Solo Trip

[iKristin]

In 52 days is my first ever solo trip and I can't believe how excited I am!! Not just because I'm going to Disneyland, but because it is completely at my pace. I get to ride what I want to ride and eat where I want to eat I also get to do some things I never get to do because no one else ever wants to do it. Everyone keeps saying I'll be lonely, but I don't think I will. It's only three days and it's going to be SO relaxing just to get away from work and have some ME time at my favorite place in the world. So have you ever taken a solo trip? How was it?

 

[disney_runner]

You won't be lonley, you'll be too busy having fun! Yes, I've taken one solo trip to WDW, and another coming up in a few months. And you've already mentioned the best parts about going solo: what you want, when you want, and with no complaints from someone who doesn't wanna do it! If you feel like riding Pirates 3 times in a row, then do it! Take a tour, take time to explore the castle, or just relax on a bench for awhile if that floats your boat.

I went to DL with my friend for the Half marathon, sans kids. I had the best time in Mickey's Toontown! I could really take my time to explore all the fine, little details that I would have surely missed if the kids were in tow. So that's another benefit to being by yourself is enjoying all the details, soak it all in. Have a great time, I know you will!

 

[Sherry E]

Kristin! I'm so happy and excited for you!

Well, I have not yet taken an entirely solo trip, but I started out in 2008 with some solo time. I had an evening and part of the next day all to myself during the holiday season, just to kind of get a sense of how I would feel being alone at DLR. I've taken solo trips to other places before, but never Disneyland, so I wasn't sure if I would feel too weird.

Then, this past December 2010 at DLR, I had a friend with me on the first day. She left me and went home by that evening. I had that evening, the next 2 days/nights and part of the 4th day all to myself....2-1/2 glorious days of solo time. (That's my "The Evil Chair and the Peppermint Cone of Death" Christmas Trip Report.)

And I tell you - it's dangerous how much I started to enjoy being by myself. If you like to take pictures, being alone is the time to do it. I took 1600 photos in that time by myself, which I would not have done if I had people with me. I spent more time looking around at little gems, strolling through the different lands, noticing all the details and browsing in shops that I would not have if I'd had people with me. I LOVED having the hotel room to myself, not worrying about if I was waking anyone up or hogging the bathroom for too long, or taking up too much drawer space.

Now it's to the point where I find myself planning DLR trips with the idea of going alone, or with an idea of friends only being there for a limited period of time. I even have friends coming to town soon who I have not seen in 10 years, and they were going to join me on my 7-night/8-day extravaganza at DLR this coming holiday season, but I told them I only wanted them there for a couple of nights (3 nights, maximum) and then I need my alone time! Yes, that's how much I enjoyed being alone - enough that I was kicking my friends out who I haven't seen in 10 years!

I'm telling you, once you get past the initial weirdness of it all, it is very addictive. If you're a person who is not used to doing things by yourself anyway, and always having people around, then it may take some adjustment. Some people are just used to always being around other people.

I still can't get past the weirdness of eating alone - that never feels right to me. I ate at Storytellers Cafe by myself, and while my waiter was great and very nice, I just felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb because I was alone. Eating is always better when you have people with you!

 

[oscarkitty1]

I did two days by myself last October and loved it!! DH hates to shop, so I spent so much more time than I usually do in every shop looking at every last thing!

I also love people watching and spent a lot of time doing that. DLR is one of the best places in the world to people watch! It's so fun to see adults wearing goofy hats (literally!) and getting in touch with their inner child!

And as far as rides go - the single rider lines are amazing!!

Have fun - you won't regret it!

 

[iKristin]

Yeah I am super excited for this trip. The first day I get there is me time and then a great concert at House Of Blues that night then two days of fun at Disneyland I am used to being alone so I think I will really enjoy it. My thing I look forward to the most...SPLASH MOUNTAIN!!!! Every time I go, no one wants to go more than once in a trip because they don't want to get wet. Pfft...I plan on riding it 15 times in a row!! I'll be so wet that I'll probably be able to fill a bath tub with the water from my clothes hehe.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Doing a solo trip is so fun especially you can do whatever you want and when you want to do it while at the parks. At first, it does feel strange to be at the parks by yourself. But when you get use to it, it becomes more and more fun to go to any Disney parks solo.

At first I was nervous when I went to the parks solo, but I got use to it and keep doing it all the time. It does kind of feel lonely without talking to someone that I know so well. Since I am waiting for the fireworks, parades, etc., I get to talk to the people right next to me and it makes me feel better that I am not alone. Every time I go to the parks, I barely go on rides, but look for small details of the parks that no one would have looked carefully which makes it fun and exciting.

