Why do you go solo?

[tabbytrekker]

I definitely wouldn't say I'm an expert on solo traveling - but I do certainly enjoy it!

I've always loved traveling. My parents instilled that into me since I was a baby. My mother still mocks me about how its amazed I'm allowed on planes after my first trip to Disney World when I was thirteen months old. Most of the time though my parents drove and pulled the camper along on any trip. And it was just me in the back seat of the extended van. (I'm an only child)

In more recent years I met a guy, fell in love, and unfortunately he was in the Army - and had the worst luck in getting assigned to posts (twice in Alaska). So not only did I have to travel a lot to go see him, but him and I liked to travel the country together. It didn't work out for us, but I refused to let that stop me from traveling.

So last year, I just went for it... and I'm hooked. )

Obviously since I am an only child I'm use to being alone. And I'm a recluse so I'm also use to being alone because of that. lol

It is just an amazing freedom. And its so much easier to adapt to change in schedules as well.

My only worry is that I'm going to get so use to it - and like it - that when I do find people to travel with I won't act like such a spoiled brat!

 

[NJDiva]

I definitely wouldn't say I'm an expert on solo traveling - but I do certainly enjoy it!

I've always loved traveling. My parents instilled that into me since I was a baby. My mother still mocks me about how its amazed I'm allowed on planes after my first trip to Disney World when I was thirteen months old. Most of the time though my parents drove and pulled the camper along on any trip. And it was just me in the back seat of the extended van. (I'm an only child)

In more recent years I met a guy, fell in love, and unfortunately he was in the Army - and had the worst luck in getting assigned to posts (twice in Alaska). So not only did I have to travel a lot to go see him, but him and I liked to travel the country together. It didn't work out for us, but I refused to let that stop me from traveling.

So last year, I just went for it... and I'm hooked. )

Obviously since I am an only child I'm use to being alone. And I'm a recluse so I'm also use to being alone because of that. lol

It is just an amazing freedom. And its so much easier to adapt to change in schedules as well.

My only worry is that I'm going to get so use to it - and like it - that when I do find people to travel with I won't act like such a spoiled brat!

being an only child as well, I can appreciate your concern for traveling with others...some people will thing you are a little snobbish for not wanting to be social and stay with others, or you will find the ones that get that you like your space and be sort of envious. I can honestly say I am an expert solo traveller, I travel a lot for work and I'm always alone then, and most of my Disney vacation are solo, I do, however, make time to meet up with people and spend the day or evening with friends. when you do travel with others, you'll be able to adjust, it's not forever and if you are with another person who does the solo thing, you don't have to see them outside of the room if you choose.
you won't be a spoiled brat...unless you are in real life...your goal is to have fun so being bratty does help you reach your goal...

 

[imsoscared]

very simple reason. do what i want, when i want and how i want to. sometimes you just need to get away just do everything your way and not worry about how it'll affect others with you

 

[robert72]

I now go solo becaused i am now widowed and find the friendly atmosphere and so much to do suits me fine

 

[1nfrequent]

I go solo because my friends can't get the time off and my family aren't interested in going back to Disney. I like the fact that it's a known environment with loads of things to do and as a single female, it's completely safe. I did my first solo trip to WDW 2 years ago and loved it. Am off to DL next month and back to WDW in 2013.

1F

 

[jmeadowsusn]

Like everyone has mentioned I beleive that going solo is a plus. Some people even my family members wrote to me that are you insane? I don't think I am. I might not be able to go on a vacation solo for some time after this.

 

[PlutoPatrol]

I'm new here (hi), and I've just booked my first ever trip: not just solo, but to WDW at all.

Trip basics: First week of Sept (arriving on Labor Day Monday), Boardwalk Inn club level (for the location and the discount), and reservations at Le Cellier, Hollywood Brown Derby, Via Napoli, Les Chefs de France and tea at the GF. Since I'm so close to Epcot and HS, I'll have a park hopper.

I'm a single, and I don't mind traveling alone. I prefer it, for the same reasons as a lot of people: flexibility, being able to do/eat what I want, when I want, etc.

Only negative I've seen so far is that some of the restaurants - Le Cellier in particular - won't allow online ADRs for one person. Several times, entering '1 guest' showed no times; changing to 2 guests allowed me to book. Since you'd seat those parties at similar tables, it feels very like not being wanted.

I booked anyway. If they want to not seat me, that's fine, but then they need to post that as a policy...

I have never made an ADR traveling solo, I prefer just to walk in and see what happens. However since I live 2 hours away by car, I do tend to go in the slow times.

 

[Anntan]

I've never gone solo before, as I haven't gone more than 3 times as it is, BUT i've been thinking about it since my last trip. I've never had a chance to reeeeally explore and take in WDW. It's always been a semi-scheduled family affair. I'd like to experience it from a different atmosphere.

 

[alaskanmommy]

Great thread! I'm going on an impromptu solo trip next month and am very excited, and maybe a little apprehensive. I have always gone with my family and another family or two. I'm excited about the freedom I will have being solo! No multiple bathrooms trips or snack stops, etc. unless I want to!

