What Would You Want to Do on a Solo Trip?

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

In twelve days, I'll be heading out for my first ever solo trip to DLR. The bulk of my days will be spent at the Anaheim Convention Center, but I'm hoping to be able to get over to either DL or DCA during breaks between workshops. On Friday and Saturday, I'll be free by five-ish and plan to stay until closing. I'll have all Sunday up until mid-afternoon to explore the parks.

While I've been to DLR many, many times, this is my very first time going by myself. I'm looking forward to going at my own pace (whether fast or slow) and going with my mood. As the time is getting closer, however, I keep wondering how I will end up most enjoying my time. My last few visits were definitely enjoyed by seeing DLR through the eyes of my children. Any trips BK (Before Kids) seemed to be primarily focused on getting on as many rides as possible. I'd love any suggestions from any of you who have been on solo-trips or hope to do one in the future! These are a few of my thoughts so far:

1. Eat at a favorite TS or CS restaurant without feeling rushed to finish up and get on to the next attraction. Linger over my snack or dinner and just take in the atmosphere.

2. Watch WOC, RDCT, and F! without worrying about getting there hours early for an ideal spot so the kidlets can see. I'm tall and figure I can find a spot to see in the back if I get there 30-40 minutes before hand. I've seen Aladdin over our last few trips, so probably will skip that with my limited time.

3. Use the single rider line on Indiana Jones, California Screamin', and Soarin'. Maybe do single rider for for GRR and Splash depending on the weather and my mood.

4. I'm not much of a shopper, but I think I might enjoy wandering in the various stores just checking out the merchandise and themeing.

5. Take a tour.

6. Take more time for photographs.

7. Look for Hidden Mickeys.

8. Billy Hill and the Hillbillies, Farley the Fiddler, and the Miners 49'ers.

9. Big Thunder Ranch -- Take in the Fall decorations and take photos.

What else should I add that is especially well-suited to being a solo-tripper???

 

[Belle Ella]

For me as a solo-tripper I like to do the things I know the people I might go with would never do. The big thing that's included for me is a ride in the pilot house of the Mark Twain (finally did it ), the Lilly Belle and the Tender car. I also just sit and watch more, and not because I'm bored because I find it fascinating to just relax at Disneyland, especially NOS. The SRL are a must do, especially for Indy. One day I'm going to see how many times I can ride in an hour again (so far I'm at 8).

It's also when I get the most photos, if you're a photo person. Look for some details that you wouldn't normally see.

 

[Sephrina]

I would hunt for hidden mickeys and maybe pick my kid's great-uncle's brain for a few other hidden surprises (like the bear head in Winnie the Pooh). It was too hard to look when you are on the go with everyone wanting to do something different.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

EVERY SINGLE THING you mentioned!! I would LOVE it!!

Have you ever been to the animation studio in DCA? I've been there with my DD and we LOVED it. Drawing those characters during the sessions have been very fun and exciting in a way -- I can barely draw a stick person, so actually being able to turn out a decent Pooh or Tigger have been highlights for me! LOL! If I was going on a solo trip, I'd spend some time there for sure.

Have FUN!!! Going on a solo trip sounds DIVINE!!

 

[mvf-m11c]

It is fun to go solo and you can do whatever you want to do with no one else. When you go solo it is great to take pictures around the park. It is fun to get the smallest details that we don't see much often on the forum.

For me when I go solo, I always wait during the nighttime shows like I always do even if I am by myself. I always try to get the best spot for any nighttime show.

 

[bumbershoot]

The basic answer is "anything your, and yours only, heart desires!"

I admit to seeing "tough to be a bug" on a solo trip, in order to screen it for DS without wasting family trip time. It was a good use of that time b/c I got in *just* as the doors were closing, so it was only the time of the show that I used.

But everything else has been for me me me. Sitting in NOS, bliss! Taking pictures of tiny moment in Critter Country, bliss! Anything you want to ride...bliss!

