UPDATE - Tell me about going Solo

[Geemo]

Well the grandkids schedules aren't meshing for a trip to DLR. Everyone else is either too busy or not a Disney fan. So I've been considering a Solo Trip.

I generally prefer a group trip but I really want to head south to DLR.

Please tell me how solo trips have been for you.

Thanks
Geemo


UPDATE 1-29-2016
I began this thread on January 9th. And I'm HAPPY to REPORT, I have booked my first SOLO TRIP! It's only overnight but it's a start.

On February 9th I'll be taking the first JetBlue flight out of PDX for LGB. It leaves at 7am, that will be an early morning. If anyone else will be on that flight and would like to share a taxi to DLR area, send me a message.

I'll check into PPH and head to the parks. I'm so excited to be making this trip.
I've never been one to take selfies, so I'm practicing. If that doesn't work, I'll just ask one of the CM's.

Thank you all for your input.

 

[lalasmama]

I go solo a few times a year (definitely always once a year, usually at least twice a year).

Pros: My schedule, my preferences, my plans, my desires. No disappointed kids/hubby/best friend if I decide "ya know, no, I don't really want to make rope drop," or "I'm not ready to call it a night," or even "Let's wait an hour in line for Peter Pan!" I get to eat what I want when I want. And no judgement when I order a whole pomme frites just for myself I spend 359 days, give or take, putting my husband, kids, and grandkids in front of me. My 3-6 days at Disneyland are my treat for rocking the wife/mom/Grammy role the other days.

Cons: The bed is often big at night without hubby stealing my covers, or grand baby #3 snuggled in the crook of my arm. Hubby says he's jealous of my Disneyland time (but he also takes a solo trip to Disneyland). Of course, I miss my family. But I come back relaxed and renewed and ready to jump back into the swing of life.

Often, I hear (read) people concerned about loneliness when on a solo trip. I make friends with the other people around me in lines. I call and talk to my family. And, to be honest, we've got 3 kids from 24 to 11, and 3 grandkids from 4 to 1. I enjoy the relative quiet that solo trips bring I talk to people when I want, and don't talk when I don't want. It's glorious for an introvert like me!

 

[kristabelle13]

I did 9 days solo over US thanksgiving in 2015. It. Was. Awesome. The Saturday of Thanksgiving, which by all accounts should be one of the busiest days of the year, looked like this for me:

Mater's Junkyard Jamboree
RSR Single Rider
Drive em buggies
Heimlich
Flik's flyers
Francis' Boogie
Tower of Terror
Radiator Springs Racer
Toy Story Midway Mania
King Triton's Carousel
Silly Symphony swings.
Jumpin jelly fish
Golden Zephyr
Goofy' Sky School
Ariel
Lunch
Screaming
Soarin
Good Dinosaur Preview
Christmas Fantasy Parade
Canoes
Haunted Mansion Holiday
Sailing Ship Columbia
Big Thunder
Indy SR
Dinner
Big Thunder
HMH
Winnie the Pooh
HMH
Pirates of the Caribbean
Tiki Room
Indy
Fantasmic
Paint the Night

And if the fireworks hadn't been cancelled, that would have happened too. I don't know that my family of 4 could have done all that w/out the benefit of single rider.

I didn't have to use FP's really. That day, (as with most) I didn't wait in any lines longer than 3-4 minutes. It was fantastic to do what I wanted when I wanted.

8 days I got there an hour before rope drop. 3 days I left by noon and didn't return.

Dining alone was fantastic - efficient and I got really great service. I did RBT F!, CC WOC lunch and S55 breakfast.

One day I took the Christmas tour - to be honest, you're wearing headphones, so you don't interact much with others for most of it. But I did meet some fabulous DISers!

I also did the D23 Christmas event up at the Studios by myself - which was incredible. But again, also ran into some DISers there so had some company for about half of it.

I chatted with a number of people or cast members while waiting for things. At CC for lunch, the couple at the table beside me wanted to chat - which was nice (reminded me of being on a cruise lol)

I loved it so much, I'm going back next week for 2 days alone. And over Easter for a week alone. The dollar sucks, and I don't know anyone that really wants to spend the money to go - but, that's ok with me! I can't wait to visit again solo or with friends or family

 

[Vala]

I've been solo for most of my two weeks trip in fall. I had local friends joining me from time to time. I know people hesitate doing it and I understand why - it felt a bot weird at times cause the last two trips to Paris I was with friends the whole trip.

But overall yes, the flexibility is incredible. You can just dash from ride to ride if you want. You can stop and smell the roses. Take pictures. Hey, I spent a day around New Orleans Square watching the Bootstrappers.

 

[Cholula]

If you go in knowing that it will be different than your usual trips that will help a lot. There will be those moments where you think "oh I wish XX was here to see this/experience this" and you might get lonely at times. But overall I absolutely enjoy my solo trips; if anything, they make me appreciate my family trips that much more.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I went solo for the first time this past year. It was amazing. It's definitely not like a trip with family, but it's really fun. I was able to take in the sights and sounds that I often miss when I'm with other people. Plus, single rider lines on some of the rides are just so much easier to deal with than 90 minute waits. I was also able to meet quite a few people this way, including some CMs, imagineers, etc. AP-holders are generally super friendly and I've had some great conversations with the "regulars". The only thing about going solo that I haven't been able to really appreciate is TS dining. It's just too awkward sitting down to a nice meal alone, but there are plenty of places to get food that aren't TS, so it doesn't really matter.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I go kinda solo every year. My friend lives in Anaheim and just joins me in the mornings, the evenings and nights I am on own. I just love the freedom of being in the park and doing my own thing.

