Solo trip - What would you do?!

[labagit]

I'll be traveling to Disneyland by myself for the first time ever in a few weeks. Well, mostly solo. My daughter will be there with a school group, and I'll just be in the background to show up for music performances. I'm not responsible for her or anyone else, so I'm looking forward to doing my own thing. The only problem is that it's been so long since I've been able to do anything for myself that I'm not quite sure what to do!

So, what would you do (or what have you done) on a solo trip that you wouldn't normally be able to do? I'm looking forward to browsing the shops on Main Street, many which I've never been in.

I probably won't do as many rides as usual, though I'm looking forward to the Finding Nemo ride because it's new since I was there last (How are the lines, and when's the best time to ride?) I think it will be fun to just savor the atmosphere of the park without running around like crazy trying to get all the rides in!

 

[mAlien13]

WOW...I have no idea! My DH and I recently decided to take a trip, just the two of us, for our anniversary in January...just going without kids will be odd enough for me!

I would just take your time, maybe on your own you could just make a couple of ADR's and plan what ride you want to do first thing in the morning, and then just go where the magic takes you? It sounds like a lot of fun though!

 

[Master Mason]

I usually have a plan of things I want to do early, and collect fast passes for later, the middle of the day is where ever the mode takes me. It is also a great time for photography because you can stop and take pictures when ever you want, and keep shooting till you get the one your looking for.

Also, go on the rides that others never want to do. My two boys would never want to ride the storybook canal, but I enjoyed it on a solo trip.

Take in the details that you never get a chance to do when your worried about others.

 

[DangerMouse]

Splash Mountain, Soarin, Screamin, Mulholland, GRR and Maliboomer all have single rider lines. Take advantage if you are so inclined.

Grab a Dole Whip and sit on a bench in the hub and people watch. Ahhhh. . . heaven!

Visit the Jewel of Orleans in NoS -- they have some amazing jewelry in there.

Will you be there until closing? I like to jump in the Nemo line right at park closing. Only had to wait 20 min that way!

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

I usually have a plan of things I want to do early, and collect fast passes for later, the middle of the day is where ever the mode takes me. It is also a great time for photography because you can stop and take pictures when ever you want, and keep shooting till you get the one your looking for.

Also, go on the rides that others never want to do. My two boys would never want to ride the storybook canal, but I enjoyed it on a solo trip.

Take in the details that you never get a chance to do when your worried about others.

The freedom of choice was so new, I watched the parade every day, rode the "kiddie" rides, it was a blast. What a concept to do what YOU want to do, it rocks. As a parent we never put ourselves first but alone you have to. It's very freeing and relaxing.

NEMO - I found Nemo lines to be crazy, all the cast members were talking about it

I remember going to DL when I was 4 around 1970 and the submarine ride from then I do remember so I did skip NEMO, I just could not see waiting in 90 minute plus lines

 

[DangerMouse]

Just a FYI, if you find the Nemo lines crazy all day, ask the CM if you can use the optional viewing room (for those who are in wheelchairs or clausterphobic). You will see the same show that is shown in the subs, you just won't be IN the sub. I doubt you'd have to wait more than 10 min this way.

 

[bumbershoot]

For my trip in January, I didn't feel a strong need to collect lots of FPs (didn't need to even if I had wanted to, actually, it was pretty quiet) because if I wanted to ride on a ride that had a long line, well, that was OK! I could have dealt with the line, could have taken pictures of it, etc. I was actually looking forward to a nice line at Haunted Mansion, so I could see all of the queue, but it was pretty short.

Have a latte and cookie when I want to. Wander. Have dinner at the Trattoria and be able to sit back, not worrying about what the people at my table are doing to disrupt the people at another table. Saw the Electrical Parade then went to see the fireworks, didn't get a good viewing spot for the fireworks and didn't mind. Didn't have to deal with DS's disappointment when they were cancelled in the middle for invisible (higher altitude, I suppose) "high winds" when the evening at person-level was absolutely still. I stayed until DL closed, and was there the next morning before it opened, without anyone whining at me! And DH and DS got to sleep in that morning, back at home.

My experience is in my trip report marked "the carousel" in my signature.

 

[NostalgicDad]

So, what would you do (or what have you done) on a solo trip that you wouldn't normally be able to do?

Easy........Take pictures!

 

[rentayenta]

Grab a Dole Whip and sit on the bench on the porch on Main St and people watch.

Shop!

 

[MicknMinnJen]

a solo trip sound EVER SO HEAVENLY!!!. I just recently posted a thread about it....so want to do it!!!

