Visiting WDW by yourself

[nile455]

I have a newfound love for going solo to WDW. Not that this is for everyone, and going with family/friends is obviously very fun. But for the real WDW die hards, I don't think there's anything better than taking in the parks alone. It's a meditative experience. I'm really into details, and I can stand and stare at the castle mosaic for 15 minutes. This is not possible with my family lol. Or I can go on Haunted Mansion 3 times in a row without any complaints from others. Or Expedition Everest 3 times in a row because of the single riders line. Sure I feel like a loser at Teppan Edo, but who's noticing?

Are any of you fans of going solo to WDW? Or am I....wait for it... all alone?

 

[lustergirl]

I have a newfound love for going solo to WDW. Not that this is for everyone, and going with family/friends is obviously very fun. But for the real WDW die hards, I don't think there's anything better than taking in the parks alone. It's a meditative experience. I'm really into details, and I can stand and stare at the castle mosaic for 15 minutes. This is not possible with my family lol. Or I can go on Haunted Mansion 3 times in a row without any complaints from others. Or Expedition Everest 3 times in a row because of the single riders line. Sure I feel like a loser at Teppan Edo, but who's noticing?

Are any of you fans of going solo to WDW? Or am I....wait for it... all alone?

I love going solo. I have a few times and simply had the time of my life. You are absolutely right: you can do anything you want anytime you want. I enjoy walking around the World Showcase and get to actually experience the good stuff.

 

[Shock13]

I've traveled solo before but never to WDW. That's all going to change in February when I do a birthday/solo trip! Just the thought of doing my own thing and not having to worry about someone else not liking it or wanting to do something else sound so nice.

The one thing I'm looking forward to is taking pictures with all the characters! I always went with people who were all about rides! rides! rides! Now I can spend a whole day just meeting the characters.

 

[suzimar57]

my BEST times at WDW were the 5 trip i took alone!

(don't let my DS hear that.....)

seriously: did what i wanted WHEN i wanted - all me me me!!!

oh - and i'd gone on all 5 of those alone trips during the F&W!!!

(sigh...)

 

[Mac4life30]

I have nothing against going solo ( I have actually done it before). I however got consumed with loneliness much to quick. After a while I just felt like an oddball running around by myself from attraction to attraction “Party of 1" "Party of 1” . Taking pictures with characters by myself was sad. Eating alone was sad. I guess if I were to do it now I would eat while I “read” my Ipad or something. Like I said I done it before, would do it again but it’s hard! Kudos to those who can do it!!!

 

[W.E.D.]

I would love that, BUT the closest I get is this:

DW loves to sleep in and I am an early riser. I get up at the crack of dawn and head off to one of the parks (whichever has a.m. EMH that day). I usually hang out til around Noon. By this time, DW has been up, had breakfast, spent some time by the pool, and is now ready to begin her touring day. We usually meet up for lunch and start our day together.

I think it would be great to take an entire solo trip, but I don't see that happening any time soon.

 

[richmo]

I've done it several times and very much enjoy it. Its a totally different experience than going with the family. Next solo...sometime in March.

 

[MADnNOLA]

There is a board for solo travelers!

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=54

(This may get moved to it)

 

[CNYDisneyFan]

My family and I are going next May. We plan to spend the last few days at the beach. However, my Mom said anyone who wants to stay at Disney can. I'm thinking about doing that.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I love solo trips!!!

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I *loved* my solo trip, especially when it came to Epcot. I got to really explore in a way that you just can't when with other people. It was in December so I got to stop and listen to all the storytellers and explore all the shops.

Going solo also gave me the freedom to change my plans on the fly, like after a particularly hot day at AK where I went back to the hotel to swim instead of just booking over to the MK like I would have done normally.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I consider solo trips different creatures than "typical" trips.

I do things differently and enjoy things differently. There's a give and take to it in my mind. I equally enjoy being able to do what I want and taking someone and sharing what I love with them.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I did my first solo trip last December and had simply the best time! It was really kind of odd in the beginning - I was rushing from attraction to attraction just like if I was with someone and trying to do everything. After the first couple of days I was able to finally relax and just do what I wanted to do. Sometimes I went back to my condo in the afternoon with thoughts of returning to a park later, but decided I wanted to just have dinner and put my feet up. Well, if I was traveling with someone and said "let's go back to the condo and come back to the park later" I would have felt committed to that plan. Being solo I am "footloose and fancy free" and can change my plans on a whim.

...Just the thought of doing my own thing and not having to worry about someone else not liking it or wanting to do something else sound so nice.

It is so nice! In December I spent time listening to the story tellers in World Showcase, Mo Rockin, etc. I never really felt like I could do all those things because I was always worried about if I would be holding back the other people I was traveling with.

