Why Go to WDW Alone?

[RosieRosie]

I'm a single parent who has always visited WDW with my daughter - If there is ever a time where she can or will not go, I guess I will have no choice but to visit alone. Why do you go alone?

 

[disneyispi]

I always went in the past with family or friends, but for the past 6 visits, it's better alone. My reasons: it is MUCH more relaxing - I only have me to worry about and what my needs and wants are. Yes, it sounds selfish, but I'm on a vacation to relax. I tend to want to please others so this is my time. If I get lonely, the CMs are the happiest people in the world and are fun and interesting to talk with.

When I took my first solo trip, I must admit, I was very shy. But I started to put myself in others shoes and occasionally would offer to take pictures of groups (so they could all be in the picture! ). They appreciate it and we get to talking.

I posted another reply about a "tradition" I started about 5 years ago. I buy 100 $1 disney dollars and if I see a child being especially good or cute, I ask the adult with him/her if I can give them a disney dollar. I don't just do this in the parks either, it works wherever. I usually write on the bills "A random act of kindness from Culpeper, VA". Boy, do those kids faces light up !! It's not much, but its fun. I also do it if I see an unhappy child, it makes them change moods fast!!

Anyhow that's just me. Yes, with kids it's geat too and occasionally I wish I brought one. But since I don't have any, that WOULD be difficult now wouldn't it. It makes me happy to be in the happiest place in the world and see other people enjoying themselves. And you?

 

[RussH]

I have been to WDW so many times that counting is pointless.
As a kid with my parents/sibs was fun and later I was lucky enough to have a job where I traveled full time with customers just a few minutes from WDW and DL. That started these solo trips that I do now.
I made a mistake a few years ago and organized a family reunion of sorts. Since I had the most mouse time I got stuck with planning. Reworking the resort reservations 9 times should have given me a clue about the monster forming.
It was the worst 10 days I can remember. Somehow when someone did not have enough pillows they called me and ask why. Or "why don't they sell Pepsi my darlings hate Coke". Some like me were early risers and did EE had a great time. The dawdle around until noon bunch always complained about lines. And getting a dozen people to agree about where to eat and when was so bad that after the 4th day I would sort of just start laughing at the "adults " deciding who's turn it was to decide where to eat then wondering why they couldn't get 12 at one table at 5:30 for diner.
Day 7 I cut everyone loose and cancelled the remaining PS.

Sorry but now I go to WDW alone most of the time and it is so much nicer. I eat where I want when I want. If I decide to go early to Epcot do 5 quick rides on TT then jump to another park I go. Next solo is early Dec
RussH.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I had 4 trips to WDW on-site, with my DH. As much as I love my DH, he is one pain in the butt to travel with. We don't have any children,
but we do have two precious cats. I am obsessed with WDW, but cannot enjoy it very much when my only travelling companion
is my DH who complains ALL DAY !!! ABOUT EVERYTHING !!!

So.....I have now had 3 solo, one week, vacations at WDW, also on-site.
The first time I was a combination of shy, but excited. My 4th
SOLO vacation is the first week of this Dec. I am going to work on taking pictures for everyone else. I also want to ask some CM's to take MY picture.

My DH is happier staying at home; I don't have to worry about my precious kitties; I get a fantastic vacation; and then we really miss each other when I have been gone for a week.

It works out really well.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I go solo mainly for two reasons-#1 DH isn't nearly as Disney-obsessed as I am (OK, I'll say it before him-who is?) and I have a desire to go much more often than he does, and #2 I'm a high school teacher who needs my "mental health retreats". Sitting on TSI, in a rocking chair, feeding the birds is the ultimate in rest and relaxation for me, followed closely by sitting on a park bench with a Mickey bar watching the crowds go by, and right after that, standing watching the line of little children at a character and all their reactions, Oh Yes-and sitting at Pinocchio's Village Haus waving at the boats at IASW

 

[PieInYourEye]

Reasons:

Eat where you want
Eat when you want
Don't eat if you don't want
Ride what you want
Don't ride what you don't want
People watch for as long as you'd like
No responsibilities
Nobody complaining

Can take pictures for other people so their whole party can be in it... my single day record at the Magic Kingdom is 15.

I rode Buzz Lightyear 12 times in one day so that I could learn where the big scores are.

Had my haircut on Main Street and got splashed with pixie dust on my birthday.

Down side:
Nobody to share those special magical moments with.
Always have to ask someone to take your picture.

I'm a single mom, and if I waited to do something until I had somebody to do it with, I'd never get to go anywhere.

 

[2disneywego]

All of the above are great reasons, but the best one is:


WHY NOT?

I love it the best with my DH, but if I have an opportunity to go to Disney, I won't say no. Also, I can't think of a safer, friendlier place for a single woman to travel.

