Thinking about doing my first solo trip

[Phillip Williams]

Sometime around September I am thinking about doing my first ever solo trip with nobody by myself. I have never this before and feel kinda weird about it. For everybody that has done a trip like this how was it being at Disney and hit all the rides and show by yourself?

 

[Ensusieasm]

Sometime around September I am thinking about doing my first ever solo trip with nobody by myself. I have never this before and feel kinda weird about it. For everybody that has done a trip like this how was it being at Disney and hit all the rides and show by yourself?

I've done a few solo days before friends arrived several times. The most was 4 days. I enjoyed my alone time very much. You will like being able to make your own plans and go at your own pace. Enjoy your Disney World vacation!

 

[Bete]

Disney World is possibly the best place to do a solo vacation. There is so much to do your time will fly by. You get to spoil yourself and do everything you want to do.

The one drawback is I found dining at most table service restaurants a little lonely. Teppan Edo and Biergarten were better; because, there's group dining. I would do more quick service restaurants. Also, I would stay in the parks for a long day. That way when you get back to your resort you go right to bed rather than being in your room all alone.

When I did get back to my room early I would make phone calls back home. It was nice to connect with someone I knew. I used my I-pad in the room, too.

I prefer going to Disney with someone, but I did it once because of a convention there.

 

[Shock13]

I have done a week solo at WDW. I also did solo trips to DLR and USO/IOA. I'm very shy so it's not easy for me to just start talking to people I don't know but it comes so easy at the theme parks because you're surrounded by like-minded people who are just as excited to be there as you are. Yes, it is a bit weird at first especially when you sit alone at mealtimes but the freedom to do what you want and eat when and where you want is worth the slight nervousness you may feel. It will eventually go away as you feel more confident touring by yourself. There are plenty of distractions at Disney. I'm looking forward to my next solo trip in October to do MNSSHP.

 

[LIPeter]

I've done it solo, and I loved it. You can do whatever you want, when you want. It's true that dining can be lonely, but I usually bring a book to read while I'm waiting. Don't feel weird. Plenty of people go solo.

 

[YawningDodo]

The advice I've seen again and again on here, with which I absolutely agree, is that you need to judge how comfortable you are being alone under normal circumstances. If you're the kind of person who's already comfortable going places alone (restaurant, movie theater, whatever), it'll be very easy for you to just drop in to Disney World and have a blast by yourself. If you're not used to doing things alone I think you can still have a good time, but it would be good to practice eating alone and so forth in your home town before you go.

I'm the opposite of the folks saying they'd go all counter service, since for me part of the appeal of a solo trip would be getting to do more TS since my family has never been interested in making advanced plans for dining or devoting park time to it (and we haven't done character dining since the first time I went, way back in 1998--my mother and brother have a deep and abiding lack of interest in character meets). Whatever you don't normally get to do in a group, that's what you should do with your solo trip. It gives you time to take things exactly at your own pace and never feel like you're holding anyone back when they want to hurry along to the next thing.

As for rides and shows, the thing to keep in mind is that other people are generally paying much less attention to you than you think they are. Everyone's caught up in their own vacation and like as not won't even notice you're there. If someone does spot you alone in line for something, they'll probably assume you split off from a group because your family or friends didn't want to do the attraction you're waiting for. I did the Disney College Program and went to the parks on my days off pretty much every week for four and a half months, and I never got any flak from cast members about being a party of one, and the guests could not have cared less about what I was up to. At shows people will likely assume you're with the next party over (again, if they notice you at all). I'd go to shows all the time and the only times people seemed to even notice I was there alone was when I'd strike up conversations with people.

 

[williak]

I am also thinking about doing a solo trip in September. My husband hates disney and I love it. I am a dvc member and will be retiring. So i thought it would be a great time to reinvent myself at my happy place. I am worried that I will end up sitting by the pool or in my room rather than exploring the worlds.

 

[Ericaxo0528]

Absolutely do it! There is something so uplifting about having the courage to do things on your own without depending on other people. Sure some people will think your nuts, but it's only because they wish they had it in them to do it too! And the best part about Disney is that it is very unlikely that you will see anyone you know or people that you will ever see again and the beauty of that is you can be anyone you want (act more outgoing, push yourself to do things you normally wouldn't, etc.) and not have to feel embarrassed about it. Go and have fun!

 

[bryanb]

My first solo trip to Disney World was after a business trip to Orlando. I had always thought of going there and since I was only 20 minutes away I couldn't resist checking it out even by myself. I bought tickets without any advance planning -- and after just a few hours decided to upgrade to an annual pass, knowing I'd be back within the year to enjoy the full WDW experience. In the last few years, I have since done three solo trips in addition to two trips with friends.

I love visiting with friends, but alone time has turned out to be great too, for all the reasons people say in this board. That where I can truly relax and be as lazy or active as I want.

 

[danny1649]

Done it several times and had great time . Got up when I wanted stayed as late as I wanted to . Ate where I liked and when I wanted . Just relaxed did my favorites and skipped that I could do when had small crowd with me. No stress on things I mentioned above when son , grand children and DW , DIL or good friends are down and want to do. So go and have stress free time at WDW, Danny

 

[gap2368]

Sometime around September I am thinking about doing my first ever solo trip with nobody by myself. I have never this before and feel kinda weird about it. For everybody that has done a trip like this how was it being at Disney and hit all the rides and show by yourself?