Dont worry about anyone or anything other than yourself!!! HAVE A WONDERFUL time!!!

 

[biolabetty]

When I go by myself, I like to watch the shows and take my time looking in the shops. If I want to go on a ride, I'll go, but no big deal if I don't ride a thing. I take myself to eat at the restaurants I want to go to, and go to DTD at night to sit and enjoy the atmosphere and the sidewalk performers. It is such a relaxing time for me, I look forward to my next solo trip.

 

[goofy's friends]

I am going by myself soon too!! Can't wait!! I plan to do many of the things listed already, esp. parades, Story book canal, and sit on Main Street. (things my family didn't want to do when we were there). Toy story should be open and I will e-mail them a picture from Buzz Lightyear. I definately want to see Jack Sparrow, which they weren't interested in last time either. Then, I am going to do some of the Scavenger Hunt ideas listed in my other post. Find it--there are some fun ideas on it!!!

 

[toocherie]

Visit the Jewel of Orleans in NoS -- they have some amazing jewelry in there.

DM--where is this jewelry store? I've been to the one on Main Street but didn't realize there was on in NOS . . . .. gotta check it out!

 

[labagit]

Thanks so much for all the ideas. DangerMouse, I appreciate being reminded about single rider lines and the viewing room for Nemo. Both good things to keep in mind.

Dole Whips, pictures, scavenger hunts, parades...Oh, my, it's going to be great!

 

[labagit]

Goofy's friend, any idea how long ago that scavenger hunt thread was? I'm not having any luck finding it. (An aside question, do any of the search functions work on this forum? They've never seemed to work for me.)

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

Thanks so much for all the ideas. DangerMouse, I appreciate being reminded about single rider lines and the viewing room for Nemo. Both good things to keep in mind.

Dole Whips, pictures, scavenger hunts, parades...Oh, my, it's going to be great!

Ditto that Danger Mouse! I didn't know there was a viewing room, I would have done that for Nemo for sure

Reading Molly's trip report gave me lots of good ideas as well as HydroGuy's tips and just one example is that I ordered kids meals whenever I was a bit hungry but not starving. I was able to try more meals that way, and the food selection was pretty healthy overall. For example the childs meal often comes with carrots or apple slices, and a mini water bottle. I loved the fruit/veggies and the mini water bottle was so much easier to strap onto my water bottle strap. It seems like a small thing but it added to the enjoyment for me (doesn't take much to make me happy, esp at Disneyland)

Another great meal was in the wharf area in DCA, they have soup in bread bowls and also salad. I had the shrimp salad in the sour dough bowl and sat on the deck overlooking the water with a great view of Paradise Pier, it seemed like heaven

thanks for letting me share
xoxoxoxoxo

 

[Hound 109]

Ditto that Danger Mouse! I didn't know there was a viewing room, I would have done that for Nemo for sure

Reading Molly's trip report gave me lots of good ideas as well as HydroGuy's tips and just one example is that I ordered kids meals whenever I was a bit hungry but not starving. I was able to try more meals that way, and the food selection was pretty healthy overall. For example the childs meal often comes with carrots or apple slices, and a mini water bottle. I loved the fruit/veggies and the mini water bottle was so much easier to strap onto my water bottle strap. It seems like a small thing but it added to the enjoyment for me (doesn't take much to make me happy, esp at Disneyland)

Another great meal was in the wharf area in DCA, they have soup in bread bowls and also salad. I had the shrimp salad in the sour dough bowl and sat on the deck overlooking the water with a great view of Paradise Pier, it seemed like heaven

thanks for letting me share
xoxoxoxoxo

Good tips & ideas.

Also, a single adult (or couple). Might also enjoy sitting outside at the "Trat" in DCA. A glass of wine & an appetizer might make a logical meal. You're kind of "above" the touring masses & enjoying from a few feet above.

(fwiw, sitting outside at Naples is fun as well....glass of wine, appetizer & watching the people stroll thru DTD)

& a nice light breakfast meal after a couple of hours of recommended early morning touring could be the Carnation Cafe for a Granola Parfait & a cup of coffee. Inexpensive, not "bloating"....(saving room cookies & tigger tails at pooh corner). It's very good, & the Carnation is on Main St. for people watching.

.

 

[goofy's friends]

Here's the link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1756587

If that doesn't work, I think it was on pg.3

 

[labagit]

Here's the link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1756587

If that doesn't work, I think it was on pg.3

Thanks for bumping that up! I searched back about 15 pages but just missed it. What fun ideas!