Starting to panic and regretting going by myself in October.

[CatNipRules]

Okay. So I'm watching all of my favorite Disney vloggers and I'm starting to really wonder if I'm going to have a great trip.

My main issue is that every ride, every experience has so many family memories attached to it. I find myself thinking, I'm not sure I can do that one because of x. Or I can't do this show because..

I know that it's crazy, but I was at the point of tears earlier. Which I know is really kind of crazy. I love Disney. Always have. Before I was married and had my son it was my favorite place to go. Now there are so many memories of my husband and our time together. We had our honeymoon there. we were there almost every weekend when we lived in Florida. We just had so many special memories there.

Chris seems to be okay with me doing a solo trip. In fact, last night he told me to take lots of pictures of the resort I'm staying at. Since we've never stayed there before. I think that's the main reason I picked,that resort. No memories of past trips. It's me that's having the issue with it. I know it's stupid, but I feel like I shouldn't go,to,the place where we made so many memories as a family. I don't really expect anyone to understand.

 

[dachsie]

I would say try looking at it in a different way. Bring your DH with you in spirit. He would want you to have a great time and just remember him and the special times you had together as you do things. You aren't trying to replace memories, you are trying to remember the good times. Hope this helps some. {{{Hugs}}}

 

[goofyernmost]

I posted the following on this topic already, but, it may help so I will repeat it here. There are, of course, going to be situations where memories will flood back, but, those were all good memories and they were something that you were lucky enough to have experienced. WDW is for everyone regardless of age or marital status. If you allow it to make you feel good again, it will. If you do like I did and found a new force to get me to stop feeling sorry for myself and put myself back into life, it will do that too. Worst case scenario, you find out that you were right and it wasn't all that much fun and I think that the first trip alone will do that, but, if you let yourself get into the freedom and fun, you will be pleasantly surprised.

"It really depends on your mind set. If you go in there convinced that it isn't going to be all that much fun, that is what you will get. I told this story before, but, shortly after my divorce (years ago) I decided to go because WDW always made me feel good and stress free. (at least worldly stress) The first couple of days I just sat around and remembered the times with family and young kids. Melancholy at best. Self pity in bucket loads. In short, I wasn't having a good time. I was lost, lonely and completely overwhelmed about what the future held.

Years ago when I went with the family, the theme of CoP was "now is the best time of your life" and it turned out to be true. Now that wasn't quite as accurate. This was the first trip back after they put "Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" back in. I went to it and sometime in the middle of the show that song struck a nerve. I left the attraction thinking that I can fix my life and tomorrow will be a good time to start it. I left with a sense of focus, of blossoming plans of the future and determination to stop whining and get it back. I got it back and it turned out to be the best time of my life after all. I made massive changes in my life and before long I was back on track, happy and looking forward to the future.

I made many subsequent trips back after that both solo and with members of my family and both had their positives and negatives, but, generally fun and I certainly haven't regretted any of them. I am now relegated to perhaps a trip every two or three years and my age makes it no longer a sure thing that my health will allow me to go. However, if possible I would continue to go regularly. Is it as much fun as when you travel with someone? I would have to say no! However, it is fun in a different way and therefore when all the cards are counted, pretty much equal."

 

[Michaela72]

Okay. So I'm watching all of my favorite Disney vloggers and I'm starting to really wonder if I'm going to have a great trip.

My main issue is that every ride, every experience has so many family memories attached to it. I find myself thinking, I'm not sure I can do that one because of x. Or I can't do this show because..

I know that it's crazy, but I was at the point of tears earlier. Which I know is really kind of crazy. I love Disney. Always have. Before I was married and had my son it was my favorite place to go. Now there are so many memories of my husband and our time together. We had our honeymoon there. we were there almost every weekend when we lived in Florida. We just had so many special memories there.

Chris seems to be okay with me doing a solo trip. In fact, last night he told me to take lots of pictures of the resort I'm staying at. Since we've never stayed there before. I think that's the main reason I picked,that resort. No memories of past trips. It's me that's having the issue with it. I know it's stupid, but I feel like I shouldn't go,to,the place where we made so many memories as a family. I don't really expect anyone to understand.

Try looking at it as a new adventure. Just you on your timeline and definitely DON’T reminisce too much during your trip. As a matter of fact, just be you enjoying yourself and don’t be afraid to do any and everything. I did a solo trip to WDW and Universal in the summer of 2016 and let me tell you it was an adventure. You won’t be able to get away from some of the memories with family that will pop in your head, but don’t let yourself dwell on them. Live in the moment, strike up conversations with the people around you, and just let your inhibitions go. It’s important that you ALLOW yourself to happy in your happy place. You have your family’s support so enjoy and think of all the awesome new memories and stories you’ll be able to share once you get back home so no tethering yourself to your cell phone either. I really hope you enjoy your solo flight.

