was a little worried for me too. (Mainly driving long distances.)

But I was absolutely fine! The WHOLE trip. Nothing remotely sketchy happened. Some people give you looks like, "Wow you're really here by yourself?" but who even cares about that. Solo trips are amazing, and you should NOT miss out on this experience!

I know you are older than I am, and even for me it felt silly checking in with my mom all the time...but seriously, when you REALLY think about it, it's not silly at all. If anything happened, you'd be so thankful you sent a text telling someone where you last were headed, in the event of an emergency. (I'm not talking about ride to ride! But definitely when you are coming/going from a resort or park or restaurant.)
Heck, I went on a date while I was there and I made him give me all of his contact info, and I snapped a pictures of him, his car and his license plate and sent it to my mom!

My intent obviously isn't to scare you or to think something bad is going to happen, but the inconvenience of sending a lot of texts to your mom is more than worth the guarantee of your safety. And it's not so bad, I'm sure she'd be so excited to get little updates throughout the day just in general!!

I hope, for your sake, she eases off of you a little so you don't have to stress.
Take the leap, and enjoy your trip!

 

[Suzie13]

Hi, I also hinted that one day i might travel soulo to my mum. She was not amused lol. She said she would come with me before she let me go alone so I yes I have experienced the same and thats me just hinting of doing something like that.

 

[LaLalovesWDW]

Yes its normal for them to worry. Ive got a couple of solo trips under my belt and also trips with my daughter. And as safe as Disney is, it is still full of all types of people and there is nothing wrong with taking precaution. Not even with people, but what if you fall and hurt yourself, or get a concussion or something. Its a good idea to leave an emergency contact with your hotel. I always let at least two people know where I am each day and as tempting as it is sometimes, I leave my, "HEY FOLKS IM HERE ALONE!" shirt at home. LOL... just enjoy yourself, but don't be hesitant to be a little cautious. It will put Mom's nerves as ease and at least you know that in the event something does happen, at least she knows where you are.

 

[DisneyFan2013]

I just got back from two consecutive solo Disney trips, totaling like 2 weeks. I am only 19, and, well- female. I was exploring all around Celebration/Orlando looking at apartments, staying onsite at 3 different resorts, out late at parks and dining reservations, and even spent some late night time at DTD. I am a BIG worrier. I was the one really holding myself from taking the leap to go on this trip! So much so that for the first couple of days, I was actually really sick in the morning because I couldn't get over how anxious I was being by myself... My mom isn't severely overprotective, but she was a little worried for me too. (Mainly driving long distances.) But I was absolutely fine! The WHOLE trip. Nothing remotely sketchy happened. Some people give you looks like, "Wow you're really here by yourself?" but who even cares about that. Solo trips are amazing, and you should NOT miss out on this experience! I know you are older than I am, and even for me it felt silly checking in with my mom all the time...but seriously, when you REALLY think about it, it's not silly at all. If anything happened, you'd be so thankful you sent a text telling someone where you last were headed, in the event of an emergency. (I'm not talking about ride to ride! But definitely when you are coming/going from a resort or park or restaurant.) Heck, I went on a date while I was there and I made him give me all of his contact info, and I snapped a pictures of him, his car and his license plate and sent it to my mom! My intent obviously isn't to scare you or to think something bad is going to happen, but the inconvenience of sending a lot of texts to your mom is more than worth the guarantee of your safety. And it's not so bad, I'm sure she'd be so excited to get little updates throughout the day just in general!! I hope, for your sake, she eases off of you a little so you don't have to stress. Take the leap, and enjoy your trip!

Thanks! No, I totally agree with you about checking in to let her know what's going on. The thing is that I do that all the time even now, so she knows I'd do it while on my trip. We communicate all the time. (I tell her when I'm going on dates too, unfortunately. lol)

 

[KeroKero]

I've just booked my first solo trip as well! I'm 34 and female! WDW is somewhere I've always wanted to go solo. I tried on my last two trips, but my mom wouldn't have me going alone so she came too!

My friends aren't as interested in Disney as me, and they rather use their money to lie on a beach and get a tan.

This time around she's already got a trip booked elsewhere and won't be able to jump in on my plans . I'm so looking forward to being able to tour the parks MY WAY, and not having to worry about anyone else but myself! I can't wait!

The trip is still a ways off, so it wouldn't surprise me if my mother changed her trip so she could join me

 

[Aeryn76]

I have been in your shoes before. I am the only girl and I'm the youngest in my family. When I was about your age (I'm 38 now) I went on my first solo trip...to Las Vegas. The reason why I went there because I have been there before with family so I knew how to get around. My mom was not happy about it and I got the lecture as well about it's not safe and all that. Well I went to Vegas twice by myself and the September I am doing my first solo trip to WDW.

I will do what I always do when I'm on a trip either solo or with someone else. I call when I land and then I call a couple times a day while on my trip. I call to let her know I'm ok and to tell her all the fun I'm having.

Sadly with the way the world is, bad things can happen anytime anywhere. But just live in the now. Go and have fun.

 

[sky13]

I'm sort of similar - booked a solo trip to WDW this June (also female, also an adult over 25!). I've not lived at home since I started university years ago, and have done a number of solo trips (including Disneyland and Disneyland Paris) and mentioned wanting to go solo to WDW for months before I booked... but she was still worried! I think it's just moms being concerned.

(Things have now changed a bit for me as I have a friend coming along for the first few days so my mom is less worried now! - but am still going to be solo for the last few days...)

 

[Dashzap]

When I was in my 20s, I travelled a lot for work. Mom became immune to the idea of my traveling solo. You use common sense to stay safe no matter where you are, and don't let fear put shackles on you.

If I were you, I'd be tempted to tell your mom that you may have company, but they aren't sure yet. Your mom may decide bad company is better than solo, and push someone you really don't want to travel with to go with you. You'll save yourself months of aggravation by not clarifying it is, indeed, a solo trip. Come clean closer to departure day.

 

[skittlesfirehawk]

im not allowed to go alone and im 22.I would love an alone cruise or trip.Go and dont worry im sure its safe.