Solo veterans

I've traveled extensively by myself and planned a solo trip last year that ended up being only a partially solo trip. It's definitely do-able and enjoyable. That moment when you're back in your room at night and shut and lock the door and do a little victory dance of joy is priceless :laughing:

As others have said, there are families with children all around at all hours -- at Pop you are likely to walk by families enjoying the pool or coming back from the food court, even late at night. Frankly, it's quieter and more deserted at 7 am than 11 pm most times of year. But there are plenty of staff out and about at 7 am!

One thing I do, whether traveling solo or with others is to keep a plastic ziploc bag on me. On my way back to the room, whether at mid-day or the end of the day, I stop at the ice machine on the WAY to the room (they're just around the corner from the elevators). That way you don't go all the way to your room, get the ice bucket, walk all the way back to the ice machine, then all the way back to the room. Especially if you're in one of the furthest rooms!

Your feet will thank you, and you won't find yourself finally getting to your cool room and wrestling with whether you REALLY want ice bad enough to go out and get it. Pour yourself a big drink (maybe in a plastic tumbler brought from home), kick up your feet, and flip the channels until you find something YOU want to watch.

And needless to say, not haggling over who gets the bathroom first is marvelous!

If you want to sleep until 10 am and then go to the pool until noon and then have a nap until 3 and not hit a park until dark, do it. If you want to be in the food court at 6 am sharp, go for it. If you want to eat candy for lunch and have a first class dinner complete with wine and dessert, enjoy!

Spoiling yourself is the best part of a solo trip. You'll be amazed how much more you get done, and also how much you've compromised in previous trips.
 
My husband can't understand why I want o go to Disneyworld after going last year. He's one of thaose benn there done that type of person. Last year was our first time ever at Disney and I had such a great time, I told him I wanted to again and with or without hubby.
I am so very looking forward to going in Jan. It's going to take forever for Jan. to get here as I am ready NOW!
I was a little unsure about going alone and also eating alone but thanks to this wonderful forum I am going to go with confidance and eat where I want.
Crystal Palace, Chef Mickeys, Sci-Fi, Nine Dragons and Kona Cafe are on my list as well as ESPN the first night I get there.

Thanks for all the great information and tips.:banana:
 
If you want to sleep until 10 am and then go to the pool until noon and then have a nap until 3 and not hit a park until dark, do it. If you want to be in the food court at 6 am sharp, go for it. If you want to eat candy for lunch and have a first class dinner complete with wine and dessert, enjoy!

Spoiling yourself is the best part of a solo trip. You'll be amazed how much more you get done, and also how much you've compromised in previous trips.

I have to agree with you ~ it is soooo nice to do whatever you want. If you want to go the park from open to close or eat junk all day, there is no one to question you or slow you down. Whenever I travel with others, I always feel like I have missed something.
Going solo is great :banana:
I have gone solo at WDW and DLR and have always felt safe.
 
I've traveled extensively by myself and planned a solo trip last year that ended up being only a partially solo trip. It's definitely do-able and enjoyable. That moment when you're back in your room at night and shut and lock the door and do a little victory dance of joy is priceless :laughing:

As others have said, there are families with children all around at all hours -- at Pop you are likely to walk by families enjoying the pool or coming back from the food court, even late at night. Frankly, it's quieter and more deserted at 7 am than 11 pm most times of year. But there are plenty of staff out and about at 7 am!

One thing I do, whether traveling solo or with others is to keep a plastic ziploc bag on me. On my way back to the room, whether at mid-day or the end of the day, I stop at the ice machine on the WAY to the room (they're just around the corner from the elevators). That way you don't go all the way to your room, get the ice bucket, walk all the way back to the ice machine, then all the way back to the room. Especially if you're in one of the furthest rooms!

Your feet will thank you, and you won't find yourself finally getting to your cool room and wrestling with whether you REALLY want ice bad enough to go out and get it. Pour yourself a big drink (maybe in a plastic tumbler brought from home), kick up your feet, and flip the channels until you find something YOU want to watch.

And needless to say, not haggling over who gets the bathroom first is marvelous!

