What Sorts of Things Will/Would You Do (or not!) on a Solo Trip?

[Candice30]

forgot the TTA...love to ride that over and over. i guess the only thing i really never see myself doing alone is the waterpark. where's the fun in that?

 

[Bill Brown]

forgot the TTA...love to ride that over and over. i guess the only thing i really never see myself doing alone is the waterpark. where's the fun in that?

I find reclining in a beach chair with the waves lapping over my feet to be super relaxing, blissful. I break from relaxing to drop down a slide or swim in the surf now and then, then return to waves lapping over my feet.

 

[Disney Bachelor]

I'm glad to see so many other solo DIS freaks on here. I've been there solo twice in the last 3 years by myself, but that was before I joined any online Disney boards. So I thought I was a little odd by wanting to go there alone.

It's great to find that there are others just like me.

Some of the things I enjoyed the most solo:

-watching "Wishes" from a hammock on the beach of the Poly across the lagoon.
-just relaxing on a bench anywhere in DAK where you can hear the area music.
-TTA over and over.
-People watching in the MK at the end of the day until the Goodnight Kiss.
-Having a frozen coffee in future world near MS while listening to the music from Horizons on my IPOD (as a tribute).
-taking the boat from the International Gateway to MGM at sunset while sitting on the back of the boat, outside.
-Taking the grand circle tour on the Railroad at MK, imagining Walt up there blowing the whistle, looking proudly at his creations.

Some things I don't do while traveling solo is eat at table service restaurants. I just feel like I look pathetic, like Steve Martin in "The Lonely Guy". Also, I've heard that the CMs go out of there way to engage and talk to solo guests in restaurants, and I have an avoidant personality. I'd rather just sit than sit and chat.

 

[Candice30]

i believe that you are going to have a fight for that hammock now. definitely will be adding watching wishes from a hammock at POLY to my to do list.

btw, i know how you feel about TS places. i haven't been brave enough to try at disney yet. i did eat at 2 TS places at universal on my solo trip and they were just okay. i am hoping to get the nerve and give it a try next solo trip.

 

[Donald is #1]

i believe that you are going to have a fight for that hammock now. definitely will be adding watching wishes from a hammock at POLY to my to do list.

btw, i know how you feel about TS places. i haven't been brave enough to try at disney yet. i did eat at 2 TS places at universal on my solo trip and they were just okay. i am hoping to get the nerve and give it a try next solo trip.

I actually eat at more TS places when I am solo than when I am with other people. I haven't had any bad experiences solo and plan to try out more TS places during my December solo trip.

 

[Bill Brown]

I actually eat at more TS places when I am solo than when I am with other people. I haven't had any bad experiences solo and plan to try out more TS places during my December solo trip.

Ditto, here. I pretty much eat exclusively at TS restaurants when at WDW, except for a snack here and there. Never considered being solo a concern, never noticed anyone taking notice, either.

 

[poohbear2]

1. Take more time at the Epcot countries for sure!

When I go with others they want to leave before we ever get to the end of the loop! I think its great to actually have a chance to wander around each country and talk with the different CM's.

2. Eating something really "gross" and "fattening" without anyone saying, "You're really going to eat that?"

3. Not feeling rushed or nagged that I am want to stay in a park for hours. (I mean, why are we at the park in the first place???)

4. Being able to sit, people watch and really enjoy the experience.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I also eat more TS meals when I'm solo. That's partly because, at CS places, I don't have anyone to find a table while I get the food, so I often find myself balancing a tray of food while I look around for a table. Also, TS is much less expensive for 1 person than two. I also ride Triceratop Spin, Barnstormer, Dumbo-lots more "kiddie" rides-when I'm solo. On the other hand, I'd never ride Space Mountain on a solo trip-need DH to grip onto and his ear to scream into.

 

[Disney Bachelor]

You guys have inspired me to eat TS on my next solo trip. I just need to get over myself and realize nobody notices or cares what I'm doing.

Thanks, that was much cheaper than therapy.

 

[Candice30]

You guys have inspired me to eat TS on my next solo trip. I just need to get over myself and realize nobody notices or cares what I'm doing.

Thanks, that was much cheaper than therapy.

good pep talk! i have to realize that too. people always care alot less than we think they do. i always thought people would look at me and feel sorry for me but now i realize they could care less. my problem is that i tend to stare without someone at my table to talk to so i have to get that under control!

