To go solo or not....

[PIRATEGIRL007]

In all my years on the DIS I've never been over here. Just want to get some opinions, and if this works like the theme park boards that means I want some other Disney fanatics to encourage my sickness.

DH and I come to WDW 2-3 times a year, we got home last Sat night from our week long trip with the kids.DH and I will also be back in September.
I have known for months that DH is going to Montana for a week in July and have said all along I would go to WDW while he is gone. I had someone that said they would go but now that I've started really planning they backed out. The last time DH left me alone for a few days I 'od'd on HGTV and did a makeover on our bathroom, now I need to be on renovation disasters. So I'm thinking a solo trip may be better on our budget after all.

I have an AP, found super cheap flights ($140 RT into MCO so using DME), and have found points to rent. I can get a SSR studio for about $100 more than a regular standard at the All Stars. So I'm looking at abou $700 before food for 5 nights. Would you go? I've just been and will be back but should I spend the money and go solo or save it and plan on a trip with DH next spring. We may still be able to go in the spring if I do the solo trip but this would cut that budget back or maybe make the possiblity gone.

I recently took a new travel agent job and will have to work half a day while I'm there and take some WDW pictures and do some research so that will help with the busy factor I'm sure. I also plan to lounge by the pool a bit and enjoy some me time. Also do any that usually travel with others and go solo find you get lonely or bored by yourself? And would you pick SSR for a solo trip. I will be using 100% WDW transportation and may have some later nights coming back in at midnight or so, would you as a 30yr oldish woman feel comfortable walking from the bus stops to the rooms at SSR?

 

[DCTooTall]

DO EET!!

And honestly... if you are working part of the trip doing research and taking pictures, You may even be able to write off some of the expense as a business expense come tax time.


As for getting bored or feeling unsafe, I don't think you'll have a problem. I know several women who have no issues with feeling unsafe while solo at Disney.


Bored... not on your life. You are obviously familiar with the parks, but when you go solo you'll have a chance to go at your own pace, do your own thing, and not have to worry about what someone else wants to do or is in the mood for. You may find yourself taking more time to just enjoy the sights or little hidden nooks and crannies off the beaten path.... or maybe that hidden show/film that's been there since the dawn of Disney Time and just doesn't have the draw it used too for most people. (On one of my last Solo trips, I actually made it a point to explore each and every country in the world showcase in detail, including any museum type exhibits, films, etc.. Something I know if I was with someone else they wouldn't have had the patience for).

Even if you and your DH have similar tastes or enjoy a relaxed syle of touring the parks, You'll be amazed at how much you'll find spending some solo time there will allow you to relax even more and just wander around discovering some new details or photo ops that you may have overlooked before.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Thanks for the encouragement I've decided to do it. Booking airfare now before the sale goes off ($140 RT). My SSR DVC points rental fell thru the owner rented to someone else yesterday, so I'm still looking for a room but I'll book All Stars as a back up just in case. It's a wee bit cheaper anyway.

I'll be stalking this board a bit for the next little bit to get some more tips, there seems to be some very helpful posters here.

 

[Couchy]

I am glad you decided to take the plunge. I went on my 1st solo trip in Feb. when I had off Feb break and my DH could not go. 4 days I was worried about being lonely/bored but it did not happen. I had the time of my life. Did what I wanted when I wanted

I had so much fun that when DH and I were planning our longish weekend getaway at the end of the month, he encouraged me to go 3 days early since my teaching year will be over before he can get down there

I can't wait. i stayed at the S/D last time and it was awesome being able to walk to 2 parks which made being solo so easy. This time we are trying BC but same area so still can walk to 2 parks

You will love being solo

 

[tinkerbella16]

I'm also glad you decided to do it! I can't give you any advice about going solo, but I'm going on my first solo trip in September and I cannot wait! Reading others experiences really helps and makes it more fun to look forward to. I will be meeting up with my co-worker since he'll be down the same dates, we have the same flights and all so we are doing a couple meals together and exploring the world since we are both WDW Freaks!! I cannot wait for the other days on my own. Doing what I want, when I want without waiting on anyone seems like a great way to do the world.

 

[2010_Bride]

You will be so-o happy you chose to go

I went on my first solo trip back in November. DH had a business seminar for a week in Boca. I was very disappointed that it was too far from Boca to Orlando, but then DH suggested I just leave a few days early and fly direct to Orlando and then fly down to meet him later in the week. BEST DECISION I EVER MADE!!
I stayed for 3 nights and loved it! I was not bored at all and I had the opportunity to really sit and watch the shows and street performers that DH usually has a short attention span for - lol!
I stayed at POP and I never felt unsafe walking from the buses at night. There are always people around at Disney.

