Tips for a first time solo trip?

[Gary Stocker]

My 4 night solo trip is 25 days away and I think I have my plans shored up.. trying to have this trip be more spontaneous but I need to hit ohana and California grill at the minimum. Also going to Canaveral so 3 days in the parks and lots of food and beverage partaking.

For those who have traveled alone at WDW are there any tips for those embarking on their first trip? Did you discover something about that trip that you didn't anticipate?

Thanks!

 

[Gary Stocker]

I will start by giving a tip I learned at the Contemporary pool bar when I was there with my family...to add a double to your mixed drink is only an extra $3 or $4 depending on the quality

 

[Darthbane2007]

What hotel are you staying at while at WDW?

 

[Gary Stocker]

Port Orleans French Quarter.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Port Orleans French Quarter.

Nice. If you can, take the boat from POFQ to Disney Springs at night. Great vibe.

As for other tips, honestly, I have none. Just have a great time. I absolutely LOVE solo trips. Im completely addicated. I always have the best time because its great being able to do what you want, when you want.

 

[Gary Stocker]

I anticipate this will be my experience as well.

Another question how difficult is it to extend your vacation another day while you are on property? Obviously I would take care of the flight separately but is it simply going up to the front desk and asking for availability for another day plus another park day? Asking for a friend...

 

[bopper]

@Gary Stocker Once upon a time we had a trip to Disney over Easter break.
My DH messed up the arrangements and we were stuck without a flight on Easter.
If we wanted to extend our stay at the Polynesian, we would have had to pay rack rate $$$$$$ for another day.
So you may not get the same discount you had.

 

[Gary Stocker]

@Gary Stocker Once upon a time we had a trip to Disney over Easter break.
My DH messed up the arrangements and we were stuck without a flight on Easter.
If we wanted to extend our stay at the Polynesian, we would have had to pay rack rate $$$$$$ for another day.
So you may not get the same discount you had.

Thanks. Is it as simple as calling the front desk and having them arrange it or is there a huge process? I am sure there are some out there who extend their vacations to put off the last-day blues if just for one day..

 

[bopper]

we just went to the front desk...it all depends if they have availability

 

[SG131]

If you're interested in eating at DS most of the restaurants have a bar and it's pretty easy to get one seat. Homecomin' was on an hour wait for walkups, but I was able to get right in at the bar. I don't know that I have any useful tips, but I traveled solo for the first time in Dec and loved it. It was great to be able to go at my own pace which for me included darting back and forth across the park based on what I could get an extra FP for or whatever had a low wait time. Unfortunately, Disney does not have many single rider lines, but there are a lot of times on rides like TOT where they call for parties of 1 or 2 and it shortens the wait time to be alone. It also is easier to find good seats for the shows, when the cast members tell everyone to move in, its easy to then find a single seat on the end somewhere! I hope you enjoy the trip!

 

[Gary Stocker]

Thanks SG131.

I bought the Dining Plan since I did find it very convenient when I went on Spring Break... however for the 4 nights I am staying I am only going to 2 Signature Restaurants- California Grill (got a table during the fireworks my final night before EMH at the MK) and, after extensive research, the Boat House in Disney Springs. This will be the launching point for my Disney Springs pub crawl after I get back from Canaveral on the second day (no park day).

I know it might not be the most economical thing to do but I don't want to have many sit-down meals as I think this will be the worst part of the solo trip..will probably quick-service and snack my way around the parks.... but I love the California Grill and the Boat House looks pretty amazing. That Homecomin' place looks awesome. Will stop in there for some moonshine and, if there is room, some fried goodness.

My trip is "loosely planned" around my fast passes and I intend on food and beverage crawling all around the Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, the Monorail loop and, perhaps, the Boardwalk. Going to be quite the adventure!

 

[MeridaAnn]

Bring backup phone chargers - my favorite is the Fuel Rod that you can swap out in the park for a full one when yours runs out, but I have a couple cheaper ones that I usually bring along, too. Your phone dies a lot faster than usual when you're using it to pass time in line and to check the app for wait times, etc.

And bring earbuds! It's incredibly awkward to get stuck in line next to an arguing couple or a whining child, etc., with no way to distract yourself or block them out. Sometimes I'll download a movie or an audiobook or something, but I always at least have access to music so that I can put in my earbuds and drown everything else out during my wait.

 

[Gary Stocker]

Thanks, Merida. I definitely know about the backup phone chargers but never heard of the fuel rod.. will check it out.

I am a little torn about the ear buds because I love the ambience in the parks including the music (in Animal Kingdom especially) and the First Order marching in Hollywood Studios. I see your point, though, about the whining children. I have a couple of my own and I won't miss that on my trip believe me.

I feel bad for kids nowadays. A lot of them are growing up not knowing how to have fun except when there is a tablet in front of them. In Disney these lines are death to people, but especially for kids. Some of the queues are entertaining; my kids LOVED the Toy Story Mania line more than the ride itself.

 

[glvsav37]

My tip is—Take it slow and just enjooooooy. IDK what your other trips are like, but for me with a family of 4, 2 being kids, I simply cannot stop and take in all of what the parks have to offer very long. Who has to go to the bathroom? where are we going next? who's hungry...etc.

don't get me wrong, I love my family trips, but I cant just sit on a bench in a pavilion and bask in the details. I can't go where the wind takes me, be sporadic and lose myself in a particular land.

When I go solo, I'll spend much more time walking the Epcot pavilions, looking at all the little details, sit at a bar and try different regional drinks, talk to the CMs and hear their stories oftheir home towns.

IDK if you like photography, but when you are solo, you can scope out locations for taking pictures that are unique...wait for that perfect sunset or moment in the parade. Watching the parade through a lens for that perfect photo is much different than watching it for just enjoying the parade. Same goes for the animals at AK, spend some time waiting for the gorillas to move about and let you get that shot

Spend some time exploring the resorts. When with my kids, they prefer the parks, so taking the time and sitting on a rocking chair at Wilderness Lodge or Boardwalk and enjoying the atmosphere is rare.

A lot of tours are expensive and prohibitive if you are with a larger group, however as a solo, sometimes the price can be more manageable.

 

[mustinjourney]

I will start by giving a tip I learned at the Contemporary pool bar when I was there with my family...to add a double to your mixed drink is only an extra $3 or $4 depending on the quality

or you can flask it and make it a triple for about $1.

 

[Gary Stocker]

I think I would get nervous and get thrown out of the park if I tried to sneak booze in...that would be embarrassing.. I always thought Animal Kingdom would be even more incredible if I had some 420 but I wouldn't dare.

 

[mustinjourney]

I think I would get nervous and get thrown out of the park if I tried to sneak booze in...that would be embarrassing.. I always thought Animal Kingdom would be even more incredible if I had some 420 but I wouldn't dare.

Take a 20 oz coke bottle and pour half out. Fill with favorite spirit. Buy coke in park and mix. Fool proof.

 

[Gary Stocker]

Take a 20 oz coke bottle and pour half out. Fill with favorite spirit. Buy coke in park and mix. Fool proof.

Where is the closest liquor store? Asking for a friend.

 

[GoofyCoaster]

Single rider lines are great for solo travelers. Unless the standby line is walk-on, the single rider line usually moves much faster than standby.
Test track in Epcot, Expedition Everest in AK, and Rock n Roller Coaster at HS have single rider lines.

 

[Gary Stocker]

Sounds good! I have fast passes for all of those except test track. I guess the strategy is to go single rider first then use the fast pass for maximum usage right after