I LOVE Disney and my DH has to work so I am dropping my DD10 off at Spacecamp in Hunstville, AL and heading to the World while she's at camp!

I would love to meet up with some other DIS'ers on this trip so we'll see how that goes. I haven't seen a meet for my dates yet....

I think the only thing I'm minorly concerned about is being a female solo traveler and safety. I was originally going to go on a road trip but the thought of being so close to Disney was too tempting and I feel very safe there!

I do have a V&A reservation just for one. Has anyone done this solo?

 

[yecats]

I go solo because I can and am more than happy to do so. I love disney and not everyone does. I love to reride many of the rides and not everyone does. By going by myself, I get what I want most, to feel like a guilt free kid with no responsibility other than my own safety (by guilt, I mean I don't have the feeling that anyone is waiting on me as I reride SM for the 2nd time that day). It truly is the most freeing feeling. My last solo trip was a 10 day trip and was absolutely fabulous. I made the first day a hotel stay across from DTD using Priceline for a night. When I checked in I was booted up from a regular room to a suite (don't ask me how or why?) and I was sorry that I only had one night there. From there I went on to POR for 8 nights. I came and went when I wanted to. I decided heck with the parades and rode Space Mountain about 8 times in a row (over about an hours time) with several other people just like me and we all laughed about it like it was our little secret. There was absolutely no pressure. I ate alone in the restaurants I wanted to and felt wonderful. I spent more time by the pool and enjoyed just having small conversations here and there. I meant to only spend 1/2 day at Typhoon Lagoon and found myself there all day (literally I was the last one in the lazy river which I went around probably 3 times) and I was HAPPY! I rented a bicycle and made my way around some of the resorts. I sang loudly off key (esp. since no one knows me) to many of Bob's songs during his performance at POR bar. My last day I had moved back across the street from DTD to another priceline hotel where I laid on the bed and watched the end of the night fireworks from my window and cried. Why did I cry? It was the best vacation I ever had in my entire life and I've been on many. I spent 10 days at Disney, drama free, and loved every minute of it. I realized how rare this type of vacation is and allowed myself to let my usual life at home and forgot about the world for 10 days, no news, short phone calls to family with no bad news to be heard in it and absolutely no work or thoughts going toward it. To those considering a solo vaca., DO IT! Get away and be a big goofy slightly unresponsible kid again, I double dog dare you! The only true fear to be had after a vaca like that is that you may never be able to experience one like that again but then again, MAYBE.

 

[monarchsfan16]

I started going solo because it was the only way I could travel. I was in college, and my school breaks were totally different from the rest of my family. Well, at least the good breaks. I worked retail so Christmas was out, and we are from New England, so summer wasn't on our list at all. And family emergencies ended up keeping us from going to other destinations in the summer. Plus being in school, my friends were all broke, so they couldn't travel with me either. I could afford it, and since I could do it, I refused to give up vacationing for 6 years (college plus grad school here).

Now I still travel solo on occasion, and have branched out to summer for family trips. I still travel solo when I can't find a travel buddy. Honestly, I like my solo trips. I love being able to do what I want to do, when I want to. I definitely miss being able to share things with others, or competing against others on rides like Buzz and TSMM, but I sure like not listening to complaining when I'm at the bus stop for 7 am, before an AM EMH. I'm also a fan of the single rider line, and taking 100 pictures of the same thing, from different angles. To be honest, it'll be really weird next month, and again in April when I have company in the parks. I'm not used to compromising on vacation anymore

I've also started branching out to other destinations solo. I went to Sea World, Islands of Adventure, and Busch Gardens this year solo, and had plenty of fun at those parks too.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Great thread! I'm going on an impromptu solo trip next month and am very excited, and maybe a little apprehensive. I have always gone with my family and another family or two. I'm excited about the freedom I will have being solo! No multiple bathrooms trips or snack stops, etc. unless I want to!

I LOVE Disney and my DH has to work so I am dropping my DD10 off at Spacecamp in Hunstville, AL and heading to the World while she's at camp!

I would love to meet up with some other DIS'ers on this trip so we'll see how that goes. I haven't seen a meet for my dates yet....

I think the only thing I'm minorly concerned about is being a female solo traveler and safety. I was originally going to go on a road trip but the thought of being so close to Disney was too tempting and I feel very safe there!

I do have a V&A reservation just for one. Has anyone done this solo?

Three times and they make you very welcome and not at all uncomfortable. Great food as well.

 

[Dutchdennis]

I go solo because if i have to wait for friends or family i will be 65!! Way to old for a ride in Mission Space!!

 

[goofyernmost]

I go solo because if i have to wait for friends or family i will be 65!! Way to old for a ride in Mission Space!!

Sorry, but Mission Space is doable at 65. Better find another reason!

 

[luvthemouse71]

Thanks for this thread..I'm going solo for the first time this December. I'm excited, but a little nervous too. I don't know why, because I'm an independent gal. I've been known to go to movies and out to eat by myself. Not sure why a vacation should be any different.