I love going by myself do not get me wrong I love going with my friend but when I go by my self I get to do what I want when I want and how many times I want. no it is not strange at all. last year I think I want for about 27 days by my self and I am counting down the hours ( not days) until my next solo trip.

 

[damskipi13]

I'm planning my first solo trip in September too! I'm excited about it. In all of my previous trips, I've never really been able to do what I wanted to do because I was always the WDW expert who had to show others around and cater to them. I can't wait to have a day full of all my favorite meals, ride, and shows!

 

[snowybelle]

I'm also taking my first solo trip this September! I'm looking forward to being able to go at my own pace and do whatever I want, whenever I want! I'm also going to do a 4-parks-in-one-day challenge (which I could probably never talk my husband into...)

Go for it and enjoy!

 

[Shellyred8]

Sometime around September I am thinking about doing my first ever solo trip with nobody by myself. I have never this before and feel kinda weird about it. For everybody that has done a trip like this how was it being at Disney and hit all the rides and show by yourself?

The first time I did a solo trip, it was a little weird for me, as I had always been there with other people. So, mentally prepare yourself for not having others with you to share some of the experiences with. After I got over that initial "weird-ness" I had a great time! Go where I want, when I want. Eat when I want and what I want (if you are usually the type that shares your food with others in your party, you will have to get used to eating everything yourself. So, if you get a cupcake, you "have" to eat the whole thing by yourself!! I know, bummer right?). You can take time to soak in more of the atmosphere too. There's so much to see that gets overlooked when you are rushing around the parks and distracted by others.
I say go for it!

 

[loves to dive]

I've done a number of solo trips and I love them, I enjoying going with my grown son as well but there is just something relaxing about being by myself. I do travel by myself all the time though since my honey does not travel unless diving is included. I love to travel so my options are not to go or go alone, alone it is. I've eaten at TS restaurants no problem, I do have my kindle ap loaded on my phone so after I've placed my order I read. There are a few rides that you are going to be sitting with someone else but I've never found that to be a problem, on some they are going to split a party of three anyway so you might end up with one of those people. According to what date in September you are going, food and wine will be happening at Epcot, a not to miss and very easily done solo. I'll be there around September 12-16 or 17 or something like that. My AP expires Sept. 20 and F&W starts Sept. 14 this year so I'm actually going to be able to get 3 trips off that sucker this year, win/win for me.

 

[zivadanielle]

Do it! I went my first solo trip last year and am planning another right now. My company has their annual conference in Orlando every summer, last year I finally decided to tack on a couple of days to enjoy WDW at my own pace. Normally I would NEVER go to WDW in the summer but I planned around the crowds pretty much and it worked out quite well.

Like others have said, it's a great way to see and do what *you* want. Usually I am traveling with my husband who is not as much of a Disney lover as I, and/or friends and family who may not all share the same idea of Disney fun. Granted, my solo trips have so far just been very brief ones (two nights/three days) so there's that. But I love just taking in everything at my own pace, eating where I want, going to the sillier attractions my travel compadres usually do not care for LOL. This time I am staying at the GF, which has been a dream of mine for years - but husband was not into the atmosphere when we've visited.

As far as dining solo - I did not have too many concerns about that since I traveled and did lots of other day-to-day stuff for years alone before I got married in my 40s. *However* Disney "seemed" a little different to me? However, I have to say I did not feel too lonely or awkward doing anything last year. I ate solo at Artist Point and had a wonderful time (I stayed at WL), had drinks at few different lounges, QS elsewhere. For TS you may want to bring a book/magazine or what not. That is what I did.

Hope you have a magical trip in Sept!

 

[OatsZoo]

Thinking of a solo trip during Free Dining this Fall. It is on my bucket list. I have a friend interested in going, but have a feeling won't commit when it comes time to book. I think a solo trip will be great. People think I am nuts! But I am really a big Disney fan and the idea of walking around doing what I want at my own pace excites me. I have been 4 times with my kids and though I do love them dearly, the trip is always about what they want to do, at their pace. I would love to just do what I want and if I want to sit on a bench and have a drink and people watch then that is what I will do. I would love to sit and watch the fountains in Epcot and have a margaritta but that would never happen with the children. lol

I say go for it!!!

 

[JamesA1]

As much as I enjoy traveling with friends to Disney I enjoy my solo trips just as much. I will also be there in September. When they announced the dates for The Food & Wine Festival I did not hesitate to make plans. I have an Annual Pass that will expire on September 19 and friends who do not enjoy F&W as much as I do. So I booked a solo trip for the week F&W starts.

I have dined at many TS locations and have never felt uncomfortable. Several years ago I began journaling using an app on my smartphone. When traveling I might make a quick entry in my journal during the day and find this a great opportunity to reflect on the day and update my journal entries.

Traveling solo gives you the opportunity to make your own adventure.

 

[suse66]

I am doing my first solo trip this summer to celebrate my 50th birthday. I know a lot of people will think I'm crazy but I am really looking forward to going at my own pace and enjoying all the little details. I'm sure you'll have an amazing time!

 

[raddisneyfan]

My friends no longer enjoy putting out all the energy for a Disney vacation. So, for the past few I've gone solo. I had been solo prior for a day or so, but usually part of a work conference. I go again in May solo. Difference this time is that the week before I'll be 9 nights with family in UK. So, it will be a nice place to get some solo time and rest up--I've been to Disney so many times now that I can decide what I want to do on the fly. I have a general outline, but don't have an issue making changes at the last minute--especially since I'm the only one deciding!