Solo trips ROCK! Of course it depends a bit on the person, and whether you enjoy some time alone - but if you do, and are socially capable, you should have a wonderful time. Way back the first time I tried one, I was a little worried it would be odd, or boring. But I loved it so much that I actually schedule 1-2 a year, much to the chagrin of family and friends who actually get angry that I would want to go without them even when they are more than willing to come along. I figure I go with them 3-4 times a year and have a fine and wonderful time, but for 1-2 trips a year, I just want the different vibe that solo provides.
1. I have absolutely no schedule. Totally wing it, wake when I naturally do, wander where I want, spend as much time doing or not doing whatever I want.
2. I can get on rides faster, and ride as often as I feel like...If I want to do Pirates 3 times in a row...I can! No friends or family signing, clucking, or putting their hands on their hips.
3. I meet more people. With friends or family along, even if you are a friendly outgoing person, you spend more time talking with them, or engrossing in your own conversations, and therefore are less prone to talk to others. When solo, you chill on a bench with a drink and someone sits next to you, you can say hi and see if a conversation starts up. You end up meeting very cool people from all over the world.
4. If you have a particular hobby, it frees you up to enjoy it. For me, I love photography, and solo trips let me shoot to my heart's content - even the details, the minutae, the slow set-up tripod shots, etc. Whether it's photography, character meets, pin collecting, searching for hidden mickeys, blogging, whatever - you can do it!
5. More time to relax can put the parks in a whole new light. With the family or group vibe, you do a lot of rushing here, meeting there, walking, walking, walking...standing on lines, getting tired and worn out. It's fun, but it takes a toll and sometimes leaves you with the memory of a particular park being big, hot, and crowded. When solo, you can take the Jimmy Buffett tour of the parks - laid back, walking easy, enjoying the bars or grabbing a snack, taking bench breaks to peoplewatch, throwing the feet up on the wall in the shade and listening to some tunes. You can spend the whole day, morning to close, in the parks and still walk out feeling refreshed and ready for more. Your feet aren't sore, your head isn't pounding, your skin doesn't feel hot, and you still have a smile on your face on the ride home.
6. Enjoy the journey. Soloing lets you take the long way there. Hop other resorts...check out the theming. Heading to the parks? Don't just hop the next bus to the park...try a novel way of getting there in which the journey is half the fun. Maybe you're staying at Port Orleans French Quarter and want to get to Epcot...try this: Take the boat to Marketplace, stroll to the bus stop to catch the bus to Hollywood Studios, then walk over to the boat to Epcot. Need to get to MK? How about boat to Marketplace, bus to Wilderness Lodge, and boat to MK! Take it all in, enjoy the journey, and explore a little.
Just a few suggestions that might make soloing the coolest thing you ever did.
I can't wait.