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Thanks to everyone for their input so far! Keep them coming! I'm loving this!

The big thing that's included for me is a ride in the pilot house of the Mark Twain (finally did it ), the Lilly Belle and the Tender car. I also just sit and watch more, and not because I'm bored because I find it fascinating to just relax at Disneyland, especially NOS. The SRL are a must do, especially for Indy. One day I'm going to see how many times I can ride in an hour again (so far I'm at 8).

It's also when I get the most photos, if you're a photo person. Look for some details that you wouldn't normally see.

DH and I rode in the Lilly Belle when we went on the Walking in Walt's Footsteps tour way back in 1996 (when DLR was still Disneyland and you were probably still in elementary school!). That made me think that taking a tour might be a fun way to spend some time on the Saturday or Sunday of my trip, though! I shall add it to my list!

I'm definitely looking forward to "relaxing" while on this trip, and, like you, especially in NOS. I think I'll probably eat at least one meal on the outside patio of CO while taking in the sights and sounds.

I keep going back and forth on taking our camera. It's a good camera and not exactly compact. And I like to take pictures, but I'm an amatuer's amatuer. (In other words, I'm pretty happy if the picture doesn't turn out fuzzy.) But it might be fun to get photos of those little details I'd otherwise overlook. Most of our photos at the parks these days feature our DDs front and center rather than park features.

I would hunt for hidden mickeys and maybe pick my kid's great-uncle's brain for a few other hidden surprises (like the bear head in Winnie the Pooh). It was too hard to look when you are on the go with everyone wanting to do something different.

I have a Hidden Mickey's checklist on my iPhone and I think I will take advantage of the "quiet" to try to get more checked off this time. I always have to crane my neck to get a peek at Max, Buff, and Melvin when we go through Winnie the Pooh's ride (a favorite of both DDs). I always seem to forget which room to look up at as I'm going through (it's when you're exiting the Heffalumps scene) and I start craning my neck at every transition!

Have you ever been to the animation studio in DCA? I've been there with my DD and we LOVED it. Drawing those characters during the sessions have been very fun and exciting in a way -- I can barely draw a stick person, so actually being able to turn out a decent Pooh or Tigger have been highlights for me! LOL! If I was going on a solo trip, I'd spend some time there for sure.

We have done this and I love it, too! In fact, one of the nights of the conference, there's a special event that is taking place at the animation studio for conference attendees who pre-purchased a special ticket (that would be me! ). I'm not certain of all it will entail (other than a dessert box), but I'm really looking forward to it! One of my favorite memories of a trip is of the drawings of Mickey Mouse done by DH, myself, my DD who had just turned 7 and my DD who was 3 1/2. And I can't find them! I still think they may show up sometime, because I really don't think they would have been tossed. I've got an idea of how I want to frame them!

It is fun to go solo and you can do whatever you want to do with no one else. When you go solo it is great to take pictures around the park. It is fun to get the smallest details that we don't see much often on the forum.

For me when I go solo, I always wait during the nighttime shows like I always do even if I am by myself. I always try to get the best spot for any nighttime show.

I can see the fun in getting a perfect spot without worrying about whether anyone else is "bored" with waiting for a show. If I were truly there for three or four full days, I think I would hands down do this. Since I'll really and truly only have two evenings in the park, I'm hesitant to miss out on other fun solo-goodness activities by waiting to long for the "perfect" spot. How early did you stake out a place on your solo days?

I admit to seeing "tough to be a bug" on a solo trip, in order to screen it for DS without wasting family trip time. It was a good use of that time b/c I got in *just* as the doors were closing, so it was only the time of the show that I used.

This is SO something I might end up doing. And, "it's tough to be a bug" is one of the few things I haven't seen.

But everything else has been for me me me. Sitting in NOS, bliss! Taking pictures of tiny moment in Critter Country, bliss! Anything you want to ride...bliss!

