What's it really like to go solo?

[Free4Life11]

I have to be honest I've never really gone on a solo trip. I've traveled alone before to visit a friend or two, but never gone on a vacation solo. I'm pretty young (20) and in college, but I've moved 3 times in the past two yeras and lost touch with most of my friends. It's so hard to meet people, let alone someone you'd go on a trip with! I still go on vacation with my family sometimes, but they never go to Florida or anything. I went to Disney once and had fun but to be honest, I'm going to need a break soon! Anyways I guess I just wonder what it's like? Does it get boring, lonely, etc.? I suppose I could try and hook up with some people on the college board, but always a little nervous meeting people from online! I do save 10% of every paycheck and want a goal to save for, namely a vacation lol. Anyways any info, ideas, whatever would be appreciated!

 

[Valentine]

I am one vote for Do a solo trip to Disney.. the qualifications are that you like being by yourself... that you can feel perfectly comfortable being alone for that period of time. You always meet people and can chat all throughout the day.. but you do go back to your room alone.. and some people can't handle that.... I for one can... I enjoy my alone time.. I sit by the pool.. float around... read my books...paint my toenails....whatever i want... and i Love it.. as a matter of fact I am leaving in just a few hours for a 10 day solo trip! I am soooo excited... So... if you are unsure.. take a short trip.. try it out....Good luck!!

kathy

 

[Simba's Mom]

I just wanted to say-10 days!! I'm soo jealous. My longest solo trip has been 7 days. I'd recommend starting out with a short trip, my first was just one full day, then working up. Also, it took me about 4 solo trips to be comfortable with any sit down dining, and then only at certain resturaunts. Now, after about 7 trips solo, I can do sit down about anywhere.
Valentine, maybe I'll see ya there, my solo trip isn't for another 4 days, but I'll be there when you are.

 

[Free4Life11]

Thanks for the replies. I'm pretty independent and definitely value my alone time. I just can't imagine eating in a sit-down restaurant by myself; probably have to work up to it like you said. It would be nice to just get away from everything AND everyone for a while!

 

[lynn71092]

Doing my 1st solo Sept. 30th and was really excited but now getting a little nervous but I know I'll be okay. We never do sit downs when I go with my family only counter service so dining won't be a problem. I wanted to do a longer trip but I figured I'd better start with a 3 nighter and work my way up from there.

 

[cassie]

I've done 3 solos so far, and I do love it. The first time I was so in awe of the place, I seemed to be in a daze realizing I was on a vacation by myself. The second time was a lot easier, I knew so much more, and had more fun. The third time had to be the best as I never gave it a thought that I was alone. I felt so comfortable and still found many first time things to do.

I know meeting up with people from the internet is scary, but I have made plans with a few Diser's to share a day or a meal with, and it has been fun. I do pick great people to spend some time with

 

[BBGraph]

10 days solo you must really like alone time. I've done 10 day solo trips before but usually involved multple stops like last year my so. cal trip 3 days disneyland/knotts, 2 days LA/Universal/Hollywood and 2 days in San diego. 1 major plus on solo vacation as much or as little on YOUR Vacation at you speed as you want so GO Enjoy and do what YOU want to do.

 

[maine_jennifer]

My first solo trip was 5-nights in August 2003. I used to work late evenings, so I when I wanted to go to the mall or do other things during the day, I had to go alone because everyone else was working. I always enjoyed myself and knew I didn't mind shopping and eating alone. Also, I used to wait tables, so I knew that the staff usually had more things to do and talk about than the person eating alone. And when we didn't, we usually made sure that single person was comfortable. My solo trip was incredible and unfortunately, I haven't been on one since. My trips have always been with friends, family, or with a niece and nephew.

Thankfully, my next solo trip is this October - 12 days. It wasn't supposed to be that long when I first started planning it, but between the Holiday Inn DTD not having finished their renovations by that time, to PanAm just canceling my flights, it just kind of grew. I know it'll be a great time. I'm meeting up with online Disney folks - like lynn71092 - the first night. (Hi Lynn ). Then I'm meeting up with new friends I met on my cruise in January another night. I'll be having dinner with my brother and his family one night. But other than that, I'll be having a great time by myself!

