thinking of doing first solo trip and totally freaking out!

[Starlilly]

Hey sexy Dis singles, couples, and solos!

Ive curiously jumped through threads about solo trips for a long time...my trip is scheduled january 2010 which was supposed to be with my DH, but thats now looking like it could be a solo trip for me!

Im totally excited and very very nervous at the same time! Whichever way it turns out, with DH or not, Im super excited. But Im also worried about doing a trip solo...its not really the time alone that bothers me (I love having alone time it doesnt bother me at all) ...but I guess since im staying for a week+, im terrified it will start to get to me! Especially when watching fireworks, or having no one to say "this is so much fun!" with

I need your help! Whats your advice and personal experience from taking solo trips?

 

[DVC Erik]

I feel the same way. I love my time alone too, but for some reason time in Disney i always felt is not supposed to be alone. Oh well, i will tell you in a 2 weeks if I think its a good idea or not, been to the world many times and finally going to go alone. I think it will be fun to do whatever I want when i want and i love relaxing at Disney and it just never happens. We shall see.

 

[MyMuse]

It was no biggie big. It's very freeing to go solo, though, you can make friends if you want to...in lines, at restaurants, etc.

You never know, there might be a DIS meet at the parks when you go.

 

[pdchris]

I did my first solo last December (my DS couldn't make it do to college). I'm not going to say it was better than if he'd been there, but I had fun nonetheless.
I had park hopper and a car so I don't think I spent a whole day at any one park. Having a car also helped because if I didn't feel like going to a park that day or spending the whole day, I just hopped in the car and went for a ride.
At first, it may be a bit hard to get used to, but afterwards the freedom to do what you want, when you want to do it is pretty liberating and fun!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Find a CM to talk to. You may find that after your exciting day you will want someone to talk to and who better than a CM. One day we were just hanging out at VWL and started a conversation with a CM who took the time to tell us about the lodge. The fact that it is bad luck to have two tootem poles facing one another and how every year a tribal group comes in to bless the resort to ward off the evil spirit.

 

[dauser]

Hi-

I think you should take the trip. Even if it is less fun than with your DH, you will still have a great time.

My only other advice might be to think about how long you are going for. Most of my solo trips have been for 3-4 days, which seems like a good amount of time (although I visit at least once a year). If you are worried about filling your time at the parks, I would think about other options (spas, shopping, day trips, etc.). Take advantage of things that you want to do that your DH may not be interested in.

In any case, I think you will have fun!

 

[Straughn]

Just remember that you can do what you want, when you want, for as long as you want. If you want to ride an attraction 10 times in a row, there will be no one to roll their eyes and say "not again". You can sleep in or stay in the parks until closing. No one else's wishes and desires have to be taken into consideration.


I have done a number of solo trips from 4 to 6 nights and loved every one of them. As a PP said, there is always someone to talk to, be it a Cast Member or another guest. When I eat at a table service restaurant, I often end up having a conversation with the folks at the table next to me. The servers, unless super busy, will all talk to you. You won't be as alone as you may think.

 

[Starlilly]

Just remember that you can do what you want, when you want, for as long as you want. If you want to ride an attraction 10 times in a row, there will be no one to roll their eyes and say "not again". You can sleep in or stay in the parks until closing. No one else's wishes and desires have to be taken into consideration. .

thats great! that means no one can harass me if i want to ride spaceship earth 10+ in a row...

though now that the sexy voice of jeremy irons is no longer narrating the history of communication I dont know if i'll find it as wonderful... lol

 

[valree]

I think you should go for it! I've never done it, but I will be solo for a day during my upcoming trip. The only part I was nervous about was dining by myself, but after reading the thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2218764 about doing table service solo, my mind was put at ease!

 

[Starlilly]

I think you should go for it! I've never done it, but I will be solo for a day during my upcoming trip. The only part I was nervous about was dining by myself, but after reading the thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2218764 about doing table service solo, my mind was put at ease!

thanks for the link!!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I loved, loved my solo trip. The hardest part for me was eating lunch at LeCellier by myself. That felt strange. I made sure to talk with DH and the kids twice a day and that helped keep me from feeling lonely. Especially the day when DS13 and DD9 were arguing about some TV show while I was trying to talk to them. Ugh.