Have a great trip. Sneak me in your suitcase will ya?!?!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I officially just bought my plane ticket so no going back now!

I think the hard part now will be not talking about it non stop infront of DH. He is used to my Disney chatter but since we just came home less than a week ago I think he thought he would get a break for a while from the WDW 24/7 stream.

I've already started planning 'days' in my head, water park time, time at the pool (which DH hates), some meals I want to do (Cobb Salad for lunch at Hollywood Brown Derby here I come!!), etc. Now I just need to get some accomidations set up. I really wanted SSR and had talked my self into it with the points but since that fell thru I don't know if I can justify the price even renting points for just me. I've stayed at all the value and mods lots of times, just OKW for deluxe and AKL coming up in Sept so I'd really like to try another one. I think for now I'll shop around rental points and see what I can come up with.

 

[mahannie]

YAY!

I've never regretted any of my solo trips and have another in the works for January 2013. Okay, my feet DID regret that 4 parks in 1 day experiment, but I can now mark that off my bucket list

Using your time to do stuff that your family finds boring/silly/crazy is why going solo is so much fun. Might I also suggest the carrot cake cookie at Writer's Stop at the Studios? Tasty!

I've never felt unsafe at Disney coming back to my room. The latest for me was walking to the furthest building at All Stars Movies returning at 3 am from EMH at the MK.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I booked All Star Sports today, I'm still looking for a great DVC rental deal and hope to get one but for now I'm ok with Sports. I'm going to be the oddball request of the year if I end up there I'm going to request a far away room in the back. When we stayed there before we were in the back up against a wildlife refuge/reserve area and it was so peaceful. I'm sure they dont get many requests for really far away from the pool.

The plane tickets I wanted went up $80 today so I scored a great deal. Makes me feel even better about the trip!

 

[iluveeyore]

My first solo was at All Star Sports - when I checked in and the CM found out I was alone, she put me near the front by the football field on the bottom floor so I could just walk to and from my room to the lobby without ever being out of sight of anyone. That made me feel comfortable, but on my second solo I stayed at Pop, got a room away from the pool with a lake view, and thought it was peaceful and lovely to be away from the noise. So as long as you're comfortable, stay in a spot you're happy with. I've never felt more at ease alone than at WDW - I just simply felt safe and happy wherever I went! I'm longing for another solo, but DH and I go at least twice a year, and it's just not in the budget for us. My last solo was a gift from my small inheritance from my grandma - my sister bought herself a small diamond ring, and I booked a week alone at WDW (Grandma had just went two years before with us and loved every minute, so I revisited a lot of the places she enjoyed the most). DH can't figure out why I enjoy solo, but I really, really did - no one to share the shower with in the mornings, I can get ready when I want, leave the room when I want, eat when and what I want, and take as much time as I want riding a ride or seeing a show, or just relaxing and people watching. Enjoy yourself, we all need some 'me' time!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Thanks to a wonderful DISser I am now moving to SSR. I've been actively looking on the rent/trade board for points at a price I could afford and a long time generous DIS member contacted me offering me some points they had expiring soon for free, it would cover a weekend night at SSR! On top of that I was able to rent some points for the rest of the stay at a great rate. It was truly a dream come true and now I'm staying at SSR for just a wee bit more than I would be at All Star Sports. I got my confirmation this morning, now I just need to call and cancel my All Star Sports reservation later today. DH says all this dissing has finally paid off! DIS members rock!

The solo planning experience so far has been great, I hope my great Disney luck continues. I've been lurking on the trip reports board for a while and I may take the plunge to do another trip report. My last one was in 2005 or 06 so it's about time for one again. :

 

[PumpkinPastie]

Cant speak from experiece about doing WDW alone but have been to many places around the world alone and I have loved it. Its so wonderful being able to just do what you want when you want. I tend to find that no matter where in the world you go there are always people to talk to and new friends to be made. So good luck and I look forward to hearing about it all when you get back.

 

[Couchy]

I officially just bought my plane ticket so no going back now!

I think the hard part now will be not talking about it non stop infront of DH. He is used to my Disney chatter but since we just came home less than a week ago I think he thought he would get a break for a while from the WDW 24/7 stream.

I've already started planning 'days' in my head, water park time, time at the pool (which DH hates), some meals I want to do (Cobb Salad for lunch at Hollywood Brown Derby here I come!!), etc. Now I just need to get some accomidations set up. I really wanted SSR and had talked my self into it with the points but since that fell thru I don't know if I can justify the price even renting points for just me. I've stayed at all the value and mods lots of times, just OKW for deluxe and AKL coming up in Sept so I'd really like to try another one. I think for now I'll shop around rental points and see what I can come up with.