My advice would be to try it out near where you live. Go out to lunch or dinner and a movie a few times, don't judge it by the first time. If you can make it through that, then try a short 4 day trip or so to WDW. By time I had decided to do a solo trip at WDW, I was already used to doing things on my own, it was just another step.

I'll try and find my trip report from my first trip. If I can find it, I'll post it on the trip report board - it's quite detailed, otherwise I'd post it here.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

A good way to approach your first solo may be to decide how much you want to accomplish and then figure out how many days you need to get it all done. My first solo was only 3 days, and with only a one-day pass to Epcot, because I wanted to focus on just the one thing and make the trip very relaxing. Next time, I added a day and a second pass to AK, with some exploration of DTD. Both trips left me wanting to stay longer, which was great, as it's a great incentive to treat myself with another solo trip. I may work up to 10 days sometime!

 

[maine_jennifer]

Here it is, nearly 2 years old but better late than never.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=892657

Any questions, let me know.

Cheers!

 

[*Fantasia*]

I thought about doing a solo trip. I think I would try 3 nights just to see if I will like it or if I am going to break down when I start missing my children. I don't know.. I just don't know how I can enjoy Disney without my children. Ok.. maybe only 3 nights and that's it. I can't handle to be alone and feel lonely for too long.

 

[Free4Life11]

I enjoyed reading your trip report. I'm not even a huge Disney fan, only been their once, but it's about as far away from Nebraska as I can get in the country! Plus I'd like to go again sometime. Just need to get away from this place sometimes as it can drive me crazy...still would feel a little awkward going solo as I AM pretty young (20), but don't really know anyone I would consider traveling with, let alone to WDW lol.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I thought about doing a solo trip. I think I would try 3 nights just to see if I will like it or if I am going to break down when I start missing my children. I don't know.. I just don't know how I can enjoy Disney without my children. Ok.. maybe only 3 nights and that's it. I can't handle to be alone and feel lonely for too long.

I haven't tried MK solo for that reason. There are too many things there that I enjoy doing with my children that I'd rather keep going with them than on my own. Epcot, though, is a completely different story - and I adore my solo time there.

 

[WillCAD]

I've been on 7 solo trips so far, with lengths ranging from 4 days to 8 days.

Some of my solo trips have been filled with meets with people from the various boards I'm active on, including MouseFest in 2003 and 2004, while others were just plain old WDW trips to enjoy the attractions and enjoy being away from work.

I don't mind being alone and never have. I started going to movies and malls solo when I was about 12 and never looked back. I've never felt lonely.

On my first solo trip, I did have one little moment of nervousness when I landed at MCO and realized that my family, friends, and everyone I knew were 900 miles away, but after a few minutes I realized that I know WDW and Orlando well enough to be completely confident while I'm there. I love the place so much, it feels like home when I land there!

Some of my trips, particularly MouseFest, are filled with meets, and even though they are technically "solo" trips, I have spent very little time alone during MouseFest. On other trips I only met up with online friends for a meal or two, leaving the rest of the trip to be Me-time. But even having lunch or dinner once during a trip can give you a welcome break if you are the type who doesn't like spending a whole week by yourself.

The biggest bennefit of a solo trip is that YOU make every decision - where to go, what to do, when to eat, when to sleep, even what TV station to watch. You never have to compromise, you never have to worry that something you do might hurt someone elses vacation, all you have to do is have fun and relax.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Doing a solo trip for me was not all that difficult. I already knew the place by heart because my DH and I had been there for 4 annual vacations. I don't have any children at all, so it's not like I feel guilty for leaving them at home.
We only have 2 cats, and my DH does prefer to stay home with them. He just does not like to travel much. First, I planned a trip without him, and I really hoped I could get a group of girlfriends to go. That all fell through, and I was crushed! Then the idea just hit me - Why not go by myself?!?!
My DH was perfectly OK with it, so I planned it. Now I have had 5 ANNUAL solo vacations. ( And now I'm 52 years old ). This December I will have my 6th solo WDW vacation. It does not feel lonely because I force myself to talk to the CM's, and talk to people in line. I'm naturally a quiet person so I practically force myself to talk to more people, and then I am really glad that I did. I relish the room all to myself. When I am in my room for the night, I call my DH to say Good night, and then I call my Mom. The only time I have felt just a tiny bit lonely is during MVMCP. The party sort of smacks of romance all over the place, and then I wish my DH was with me. Those feelings pass quickly, though, when I get involved in yet another attraction.

