What's a solo trip like?

[MEK]

Here's what I liked about going alone:

1. My actions were totally spontaneous. I did whatever I wanted to do when I wanted to do it.

2. I got lots of great pictures because I could stop and focus whenever I wanted.

3. I went on the KTTK tour because I could never do this when I went with my kids.

4. I got myself set up at a table well in advance of Wishes and I got lots of great pictures. My family would never take the time to wait out a parade or the fireworks.

5. I got to the parks earlier than I would with my family. They always slow me down.

Here's what I didn't like:

1. I really don't like to eat alone in a restaurant, so I didn't do any table service dining. I missed that. I tend to eat fast, so I thought if I went alone I would be shoveling the food in even faster.

2. I sort of missed talking to my family when I was standing in line. But I took lots of pics and sent my kids picture messages so they would know what I was doing.

WDW is a great place to go alone. No one really cares, or notices, that you are alone. There are always lots of people to stike up a conversation with.

 

[ILuvCrush]

This is a GREAT thread!!
I have my first solo coming up in October... It was always a SOLO trip...but it became a WDW Solo trip! I decided that after 14yrs of happy marriage , 3 beautiful and BUSY kiddos, a couple of cats, a dog, full time job (need I go on?) that this Mom needed a ME break.

October is my Bday...good excuse and DH won't deny me anything on my bday if it's possible

Originally I was going to go shopping to mall of america or something like that...but at some point it dawned on me that I have an AP for WDW that was wasted (had 2 trips planned so got the AP in Feb, but then the June trip tanked)... and I figured WHY NOT? I can't imagine NOT feeling comfortable/safe there...I feel like I know it so well. Besides..it seemed like so many DISers were doing it...so I took the plunge and booked it (THEN I told DH!)

I'm excited but at the same time a little nervous too!
I hope that I don't end up crying like a baby watching wishes, cause I miss the kids...I hope that I'm crying at wishes because its WISHES and it always makes me teary eyed!!

Well keep the posts coming....all of your stories are helping boost my confidence

Paula

 

[Bill Brown]

This is a GREAT thread!!
I have my first solo coming up in October... It was always a SOLO trip...but it became a WDW Solo trip! I decided that after 14yrs of happy marriage , 3 beautiful and BUSY kiddos, a couple of cats, a dog, full time job (need I go on?) that this Mom needed a ME break.

Sounds like an excellent reason to make a solo trip to the World. I think you'll enjoy a well deserved breather from wife life, motherhood and work.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Okay so I am probably not the best person to ask cause my "solo" turned into the best DIS meet up ever. . .had a blast. . .and drank too much. . .but that is another story. . .anyway, I went to parks until noon, then hung out with friends. . .had a FABULOUS TIME. . .

I am going Solo in September and just looking forward to peace. . .

 

[Candice30]

like another poster said...you'll never know until you try it. i went solo for the 1st time over easter 2006 (see my report below). i was nervous about it and my family didn't understand why i would want to but convincing family members who really don't want to be there and hearing them complain all week is not my idea of fun. i loved being able to do what i wanted...when i wanted. i took things slow. i am an EXTREMELY SHY person! if you don't speak to me first, then i spend days without talking. i wasn't ready to do table service alone so i ate at only counter service places. i also didn't schedule any dismeets. i spent lots of time riding my favorites over and over again and if i wanted, hey...i stayed in the room and watched a movie. i took the KTTK tour. the point is that it is your vacation. i did get a little lonely here and there but it usually occurred when i wanted to share something special with my family like wishes fireworks.

like i said, start slow. next time, i think that i am ready to be a little more adventurous and am planning to schedule some meets with other disers and eat at table service places alone on my next solo trip. solo trips are the most relaxing vacation ever.

 

[Condorman]

I only solo'd once, but for anyone hesitant to do TS meals for fear of sitting by yourself and staring into the lonely void of the restaurant, let me assure you of something: when I went, I ate at over 15 TS locations, and I never received better service in my life. The CMs were nicer to me than to the tables of 2-4-6-8-10 all around. I can't explain why; maybe it was the fact that I wasn't running them ragged. Whatever.

You make your own schedule, your own pace. Come and go whenever and wherever you want. Go back to your hotel or don't. It is the greatest freedom. Plus, don't forget as a single rider you can skip ahead of many lines to fill in that extra seat.

I don't recommend going solo to many places in the world, but I'd do the World again in a heartbeat. Enjoy.

 

[cruisindisney]

I'm so glad to read these positive responses. I too am planning a solo trip in January 09. It's half solo. My dh has a trade show in Orlando and I have to take advantage of free hotel, right? He asked me if I would be bored without him at the parks. I think he forgot who he was talking to. I tried not to laugh.

I think it will be amazing to look at parts of dw that I never get to see with the family dragging me around. I always feel like I'm holding someone up as I shop.

 

[dalepool]

I totally love going to Disney Solo. Once a year I go with family. I take care of everyone. I get to do a few things I want but it is all about them. Then about 5-6 months later I take a mom solo trip. I have a great time both trips. When going single I do eat at different restaurants then the family trips. So much cheaper to eat at say Blue Bayou at Disnelyland then adding 3 other adults.

Tips:

1. Take a tour-- they are fun and you can talk to other travelers.

2. Go to a restaurant and don't take a book ask to sit near a window and watch the guests go by ----Chefs de France

3. Go to all the shows at MGM. Open setting so never know who will be your next door neighbor.

4. Get up late. Have room service --remember it is only one person not such a bad deal, right

5. Parades -- ya find a place early get a dole whip, or other favorite drink and enjoy.

6. Ride the train 5 times around with out gettting off.

7. Best of all in middle of day watch the show at Americas Adventure and take a bit of nap to refresh then when they let out go back and watch next show wide awake.

