Visiting the Kingdom as a solo....

[fzySIDEup]

I'm a 46 yr old guy who has, sort of, rediscovered D-land in my middle age. I always loved it as a kid but coming from a large family we didn't go often and I guess I never really got enough of it, but now I have the time and resources to go more often.
Recently I took the family on a trip for 4 days. It was a very nice vacation; we stayed at the Grand Cali and it cost me a few $$. I bought AP's for our 5 person group (the wife, 2 teenage boys and my 9yr old daughter, plus me) thinking that they would all appreciate it and would want to go as often as possible for the next 365 days. But I've been a little disappointed. The boys are very ho-hum, one trip a year would be plenty for them. My daughter is more a bit more into it, but still not as much as me. The wife is happy to go along, but I suspect its more of just a good excuse to get out of the house.

The weird thing is that the day of that vacation that I personally enjoyed the the most was the day that they all slept in when we had EE privileges and I just went by myself. I don't think that I hooked up with the group until 1 or 2 in the afternoon. It was GREAT!! Do what I want, ride what I want, eat what I want, AND it was a lot cheaper! I finally kind of got lonely and made the call, but I was wondering if anyone else has had this kind of experience.

The only down side was that sometimes I would catch people looking at me weird, like I was that lonely guy from the Steve Martin movie...

 

[SnowWhite09]

Before we were married DH went to Disney on his own and all the way from Australia. He had a great time and loved it!

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I'm leaving tomorrow morning for a 9 day stay at the mouse without the family. There's nothing wrong for taking separate holidays or time apart from the family. DH goes away on business trips, so why can't I take the rare trip to someplace that I want to go. I intend to have a great time without the family. Kids are royally ticked at me for going without them (promised them lots of candy to bring back for them from the MHP's I'm going to), but it's my vacation, and am making it up to them by surprising them with a 2 week trip to the mouse in early Feb.

 

[jimreuter]

I've been there hundreds of times as a guest (really - no joke) by myself - except soon you get to know other "regulars", and cast members, and after that you're never by yourself, you are visiting friends.

Just make eye contact and say "Hi". You'll make hundreds of new friends and have a great time.

Now I'm a DLR cast member - and I'll work really hard to make sure you have a wonderful experience; I owe that to all the CMs and Regulars who always made me feel so much at home.

If you stop by Blue Bayou tomorrow, ask to say Hi to Jim (I'm not always out front) - I'd love to meet you!

 

[darph nader]

Going solo can be cool,but I get bored after awhile with no one to share it with. The wife and I are headin that way in less than 4wks. (No kids). First time alone since our honeymoon.

 

[JennyN]

We always go as a family, but I don't do scary rides, so when the others go off to do these rides I get time to myself.I love it and at times really appreciate long ride waits, I don't push fast passes unless I'm riding. Its great to spend some time alone with the mouse.

 

[HydroGuy]

OP I suspect you may be overly sensitive to people viewing you as a solo guest. I just don't think people care.

My situation is slightly similar to yours. DW does not care for Disney parks. My four teen boys do like the parks but in small quantities. We had 4 1/2 days at the GCH in July and they all said it was too much. They hit the parks hard on days 1 and 2, and then after that it was sleep in - and out for a few hours a day. They said they would have preferred 2 days or maybe 2 1/2. On that trip I did get out one morning for MM completely solo and had a lot of fun.

I just did my first completely solo trip two weekends ago and frankly had a blast. I was in SoCal for some family business and decided to use my AP and get to DLR for a couple days. After numerous trips I finally got to do some things we never seem to have time for as a family including the tortilla and sourdough bread tours at DCA.

It occurred to me there is an opportunity for someone somewhere to better organize social outings to DLR and WDW. It would need to be some way in which one could could hook up with other solo travelers in smaller groups. Heck, I would not want to go around DLR or WDW with a group of 20 people. But 3-6 others could be fun.

 

[Susie*Q]

I've got a So Cal. Select pass. Sundays and Mondays are my days off so I usually go solo on Monday.

Sure it's nice to share the time with someone. But if you gotta go solo enjoy it and don't worry about what others think. You are going for you and who gives a toss about what someone you don't know...and will never see again may or may not be thinking.