 

[Donald is #1]

my problem is that i tend to stare without someone at my table to talk to so i have to get that under control!

A good solution is to bring some reading material with you: either a book or a notebook to update our notes. That is what I tend to do.

 

[MomofCKJ]

The dining part was what made me nervous too planning my first solo trip next month. But I really wanted to do some TS because I love eating out! So I figure I'll bring a small book in my bag or a journal to start writing my Trip Report. I also can use that time to write postcards.

And when I thought back to my trips with my family I never notice who is sitting around us and whether they are alone or not. I'm too busy just enjoying what is happening at my own table.

Allyson

 

[macraven]

good pep talk! i have to realize that too. people always care alot less than we think they do. i always thought people would look at me and feel sorry for me but now i realize they could care less. my problem is that i tend to stare without someone at my table to talk to so i have to get that under control!

i know some posters have given you a good suggestion about taking a book with you.

i tried that once but got tired of having to carry the book around with me in my bag.

i just pick up a new park guide when i enter the park and make notes on it about my day so far when i dine solo for TS.

then this helps me remember details for my journal i write up when i get back home.
i list the times i was on rides, my breaks, where i took pics and the food, etc...

i only have to have a pen in my pocket as the park guide map folds up nicely and i tuck it in the pocket or waist bag if i have one that day.

 

[Candice30]

i can do it....i can do it...i can do it.... i am hoping to work out an october trip so i make a pledge here and now to do at least 1 TS meal during my trip.....i can do it...........

okay now i am humming the cinderelly song...we can do it...we can do it, we can help out cinderelly...we can make her dress so pretty....it's nothing to it really!

 

[PammyJJane]

I'm in the non-table service camp currently mostly because it's just kinda boring to sit and eat by yourself. Eating is insufficiently entertaining on it's own, IMO. So I was thinking I'd rather just pick something up and walk with it, and find a place to people watch. Why a journal or book never occurred to me before, I'm not sure...but it's a great idea!

 

[OlyWaguy]

Next time I eat a TS meal by my lonesome, I'll break out my camera and notebook to start my review of..... NOT!

 

[Disney Bachelor]

okay now i am humming the cinderelly song...we can do it...we can do it, we can help out cinderelly...we can make her dress so pretty....it's nothing to it really!

"If you can dream it, you can do it..." (sorry, couldn't resist).

 

[MassJester]

One of the things I usually do on a solo trip that I am less likely to do when I'm with friends and family is go for a massage. After a few days in the parks, that can be just what the doctor ordered!

 

[ILuvCrush]

I just booked my Solo trip for October... thank you DISers for the inspiration!!

I have several things planned..
1.) going on the kttk tour ...already booked and i'm SO excited!
2.) I'm Christmas Shopping... Epcot and DTD... this way I can spend lots of $$ and not feel guilty...because its for Chritmas Gifts!! (well mostly )
3.) I'm going to try lots of different samples from the kiosks for food and wine
festival. Eat my way around the world!
4.) Ride EE as many times in the single line as i can handle
5.) I'm meeting (stalking) Prince Caspian at HS
6.) I'm going to offer to take photos for everyone I see that is being left out of the family photo... my retirement dream is to be a photographer at Disney...I'm going to live it in october....too long til retirement to wait!
7.) See the American Adventure... kids refuse
8.) See every film in world showcase...never seen any, DH and kids won't let me
9.) find DeVine
10.) Talk to the castmembers about the critters at AK

Well I'm sure I'll think of more


Regarding the TS vs CS debate... I think I'm just doing TS at Tonys.... not because I have a problem w/ eating alone.. but because I don't want to be tied into ADR times... I want to do EVERYTHING on my schedule!

 

[tlcoke]

I will be in the Kingdom in early October on my 2nd solo trip. First time staying at a Disney Resort (Pop Century).: Last time I stayed off site. I have no problem eating alone and will be using the DDP and looking forward to the TS meals. I find it fun to watch families and others around or ponder on what to do next. I enjoy seeing things at my own pace. This trip I plan on hitting the signature rides in each of the parks and hitting the new features since last solo trip in Oct 05. This time I am going to the Water Parks and I plan to go Resort hopping to see the decor of the various resorts (planning most of my TS meals outside of the parks to help me do this). I am also scheduled to go on the Backstage Magic Tour - which I wanted to do on my 1st trip but was unable to fit it in.