Solo trip to Disneyland! Advice wanted!

[Wishingspell]

Hello,

I'm a long time lurker and just registered. I have been listening to the Disneyland podcast for the last few months and have finally bit the bullet and booked a trip
Out there for February! I live on the east coast ATM and have never lived out west so this will be my first trip to Disneyland since I was a teen (2005). Also, I will be going alone!! *excited* so, if anyone has any tips especially for a solo trip, please let me know!

 

[WonkaKid]

Welcome! I've made most of my trips to DL solo and they're always a blast. It's easy to get around, you get to do exactly as you like whenever you like and the single rider line is a blessing. If you ever get lonely, I find that even small, simple conversations with strangers or CMs makes me feel markedly less so. Most people are receptive, especially if you're offering help of some kind, such as offering to take a group/family pic or info about Fast Passes, directions, etc.

Have a great time! DL solo is great!

 

[Nevada Jen]

I just did a solo day for the first time ever and it was totally amazing. Being able to walk freely and just do whatever you want when you want is pretty much awesome. I don't have any issues eating by myself anyway but I really didn't feel at all weird by myself. In fact, I felt a bit superior to those people in pairs and families. I just jaunted right past them to wherever I was heading. Chef's Counter at Napa Rose would be fun all alone if you want a good meal. Also Trader Sams.

 

[Wishingspell]

Welcome! I've made most of my trips to DL solo and they're always a blast. It's easy to get around, you get to do exactly as you like whenever you like and the single rider line is a blessing. If you ever get lonely, I find that even small, simple conversations with strangers or CMs makes me feel markedly less so. Most people are receptive, especially if you're offering help of some kind, such as offering to take a group/family pic or info about Fast Passes, directions, etc.

Have a great time! DL solo is great!

Thanks! I'm staying at the Disneyland hotel so I won't have to worry so much about transportation I'm going in February , How are the crowds?

 

[Wishingspell]

I just did a solo day for the first time ever and it was totally amazing. Being able to walk freely and just do whatever you want when you want is pretty much awesome. I don't have any issues eating by myself anyway but I really didn't feel at all weird by myself. In fact, I felt a bit superior to those people in pairs and families. I just jaunted right past them to wherever I was heading. Chef's Counter at Napa Rose would be fun all alone if you want a good meal. Also Trader Sams.

I've done solo trips to Disney world by myself and have never felt uncomfortable! I've even done some character meals by myself I find I have more fun by myself than with my family as they tend to think we all need to do the same thing at the same time

 

[WonkaKid]

Sounds like you've done the necessary groundwork ;-). And it sounds like you'll have a great time.

 

[PHXscuba]

My biggest problem when I am solo is that I push myself too hard. It's so easy to bounce around when you're alone that I have to force myself to stop and take breaks. I walked 15 miles one day in May when I was there solo even trying to slow down! Single rider lines are great when they are operational. I did talk to friendly people in line but also found myself using a lot of data because I would check my phone/social media a lot during downtime, in lines, etc.

PHXscuba

 

[Wishingspell]

My biggest problem when I am solo is that I push myself too hard. It's so easy to bounce around when you're alone that I have to force myself to stop and take breaks. I walked 15 miles one day in May when I was there solo even trying to slow down! Single rider lines are great when they are operational. I did talk to friendly people in line but also found myself using a lot of data because I would check my phone/social media a lot during downtime, in lines, etc.

PHXscuba

Thanks! Yeah, I have a massive data plan and intend to use it! I'm having trouble finding the rides that typically have single rider line. I know the racers in carsland has it, are there any other rides that use it?

 

[SMD]

Indy, Splash & Matterhorn in DL.
RSR, GSS, GRR & Screamin in DCA.

 

[kristabelle13]

Because Indy, Screamin, GSS, GRR, Splash and RSR have single rider lines, you can afford to not get a fast pass for them. Which means for DCA you can just alternate between, well, I guess just Soarin' for Feb. as a FP since ToT will be closed. In Disneyland, I mostly concentrate my FPs in Tomorrowland and don't bother with one for Big Thunder because that line moves so quick. But also, be sure to use FP for Roger Rabbit.

Also, I cannot recommend the WoC lunch at Carthay enough. The food is amazing as is the view. I do it every trip at least once (I'm usually solo) and it's just a lovely treat in the middle of a busy day

 

[Wishingspell]

Indy, Splash & Matterhorn in DL.
RSR, GSS, GRR & Screamin in DCA.

Thanks! Hopefully they will be running them in february

 

[Wishingspell]

Because Indy, Screamin, GSS, GRR, Splash and RSR have single rider lines, you can afford to not get a fast pass for them. Which means for DCA you can just alternate between, well, I guess just Soarin' for Feb. as a FP since ToT will be closed. In Disneyland, I mostly concentrate my FPs in Tomorrowland and don't bother with one for Big Thunder because that line moves so quick. But also, be sure to use FP for Roger Rabbit.