I also think of my visits as a fun way of getting exercise in. I'm walking 8-10+ hours with a meal, a snack or two, and rides thrown in.

 

[spacemermaid]

I LOVE going to the Park by myself! (Not more than I love going there with friends or family, but just in a different way.) I didn't discover that until, the day before I moved to AZ from CA (where I'd lived for my entire life), I decided that morning that I wanted to go to Disneyland. Well. Long story short, it was too short of notice for anyone to accompany me, so I went by myself. AND IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!

 

[dlander]

I think the people looking are just thinking "Huh? How did he get so lucky?" I love going solo every once in a while. I enjoy having conversations with CM's and other people visiting the park. Sitting on Main St, listening to the band play or the watching the Barbershop quartet ride up and down Main St on their bike, so fun!

 

[helenk]

No one in my family really gets Disney like I do, except for my son, but he is married now and his finances just don't allow going to Disney as much as he'd like to. My husband really does not like Disney and also does not like flying. So, I take most of my Disney vacations solo. I really enjoy being able to do the parks at my own pace and relaxing at the resort when I wanted to.
I've always wanted to go to Disneyland and last May I went there solo and had a great time. I've never felt that people are looking at me weird and I don't mind eating by myself or going on the attractions alone.
I had such a great time, I'm planning another trip to Disneyland next year, most likely that will be solo too.

 

[Sherry E]

I've been dancing with the idea of doing an all-solo DLR trip for a while, and just haven't fully committed to it yet. But I am almost there! I have greatly enjoyed the golden hours I have had alone at DLR, but those hours were intermingled with time spent with friends too - so I had some time alone as well lots of time with friends in the same trip. It was the best of both worlds.

I've noticed that I get sooooooo many more photos taken when I am by myself. For anyone who is really into taking pictures of the details and sights around DLR, solo is the way to go. You get so much more accomplished than when you have a group of people with you - and you will be so busy taking pictures that you won't notice if anyone is noticing that you are by yourself or not (which they probably are not)!!

Also, if you are a shopper, being alone is the best way to really get in the shops and look at what is there without worrying that you are taking too long and making your group wait for you.

Still, in spite of all its advantages, I always think that, for me, rides are best enjoyed with friends and family. You want to be able to scream your head off with your group when you all take that dip on Splash Mountain. You want to be able to rub it in your friend or family member's face when you score higher than they did on TSMM!! You want to be able to point out the hidden Mickey you just spotted to the friend sitting next to you on a ride. I think I would notice more details inside the rides by myself, but it wouldn't be as much fun without company.

As far as solo dining - well, I've taken solo trips to other places and I've eaten solo on those trips, but I admit I was never 100% comfortable doing it. I have even been considering stepping way out of my comfort zone and doing a character meal solo (a few other DIS'ers have done that so it inspired me!). I know it would be awkward, but I might give it a try. I do prefer sharing meals with people at DLR.

All in all, I think I will make that solo trip eventually, but I'm just not sure if several days would be too much alone time - or if one full day/night would be too little. I do know that more and more people on this board are reporting about their solo trips all the time, so it is becoming much more common.

 

[mikayla73]

I did the same thing as you ... I left my sleeping DH in the bed and went out to enjoy the early am ... I think he finally got up and going about 11 or so. We met up for lunch then enjoyed the rest of the day.

I would love to do a totally solo trip, but I think I would miss my DH if I went for a week without him. So here's my plan for our next trip to WDW ... I'm going a few days before and enjoying some alone time, knowing that DH will be coming in a few days. It gives me plenty of time to enjoy myself and get some picture taking done. He gets bored waiting for me to take pics. And I, like Sherry above, love to take pics of the details ... who cares if I have taken pics of some of the same stuff?

We drive to DL, so I'll continue to enjoy my mornings alone there ... thank goodness he is a Disney freak too! This next trip will be my first trip ever to DL without him, but my friend is coming along, so I'm still not alone.

 

[DisneyParkFan]

OP I suspect you may be overly sensitive to people viewing you as a solo guest. I just don't think people care.

My situation is slightly similar to yours. DW does not care for Disney parks. My four teen boys do like the parks but in small quantities. We had 4 1/2 days at the GCH in July and they all said it was too much. They hit the parks hard on days 1 and 2, and then after that it was sleep in - and out for a few hours a day. They said they would have preferred 2 days or maybe 2 1/2. On that trip I did get out one morning for MM completely solo and had a lot of fun.