If you want to sleep until 10 am and then go to the pool until noon and then have a nap until 3 and not hit a park until dark, do it. If you want to be in the food court at 6 am sharp, go for it. If you want to eat candy for lunch and have a first class dinner complete with wine and dessert, enjoy!

Spoiling yourself is the best part of a solo trip. You'll be amazed how much more you get done, and also how much you've compromised in previous trips.

Holy Moly!!!!! That......sounds........PERFECT!!!!!!:rotfl:
 

One thing I do, whether traveling solo or with others is to keep a plastic ziploc bag on me. On my way back to the room, whether at mid-day or the end of the day, I stop at the ice machine on the WAY to the room (they're just around the corner from the elevators). That way you don't go all the way to your room, get the ice bucket, walk all the way back to the ice machine, then all the way back to the room. Especially if you're in one of the furthest rooms! "


That ziploc idea is one of the best I have heard hear. I can't tell you how many times after getting back in my room I wonder if I really do need that ice - and I do because I have to take my meds if nothing else. Thanks!
 
Is there a 'best time' that perhaps I would feel most comfortable with - perhaps a late lunch/early dinner?

Personally, i like doing the early dinners, i usually dont eat breakfast, i just eat a granola bar, so i eat an early lunch, and a early dinner, (lunch around 11:30-12ish, dinner around 5:30 - 6:00) it just works better this way for me, so when i finish eating dinner, i can ride all the rides while everyone else is eating! Also, when i'm at a sit down meal, i always bring a pad and pen with me, and just write about my day...plus i dont mind eating alone...

Anyway going solo is a blast! It will totally spoil you!! i'm about to embark on my second solo trip, and will be going 6 nights, 7 days.... i'm just gonna try to smell the roses this time around...i usually tour commando style....
 
I have no idea if you like to read trip reports or not…my last trip (Sept 2006) to WDW was solo and I did a trip report.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1347742

No big deal if you don’t want to read it. I personally like to search for TR’s to read that fit me: TR’s either by solo’s or young couples w/o kids. Have fun all of you going solo – you’ll become spoiled once you realize how nice it is to eat where you want, when you want and to ride or not ride a ride. There’s no having to compromise when your there by yourself.
 
Thanks for the advice on the TR's. Since I'm going to do my first solo trip in October during the Food and Wine Festival, I may need to see if any exist on doing that solo. So far the advice I have received on the DIS has been invaluable. Thanks again.
 
I have no idea if you like to read trip reports or not…my last trip (Sept 2006) to WDW was solo and I did a trip report.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1347742

No big deal if you don’t want to read it. I personally like to search for TR’s to read that fit me: TR’s either by solo’s or young couples w/o kids. Have fun all of you going solo – you’ll become spoiled once you realize how nice it is to eat where you want, when you want and to ride or not ride a ride. There’s no having to compromise when your there by yourself.

Your TR is wonderful! Thanks for sharing! You've given me some great ideas! Especially about having a notebook to jot everything down in as I'm sitting in restaurants, etc! I'm so excited! :goodvibes
 
Your TR is wonderful! Thanks for sharing! You've given me some great ideas! Especially about having a notebook to jot everything down in as I'm sitting in restaurants, etc! I'm so excited! :goodvibes

Thanks! :goodvibes

Glendamax also has a good solo TR that you might get more ideas from.
 
I go to Disney several times a year. At least 80% of those trips are solo. I love going solo. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want. Once you try it, you are going to love it.

I have stayed at many of the resorts from the value to the deluxe resorts. I haven't had any problems as a solo traveler. Looking back, any problems were usually because I didn't like the particular resort, or a housekeeping problem. In the world we live in, things can occur wherever you go. Just be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. However, I have never let the fear of the "possibles" stop me. It's Disney for goodness sake!!! Of course, you are never alone at the parks, water parks, or Downtown Disney. There never seems to be a shortage of people.

All in all, going solo is a not to be missed experience in my opinion. I do love it, and cannot wait for my upcoming trip (30 days away). This time, I am taking my DS and his best friend. They want to hang out with mom.