Yep, everytime I think of wandering by myself at my pace going in the direction I want, I think "bliss!" And then I feel guilty. (You know, "mom guilt"). And then the bliss arrives again.

 

[Sherry E]

I'm planning a solo multi-day trip for Christmas time. It may not end up being 100% solo for the whole time, but I am proceeding as though it will be a solo adventure until plans change.

On the one hand, I feel kind of awkward about the idea of dining solo - especially at character meals, where I am used to having company - but at the same time, I recall how much I really enjoyed myself (much more than I expected to) when I had precious, golden hours alone!! I think I may have enjoyed the golden hours alone more because I felt like the person I had been with prior to that was not really feeling the DLR magic too much. I suppose if you are used to going with people who are really just as excited to be at DLR as you are, and then suddenly you go alone, it might feel a bit lonely and strange. Otherwise, if you are used to going with people who are not as into the whole thing as you are, you will probably realize how liberating it is to be by yourself!!

In the past, when I have had any chunk of time by myself at DLR, I've gone on a photo-taking tear. That is the first thing that I am naturally prone to do - start snapping away at anything and everything. So that's what I will do again when I'm solo. I get the most scenic/landscape photos that way as opposed to when I'm with friends.

As for dining, I may still try to wrangle company for Goofy's Kitchen or another character meal, but I think I could totally get into a solo Carnation Cafe meal. I could eat at Storytellers solo for lunch or dinner. I could easily do a place like River Belle Terrace solo.

 

[Zoemakes5]

I do like shopping, so I enjoy wanding around the shops without having to worry where everyone else is. Even if I don't buy alot, I still like looking.

I also like getting some of the snacks I like. My fav. this time of year is the pumpkin muffin. Nummy! You can get it in DCA or DL at the bakery.

I don't tend to go to sit down meals much when I'm alone. What I have done before is go get chicken fusili pasta at Red Rockets to go and found a place to sit for fireworks. I brought a mini flashlight and book and sat and ate and read. However, they make you stand up so much earlier now, I'm not sure how that will work any longer.

It would be fun to see if a few of your fellow conventioneers might want to go out for dinner somewhere in the parks. Or maybe fellow dis'ers?

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I just came from a solo trip from the Oct 10 (9 blissful days without the kids YAHOO!). It was great! I'm a pic junkie, and liked that I could take as much pics as I wanted without the family bugging me. I found that I could go on the rides that I wanted to many times in a row if I wanted to. I did find that doing TS a bit awkward when I tried MIMI's, so afterwards I did takeout on the way back from the parks. I did CS at many of the restaurants and at times ate Kids meals without problems. The Plaza Inn did have the best of the kids meals IMHO and I really enjoyed their pasta. Bascially I would tell you to try out the rides you would normally don't go on with the kids, enjoy exploring NOS. Take the time to go see Billie Hill and the Hillbillies, and some of the other shows, that you wouldn't have time to see. Sit back and enjoy people watching. Take the time to explore the stores and I found a pirate fortune teller in NOS that I didn't know was there. Take some of the short cuts you find, and see where they lead you too. Find Snow Whites fountain, and hear her sing at her wishing well. Touch the apple at the enterance to Snow Whites Scary Adventure and watch the crowds reaction behind you when you touch it. Take your time and really enjoy your solo time, as when you get married and have kids those times become rare and fleeting so savour it while you are able to.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I can see the fun in getting a perfect spot without worrying about whether anyone else is "bored" with waiting for a show. If I were truly there for three or four full days, I think I would hands down do this. Since I'll really and truly only have two evenings in the park, I'm hesitant to miss out on other fun solo-goodness activities by waiting to long for the "perfect" spot. How early did you stake out a place on your solo days?

