What's it really like to go solo?

[Elysiannn]

I've done WDW solo for 3 trips now. My friends aren't Disney-addicts or they can't take the time off or afford it. I won't say it's perfect and you do feel a bit lonely every now and then but it is pretty darn nice being free to do what you want to do.

I enjoy going back every evening to MGM and ride RnR and ToT then sitting on a bench down Sunset Blvd and people watching. And you can really benefit from the single rider's lines!!!

In how to get used to eating out alone - I started slow by taking a magazine or book with me. You get bolder and can usually leave the reading material at home eventually. At WDW there is lots of counter service and kiosk's in the park. Tho I actually have done character breakfasts alone but then I HAVE to get my picture taken with Tigger every time I go!!!

I have eaten in the resort food courts and at the larger restaurants. You'd be surprise how you can join in other's conversation if you want or not. And you usually get better service (at least at WDW!!!)

Just remember you make you're own good times. I've enjoyed my solo trips but I'm hopeful sometime in the future I'll go with my family or friends. And for those of you with kids - Can I borrow them sometime and go?????
Ely

 

[Melwood23]

I have done this for years, so I am use to it. Now I do like to go out and eat with my friends, unfortuately all my friends are in other STATES!!!
But I agree on the single rider lines! After I finally got up the nerve (took 2 yrs) to go on Test Track, I fell in love with this ride. So my last day there last Sept, I went thru 4 times, and the people in the other line were hardly moving lol.

 

[linchat]

You can be alone in Epcot just fine and then venture to the UK Bar and had a good old time. Hang out at the bar in the evening, everyone is chatty. Partied there many times myself.

 

[kevin03]

I echo those same words that everyone else has spoken of. I find that when you travel solo, you get alot more done than traveling with a group (family or friends) or with one person. The main thing is that you are on your schedule. You can eat where ever (Sci-Fi at MGM is the best), go on any attraction quicker (Splash Mountain at MK), go swimming whenever (yes, you must swim), or take a nap at your hotel (the TV and the Bed are my best friends lol). I've been lucky for the past 3 years. The best time to visit is during October. Other than Christmas, 2 events happen. The International Food and Wine Festival at Epcot, and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween. The first time by myself (2002), I stayed 5 days. It was so cool. My birthday helped as well. At the festival, they have a concert series called "Eat to the Beat". I got to see Mary Wilson of the Supremes. The next year (2003), I stayed for a week and a half. This time, I got to meet Sister Sledge, and the Spinners. Then last year (2004), I met Taylor Dayne. So, yes it has it's advantages. People see you and remember you. It's a great feeling to know that even when you don't have people with you, your still family.

So, have a blast. Don't be nervous. Meet new friends. Be well because, "Its A Small World After All" (hey, where did that come from lol)


Kevin (the original Goofy)

 

[lynn71092]

So who's going to be there Sept. 30-Oct. 3rd?

 

[Melwood23]

So who's going to be there Sept. 30-Oct. 3rd?

Sigh....I have ...see ticker below....months...sigh....

 

[iliketoby]

I agree that you ought to try eating alone in a restaurant at home. I used to travel for a living, and was already quite comfortable eating alone in a restaurant.

The first thing that bugged me on my solo trip was standing in lines for rides. It is a little lonely when the people in front of you are all chatting with each other, and the folks behind you are doing the same. And you just stand there waiting. Alone. It wasn't THAT big a deal, but like I said, I wished there had been someone to pass that time with.

The other thing that got to me was not being able to turn to someone and share a "wow". Single parents get this. When there is something wonderful, you want to share it with someone.

But there were a lot of plus-es, too. I rode the rides I like, and skipped the ones I didn't. I skipped the Animal Kingdom completely! And as a single person, you can find seats that two or more people can't fit into. You get everywhere faster, you shop when you want, etc.

I stayed at the beach, and in the pool for exactly as long as I pleased.

Also, Epcot is by far the easiest park for the solo traveler. I did everything in Future World (except the fish and that Timon thing about the environment) in a few hours. Especially helpful were the single-rider lines at MS and TT. World Showcase was better alone. I could linger and browse and skip as I pleased.

I'd do it again (if I could)!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I travel by myself all the time. In fact, I'm in ORD at this very moment awaiting my flight back home to San Diego. A good portion of my time is spent on work, but I always get planty of free time. Occasionally I will go out with colleagues who are local or visiting at the same time, but more often than not I dine by myself. Sometimes I don't know what I am in the mood for until I see it, and it's easier than trying to compromise when people have diverse tastes. I happen to love sushi, and I've met the most wonderful people in sushi bars, where single diners are pretty common. I love window shopping after I dine (espescially in Chicago and NYC) and I can linger at the windows as long as I like when I am by myself.
WDW will probably be no different. I have two teen DDs who will undoubtedly leave me in the dust to wander epcot by myself and I am more than happy to do that!

 

[Free4Life11]

Thanks for all of your responses! I'm really "inspired" to do a solo trip. I've only been to WDW once (a few years ago) and had a good time. I really want to go back but have no one to go with. Now I don't feel as weird going alone. Eating alone isn't a huge deal; this will be a budget trip, so I can't afford anything too fancy to begin with. Anyways I am really really busy so eat most of my meals alone as it it. Now I've just got to keep saving and start planning!

 

[macraven]

i say, go for it while you can.

i have done two solo trips to disney/universal and loved it.

left the disney hating hubby at home.
3 college age sons at home
and the 2 cats...........they, i did miss.

last solo trip was for 12 days, next one planned is for 14 days.

i was able to wake up when i wanted to,
eat when i wanted to,
not have to let someone else tell me where to eat,
watch tv on the channel i chose and leave it on all night if i chose to,
i didn't mind eating solo, most were with families and never noticed me.

i , for the first time, could park hop to all four parks and i never heard any complaining.......lol

it is an experience that i will never forget. i really did enjoy it.
i had no responsibilites to anyone else, and that was a first for me.

i do enjoy going to the parks with my sons, but if they are unable to go with me, i would not let that stop me from a trip

 

[Disneyfan63]

Hi,

My last solo trip to WDW was for seven days, and the one before that was for twelve. If you have the time off and the money, the choice is between going or staying home. I say go!

Jim

 

[Gillian]

It'll be fun!

I have a friend who often travels alone when he can't get anyone to go when/where he wants. He feels he should do what he wants to do and not wait for the perfect travel partner. He's been to some pretty cool places!

Maybe send out some feelers to people you haven't talked to in a while but would like to reconnect with. They might want to visit you for a couple of days. I know when I was your age I found that my old friends had changed a lot (as had I!) and some of us were closer than we had been earlier.

 

[linchat]

2 weeks in disney alone, that is Solo Extreme!

 

[allaboutmm]

Please take me! I am so-o jealous ! I hope someday I will be able to try a solo trip! Have fun to all who can do this, and be safe!

 

[maine_jennifer]

allaboutmm - You mentioned being safe. That's one thing about going to WDW solo, I feel pretty safe there. I don't completely let my guard down, but I do feel safe enough. I don't know that I would ever vacation to a big city or other tourist destinations alone, but going to WDW was easy. I know it's not 100% safe, but no place is. WDW is one place I will just talk to strangers. I don't even do that in my own hometown.

 

[allaboutmm]

I was so jealous after reading this thread I went and checked out prices( jetblue, AAA,etc.....) not going to happen this year(solo), but we go as a family in December. But maybe in the future a solo trip will happen !

* Jen- from S.Maine: we camping in Maine!