I am also booked for a solo trip to Disneyland Paris in February, and I cant wait to escape to my happy place

 

[iKristin]

I go solo at least once a week. I love it. I get to do what I wanna do, take my time walking around, and experience stuff I wouldn't normally do with a group.

 

[bumbershoot]

Do what YOU want, when you want to do it. No having to wait for others to catch up. No having to move from your bench just because someone else wants to move on.

You'll think "oh I wish whoever was here" when you see sweet moments that remind you of whoever.

But then there will be the NOT sweet moments (spouses arguing, kids crying, toddlers tantrumming, etc etc...whatever is part of your usual trips that you don't like) and you'll be so darned glad that you're alone.

I can usually be counted on one syrupy sweet, out of character, phone call to DH, thanking him for earning the money for my trip and for taking off time or working from home to hang out with DS. He likes those.

 

[CourtFool]

I am planning my first solo trip this December. I am a little nervous, but also very excited. I am the biggest DL fan out of my family. Mrs. Llama and Little Llama think I am a little weird. They also do not appreciate my concepts of efficiency. I think the one thing I am going to have to remember is to take some time to just relax and enjoy the moment.

 

[Girimama33]

I did my first solo trip last month. I had a great time doing what I want. Usually GiRi is calling the shots during our trips. I enjoyed eating what and where I wanted, taking my time through the gift shops and going on all the attractions I wanted.
I did miss having someone with me when I rode BTMRR the first few times during my solo trip. It is probably my favorite ride, and I missed having someone with me to share in the fun. By the second day, it was fun solo too.
Have a great time planning!

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Solo trips are awesome, as stated above you get to do what YOU want. Almost all of my solo trips are a day or two, tacked on to the end of some conference or meeting in the "general" area (within a 100 miles for me). I love going with the family and we have some great memories, but going solo can be a lot of fun. Go for it!

 

[Angrose]

I have 3 solo trips under my belt now, and I have loved each and every one of them! I, personally, don't think I could go solo for more than 2 days. That's just me though, and part of my problem is that I don't sleep very well at night when I'm on my own. But, when I'm in the parks solo I have a grand time! I have never felt awkward or lonely. I talk to people in line, share tables with other guests, and offer to take pictures for families. It's great!

 

[bumbershoot]

They also do not appreciate my concepts of efficiency. I think the one thing I am going to have to remember is to take some time to just relax and enjoy the moment.

Sounds like you enjoy moving briskly through the parks? Im that way while DH and DS are slower. That's a reason why they sent me on my first solo trip, to get it out of my system to make our slower family visits easier on me.

I do have "smell the roses" moments, but only if it's a natural thing at the time, that I want to do. If you're doing something because you think you should, then you're back to the constraints of another person, which is what a solo trip is supposed to free us from.

 

[WonkaKid]

I go solo at least once a week. I love it. I get to do what I wanna do, take my time walking around, and experience stuff I wouldn't normally do with a group.

Me too! Usually on Sundays. And I love it. I used to get lonely sometimes but I find that talking to other people in lines and helping people who are there for the first time is a big help. Taking full advantage of the single-rider lines is also a major bonus. Here's to self-reliance! ;-).

 

[Canadian Harmony]

Sounds like you enjoy moving briskly through the parks? Im that way while DH and DS are slower. That's a reason why they sent me on my first solo trip, to get it out of my system to make our slower family visits easier on me.

I do have "smell the roses" moments, but only if it's a natural thing at the time, that I want to do. If you're doing something because you think you should, then you're back to the constraints of another person, which is what a solo trip is supposed to free us from.

And that's the MAIN reason why I'm going to return by myself in October for my birthday. I've invited other adults who are self-reliant and can make their own way back to the hotel on their own time. I like having a meal with someone, and sharing moments, but if I want to ride a ride, or see a character, or stay for fireworks, I don't want to miss any of it.

When the family goes again in 2017, I'll have gotten my "MY WAY!" out of my system and can just go with the flow.

 

[disneychrista]

I am doing my first solo trip for my Birthday in May. It will be a trip of firsts for me.
My first solo trip, my first Birthday trip, I will enjoy meals that are "firsts" for me (Plaza Fried Chicken, Cafe Orleans Pommes Frites, & maybe Carthay Circle) too. I am looking forward to the being able to do what I want, when I want and not have to make others happy.

The one thing I am not really looking forward to is the 9 hours drive alone.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I was blown away by how much fun I had going alone. I never realized, in my many visits, that I almost never do things that I want to do. My solo visit was possibly the most fun I ever had at DL.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

disneyChrista, Happy May Birthday to you, too. (mine is also in May)

I often go solo because I am local and right now am blessed to both have an AP and some extra weekday time to go. I know how expensive DL tickets are. I am a young Minnie at heart and am not into the coasters or thrill rides (plus I do have health condition where those don't work for me anyway) so being solo makes that easier as well as going slower. I am also someone who has a big smile just being at DL. That said, I much prefer to go with a friend or every now and then my dad, though he does not get my DL loyalty. He'll ask if I am not tired of being there yet? Of going back AGAIN. My answer is, I do get tired (with all the walking) but never of DL If any of you ever are planning a solo trip and would like to meet up let me know. I enjoyed so much meeting some Dis-ers in December

 

[Disney_Alli]

I went solo for my 26th birthday. I got a couple comments about how sad it was to be celebrating my birthday by myself, I simply told them I got to do exactly what I wanted exactly when I wanted and no one could tell me different! That usually changed their minds. I also met up with another DISer who's birthday was very close to mine and was also in town solo and had a lovely character breakfast! We've since met up at WDW too!