When I did my solo trip back in March, I waited around 2 hours in front of SB castle for RDCT. I got my spot at the curb right in the middle. That was not bad for just a few hours, but it is difficult to stay in one spot for a few hours. That's why u get something to eat and drink before you get the spot and lastly go to the bathroom before u get a spot. The most I wait with a group is 3-4 hours max and 2-3 hours solo. I like to get the best spot so I could videotape and I love the nighttime shows at any Disney park.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I also like getting some of the snacks I like. My fav. this time of year is the pumpkin muffin. Nummy! You can get it in DCA or DL at the bakery.

I have the pumpkin muffins on my list of "foods I want to try"! I made them at home a few times last fall and winter, but never got around to getting one when we were in the parks in December or February. With the kids along, DH and I tend to wait just a little too long for a snack break for the kids and when we realize the blood sugar has plummeted, we tend to grab something quickly or utilize a Lara bar or something else we've brought with us. On our trip in September we finally tried a Tigger Tail and I'm really thinking that this time around I may be eating more "snacks" than "meals"! For example, I may run over on my lunch hour break to grab one of the potatoes from Troubadour Tavern which would not at all appeal to anyone else in my family.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I'm planning a solo multi-day trip for Christmas time. It may not end up being 100% solo for the whole time, but I am proceeding as though it will be a solo adventure until plans change.

On the one hand, I feel kind of awkward about the idea of dining solo - especially at character meals, where I am used to having company - but at the same time, I recall how much I really enjoyed myself (much more than I expected to) when I had precious, golden hours alone!! I think I may have enjoyed the golden hours alone more because I felt like the person I had been with prior to that was not really feeling the DLR magic too much. I suppose if you are used to going with people who are really just as excited to be at DLR as you are, and then suddenly you go alone, it might feel a bit lonely and strange. Otherwise, if you are used to going with people who are not as into the whole thing as you are, you will probably realize how liberating it is to be by yourself!!

In the past, when I have had any chunk of time by myself at DLR, I've gone on a photo-taking tear. That is the first thing that I am naturally prone to do - start snapping away at anything and everything. So that's what I will do again when I'm solo. I get the most scenic/landscape photos that way as opposed to when I'm with friends.

As for dining, I may still try to wrangle company for Goofy's Kitchen or another character meal, but I think I could totally get into a solo Carnation Cafe meal. I could eat at Storytellers solo for lunch or dinner. I could easily do a place like River Belle Terrace solo.

You are definitely one of my inspirations for being able to just go and take in the sights and sounds at DLR! I remember on the Christmas thread last year you were on a quest to get all the Christmas trees from around the park photographed. I loved that idea! But, reality was that we never took a single Christmas tree shot. I did notice them far more because of your enthusiasm, however. And that's where I think I'm really looking forward to this trip more than anything else, being able to wander slowly without worrying about holding my family up or losing someone in a crowd while I just gaze about.

I'm not too worried about eating on my own. I think I probably won't do a character meal just because we just did GK last month. I want to try the restaurants with which the girls wouldn't be as interested like Cafe Orleans! I'd happily go to BB by myself, but I think DH would be seriously bummed if I did that since it's a favorite of his.

 

[barbaraann]

My next trip to Disneyland will be a solo one. I am meeting friends on a couple days of my trip, but I am purposely extended my trip to 6 days in the park so that I will have a whole lot of solo time. I have enjoyed reading about what other people do when they go solo.

 

[KJay]

In twelve days, I'll be heading out for my first ever solo trip to DLR. The bulk of my days will be spent at the Anaheim Convention Center, but I'm hoping to be able to get over to either DL or DCA during breaks between workshops. On Friday and Saturday, I'll be free by five-ish and plan to stay until closing. I'll have all Sunday up until mid-afternoon to explore the parks.

NAEYC, by any chance?? I'll be there as well, but it will be my very first time to DLR. I can't wait! Your ideas sound great.

 

[Stacerita]

When Im doing solo, I like to spend a lot of time taking pics of things I normally dont get a chance to. I move through the parks slower to catch things I normally miss.