I did things that my family NEVER wants to do or that I can't do when they are all with me.

I stopped and smelled the roses at MK. I watched the fireworks at MK twice (my kids would rather hit the rides than watch fireworks). I rode HM 7 times in a row.

I took a gazillion pictures at Epcot F&G Festival, I did the Behind the Seeds tour. I ate at Boma and Teppan Edo. I enjoyed bellying up to the bar at the resort for a drink nearly every night. I went into EVERY store at DTD and really took my time window shopping. I did several Kim Possible Missions and enjoyed them.

I got to the parks when they opened and stayed in the parks until they closed. I ate ice cream for breakfast - twice. I talked to everyone I could and met some wonderful people.

The key to my great solo trip is simple - do what I want!

I can't wait to do it again.

 

[Auntie L.]

I loved, loved my solo trip. The hardest part for me was eating lunch at LeCellier by myself. That felt strange. I made sure to talk with DH and the kids twice a day and that helped keep me from feeling lonely. Especially the day when DS13 and DD9 were arguing about some TV show while I was trying to talk to them. Ugh.

I did things that my family NEVER wants to do or that I can't do when they are all with me.

I stopped and smelled the roses at MK. I watched the fireworks at MK twice (my kids would rather hit the rides than watch fireworks). I rode HM 7 times in a row.

I took a gazillion pictures at Epcot F&G Festival, I did the Behind the Seeds tour. I ate at Boma and Teppan Edo. I enjoyed bellying up to the bar at the resort for a drink nearly every night. I went into EVERY store at DTD and really took my time window shopping. I did several Kim Possible Missions and enjoyed them.

I got to the parks when they opened and stayed in the parks until they closed. I ate ice cream for breakfast - twice. I talked to everyone I could and met some wonderful people.

The key to my great solo trip is simple - do what I want!

I can't wait to do it again.

Great Post!! I've done some solo hours @ WDW - but not a whole trip. But you just captured everything that would be fun about going alone (and I'm totally into the parades and fireworks over the rides - I live for that stuff!! )

You're making me think...........Thanks!!
Linda

 

[Sewfun]

Hey sexy Dis singles, couples, and solos!

Ive curiously jumped through threads about solo trips for a long time...my trip is scheduled january 2010 which was supposed to be with my DH, but thats now looking like it could be a solo trip for me!

Im totally excited and very very nervous at the same time! Whichever way it turns out, with DH or not, Im super excited. But Im also worried about doing a trip solo...its not really the time alone that bothers me (I love having alone time it doesnt bother me at all) ...but I guess since im staying for a week+, im terrified it will start to get to me! Especially when watching fireworks, or having no one to say "this is so much fun!" with

I need your help! Whats your advice and personal experience from taking solo trips?

I am considering my first solo trip for Christmas. My ex-boyfriend and I recently broke up, and I don't want to sit at home while my kids are with their dad for the holidays. I am looking at anywhere between 5-8 nights, and I am not sure how I am going to handle it either. This will be my first holiday alone in MANY years and I would rather be somewhere I love rather than sitting at home thinking.

My first thought was I could do what I want when I want and really be selfish about it. I was at the World in June, and rode the HTH ride twice because my 6 year old hated it. I could ride that one over and over and over and never get sick of it. I am sure the hardest part would be table dining alone, and thought of maybe just doing counter service the entire time, but that gets old fast too.

I think the thing that excites me the most about this is I can do Disney the way I like, get up and out early, rest in the afternoons, out late at night, and really take my time to get the pictures I want. No one will start whining if I want or need to ride a ride several times in a row to get pictures. I have done Disney with another adult, my kids, but never alone, and I think it is time I did it.

 

[tinkergrumpybuns]

I am considering my first solo trip for Christmas. I am looking at anywhere between 5-8 nights, and I am not sure how I am going to handle it either. This will be my first holiday alone in MANY years and I would rather be somewhere I love rather than sitting at home thinking.