 

[grumpyandbashful]

I have been to WDW solo 3 times! We go as a family once a year, but that isn't quite enough Disney for me (! !). My DH has also gone solo - he loves Disney as much as I do! We can't take just Mom and Dad trips due to not being able to leave the kids/pets home alone.
I love my solo trips for a lot of the reasons others have stated -

I can eat, ride, go, etc. whatever and wherever I want
I can try a different resort that might not appeal to others in my family
I can relax for long periods of time
I feel very safe traveling there as a solo woman

 

[katypop]

in 2000 dd and dh and i went for 1st trip and absolutely loved it. ds did not want to go we immediately starting planning a trip for 2002, but dh got sick and cancer took his life this year. he so much wanted to go back to disney that dd and i went on our trip together and remembered all of the amazing happy memories we will always have of our 1st trip there together. my dh would have wanted us to go. next year i am planning my first solo trip. dd does not want to go back just now but i have decided that i do, it is sad to remember but at the same time brings me joy to remember all of the happy times too. this coming trip i am going to pamper myself and do everything i want to do, and some of the things that are costly when you have to pay for more than one.

katypop

 

[f-LORI-da]

I always envision myself doing this someday when I'm old and my DH is gone (that is if he dies before me, lol). For now, I enjoy my trips with DH immensely... we never take separate vacations.

Funny, tho...whenever we separate for some reason (e.g. I want to ride SM one more time, and he needs a smoke break )... that seems to be the time when people talk to me the most.

One time I struck up a conversation with a little girl and her mother seated behind me on SM, about how brave she was(after the ride was over, of course ) Same ride, riding solo again, a bunch of teenage boys and I discussed the merits of riding in front as opposed to in back.

Guess people consider a lone female less threatening than one with a male, lol

 

[Poohbear123]

{{{Hugs}}} to you. I go SOLO and remember the good times my DD and DS had on thier first trip in 1996--2 months after my Mom died. She loved WDW too, and everytime I am there I think of her.

 

[RAMWDWFAN]

Going to WDW three or four times per year is cheaper than seeing a therapist or going through a divorce!! I have a stressful career and I need some time alone. I love being able to act like a kid and do what I want, when I want.

 

[nativetxn]

I go alone because my dh is severely Disney impaired. He won't go more than one time a year and I'm not willing to settle for just one trip a year, so I go alone. I love it

 

[mickeyluv71]

I'm gearing up for my first "solo" trip. I say "solo" because I am going alone, though my little sister works at the WoD and will be hanging out with me for a couple of days that she's off from work. So to see my sister is a big part of why I go.

The more technical reason Igo alone is that I am single and most of my best friends are school teachers and our vacation schedules don't seem to conicide very well ~ at least this year as I'd moved to a new church and had to wait a year before vacation!! ~ though one considered taking personal time, but she couldn't get the same flight or one that was very affordable on an airline we trust. I go into Chicago alone all the time ~ go to movies, go to concerts...a lot of the time if I didn't go alone, I'd be sitting at home alone being a recluse, so why not?!?!?

My dad has been to Disney alone before ~ he used to have a job where he had to travel a lot alone ~ and said that everyone was awesome to him! He said it's about the only place he'd willingly go back alone to for a vacation. Add that on some of the rides they've got (unless they've taken them out) single rider lines and they are quite solo traveller friendly.

Plus I'll echo the post that said it's cheaper than hiring a therapist. And it reminds me of the magic that's around and in all of us! Disney IS my safe place!

Beth

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I'm just weird, I can't go without my DH. It wouldn't feel right to me. I enjoy being with him so much and to be with him in one of my favorite places is just a plus.

 

[preshi]

It is so nice not to have to ask someone what they want to do, when they want to eat etc... it's great!!! I loved it and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[lsutigger2]

I guess I have the best of both worlds. DH and I have been going to WDW for the past several years, always together. DH is an avid golfer (it's how I get him to go back each year!). While he golfs, I go to the parks solo. Sometimes I ride in the cart with him, but most of the time, I do attractions that I know he doesn't enjoy - like Little Mermaid. I save the ones he enjoys - Tower of Terror for when we have park time together. It works out great for us.

 

[TDC Nala]

Because I can.

 

[rickc77]

I agree completely with "Pieinyoureye"

"Reasons:

Eat where you want
Eat when you want
Don't eat if you don't want
Ride what you want
Don't ride what you don't want
People watch for as long as you'd like
No responsibilities
Nobody complaining"

I would rather meet someone at DIsney that feels the same way as I do. Why drag someone down there that will drag you down. When I turn back into a child and start smiling at all of the characters.....this is a feeling that I can either deal with alone or with another Disneymaniac.

Only 31 more days until I'm back at the world.....let the countdown begin.

 

[Mos20]

I'm about to go on my 5th trip to WDW but this will be my 1st time alone and I can't wait!! I'm going solo for the same reasons that were already mentioned 100 times. And, after all, if you can't spend time alone with yourself, who can you spend time with? And what better place to do it in than WDW!!