The solo lines for the rides later during the afternoon are great for solo people since you don't have to wait in those long lines.

The only thing I have a problem when I am solo is eating at a sit down restaurant. Some people looked at me while I was eating at a table and it made me feel uncomfortable.

 

[iKristin]

I think that will be the one place I'll feel odd is eating. But I do go to the movies alone so I'm sure it's the same feeling lol

 

[Sherry E]

I think that will be the one place I'll feel odd is eating. But I do go to the movies alone so I'm sure it's the same feeling lol

Maybe. At the movies it's dark and everyone is watching the screen. No one is paying attention to solo viewers.

In a restaurant, it's probably well-lit if it's indoors or the tables are close together if it's outdoors, so it can feel kind of awkward for a moment when dining alone because, depending on the layout of the tables, people are sometimes facing you or next to you.

I can wander around by myself all day and night wth no trouble, but the solo dining is the one thing I have never been totally at ease with on any solo adventures, no matter where it was. I am not SO uncomfortable that I won't eat in the restaurant if that's where I want to eat, but it can be a weird feeling at first....which is funny, because in L.A., where I live, there are tons of outdoor cafes and outdoor seating at restaurants/coffee places. Lots of people dine alone when they are out walking their dogs or after their workouts, getting their morning coffee, etc. It's not unusual, and yet it still seems like such a weird thing to do!

 

[JH87]

I haven't done an entirely solo trip, but have had large chunks of time on various trips where I was alone in DLR and it was great! It made me wanna do an entirely solo trip, so I could watch shows and stuff that my friends usually don't wanna do. The first time I had solo time was during Halloweentime, and I really wanted photos with all the characters in their costumes. I had no problem asking other guests to take a picture for me when there was no CM. What's nice is that the majority of the people, CMs and guests, in DLR are super nice and friendly, so you can actually meet a lot of interesting people while traveling the parks solo. Have fun!

 

[PrncesKMW]

Thanks for the post Kristen! I am flying solo for the first time - and it's my first trip to DLR - so I am extremely excited/nervous, and this post was right up my alley.

The eating alone thought bothered me as well, so I asked some other Disers for places that have bar seating outside of the parks - not nearly as conspicuous when eating alone, and often the service is faster. Lots of places in Downtown Disney have this. Also, I'm thinking I'll save money and time by grabbing counter service a lot of places, and depending on what you get to eat, you can find an obliging bench and people watch while you graze.

Can you tell I'm self-conscious about eating alone?

 

[Belle Ella]

I have taken many a solo trip and I love them. Yes, being with a group is a lot of fun but like you said, you get to go at your own pace! No stopping to ask others what they want to do, no clashing over where to go next, etc. I've never even felt awkward earting by myself - and I've done character meals by myself!

 

[RainyDayPixie]

I went on a solo trip in June and had a great time! I really enjoyed meandering at my pace and it definitely brought the magic back for me after a couple of less-than-magical trips. Definitely good people watching- lots of crabby grownups at DL!

I ate at New Orleans Cafe and felt fine. The weirdest part for me was riding Pirates and Small World, where they seemed to either put me all by myself on the long bench or crowded in with others.

Have a great trip!!

 

[Belle Ella]

I went on a solo trip in June and had a great time! I really enjoyed meandering at my pace and it definitely brought the magic back for me after a couple of less-than-magical trips. Definitely good people watching- lots of crabby grownups at DL!

I ate at New Orleans Cafe and felt fine. The weirdest part for me was riding Pirates and Small World, where they seemed to either put me all by myself on the long bench or crowded in with others.

Have a great trip!!

Aw! I always ended up getting the front row all to myself on POTC -- one of my favorite parts of going solo.

 

[bumbershoot]

I've loved my solo trips, and yearn to do more! Have some terrific fun!!!!!!!

 

[iKristin]

I'm sad that POTC, SpaceM and HM will be closed; but I'm still happy with the rest of the rides

 

[WonkaKid]

Yes -- taken three or four solos to DL, one to DL Paris and one to DL Tokyo. You'll have a great time and won't get lonely. And don't forget: you can take advantage of the single rider lines! You'll have a blast. Enjoy!

 

[Club33forme]

Can I come on your solo trip? he,he.

I will just join you for the meals. I have been solo for just one day. I did get to soak up some Disney history for a change. Dining was not a problem for me, for some reason it feels odd but we never think a thing of it when we notice other people dining alone. Many solo people pop into Disneyland while on business at the convention centre and it nobody's business but your own. Enjoy table service is you like.