I just did my first completely solo trip two weekends ago and frankly had a blast. I was in SoCal for some family business and decided to use my AP and get to DLR for a couple days. After numerous trips I finally got to do some things we never seem to have time for as a family including the tortilla and sourdough bread tours at DCA.

It occurred to me there is an opportunity for someone somewhere to better organize social outings to DLR and WDW. It would need to be some way in which one could could hook up with other solo travelers in smaller groups. Heck, I would not want to go around DLR or WDW with a group of 20 people. But 3-6 others could be fun.

HydroGuy - you make some really good points. I like taking solo trips to Disney parks. My family is not interested, although we did go when we were kids. I've taken solo trips to WDW, DL, and even DLP. Last summer I went on the DCL for the first time. I have a blast doing what I want when I want and really don't worry about what others are thinking or if they are even thinking anything. The social outings with 3-6 others would be loads of fun!

 

[mikayla73]

The social outings with 3-6 others would be loads of fun!

You guys could always work out maybe going the same time as another DISer or two and meet up for meals/hang out whatever ...

 

[Oregon Duck]

I find that the longer I am married, the more time we need to do our own thing...and we are both fine with that...DW likes Las Vegas and I love Disneyland...so why put her through all the hassle and go go go that I thrive on when I go to the parks...I just want to go to the park and do my own thing...going solo to Disneyland...Dec 11. - 15 and really looking forward to it.

 

[fzySIDEup]

I've been there hundreds of times as a guest (really - no joke) by myself - except soon you get to know other "regulars", and cast members, and after that you're never by yourself, you are visiting friends.

Just make eye contact and say "Hi". You'll make hundreds of new friends and have a great time.

Now I'm a DLR cast member - and I'll work really hard to make sure you have a wonderful experience; I owe that to all the CMs and Regulars who always made me feel so much at home.

If you stop by Blue Bayou tomorrow, ask to say Hi to Jim (I'm not always out front) - I'd love to meet you!

Jim, I might just look you up. I'm bringing the family in Oct for the Halloween thing and will be in the park the 14th though the 17th. The family and I love the BB; had the salmon last time and loved it. I haven't told them yet but I'm planning on ditching the whole crew for about half a day just to have a walkabout on my own....

 

[fzySIDEup]

I've got a So Cal. Select pass. Sundays and Mondays are my days off so I usually go solo on Monday.

Sure it's nice to share the time with someone. But if you gotta go solo enjoy it and don't worry about what others think. You are going for you and who gives a toss about what someone you don't know...and will never see again may or may not be thinking.

I also think of my visits as a fun way of getting exercise in. I'm walking 8-10+ hours with a meal, a snack or two, and rides thrown in.

Hey that's a great way to think about it, good exercise while being really entertained in a very cool place... excellent!

 

[fzySIDEup]

You guys could always work out maybe going the same time as another DISer or two and meet up for meals/hang out whatever ...

You guys crack me up This is about going solo and your already organizing a group.... I guess the social urge is very strong, and it is with me also. Like I said, I got lonely after about half a day and wanted my families company again, but I really enjoyed those 5-6 hours alone.

 

[fzySIDEup]

I've been there hundreds of times as a guest (really - no joke) by myself - except soon you get to know other "regulars", and cast members, and after that you're never by yourself, you are visiting friends.

Just make eye contact and say "Hi". You'll make hundreds of new friends and have a great time.

Now I'm a DLR cast member - and I'll work really hard to make sure you have a wonderful experience; I owe that to all the CMs and Regulars who always made me feel so much at home.

If you stop by Blue Bayou tomorrow, ask to say Hi to Jim (I'm not always out front) - I'd love to meet you!

You know I met a regular while I was wandering around. I stopped and sat down at the seating area at the Pavilion and just people watched for about 1/2 hour while eating a hot dog. There was another solo at the next table and we started talking. Turns out he has an AP and comes and works from those tables several times a month; does it all on his phone. He said he just enjoyed the atmosphere at the park and the people watching was really top notch, which I noticed too. I'm going to keep an eye out from now on for fellow 'lonely guys' like me...