You will have so much fun! Eat at the bar at CA Grill it is so nice solo

 

[rlduvall]

I have been doing solo annual trips in December since 2008 - my first, and last, Mousefest [how I miss it]. Well, in 2010 I did take a friend but kind of wished I was by myself the whole time. My family totally understands that I need my quiet time and they are not near the Disney fan that I am. I have always felt totally safe, but have learned to not "broadcast" I am there alone; no-one knows that you aren't heading to meet your family or are just having a few hours away from them.

I have always loved my solitude, don't mind eating out alone and do not have a shy bone in my body. I usually book a special tour that my DS would be too young to take and enjoy the Afternoon Tea at the Garden View Lounge. No doing Mission Space and Expedition Everest back to back to back. I can actually see the American Adventure, Beauty and the Beast, Hall of Presidents, etc. with no-one grinching about how boring it is.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I have been doing solo annual trips in December since 2008 - my first, and last, Mousefest [how I miss it]. Well, in 2010 I did take a friend but kind of wished I was by myself the whole time. My family totally understands that I need my quiet time and they are not near the Disney fan that I am. I have always felt totally safe, but have learned to not "broadcast" I am there alone; no-one knows that you aren't heading to meet your family or are just having a few hours away from them.

I have always loved my solitude, don't mind eating out alone and do not have a shy bone in my body. I usually book a special tour that my DS would be too young to take and enjoy the Afternoon Tea at the Garden View Lounge. No doing Mission Space and Expedition Everest back to back to back. I can actually see the American Adventure, Beauty and the Beast, Hall of Presidents, etc. with no-one grinching about how boring it is.

B&tB is the 1 request DH had for something I need to do without him. He doesn't super hate hate it but he puts up with it and is very close to hating it. He said I should see it twice and get it out of my system. He is a Disney nut too but sleeps thru AA every single time, he has never seen the whole thing, so I plan on seeing it without hearing snoring next to me.

I love the Cali grill suggestion, and never have been there. DH is not a salad fan so my Cobb salad at HBD idea kinda blossomed when I read a Cali Grill review, DH also hates sushi and I love it, I hear Cali Grill has some great options so I hope to head up there one night to get some sushi and enjoy the atmosphere. I thought a Saald and Sushi for my Solo Saratoga Springs Sushi and Salads Adventure would be a good start to a trip report title.

Thanks for all the encouragement from everyone on this thread, I am re-assured that this trip is going to rock and am excited to get a chance to do solo once.

 

[ZehnJahren]

You are going to have a great time, and you should totally do a solo trip report. I loved my trip in January, and will be doing some solo time on my next trip (originally it was ONLY solo, but it looks like my mom is going to join me for some of the time!). I'll do another trip report, too; because it's fun.

How exciting!

 

[DCTooTall]

B&tB is the 1 request DH had for something I need to do without him. He doesn't super hate hate it but he puts up with it and is very close to hating it. He said I should see it twice and get it out of my system. He is a Disney nut too but sleeps thru AA every single time, he has never seen the whole thing, so I plan on seeing it without hearing snoring next to me.

I love the Cali grill suggestion, and never have been there. DH is not a salad fan so my Cobb salad at HBD idea kinda blossomed when I read a Cali Grill review, DH also hates sushi and I love it, I hear Cali Grill has some great options so I hope to head up there one night to get some sushi and enjoy the atmosphere. I thought a Saald and Sushi for my Solo Saratoga Springs Sushi and Salads Adventure would be a good start to a trip report title.

Thanks for all the encouragement from everyone on this thread, I am re-assured that this trip is going to rock and am excited to get a chance to do solo once.

If there is anything you should worry about from taking this solo trip, it's how you are going to convince your family to let you take another one.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I love solo Disney trips and take them whenever possible! Have a great trip - it is so nice to do what you want when you want! HAVE FUN!!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I just wanted to thank everyone for thier encouragement to go solo. I just returned from a solo trip on Wendesday. I loved it. I had a blast. I never felt lonely or unsafe the whole trip. I did miss DH some but I would have been much worse off and upset by it had I been home the whole time. I highly recommend it and would do it again if the opportunity ever presents itself again.

I am working on starting a trip report about my adventure and should have it up and going by tomorrow.

 

[Precious Disney]

So glad you had a great trip. Look forward to reading your trip report. I am sooo looking forward to my first solo trip. I told one of my friends today that I was going to WDW solo, and she said "Why would you want to do that?". And I said because I can do what I want, when I want, how many times I want, etc. Some people just don't get it, and that's ok too.

I'm so excited cause I called today and was able to get the FD offer added to my reservation. Love saving that money!

Happy solo trips to all.....