Solo trips to disney world? Thoughts...

[Bomahog]

Approximately eighteen trips to WDW with family or friends...another eighteen solo. When I am with others, I love, love, LOVE it. When solo, I love, love, LOVE it. The main difference is my concerns that everyone is having a wonderful time. Solo I have not a care in the world.

 

[ClareH37]

Thank you for this!!!! I didn't realize half of these tours existed. My 5y/o and 3y/o would never want to do these... Thanks. PS: I booked my trip. November 12th-16th in the Contemporary. Anybody gonna be there with me?

Just catching up with this thread, I've been on a few solo trips - worst part for me is flying (from the UK!), this trip I'm going to be doing some tours (not sure which ones yet), a spa treatment and of course lots of park time doing my own thing without having to consider anyone else, I'm also going to do some signature meals, I've had no issues dining solo at Disney but I do tend to avoid the communal dining. I'm going to be staying just the other end of the monorail at the GF whilst you're at the Contemporary in November.

 

[AJ1983]

I did a morning of touring MK alone, when DH wasn't feeling well and decided to stay at the room (it was our second trip there in a little over a year, so he wasn't missing any first time experiences), and I loved it. I was there at RD, and could have ridden almost anything standby with no wait, but instead I lined up to meet characters (which DH does not like but does to humor me), ate a churro, people watched, and headed back to the resort at about 1:00.

Would your husband be interested in coming to Orlando with you, but relaxing at the resort while you do the parks solo? Maybe he'd sped SOME time at the park?

 

[C.C. Langley]

I did a morning of touring MK alone, when DH wasn't feeling well and decided to stay at the room (it was our second trip there in a little over a year, so he wasn't missing any first time experiences), and I loved it. I was there at RD, and could have ridden almost anything standby with no wait, but instead I lined up to meet characters (which DH does not like but does to humor me), ate a churro, people watched, and headed back to the resort at about 1:00.

Would your husband be interested in coming to Orlando with you, but relaxing at the resort while you do the parks solo? Maybe he'd sped SOME time at the park?

He doesn't want to use up his vacation hours on disney. He wants us to go to Scotland for his vacation. (I'm off more than he is). If I told him I really wanted him to go, he would do it, but I'm not going to make him waste his vacation hours because I'm Disney obsessed when he'd prefer to do something else. haha.

 

[jessa07]

My husband also gets a lot less time off than I do, so he is okay with me going places by myself. I did an overnight trial run on my own last year - I met up with some friends down there, but I still had time to myself. This month, I'm going 4 days on my own and I'm so excited! I am pretty introverted but I like the idea of being able to do all the stuff my husband hates, especially dining. He is a seriously picky eater!

 

[Simba's Mom]

My husband also gets a lot less time off than I do, so he is okay with me going places by myself. I did an overnight trial run on my own last year - I met up with some friends down there, but I still had time to myself. This month, I'm going 4 days on my own and I'm so excited! I am pretty introverted but I like the idea of being able to do all the stuff my husband hates, especially dining. He is a seriously picky eater!

This reminds me of another reason why DH supports my solo trips so much. I love all the rides in Fantasyland, and Triceratop Spin…you get the idea. Well, he doesn't like such "non-adult" rides so I go on them when I'm solo. That way I don't beg him to go on them with me!

 

[Delilah1310]

although we are in the minority on this thread, I would caution that you might discover solo travel at WDW ultimately may not be for you.

I travel a lot for work, and am no stranger to entertaining myself and enjoying my alone time.

However, when a work conference took me to WDW, with every thing that I experienced, or ate, or saw, or heard ... every single thing made me wish for DH and DS to be with me, to share what I was experiencing.

It made me realize that FOR ME, WDW is a place for my family to experience the magic TOGETHER.

 

[mickey1968]

There is a great article today on the disneyfoodblog.com about dining solo at Disney.

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2015/04/30/tips-from-the-dfb-guide-dining-solo-in-disney-world/

 

[mjallemand]

My next trip (after the planned one in November) will probably be solo. My girlfriend flat-out told me that "She probably won't be interested in going to WDW in a while." after this upcoming trip, and she never cared for itineraries and whatnot.

 

[jcjen519]

I started to say I don't think I'd enjoy that, but then I imagined myself in a cabana at one of the monorail resorts with a book and a strong drink relaxing. I might feel a bit lonely not having anyone to talk about the rides with but other then that I think I'd be just fine. If it appeals to you go and enjoy it!

 

[beachbumfun]

Yesterday through Sunday may be the best days of weather and crowds of the year. The lines were not bad yesterday.