Have fun on your trip, and I guarantee you won't be able to wait for the next solo trip. People who have never tried it, don't know what they are missing.:laughing: :laughing:
 
I'm leaving in eleven days for an eight day solo trip, staying at POFQ and can't wait. I was really nervous my first trip, but have since come to love my solo trips. I go down there several times a year, sometimes solo and sometimes with my family. On my solo trips I've stayed at POP several times, AS Sports twice, CBR, and Boardwalk villa (rented points). I've had a great time every trip. I've been able to take several backstage tours, have done the Segway tour twice, eat places my family doesn't really want to try, spent a couple of days last May just looking for hidden Mickeys, take my time taking pictures until I get the one I want just right, people watch, and basically do whatever I want, whenever I want. If I want to meet some fellow DISers for a meal I can or if I want to be alone I can. I've enjoyed the Flower Festival with their Flower Power concerts several times, done the Eat To the Beat concerts during the Food & Wine Festival, and enjoyed the Candelight Processional and Christmas decorations several times in Dec. Going solo is great!

For my trip in eleven days I have the DxDDP and knowing I don't want three meals/day, I have an early TS lunch planned for everyday and then a Signature Restaurant planned for every night. I'm eating at Flying Fish, Yatchsman, Artist Point, Jiko, Narcoosee, Citricos, and California Grill. I can't wait! This trip is about FOOD and the Treasure Hunt PassPorter book I recently bought.

As far as safety, I've never felt unsafe at WDW. There are nearly always people around, everywhere is usually well lit, and you just need to keep an eye on your surroundings like you would anyplace else. On one of the backstage tours I took the CM was asked about security. He talked about all of the hidden cameras and plain clothes security people WDW has everywhere. He said that Disney was the biggest employer of off duty police officers in the area and that the most bizarrely dressed touristy looking person was often a security person working for Disney. I usually got for eight nights/nine days (arriving at MCO by 9:30am and leaving MCO around 8:30pm). However, for my next trip I got a much cheaper flight by leaving a day earlier than usual. I'm already regretting giving up that extra day.

Let me know how your trip goes. I am also going solo to POFQ. Let me know if it is real dark or well lit. Thanks and have a great time....:cool1:
 
I am doing my first solo trip too! It is exciting and nervewracking at the same time isn't it?! I am going May 16th -19th, just a long weekend away from reality. If I like it for these 3 nights I may have to shoot for longer next time! I went cheap for myself as well - so I am staying at POP too (thought about tenting it but had the same thoughts as you PolyPixie -tent slashers... too many horror movies I guess lol!!) I am soooo looking forward to not having to worry about anyone but myself for 4 days - no mom I need this or mom he hit me - peace for 4 days ahhhhh...


Just found this thread...I'm doing my first solo trip as well, staying at Pop. I'm arriving May 15 for 3 nights, so leaving on the 18th. I actually am going because my AP expires that weekend and I wanted to get a few more uses out of it haha. Hope you have a great time!
 
Let me know how your trip goes. I am also going solo to POFQ. Let me know if it is real dark or well lit. Thanks and have a great time....:cool1:

That's where I was for my Solo 2006 trip: POFQ. I loved it. I didn't find it too dark.. then again, I'd walk up and down the river at 12:00 - 1:00 am alone after returning from the parks. I never felt unsafe. It was very pretty and peaceful.... a relaxing way to wind down before bed.
 
That's where I was for my Solo 2006 trip: POFQ. I loved it. I didn't find it too dark.. then again, I'd walk up and down the river at 12:00 - 1:00 am alone after returning from the parks. I never felt unsafe. It was very pretty and peaceful.... a relaxing way to wind down before bed.

I did the same thing there in September. I found it quite peaceful rather than scary :goodvibes
 
That's where I was for my Solo 2006 trip: POFQ. I loved it. I didn't find it too dark.. then again, I'd walk up and down the river at 12:00 - 1:00 am alone after returning from the parks. I never felt unsafe. It was very pretty and peaceful.... a relaxing way to wind down before bed.

thank you that sounds wonderful:banana:
 





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