 

[Sherry E]

You are definitely one of my inspirations for being able to just go and take in the sights and sounds at DLR! I remember on the Christmas thread last year you were on a quest to get all the Christmas trees from around the park photographed. I loved that idea! But, reality was that we never took a single Christmas tree shot. I did notice them far more because of your enthusiasm, however. And that's where I think I'm really looking forward to this trip more than anything else, being able to wander slowly without worrying about holding my family up or losing someone in a crowd while I just gaze about.

I'm not too worried about eating on my own. I think I probably won't do a character meal just because we just did GK last month. I want to try the restaurants with which the girls wouldn't be as interested like Cafe Orleans! I'd happily go to BB by myself, but I think DH would be seriously bummed if I did that since it's a favorite of his.

Oh good! I'm glad I provided some inspiration!! I don't even think I got 7 trees on camera last year, let alone 700! Last year was not a good photo-taking/tree-hunting year because of crowds and lack of time. This year I will capture more of the trees!

Since you're not uncomfortable about eating solo (like at a TS place such as Cafe Orleans), that's almost half the battle right there! Many folks would have the biggest problem, or one of the biggest problems, eating solo. That's a big deal for some people - they just can't past the assumed stigma of eating solo. So as long as you're okay going on rides solo, I think you'll be fine and probably have a great time! You may even end up wanting more solo trips in the future.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I was curious too of doing a character breakfast just by myself since I am doing this for my dad's colleague daughters. I was planning on getting them autograph books and hoping to get some character autographs around the resort. I too was wondering if it would feel weird by eating alone at the Plaza for breakfast. I have done solo TS at CO and it doesn't bother me. Some DISers say that I should not think of a negative way and think about how I would make those two young girls happy with a book filled with Disney character autographs.

 

[jimreuter]

1. Stop and visit with Farley The Fiddler on the front porch of the Davy Crockett Pioneer Mercantile (on the left as you enter Frontierland). An absolutely unique experience. He's there Monday-Friday 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, and 5:30 for 30 minutes each set.

2. See the Billy Hill and the Hillbillies show at the Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland. Thursday - Monday at 12:15, 1:30, 3:15, 4:30, and 5:30. Thyey also do an 11:15 set on the porch of the Davy Crockett Pioneer Mercantile - with Farley on Mon-Thu-Fri.

3. Try the Chicken Fusilli at Redd Rockett's Pizza Port in Tomorrowland. It's a big favorite among the regular guests.

4. If you like acoustic music well played and sung, catch the Miner 49'ers at DCA on Highway 49 across from the entrance to Grizzly River Run. Thurs-Mon 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30.

5. Check out the Big Thunder Ranch petting zoo - at this time of year, they have exceptional decorations, exhibitions of pumpkin carvings, and incredible magicians. If you really have an appetite, try the all you can eat barbecue at the restaurant next door - or just hang out on the trail in the back and enjoy the live entertainment.

And definitely take the time to look at all of the details you never noticed before - the different little characters cranking the popcorn tumblers on the carts (especially the one in front of Haunted Mansion) - the impeccable job the gardeners (horticulture dept.?) do every night to make the place so pretty.

And just smile and make eye contact with as many people as you can, Cast Members and other guests. It's fun! Just randomly high 5 a Cast Member.

And just - have fun!

 

[emma'smom]

I'll be at the NAEYC conference too. I'm taking my kids to do DL (DF is chaperoning them while I am at the conference). I plan to buy twilight tickets for myself and join them in the evenings.

One question about NAEYC-- Does anyone know if I can take my dd5 into the exhibit hall? DF wants to take an LA tour with DD8, I wondered if I could keep DD5 with me for part of that day, skip some sessions and do the exhibit hall.

NAEYC, by any chance?? I'll be there as well, but it will be my very first time to DLR. I can't wait! Your ideas sound great.