Sometimes I get weird and think "wow, I'm really selfish!" for thinking this way. But then I realize that it's o.k. if I enjoy doing things by myself.

Now I'm planning my next solo trip and very excited about it! And I'm thinking at least nine nights this time. Maybe ten!

 

[bookgirl]

I have a newfound love for going solo to WDW. Not that this is for everyone, and going with family/friends is obviously very fun. But for the real WDW die hards, I don't think there's anything better than taking in the parks alone. It's a meditative experience. I'm really into details, and I can stand and stare at the castle mosaic for 15 minutes. This is not possible with my family lol. Or I can go on Haunted Mansion 3 times in a row without any complaints from others. Or Expedition Everest 3 times in a row because of the single riders line. Sure I feel like a loser at Teppan Edo, but who's noticing?

Are any of you fans of going solo to WDW? Or am I....wait for it... all alone?

I'm a fan of going solo. Last two trips I've taken I've had solo days. (family was with me for part of one trip and a friend was with me for part of the other). I am the type that wants everyone to have a good time so I compromise my plans for others, so when I'm on my own I just do what I want, when I want, and I don't worry about what anyone thinks.

Not that I don't have a good time, or don't occasionally say 'hey I'm doing this and if you want to do it fine if not then I'll meet up with you later'. But I tend to eat at weird times or in weird combinations, and I"ve been known to hit three parks in one day only doing 1 or 2 things per park. Most people prefer a little more organization. And with others I am more organized with lots of plans and options to plans and backup plans and whole lots of things catered to what I know they like. On my own it's I have lots of info, vague timelines and absolutely no preference of what order I do them in.

LOVE the solo days. Next trip my mom is going and it will be at her pace and her preferences. I ended up with a bonus trip in Jan as well, which she wants to go on as well. I've been a little more vocal about what's going on that trip but still my mom will change how I would do it. Luckily I go with the flow pretty well.

Just did a week in Chicago (part of the time at a work conference). I had a blast. I went hard at it and just met up with some coworkers occasionally. My family thought I'd be lonely but nope I was fine and actually preferred it as my family does not meet up with my pace or preferences. My family tends towards needing companionship, I am the one person in the family who is totally fine by myself. Always have been, they just don't get HOW I can spend time alone (even at home) and not be lonely.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I Sure I feel like a loser at Teppan Edo, but who's noticing?

Are any of you fans of going solo to WDW? Or am I....wait for it... all alone?

I go solo to WDW at least once or twice a year. The only resturaunt where I've ever had a bad experience was Teppan Edo. I hate those communal tables now! Unfortunately (for both of us) I got seated next to a teenaged girl who, I think, really didn't want to go to WDW with her parents, and worse, she got seated next to a stranger at dinner! My attempts to be friendly and engage her in a little conversation were meant with monosylabic grunts (I used to teach high school-those monosylabic grunts are NOT a good sign!). At the end of the meal, I don't know which one of us was more relieved to get out of there. Other than that one meal, though, I've always been perfectly comfortable traveling solo at WDW.

 

[blfbrat]

I did a solo day a couple of years ago. I have a dh in a wheelchair and everything takes longer with him. So I loved the freedom. No stops for the bathroom, no decisions on where to eat. I rode lots more rides due to the single rider line. I love going with my family. But a solo trip is great too.

 

[bookgirl]

I go solo to WDW at least once or twice a year. The only resturaunt where I've ever had a bad experience was Teppan Edo. I hate those communal tables now! Unfortunately (for both of us) I got seated next to a teenaged girl who, I think, really didn't want to go to WDW with her parents, and worse, she got seated next to a stranger at dinner! My attempts to be friendly and engage her in a little conversation were meant with monosylabic grunts (I used to teach high school-those monosylabic grunts are NOT a good sign!). At the end of the meal, I don't know which one of us was more relieved to get out of there. Other than that one meal, though, I've always been perfectly comfortable traveling solo at WDW.

I hate communal eating. I am very talkative but not when eating or on planes/traveling. LOL That also baffles my family. How can you talk so much to people except in those two specific situations? I don't know but I can't stand sharing a table or close quarters with strangers and talk to them. At least on the planes I can put my huge earphones on immediately and pretend to be listening (I often don't have any sound on I just want an excuse to not talk).

 

[Meriweather]

I have never gone solo.............but have a week booked next June and can't wait!!

 

[KittyKat1978]

My first two trips to WDW were with friends who had left others (husband/kids/boyfriend) behind and I felt that they didn't really want to be there with me some of the time.

My 3rd & 4th trip were solo. I am planning my 5th as solo as well (my mom was supposed to come, but stuff happens ). And this 5th trip is for my birthday!!

I have also done DL by myself. I would so either solo anytime

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Disney for Adults and Solo Travelers forum.