What do you really think when you see someone alone at WDW?

[Miss Inga Depointe]

So my husband has to be out of town more often than not in September and all the kids are in college now. I want to visit some family members in the south and go to WDW by myself for a couple of days. I'm not really the type to care what people think, and frankly, I could use the alone time, but I just wonder if secretly people will be pitying me

What do you really, honestly think when you see a solo traveler at WDW? I wish that was me!!! or That poor, friendless soul!!!!

 

[boomhauer]

I've been to Disney by myself (and will be there by myself next week.) To be honest, when I've seen people by themselves, I've never thought anything of it. Maybe they're doing a ride that their friends didn't want to, or maybe they're eating someplace by themsleves for the day. I don't think it's ever crossed my mind.

 

[Viki]

Even though it's a great joy to usher family and friends through the world, I will absolutely give a solo trip a try some day. I think it would be loads of fun. I enjoy my own company and since I have friends and family in the area, I wouldn't be alone all of the time, and I make friends easily so I'm sure I'd be chatting it up with lots of folk.

Our family of four on a trip a couple of years ago struck up a wonderful, meal-long, conversation with a solo travelor who was dining right next to us in the Brown Derby. He traveled for a living, was often in Orlando, and had a DDE card. He was the one who first mentioned it to us, even before they were available to out-of-staters.

 

[CharityLynn]

I suppose in some ways I'd envy you..lol You don't have to compromise for what everyone else wants to eat, you can ride rides that you want that someone else wouldn't necessarily ride. No kids to chase around the park, no panic attack when you can't find everyone. Yep I think I would feel envy at seeing you alone lol

I have only been the WDW once this year is our second time, my husband is the only person going with me.

I must say I have wondered what people were thinking when my husband and I were without children at the Princess Storybook Breakfast lol

 

[pixiedust23]

I think wow they prolly get to do whatever they want whenever they want! I might be uncomfortable dining, but other than that I would LOOOOOVE it!

 

[bethbuchall]

I hate to say it, but I've never noticed someone alone at Disney World. It makes me feel very self-absorbed to say that, because I'm sure that there are plenty of people around me that I don't even notice. By the same token, I'll bet few people even notice that you are by yourself.

GO FOR IT!!! I was reading a trip report last night by someone who went solo for her 23rd birthday. As much as I love my dh and kids, I must admit thinking that it would be cool to go and do what I wanted when I wanted. Maybe in a few years (like 12!) when all my kids are in college and beyond, I'll do it, too.

Beth

 

[marj70]

As parents of an autistic toddler who won't ride anything or hardly get out of the stroller, we spend the whole trip alternating doing things and riding alone. I never worry what anyone thinks, I'm just always happy to have a few minutes of peace!

 

[oogieboogie]

Never really thought anything of it. To tell you the truth, I can't even distinguish if a person is a solo traveller most of the time since they blend in the crowds.

This last trip we did, there were nights when DH stayed in the hotel with the kids when it was their bedtime and I went to MK alone. I wanted to get some night castle and MK pictures and it was so much easier to do it without the kids, so someone who saw me probably thought I was a solo traveller.

I'd love to solo travel just once but that's never going to happen since DH and the kids are as much Disney fans as I am.

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

Thanks for the responses! I am very excited!

Here's what I'm picturing: Me, on the balcony of the Contemporary castle view room, with a glass of wine, at night, listening to Disney music!

 

[CarolA]

I go alone all the time... I don't really worry about what folks think about me LOL! However I travel solo for business a lot so I am probably more used to it then others.

One suggestion, I always have a ready made story about my "husband" back in the hotel. While I don't think I have ever used it at Disney, I certainly have other places.... (This pretend husband is the jealous type... helps drive off the "single men" in Italy and France!)

 

[NMAmy]

I never think twice about it. I know there are times when we're at WDW that either I or DH will take DD to do something while the other one has a few minutes of quiet time alone. I think that people are so wrapped up in their own families and activities that they wouldn't pay that much attention to a solo traveller.

Frankly, I don't pity people in everyday life who eat alone in a restaurant or go to a movie alone. I do it from time to time and I've never felt like people were pitying me--sometimes you've just got to do stuff on your own.

I hope you have a great time!

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

I go alone all the time... I don't really worry about what folks think about me LOL! However I travel solo for business a lot so I am probably more used to it then others.

One suggestion, I always have a ready made story about my "husband" back in the hotel.

Oh, that could be fun! I could make up a whole family!

 

[AnnetteF]

I have gone into the parks by myself when my husband was playing golf and I actually always enjoyed my alone time. I got to do whatever I wanted without any compromise and notice details that I probably wouldn't when I'm not alone. I won't be having an opportunity to do that again for a while now since DD 18months is now here and I have to say I will miss it.

 

[WolfpackFan]

I've never been to WDW by myself, but there have been times when we've been there and I've gone off to a park by myself for a couple of hours when DW and DD wanted to do something else. These have been some of the nicests times I've had at WDW. I remember back in March DW couldn't go with us and it was just DD25 and myself. She wanted to do something I wasn't interested in one morning (can't remember what right now), so we agreed to meet up at Le Cellier around 1:00 for lunch. I had the entire morning to myself at Epcot. Had a ball. Got me a cup of coffee and just walked one area to another, taking my time and taking pictures. I'd sit a while and people watch and then did a couple of activities that DD doesn't like, like watching the movies at France and China. I look forward to similar opportunities in the future.

 

[weeyore33]

i think, lucky, you get the whole world to yourself

 

[safetymom]

I do the parks solo most of the time. Why would you think they were friendless? I did have someone say once "You are so cute, why are you here alone?" when I was a single rider on Soarin. I said I had sent my kids off to work and I wanted to play in the park.

 

[Densgirl]

I always think "That lucky son of a..." Enjoy yourself.

 

[threeboysmom]

Thanks for the responses! I am very excited!

Here's what I'm picturing: Me, on the balcony of the Contemporary castle view room, with a glass of wine, at night, listening to Disney music!

Oh my! That sounds SO heavenly to me!!! (minus the wine since I don't drink! lol!) Maybe I need to plan a solo trip for just me

 

[tomerin]

personaly i also dont even give it much of a thought whenever i see someone alone at WDW. there were quite a few times on our last vacation where we all (4 of us) split up for a time. when in epcot my DW loves all the shops, which can bore my 2 DS(teens) so they ask if they can go off on their own for a bit and sometimes i just like so sit by the rail and look out across the water and just relax and take in all the sights. not as much fun as riding MS or soarin' with my boys but fun for me nonetheless

 

[Bit Bucket]

One suggestion, I always have a ready made story about my "husband" back in the hotel. While I don't think I have ever used it at Disney, I certainly have other places.... (This pretend husband is the jealous type... helps drive off the "single men" in Italy and France!)

Hey, are you telling us that Italian innocent men are bothering lonely american girls?

My first trip to WDW was a solo trip (I was abandoned by my girlfriend just one month or so before ) but I may assure you two things:
1) it was my BEST experience of all my life!! A solo trip to WDW if you never stay at WDW before it's INCREDIBLE!!! You are free to talk to everyone and do all you want when you want!!
2) when I come back to my home I was so happy that I leave my love problems well behind me!