Actually, many of the rides I ride alone, even when my sister is with me, because she's a ride chicken. So, I don't have that hurdle to overcome. I think I'll be fine...

 

[jvptravels]

I went to WDW each year from '97 to '01. One and a half of those trips were solo. The other trips were with a.) Mom & Dad (I was an adult), b.) Friend and c.) Best Friend. I found my parents and the friend from trip B couldn't keep up with me. My best friend did just fine. Of all those trips, my solo trip was the best.

Next month I am doing WDW solo again. It's been 11 years since I've been there and I can't wait. I am going all out for 8 days, staying at POR and taking advantage of the Premium Plan. As a former CM and an recovered Disney addict, I am looking forward to doing everything I want to, when I want to do it.

 

[raddisneyfan]

I find this extremely interesting. I can do a lot of things alone, I go to the movies alone quite often and some of my friends often tell me they could never do that. I think the movies is one of the things that is easy to do alone.

I also often go to New York City alone and walk the streets and go to the parks. I find that very easy to do alone and a lot of fun.

However, for some reason, I don't think I could ever do Disney alone. Can someone help understand this. I wish I could explain it, but I can't. I just can't see myself getting on an attraction by myself or going to one of the shows. I can see myself walking the parks and eating counter service, but not much more.

I would just feel so out-of-place not being with someone.

Wow, this is my first response on these boards. I guess I finally have something to say! I totally understand how you feel comfortable in NYC, but have reservations about WDW. I feel the same way. I think in the end it comes down to the family thing--it seems that everyone there is part of a family and you just feel out of place. I have only gone solo for a couple of days during conferences in Orlando. I've stuck to shows and parades and haven't really gone on the rides.

NYC on your own is easy since there are singles everywhere--and you can always get a seat at any show--they always have single seats available!

Like you, I think I need some encouragement because I have booked my flight to Orlando for October and can't quite decide where to stay or what to do. Besides the rides thing, I don't really feel comfortable staying on Disney property as a single--strange, since I don't have that problem anywhere else. I'm finally doing this solo venture for an entire week because my friends and I just aren't on the same schedule. I've traveled for years with the same 3 or 4 friends, but they much prefer beach vacations in the sun and they are late risers--I'm always up at the crack of dawn. I also really like to walk a lot (I mean a lot--I usually log 15-25 miles a week)--and this is something my friends also can't get used to. Walking is great at Disney--that's one of the reasons I finally decided to go and spend a solo week.

I keep getting e-mails from Disney with offers for discounted hotel room and free dining. For those of you who have travelled solo, are some resorts better than others if you are on your own? Any rides that you wouldn't recommend for solo travelers?

 

[Precious Disney]

I too booked my flight 1st (beginning of Oct.), then did some research on where I wanted to stay, how many park passes, and dining plan or not. Decided to book POP since it's a value resort and wanted to be on Disney property for the transportation, 5 days of park passes, and QSDP. Not long after, the FD offer came out and was able to apply that to my ressie. YEAH! Saved me $178.

As far as rides, I watched the DVD Disney sent and noted the ones of interest to me from that and read many posts from fellow Disers and made notes.

Like you don't know already...lol..., October is near, so you might want to make your reservation asap.... I'm looking forward to staying at POP and visiting AoA as well.

HAPPY PLANNING....

 

[monarchsfan16]

I keep getting e-mails from Disney with offers for discounted hotel room and free dining. For those of you who have travelled solo, are some resorts better than others if you are on your own? Any rides that you wouldn't recommend for solo travelers?

I've only once NOT stayed on Disney property on a solo trip. I stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacation Club by Sea World on that trip (and I wouldn't hesitate to return there). Otherwise I've always stayed on Disney property. Much cheaper (no rental car required), and quite honestly, I prefer to use Disney transport rather than trying to navigate AND drive by myself. In terms of resorts being better than others for solo travel, that's really dependent on you. As a (relatively small and young) female, I try to avoid the really spread out resorts (POR, CSR, CBR, OKW, SSR), and I always ask for a room on the second floor or higher. I've stayed at Values, and I've stayed at many different DVC resorts, and have been fine with all.

As far as rides go, there really aren't any that I avoid simply because I'm solo. I watch all the shows I want to see when I'm solo too.

 

[Redbudlover]

Sorry, but Mission Space is doable at 65. Better find another reason!

I totally agree that 65 is not too old! I too go solo because I can and because I am divorced and not likely to find anyone my age who is alone and loves Disney as much as I do! I love the mountain rides, but also love Pooh. I enjoy the time to drift through the parks enjoying the details, sniffing the roses, playing with children in the lines, eating at signature restaurants, people watching,, reading my book while having lunch outside in Morocco. I take my young grand-daughter with at least once a year and we have a blast, but I truly like my time alone there. It is peaceful and fun and beautiful, and I feel so safe and pampered there. It is a different experience alone and I wouldn't miss it for the world...