8. Tour the other resorts. That in itself takes over a day -Unless you have a car.

Anyway try it, if it is not for you then you will know and never go solo again.

Patty

 

[UrsulasShadow]

For the past 3 years (counting this one coming up) I've gone solo during the Mousefest festivities and the DisUnplugged meet. This gave me the option of being with other people when I wanted to be, and going it alone when I wanted to do my own thing.

 

[rebecca06261]

First, I'm the type of person who does many things solo- restaurants, conventions, mini-trips. However, I don't like doing WDW solo, at all. I find myself feeling pittiful, lonely, and feeling sorry for myself. To me, alot of the magic of Disney is being able to share it with someone. That being said, I would do WDW "solo" if I was planning a bunch of DIS-meets or planned on being there for Mousefest. That way, it takes away the one thing that makes solo-trips miserable for me. Also, just to add, I love doing USO solo.

 

[pixiedustforever]

heavenly! .... for all the positive reasons mentioned by PP!!

I'm leaving for one tomorrow morning!

Pixiedustforever

 

[roselark]

I am taking my first Solo trip in November. I am very, very shy, but I also LOVE WDW and DH refuses to go more than once every 3-4 years. It is solo or nothing!

Since I have been shy my entire life, I am very comfortable being by myself, so that won't be a problem. I am a little nervous about being paired up with strangers on some of the rides (TSM in particular is freaking me out a bit...I may skip it) Otherwise, I am really looking forward to this trip! Like others have stated, I will be able to do all the things that DH never wants to...like ALL the shows! I only have one ADR, and that is for Tusker House breakfast. This will be my first Character meal and I am doing it solo! Primarily, I am doing it so I can hit the Safari ASAP after park opening (my ADR is for 8:10am), but I think it could be fun We will see how I do. I am willing to eat at other TS places solo, I am just trying to keep this trip to a budget since I am going again in May taking my DM.

 

[wonderlanne]

Hi...I went on a solo trip a little over a year ago. I was concerned whether or not I'd have a good trip, because I'm pretty shy too, but I just HAD to see what the flower and garden festival was like.

I had a great time...I discovered being there by myself gave me a tremendous amount of freedom...no compromising on anything, 'cause it was just me. I'm not really comfortable sitting in a restaurant alone, although I did have tea at the Grand Floridian and a couple of lunches or dinners, but it is sooooo easy to snack one's way through the parks that sit-down meals are rarely necessary (delicious finger foods to walk with!).

When it comes to riding alone, it really didn't matter. Once the ride starts, nobody is paying attention to the person next to them anyway (what's TSM?).

The only thing that started to bug me was riding on the buses and having people look shocked or give me that "how pathetic for you" look when they asked if I was there alone.

I'll just bet you will have a wonderful, magical time!

 

[mef78]

The only thing that started to bug me was riding on the buses and having people look shocked or give me that "how pathetic for you" look when they asked if I was there alone.

Yep. Very annoying!

I remember a few great solo trip reports over on mouseplanet; not sure if they're still there, but they're fun to read.

 

[wonderlanne]

heh heh...yeah, it was sort of annoying. 'course, they were dealing with tired, crying children, and i was completely relaxed, so go figure.

i'm trying to plan another solo trip this winter (end of december) in d'land paris...being there alone will be interesting.

 

[LittleFlounder]

I am a little nervous about being paired up with strangers on some of the rides (TSM in particular is freaking me out a bit...I may skip it)

I'm not sure when you're going in November, but I went solo last November, and since when I went wasn't busy, I got to ride most of the rides I went on in a car/bench all by myself(aka.. didn't have to sit next to anyone!) Now I didn't go on some of the 'big' rides, like Space Mountain, RnRC, TOT, MS, or EE, but just about all other rides I got to ride alone... Buzz, Small World, Dumbo, Safaris, HM, Splash (had a log all to myself!).

 

[roselark]

When it comes to riding alone, it really didn't matter. Once the ride starts, nobody is paying attention to the person next to them anyway (what's TSM?).

Toy Story mania. It is the one that has me concerned because it is a more interactive ride...the coasters don't concern me at all since I will get caught up in the thrill and all...

What about Haunted Mansion? It is my favorite...I will get to ride it during KTTK, but I want to ride it a bunch afterwards. Will I be forced to ride with a stranger on that one too if it is busy? That would make me a little nervous too, with it being so dark and all...

 

[roselark]

I'm not sure when you're going in November, but I went solo last November, and since when I went wasn't busy, I got to ride most of the rides I went on in a car/bench all by myself(aka.. didn't have to sit next to anyone!) Now I didn't go on some of the 'big' rides, like Space Mountain, RnRC, TOT, MS, or EE, but just about all other rides I got to ride alone... Buzz, Small World, Dumbo, Safaris, HM, Splash (had a log all to myself!).

Now that must have been a sight, coming down that hill all by yourself in a great big log!

 

[LittleFlounder]

Now that must have been a sight, coming down that hill all by yourself in a great big log!

It was fun! I rode in the front and didn't even get wet!

If its busy, I'm not sure if you'll have to share a doom buggy on HM. I rode it 3 times alone last November and there was never a line up. Some one else will know for sure.

 

[NOVATraveler]

I went solo this past July. Even though it was very busy, I never had to share a car/buggy/seat with anybody.

I'm very, very shy and am comfy being by myself, but found myself visiting and chit-chatting in line with wonderful people. In fact, I asked some ladies what Soarin' was like whilst waiting at rope drop. As soon as the rope dropped, they each grabbed one of my hands and started running me to Soarin'. Everybody turns in to a kid at recess when they're in WDW.