 

[beachbumfun]

although we are in the minority on this thread, I would caution that you might discover solo travel at WDW ultimately may not be for you.

I travel a lot for work, and am no stranger to entertaining myself and enjoying my alone time.

However, when a work conference took me to WDW, with every thing that I experienced, or ate, or saw, or heard ... every single thing made me wish for DH and DS to be with me, to share what I was experiencing.

It made me realize that FOR ME, WDW is a place for my family to experience the magic TOGETHER.

I try not to look at it as an "either/or" but a "both/and".

 

[nat8199]

I just did a mini-solo trip last weekend. I did one day at universal to see Harry Potter and some of their awesome roller coasters and then a day at Disney. On my Disney day I rope dropped HS for ToT and RnR (twice!), then moved on to Epcot for Flower and Garden Festival, and then ended my day at MK. I loved it. I missed my kids and it made me look forward even more to our family trip in September, but I would do another solo trip tomorrow if I could. I can definitely see myself doing more solo trip in the future. I am an introvert, though, so I was completely happy not talking to anyone and reading on my kindle when in line or at meals. I also liked having time to take pictures without anyone waiting on me.

 

[Countrygrl44]

I have done multiple trips alone but have friends who have children and will not go without them. They just feel too guilty at this point. I say if you want a weekend trip with the hubby and kids go for it. Every woman needs time to herself. I think dining alone can be equally fun. Meeting new people and talking to the staff. I never had an issue but then again I don't do many ADR's when I do a solo trip. I usually do a last minute reservation. My last trip I did stricly quick service. I found the regular dining plan was too much food for me and called too much planning for one person and I just wanted to do whatever I felt like. Being solo allows for much more freedom then being in a group. I highly suggest you take the plungggeeee!

 

[beachbumfun]

I have done multiple trips alone but have friends who have children and will not go without them. They just feel too guilty at this point. I say if you want a weekend trip with the hubby and kids go for it. Every woman needs time to herself. I think dining alone can be equally fun. Meeting new people and talking to the staff. I never had an issue but then again I don't do many ADR's when I do a solo trip. I usually do a last minute reservation. My last trip I did stricly quick service. I found the regular dining plan was too much food for me and called too much planning for one person and I just wanted to do whatever I felt like. Being solo allows for much more freedom then being in a group. I highly suggest you take the plungggeeee!

I enjoy taking pictures for people too when I'm going solo. When I am with others, sometimes I get a glance to say, "Let's go."

 

[beachbumfun]

Another good article about going solo. Sorry if it has already been posted.

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/top-10-reasons-disney-world-solo-60358.html

 

[fla4fun]

although we are in the minority on this thread, I would caution that you might discover solo travel at WDW ultimately may not be for you.

I travel a lot for work, and am no stranger to entertaining myself and enjoying my alone time.

However, when a work conference took me to WDW, with every thing that I experienced, or ate, or saw, or heard ... every single thing made me wish for DH and DS to be with me, to share what I was experiencing.

It made me realize that FOR ME, WDW is a place for my family to experience the magic TOGETHER.

You are correct - solo Disney trips aren't for everyone. However, I find that I tend to do things a lot differently when I go solo than I do when I go with friends/family, so I really don't tend to miss sharing the experience when I'm there alone. There are some attractions that are really great solo, and some that are better shared. I do a lot of solo trips because I get a lot of vacation time, and I sort of have a routine for the solo trips, and a different one for the non-solo trips. Focusing on different things also makes the trips less repetitive.

I would recommend that people try a solo trip once and see if it works for them. I kind of prefer my solo trips because I get more rest, while at the same time I feel like I'm getting more done since I'm not having to compromise by going into attractions or restaurants that may not interest me for the sake of pleasing the group.

 

[C.C. Langley]

There is a great article today on the disneyfoodblog.com about dining solo at Disney.

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2015/04/30/tips-from-the-dfb-guide-dining-solo-in-disney-world/

Another good article about going solo. Sorry if it has already been posted.

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/top-10-reasons-disney-world-solo-60358.html

Thank you so much! Both of these articles are awesome!

 

[FosterLovesMickey]

I'm doing a solo trip in September (my first).. and, I'm looking forward to it! It took a bit for friends / family to 'get' why I would go by myself. Honestly, some of them don't (and probably won't ever) get it - but, I'm okay with that! I figure my being able to not care (that sounds much more harsh than it is intended) what people think about it is further evidence that I can allow myself to enjoy a solo trip!!

I hope you have a great time on your trip!!!

 

[beachbumfun]

I hope to head over tomorrow and/or Friday. Not sure if I'll be solo this week.