Solo trip planning... Character Dinner, surfing class?

[criseas]

Hi!

I'm new to the boards... and I'm planning my first ever solo trip to WDW mid August.

I've never been for a Character Dinner before and am just wondering if it's worth going alone as an adult? I'm 29.

What would the experience be like for a solo adult?

And also has anyone taken the surfing lessons at Typhoon Lagoon before? And how does one handle going to the water parks alone?

Sorry for all the questions crammed into one post...

Thanks in advance!

 

[Simba's Mom]

The only question I can answer is the one concerning solo character dining. I've done several character meals solo, and always enjoyed it. And this was after many years of vowing that the one thing I wouldn't do solo was go to a character meal. People around me have usually volunteered to take pictures, but if they don't, here's a fun tip. Just hand your camera to the character when he shows up, and ask if he/she knows of anyone who might take your picture together. Sometimes the character will just run over to a server they know, but occassionally I've had the character grab another guest and motion for them to take our picture. No one dares say "No" to a Disney character, and it always causes lots of laughs and makes for a memorable experience ("You'll never guess what happened. I was just sitting there eating my breakfast when Mickey showed up and.....")

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I've done many solo meals at Disneyland and a couple at WDW. I've never had a problem finding someone to take a photo if a Disney CM isn't around. This goes for both character dining and meet and greet locations in the parks.

Character dining solo can be tremendous fun. One time Cinderella even decided to sit down at my table across from me. If you enjoy meeting the characters, I say it's worth doing. I wouldn't worry about what other people might think. Most guests are either completely wrapped up in their own agendas or enjoy befriending the solo diners. And I think the characters enjoy interacting with adults who give them a chance to show why they're a certain character instead of just a person in a costume.