Also, I cannot recommend the WoC lunch at Carthay enough. The food is amazing as is the view. I do it every trip at least once (I'm usually solo) and it's just a lovely treat in the middle of a busy day

Thanks! I will definitely look into that. I've heard great things about WoC and carthay circle. I'm disappointed about ToT but I've ridden the Disney world version many times so I'll live (and knew it was closed before I booked). Are the single rider lines usually significantly shorter than standby? WDW only has a couple single rider lines and it's hit or miss

 

[gottalovepluto]

Oh yes the SR lines at DL are great! I was in shock my first morning at Epcot when I tried to do Test Track SR and the line was full, literally almost out of the building as some tour group piled 100 middle schoolers in the SRL! I've never seen that ridiculousness at DL, it's possible I'm sure but in general I thought SRL at DL was much better. RSR will tell you exactly what the wait is for SRL and I think that's the longest.

FWIW I love early entry SRL RSR and SRL Matterhorn. I ride them over and over before the general public even gets in! (There was a lady in the general line totally glaring at me when I walked straight onto the Matterhorn for the 3rd time one morning- it was hilarious. I felt very VIP!)

 

[Wishingspell]

Oh yes the SR lines at DL are great! I was in shock my first morning at Epcot when I tried to do Test Track SR and the line was full, literally almost out of the building as some tour group piled 100 middle schoolers in the SRL! I've never seen that ridiculousness at DL, it's possible I'm sure but in general I thought SRL at DL was much better. RSR will tell you exactly what the wait is for SRL and I think that's the longest.

FWIW I love early entry SRL RSR and SRL Matterhorn. I ride them over and over before the general public even gets in! (There was a lady in the general line totally glaring at me when I walked straight onto the Matterhorn for the 3rd time one morning- it was hilarious. I felt very VIP!)

This is great news! Thanks for the info. I plan to take full advantage during my trip

 

[SMD]

Oh yes the SR lines at DL are great! I was in shock my first morning at Epcot when I tried to do Test Track SR and the line was full, literally almost out of the building as some tour group piled 100 middle schoolers in the SRL! I've never seen that ridiculousness at DL, it's possible I'm sure but in general I thought SRL at DL was much better. RSR will tell you exactly what the wait is for SRL and I think that's the longest.

FWIW I love early entry SRL RSR and SRL Matterhorn. I ride them over and over before the general public even gets in! (There was a lady in the general line totally glaring at me when I walked straight onto the Matterhorn for the 3rd time one morning- it was hilarious. I felt very VIP!)

RSR is the only SR queue that could hold 100 people. The rest of the rides they'd stop issuing SR before it got that long. You'll definitely see large groups in the SR lines. It's completely allowed.

 

[Wishingspell]

RSR is the only SR queue that could hold 100 people. The rest of the rides they'd stop issuing SR before it got that long. You'll definitely see large groups in the SR lines. It's completely allowed.

Would you suggest trying to get a fp for the rides I really want (rsr, space mountain) rather than planning on single rider? It's been over 10 years since I went I have no clue how the crowds roll in Disneyland.

 

[SMD]

There is no SR for Space. SR vs. FP for RSR is a toss up, it depends on the time of day or other factors that you can't predict. For me, SR vs. FP sometimes depends on if I want to go back later to use the FP. For Splash, that's a no. For Indy, you do skip a lot of the queue by doing SR. It's also highly dependent on how many DAS returns and HA returns are waiting to go into the safety film. It will depend on if the possibility of saving a lot or a little bit of time (you won't know until you're down there waiting) is worth missing some of the themed queue. Otherwise, I don't spend a lot of time worrying about FP vs. standby. If I want to ride Star Tours and the line is barely out the door I'll just get in it instead of pulling an FP and coming back later. If I want to ride Screamin I'll usually just do standby because FP or SR save such little time when the line is short that isn't not worth it.

 

[casagray]

Also, I cannot recommend the WoC lunch at Carthay enough. The food is amazing as is the view. I do it every trip at least once (I'm usually solo) and it's just a lovely treat in the middle of a busy day

I'm traveling solo and after some thought changed my character breakfast splurge to the Carthay Circle WOC package - this seems a better fit as a solo traveler.

 

[kristabelle13]

I'm traveling solo and after some thought changed my character breakfast splurge to the Carthay Circle WOC package - this seems a better fit as a solo traveler.

I hope you enjoy it! every time I say it's the best meal of my life. lol

 

[Skiton]

I'm so jealous of you. I would LOVE to do a solo trip to Disney. I've always gone with my husband and children and of course we have an amazing time and I love seeing their bright shining faces and all that, but honestly? Being there by myself just once would be heaven. SR lines are as good as fast-pass in many cases, and I could go at MY (very fast) pace without waiting for anyone else, and stay as late as I wanted, and, and....

Anyway, no advice here but I hope you have and AMAZING time and I'll be living through you vicariously.