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

[Miss Inga Depointe]

Just to be clear, I've done it myself before too! And it's been great, my family has taken to everyone doing their own thing alot at the parks during the day.

I just wondered what was going through people's minds, though. Big families running around in packs with everyone, including grandma and grandpa, sometimes are the norm, it seems, at WDW.

 

[grinningghost]

I never much paid attention to who anyone is with, but if I DID see someone solo - I'd be jealous!

I love to linger in all the shops and sit and people watch - things DH doesn't enjoy - he likes to keep moving. Just once, it would be cool to do my own thing.

 

[PCFriar80]

I think undercover security!!

 

[disneyaggie]

I go solo a lot and love it! While it is always nice to have the company, I must say it is so pleasant playing wherever and whenever I want. Oftentimes I can be on a "mission" and bolt from one ride to the next, or I can just sit and relax when the mood strikes me. Ahhh.

Personally speaking, I find this great "God" time. As a Christian, I just take the time to enjoy the beauty He has provided us, and take time to listen and learn. How fortunate we all are to have WDW to experience so many things, rather with someone or not.

Go, enjoy and experience the World!

 

[experiment626mom]

I would envy you!! I love going with my DH but I would love the chance to just wander DW alone. Go and have fun!!

 

[MonkeyPants]

lucky them

 

[Elysiannn]

I've gone a few times solo and have met some really great people while dining alone or riding alone. It's a different experience than going with family and going solo allows you so much freedom. I think most everyone in the World is too busy planning the next stop to be checking out if you're alone or not.

I'm going next week for my birthday and plan a wonderful time. Ely

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

I've gone a few times solo and have met some really great people while dining alone or riding alone. It's a different experience than going with family and going solo allows you so much freedom. I think most everyone in the World is too busy planning the next stop to be checking out if you're alone or not.

I'm going next week for my birthday and plan a wonderful time. Ely

First of all - Happy Birthday! Have fun!

And second of all, you reminded me of what Dr. Phil always says. "You wouldn't worry so much of what people thought about you if you realize how little they did!"

 

[MdmMim]

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!)

This made me laugh! Once at Epcot, an elderly gentleman on his ECV started talking to me and then tried to entice me to his home in Kissimmee. I quickly said, "My family's waiting for me right over there!"--then I waved to "them." He scooted off!

Regarding the OP, I don't think anyone really pays any attention to solo visitors--except maybe that guy from Kissimmee.

 

[gigi1313]

i'm somewhere in between... lol... i think "i so wish that were me but i know i'd get helplessly lost and never find my way to PoC w/out dh to guide me!"

 

[mjh8955]

I went with my DH to a conference in Anaheim a few years ago. We hired a favorite teacher to stay with the kids (then 8 and 11) and they loved her so much they didn't even care about going with us. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and there were a few days that I was on my own. I enjoyed every single minute of it. No one looked at me funny and to be honest, there are so many people there it might have been assumed I was part of any group nearby. The conference tickets were discounted and DH bought me the biggest ticket offered. I had coffee leisurely every morning in Downtown Disney which was only a few steps from our hotel. I poked along when I wanted to go slow and made a mad dash for things when I wanted to. Went on every roller coaster which was a personal goal of mine (I usually don't have the nerve) and just laughed and laughed as I thought of stuff to tell the kids that I did. I kept a journal each day. Crowds were low so I didn't have to stick to a touring plan - first time that ever happened. The last time we were at WDW one of my goals was to have Tonga Toast at the Kona Cafe at the Polynesian. I couldn't get any of my sleepy family to go with me so I went alone from POFQ. It was wonderful and no one looked at me funny for sitting alone. They probably thought my family was sleeping in, which they were. I had a magical moment going back to Port Orleans French Quarter. It was early so I was the only one at the MK bus stop. Some supervisor noticed me and went over to a bus, talked to the driver and pointed at me. The bus was for Epcot, I think. The bus came over and asked where I was going. I told him and he said hop on. I said but you're going to Epcot and he said "Nope, I'm your personal driver this morning! " And he took me to POFQ, not to the bus drop but right to the front door. Had a wonderful visit with him and I had the bus all to myself

 

[WaltD4Me]

I love that Dr. Phil quote!

I'm thinking of going on a solo trip in May. When I first started thinking about it, I tried to remember if I saw alot of solo travelers the last couple times I've been there...I couldn't remember any, but I'm sure they were there, so if I did see any, I just didn't think
anything of it and I'm sure most others don't either.