 

[pennyplanner]

What is it really like?

Heaven, pure heaven!

I checked in daily with my family by phone, talking with them or leaving a message if they were at work/school. Everyone knew I was safe and having fun. It was very important for them to know that since it was my first overnight solo trip.

It was a much needed 4 night/5 day trip when my mother was terminally ill and we all knew it was going to be a long haul. I just needed a break from it all. My kids were a little flabbergasted at first, but my husband was completely understanding from the start. It helped that I was staying at WL, all under one roof and we'd spent a couple of family vacations there in the past.

It was wonderful. I dined at lovely restaurants, took notes about my days and meals, talked with families when I chose and generally just laughed a lot. It was just what I needed.

I returned home refreshed.

Have a lovely time!

--penny

 

[Melwood23]

I am an avid solo traveler. If I didn't go solo, I would never been to WDW, DL, Key West, various places in Southern Calif, Texas. In the past 7 yrs I have traveled 22 times solo. I have been to WDW solo 3 out of 4 times. Heck the last day I was there, I went on Test Track 4 times in a row, because I took the single rider line.. , course one of those times...the car got stuck on the huge hair pin curve ...wheeee...that was fun!
Now this is just me, because I am kind of a loner, so I tend to like being by myself when I go places, though I will meet up with friends if they happen to be there too, but by going solo, I can do what I want, when I want, I don't have to stick to a major timetable, except if I have PS at like Hoop Dee Doo, or a couple other fav restraunts.

 

[BriarRosie]

I took my first solo trip in 1997. Not only that, it was also my first time
renting a car, as I flew into Tampa and drove to WDW. (No worries, though.
Really good directions from the car rental agent and it was just like taking the
tollway from Chicago to Kenosha, WI, but with palm trees.)

It really didn't count as full solo, as I met with some friends who were going
to be there the same time as me. Most of my week was solo, but I met with
them a few times.

But since I do know some locals, my solo trips are never completely solo.
I have a tradition of eating dinner with a couple I know who live in Orlando.
Except for the meal, the rest of my solo trips are completely solo.

I've discovered the joys of the annual pass. Want to enter a park to see
one attraction, then leave? I've done that. I took the bus to the Magic
Kingdom, rode Haunted Mansion, then left the park to get to my afternoon
tea reservation at the Grand Floridian. (I love taking the boat!)

Like other people here, I go to the movies solo and dine out solo often.
I usually have a book on hand that I'll read during meals. (I don't bring
the book to California Grill. I'd feel uncomfortable doing that. LOL)

I like the freedom to choose what I want to do and when I want to do it.
Do I get lonely? Sure! There are moments that I think, "Friend A would have
loved seeing that!"

And I enjoy my solo time at the Adventurers Club in Pleasure Island.
I spend the entire night there, every night. That club and
Comedy Warehouse are the only clubs I enjoy solo.

 

[babs64]

My first solo trip to WDW is coming up in September. However, I have done a number of solo trips elsewhere. Going solo can be wonderful. Like others have said, you decide what you want to do--if you want to ride Space Mountain a dozen times in a day you can or if you want to spend a day by the pool you can. If you're not sure you would be comfortable eating by yourself or going out by yourself, you might want to practice before you go. I always find that it helps to eat out occasionally by myself and to go to the movies or take in a local event by myself.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Absolutely, babs64 ! It helps a lot to practice doing things alone. I eat out by myself about twice per week, every week. The reason is because I have a class or someplace to go, and it would be stupid, and a waste of time if I were to go from work, then all the way home for dinner, then out again.
This would leave me only about 5 or 10 minutes for dinner! Instead, I eat out by myself, mostly fast food, and I am able to relax. I was doing this for many years before I went to WDW solo, anyway. So it was easy enough to eat alone at WDW. I think the Sci-Fi at MGM is the very perfect place for a solo.
Other places are good, too, but this one is my favorite when I am solo.