Oh Go, Have a ball! IF you are into photos, this is perfect, b/c you are not holding anyone up. Look at the photo board on DIS too. Great Ideas. I packed a little notebook with some photo ideas I had to challenge myself with ...( reflection, repetition, feet ( nice shot of horse hooves on one on Main St).

Do what you want, take that afternoon nap or, swim. Go at your pace.
I say, stay flexible, but just know what is going on every day/nite at the individual parks. I save AK for cool , or rainy days. I have to see the MK the first day. Do a hotel tour.

I have to admit, I had a few wistful moments sans family, but it passed.
Call the kids at strategic times. Are you staying for Christmas day?
You may want to see what park attendance is ( I hear crowded) and make backup plans. If I do a longish trip, I take a day to just rest and enjoy the resort.

Have fun!

 

[Starlilly]

wow you guys are really putting me at ease!

the more we talk about it the more fun it sounds like its going to be!

 

[Sueb383]

I just recently came back from my first week-long solo trip and I couldn't have had a better time! I was a little nervous but more excited than anything and I'm just so glad that I decided to do it! I met so many wonderful people that I never felt truly alone and it was pure heaven to do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted ... and never having to check in with anyone. It was totally liberating! I took way more pictures than I ever would take when I was there with my husband. We are actually separating so I can forsee many more solo Disney trips in my future. Yay! I loved it so much that I've already booked another solo trip back for the last week of the food and wine festival and I'm so excited I can hardly wait to get back there!

I had no problems eating alone whether it was table service or counter service. Always someone to talk to if you wanted and if not, just enjoy a great meal watching all the interesting people. I never felt out of place once and I felt totally safe the whole time too! I even did the Magic Behind Our Steam Trains tour and had a great time! I was just "one of the group". I actually enjoyed myself so much that I just may have a hard time going with anyone again in the future. I've always really cherished my time alone and this was the best alone time anyone could ever ask for!

So my advice is that it's ok to feel a little nervous about it but just do it and be very excited to have a Disney adventure that is yours and yours alone! I promise that you won't be sorry! Enjoy!!

 

[Starlilly]

I actually enjoyed myself so much that I just may have a hard time going with anyone again in the future. I've always really cherished my time alone and this was the best alone time anyone could ever ask for!

So my advice is that it's ok to feel a little nervous about it but just do it and be very excited to have a Disney adventure that is yours and yours alone! I promise that you won't be sorry! Enjoy!!

thanks so much for the advice!

 

[Spacemonkaay]

...

 

[Hallowishes]

my last solo trip was 9 days and my next one (in sept.) will be 11 days. i had a blast last time and am going to have a great time this trip as well. just go with the flow and do the things you most want to do ... you cant have a bad time in the happiest place on earth!!
i think one of the things i have found on my trips is that i never tend to stay in one park all day.

 

[Sewfun]

I am considering my first solo trip for Christmas. I am looking at anywhere between 5-8 nights, and I am not sure how I am going to handle it either. This will be my first holiday alone in MANY years and I would rather be somewhere I love rather than sitting at home thinking.

Oh Go, Have a ball! IF you are into photos, this is perfect, b/c you are not holding anyone up. Look at the photo board on DIS too. Great Ideas. I packed a little notebook with some photo ideas I had to challenge myself with ...( reflection, repetition, feet ( nice shot of horse hooves on one on Main St).

Do what you want, take that afternoon nap or, swim. Go at your pace.
I say, stay flexible, but just know what is going on every day/nite at the individual parks. I save AK for cool , or rainy days. I have to see the MK the first day. Do a hotel tour.

I have to admit, I had a few wistful moments sans family, but it passed.
Call the kids at strategic times. Are you staying for Christmas day?
You may want to see what park attendance is ( I hear crowded) and make backup plans. If I do a longish trip, I take a day to just rest and enjoy the resort.

Have fun!

I have decided I am definitely going to go!! I just love Disney anything and this is the best place to be for the holidays. I am going to go alone over Christmas and probably stay through New Year's. I am so looking forward to this!!

Tammy