I would imagine the hardest thing would be eating
at a restaurant by yourself, but I do that sometimes here at home, so I don't think it would bother me that much....don't think I'd do a character meal though!

The more I think of a solo trip, the better it sounds! And I'd finally get to do the Keys to the Kingdom tour!

 

[jennymouse]

I think there's a saying that goes something like: You wouldn't care what others think of you if you knew how little they actually did. Meaning as a rule people don't notice or care what you're doing unless you're somehow effecting their world.

Go, have fun!

 

[Terri C]

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!

I'm soooooo jealous!

I say go for it and tell us all about it when you return

 

[nluvwithmickey]

WDW is the only place I would consider going to solo. It feels safe, I know my way around and I hope to travel solo soon.

DH says he wouldn't mind spending days at the resort while I go off and vist the parks leisurely. Seeing the attractions that interest ME....and not just going through them quickly(Walt one man's dream, Epcot WS, etc)

I actually got to savor a little me time last July when DH lleft me in Epcot to go back to the resort with our two DD's.

I got to visit a bit of WS, munch on a Mickey bar, hunt a couple of characters down. The best part was not having to wonder about everyone else's well being...felt good for a couple of hours.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm doing WDW alone for the first time in Nov. Sure, there will be others there that I already know, and will hitch up with them through-out my stay. But, I'm really looking forward to having some 'me' time...you know, that I can just sit here and read or go to the pool and read, or do whatever I want time. The whole standing on the balcony, with a glass of wine sure sounds pretty terrific to me...I think I will do just that when I get there!!!

Whenever I see those 'poor solo souls' I turn green with envy. think my gf had the right thought. She had to go to WDW for a conference. She went durng FW Festival time (lucky girl!!) I suggested she try to take in WS and all the great offerings they had during the festival. She did and enjoyed herself thoroughly. But she did say there were times she would have liked someone with her to enjoy everything with....times when she missed her dd at home, but she knew that she would not have been able to do what she was doing if she was traveling with someone else. Go and have a terrific time..I plan to!!

 

[bbowers]

I would have to agree with those who wouldn't even notice you - unless you're doing something that will end up on the "Shocking" thread, everyone else is too busy trying to get to their next ride, etc to even notice you!

I've gone solo (and it was NOT by choice - DH got a pinched nerve at the last minute and this was a combined business/pleasure trip, so I still went) and never thought anyone was looking at me, except perhaps during mealtimes. But then I took a book and a notebook and had nice chats with my servers.

It's SOOOO nice not having to wait for anyone else to catch up, or not having to catch up with anyone else, or having to share decisions!

 

[milmore104]

I guess everytime I see someone alone I think their family is waiting for them somewhere. But really I don't think about it. things at WDW are different for me. I really don't notice or pay attention to the normal everyday things I usually would at home. I am to much into the loks and expressions of magic that have touched my DD. I would love to take a trip by myself. Go for it and don't worry about what others are thinking. You'll have the last laugh

 

[*Fantasia*]

I only read the OP's post. If I see someone alone, I would think that maybe she/he is walking back to his/her family after she/he got the fast past for the rest of the family. I would think that they are sitting there alone because they are waiting for someone in the restroom. If I see him/her riding by themselves, it's probably because the significant other can't ride the ride, so the SO sits on the bench waiting. If I see a lady shopping by herself, it's probably the whole family is outside waiting for her and they are tired from shopping....

 

[missypie]

I have several answers:

1. At the parks - I've never thought a thing about seeing folks alone. I'm always the one who fetches fast passes for the family, so I'm often standing alone at our meeting spot. Lots of people ride the thrill rides alone -teens whose parents won't ride roller coasters; parents of young kids whose spouse is waiting their turn, etc.

2. At TS restaurants - I do notice there. I don't pass judgment, but I do notice.

3. When thinking about a solo trip when I'm not at WDW: I think it's pathetic. That's because when my mother worked at a hospital ER there was a male nurse who was about 60, never married and still lived with his mother. The guy happened to be the biggest jerk in the whole ER,which is probably why he never married. He would go on solo trips to WDW, so I grew to associate solo trips to WDW with this loser jerk guy. It's not fair, but that guy's face just pops into my mind when I hear about solo trips.

4. Ona personal level, sitting alone on the balcony of the CR, sipping wine - looking at either view - sounds mighty fine to me!!!