Solo Trip

[smile4stamps]

I've done 1.5 solo trips. The first time was 2 days after a friend had joined me the previous 3 days and the other was 3+ a little park time on each of my travel days. I completed my 1st TR... you can find the link in my signature. I'm working on the second trip. I just got my laptop back so it will be getting going again soon.


One thing I love about going solo is not having to ask what the others want to do and not getting any answer! The other thing is keeping track of the other person! The friend I went with I kept having to look for.

One thing I noticed is I generally did a LOT more walking when I was by myself. I like to take pictures so I spent a lot of time just wandering.

Generally I like going by myself and love to start up conversations with people in lines (although some people don't respond if you start talking to them ) I do tend to get a little lonely after awhile but it definitely won't stop me from going solo again!

 

[Sherry E]

I was so used to going to DLR with friends or family my entire life. But when I had a few golden hours of alone time during a holiday trip to DLR in 2008, I knew I wanted more.

So, dare I say, when I made my Christmas trip to DLR this past December 2010, I think I enjoyed my solo days (2 full days and nights totally alone, and part of a third day) more than when I saw my friends! I loved having the hotel room (and the Mickey ears bath products) all to myself. I loved being able to leave the room or come back to the room whenever I wanted to. The only thing I wasn't 100% comfortable with was dining alone for dinner at a table service restaurant (Storytellers). Even though my waiter couldn't have been any nicer or more helpful to me, I still felt a bit weird. And I've eaten solo in other places before without feeling too out of place - but this time took some adjustment! I could get comfortable with it, though, in time.

Also, I'm a photo-taking maniac. I spent a large chunk of time just at the Reindeer Round-Up alone, snapping away at anything I saw. I lingered way too long in ToonTown, in World of Disney and in New Orleans Square. I stopped at every window display I could get to on Main Street. I took way too many photos at all 3 DLR hotels. No one would ever want to deal with me and how long I spend taking photos. And even if they did - like if they say "I don't mind if you take lots of photos" - I will still feel like they inhibit my progress!! I can't concentrate on my photo quest with people around me! (Doesn't that sound horrible?)

So I would say that if you love to take pictures - especially of all the hidden gems and small details around the parks & hotels - being alone is the best way to do that. And it takes up a lot of time - before you know it, the day has ended.

That's not to say that I don't enjoy the company of friends when I am at DLR. We have a great time and are always laughing constantly. I think there's nothing more fun than enjoying a great ride with friends! In fact, some of the friends who go with me are friends I may only get to see once a year or once every other year. But, I have to be in a different mindset (and give up a large portion of the picture-taking!).

I guess my ideal trip would be a good combination of 'friend time' and 'me time.' And that's pretty much what I had in December - and for my next trip, which will be longer, I am adding in even more 'me time'!!

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I loved my solo trip to the mouse in Oct last year. I took 1700+ pics versus less than 300 on the family trip. The family is ride crazy and I'm not, so appreciated the fact that I was able to go and really enjoy the parks my way, and not go full out non stop like the family wants to. I wouldn't hesitate to leave the family behind and go solo again. SIGH...wish I could do it again. May have to secretly save up some extra cash when I'm saving for the next family trip so I can go there solo again. I can dream can't I???

 

[twinmom108]

I'm sure you obviously felt safe in the parks, but how safe did you feel when walking to your hotel either onsite or especially offsite.

Did you stay till the park closed at night?

How many days in Disney Resort did you do?

If you watched Fantasmic, was there a great place that you found to watch it?

What if any were things you did/saw that you wouldn't have done being with your family?

 

[Gisele]

I'm sure you obviously felt safe in the parks, but how safe did you feel when walking to your hotel either onsite or especially offsite.

I'm sure you obviously felt safe in the parks, but how safe did you feel when walking to your hotel either onsite or especially offsite.

I never felt uneasy, unsafe nor uncomfortable (The 3 u's). But then between my working in security, loving horror movies, action adventure, sci-fi and having a huge interest in criminology. And not taking crap from anyone, when and if I really do not have to or feel like it, dealing with punks, perves, or pukes etc. (The 3 p's) is not a problem (So far) being by myself, during the night or day.

Did you stay till the park closed at night?

Some times, it all depends upon how tired me and or my feet are. And also how busy Dl is.

How many days in Disney Resort did you do?

Anywhere from 1 - 4 days, so far.

If you watched Fantastic, was there a great place that you found to watch it?

N/A

What if any were things you did/saw that you wouldn't have done being with your family?

I cannot really answer this either. For as an adult, I have either gone with a friend, or by myself.