 

[Michaela72]

I posted the following on this topic already, but, it may help so I will repeat it here. There are, of course, going to be situations where memories will flood back, but, those were all good memories and they were something that you were lucky enough to have experienced. WDW is for everyone regardless of age or marital status. If you allow it to make you feel good again, it will. If you do like I did and found a new force to get me to stop feeling sorry for myself and put myself back into life, it will do that too. Worst case scenario, you find out that you were right and it wasn't all that much fun and I think that the first trip alone will do that, but, if you let yourself get into the freedom and fun, you will be pleasantly surprised.

Right there with you goofyernmost

 

[fhtpdw20]

Change your mindset a little. What have you wanted to do but didn't because it would cut into the family's ride time? Now is your chance. There is so much more to the parks than the rides. You won't be weighted down with strollers or backpacks or jackets/rain gear. Is there a tour you would like to try? It will never be cheaper when you only have to buy one ticket. You don't say what season your trip will be, but if it is around a holiday, check out the decorations by resort hopping. You mentioned your DH wanted pictures, focus on a photo safari of the parks. Get a memory maker if you can and see how many magic shots you can collect. Go on a character photo or autograph hunt. Is there restaurant that interested you on other trips but not everyone likes that type of food or it was too expensive for the entire family, go for it now. Heavens splurge on a guilty pleasure and have a dole whip for lunch, probably something you would not do keeping the family fueled for the parks.

I do understand. My solo trip was after my DH died and our last trip was our 25th wedding anniversary. I did not expect it to be the same but I was still able to find my happy place by trying something different. Seize the Day!!

 

[fla4fun]

We have always used WDW as part of the grieving process. Yes, there were always memories of that loved one enjoying the parks with us, but in a lot of ways, it actually was a comfort to have those memories reinforced. Touring WDW solo is a very different type of trip than a family trip, so it won't feel the same from the get go. Only you can determine whether different is good, bad, or just . . . different. Solo trips are good because you can do exactly what you want, when you want. If you find it's getting to be too much for you at any given time, you can always go back to the resort for a while. Just allow yourself the freedom to feel what you feel, including the magic.

 

[BroganMc]

CatNipRules,

I don't know your particular situation but it seems a little like mine. My dad passed away in January unexpectedly. He and I have been travel partners for the last 14 years. If you ever heard of Grandpa Mohawk online or on these boards, that was my dad. I'm taking my first trip down to Disney in a couple weeks but that is with some family. A pre-planned trip that I shortened so I could go and do my "firsts" without my dad and still have some travel partners when I need them. I expect to have my moments of bawling my eyes out and and those where I just enjoy myself and remember. But I am also planning another trip for October. That one will begin with the whole family and end with me alone for almost a month visiting all the theme parks. I look at it as my biggest adventure of the year without dad.

I know everything about your day is different because you've lost that other half of you. Sometimes you just want to stay in bed. But you drag yourself out because that's what the world wants you to do. I've always had hobbies that I enjoyed solo. And it's always been easy for me to strike up a conversation. So I'll take my camera with me and photograph the world, then I'll tell everyone about the people I meet and the stories I see unfold around me.

Exactly when are you going and which Resort is the new one for you? I'm thinking of doing the keys to the kingdom tour. My dad never wanted to do a backstage tour that might ruin the magic for him. So that would be a perfect fit for me.

Feel free to PM me if you want.

Okay. So I'm watching all of my favorite Disney vloggers and I'm starting to really wonder if I'm going to have a great trip.

My main issue is that every ride, every experience has so many family memories attached to it. I find myself thinking, I'm not sure I can do that one because of x. Or I can't do this show because..

I know that it's crazy, but I was at the point of tears earlier. Which I know is really kind of crazy. I love Disney. Always have. Before I was married and had my son it was my favorite place to go. Now there are so many memories of my husband and our time together. We had our honeymoon there. we were there almost every weekend when we lived in Florida. We just had so many special memories there.

Chris seems to be okay with me doing a solo trip. In fact, last night he told me to take lots of pictures of the resort I'm staying at. Since we've never stayed there before. I think that's the main reason I picked,that resort. No memories of past trips. It's me that's having the issue with it. I know it's stupid, but I feel like I shouldn't go,to,the place where we made so many memories as a family. I don't really expect anyone to understand.