 

[skiingfast]

I'm sure you obviously felt safe in the parks, but how safe did you feel when walking to your hotel either onsite or especially offsite.

Fine walking outside. Even when the parks close there are a lot of people in DTD and it has a lot of security in it. Offsite lots of people will be walking down the side walk and "people" hanging around until you get far away. If you are going a good distance try to tail a family going in the same direction.

Did you stay till the park closed at night?

Many times.

How many days in Disney Resort did you do?

Going solo you can tour at a really fast pace. I find 3 if you are there for the night shows works like a good max. Single Rider lines save a lot of time.

If you watched Fantasmic, was there a great place that you found to watch it?

For all the shows it really easy to fit one person in, even showing up later than trying to squeeze in two people or a whole family. Because you can walk through the crowd so easy I'd go far left to the HM side.

What if any were things you did/saw that you wouldn't have done being with your family?

Rode whatever I wanted. Spent a lot more time shopping. Some things are more enjoyable when you don't have anybody saying they want to go elsewhere.

 

[Gisele]

Matt the question was aimed at women, actually. But it is nice to know that you feel safe when you are by yourself.

 

[smile4stamps]

I'm sure you obviously felt safe in the parks, but how safe did you feel when walking to your hotel either onsite or especially offsite.
The only thing I don't like about walking offsite is some homeless folks near DL on Harbor but otherwise I didn't have issues and I was staying on Manchester so not a short walk.

Did you stay till the park closed at night?
I stayed till it closed when it was only open till 8-9pm, on the one night I was there that is was open till midnight I stayed till 10:30pm

How many days in Disney Resort did you do?
The first time was 5 days but 3 were with a friend, the second time was 3 days

If you watched Fantasmic, was there a great place that you found to watch it?
Only caught a glimpse of it

What if any were things you did/saw that you wouldn't have done being with your family?

Lots of photos. Tower of Terror. Character Photos & Autographs

 

[Briarrose1306]

I've done 1.5 solo trips. The first time was 2 days after a friend had joined me the previous 3 days and the other was 3+ a little park time on each of my travel days. I completed my 1st TR... you can find the link in my signature. I'm working on the second trip. I just got my laptop back so it will be getting going again soon.


One thing I love about going solo is not having to ask what the others want to do and not getting any answer! The other thing is keeping track of the other person! The friend I went with I kept having to look for.

One thing I noticed is I generally did a LOT more walking when I was by myself. I like to take pictures so I spent a lot of time just wandering.

Generally I like going by myself and love to start up conversations with people in lines (although some people don't respond if you start talking to them ) I do tend to get a little lonely after awhile but it definitely won't stop me from going solo again!

I can't wait to read your TR, I've been on the lookout for solo trips, so I'm anxious for any that I can get my hands on. I too, find myself talking to people in lines. I have a bad habit of listening to other's conversations and then just jumping into it. Sometimes I think I add to it, but sometimes i feel like I just invited myself somewhere.

I'm sure you obviously felt safe in the parks, but how safe did you feel when walking to your hotel either onsite or especially offsite.

Did you stay till the park closed at night?

How many days in Disney Resort did you do?

If you watched Fantasmic, was there a great place that you found to watch it?

What if any were things you did/saw that you wouldn't have done being with your family?

I've been worried about crossing Harbor by myself too, which is why I'm somewhat considering staying on site, though if I don't, I'll be at BWPPI or BWAnaheim, so really, not that far away.

Thanks again for all the great ideas and advice everyone is sharing!

 

[smile4stamps]

I can't wait to read your TR, I've been on the lookout for solo trips, so I'm anxious for any that I can get my hands on. I too, find myself talking to people in lines. I have a bad habit of listening to other's conversations and then just jumping into it. Sometimes I think I add to it, but sometimes i feel like I just invited myself somewhere.

My trip report is in progress... I've got the first part of day 1 done and will be adding the next section when I have enough energy to type it up (I worked night shift with only a 3 hour nap last night)


I've been worried about crossing Harbor by myself too, which is why I'm somewhat considering staying on site, though if I don't, I'll be at BWPPI or BWAnaheim, so really, not that far away.

Thanks again for all the great ideas and advice everyone is sharing!

I actually stayed at the Quality Inn on Manchester and I felt safe there. I did take ART my second trip though from HoJo so except for the 1st night I did not have to do the walk at night. I stayed there for both trips to save $$ and will stay there again if I need to for the price. Except for the trip I am planning for my Birthday in June I am usually trying to spend as little as possible.

My responses are in bold.