Why solo? Looking for pros and cons...

[Lesley]

My dh and I have been toying with the idea of taking solo trips to WDW. We have 3 kids and it will be a few years before we're able to take a trip as a couple without our kids since we don't have family here to keep them for us.

For me, I think it might be interesting to be by myself for a few days....I don't think I've been alone for a whole day in almost 11 years. Might be nice to hear myself think and take care of no one but myself for a change. My dh, I think, would enjoy being able to go commando (LOL...not THAT way...but as a park touring approach....) and not have to slow down for anyone. Interestingly, I think our solo trips would be completely different from one another! And completely different from the vision we have of a WDW vacation as a couple.....something we last did in 1994.

Anyway, I wanted to hear what others who have done solo WDW visits think....what are the good and bad things about this?

Thanks!

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I haven't solo'ed yet, but I am soon to leave on my very first solo trip. I anticipate that my favorite thing will be getting to do whatever I want, whenever I want, and as many times as I want. I am TOTALLY a commando, and I've never found another person that can keep up.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I guess I just don't understand the apeal of it.

If I was single and didn't have anyone else who loved it like me going alone would be something I would consider.
However I am not. My DH loves WDW as much as me and it is our special place. We went many times before having kids, so we did have that experince.

For me part of the fun of WDW is going with my family. Their joy and excitment and sharing that together as a family. For our 10th wedding aniversay we decied to go to wdw again since we had AP. We had the option of leaving our DD at home, but I really didn't want to. I would feel too bad being at a place she would love with our her just so we could be alone. Every kid her age I saw I would miss mine. I am really glad she came with us.

I think if we were to take a trip with out the kids it would be to a place that the kids won't enjoy as much (like NYC.) (we might next year after the baby is older.)

But then again I am not the target audiance you are looking for. (sigle or solo travler) I just saw this come up in new posts.

As a mom and wife it isn't something I would enjoy. As a parent we have to split up too much as it is to take care of the kids (you take this one there, I will go here..........) When I can I want to be together. Now if I didn't have hubby and the kids I might feel differently.

 

[Mykelogan]

Well I have done a few solo trips myself and have another coming up in December. I would say the biggest con is there sometimes not being anyone to share the magic moments with. But my pro list is much longer! It includes:

* Getting to make all the itinerary decisions, what to see, when to see it, and at what pace.
* No one complains if you want to go on something 4 times! (Or see something 6 times, as I did Mickey's Philharmagic my last trip! hehe)
* Make all the decisions about meals yourself... want to just grab a turkey leg instead of a sit down meal, do it! Want to try one of the more adventurous Epcot restaurants, no one with you to say "Eeew, I am not eating there!"
* You get to talk to some very cool CMs, as they seem to chat up the solo travellers.
* It's Disney!!! (That would be on any kind of Pro list! hehe)

I encourage any Disney lover to try a solo trip, even if just a day alone on a larger trip. I was very nervous the first time and love it now! hehe

Mike

 

[InstImpres]

I visit WDW when DD is visiting with her Dad for the week.

Positive;
- things I couldn't do with her there (backstage tours, spas, comedy club, piano bar)

- Love the freedom of doing what I want

- being at a place I love and coming home feeling renewed

- having the time to smell the roses

- ability to "test" places/rides etc. that are questionable for DD

Negative
- Guilt

- occassionally think if DD where here she would love this

- over shopping because of guilt for DD soveniers

My guilt does dimension as DD still goes annually so although she says "your going without me," I can say you were just there in x and will be going back in y

That's my 2 cents
Sandy

 

[Lesley]

Thanks for all the input so far. Dh has now suggested that we each take a day to ourselves during our next several trips (after I researched air travel from here and discovered that not only is it more expensive than we thought, but it would take 5 hours just in flight time....making the door to door time about the same as driving). The suggestion certainly solves certain problems, including some of the ones mentioned....the kids feeling left out, wondering if the littlest one would sleep for her daddy, etc.... And come to think of it I don't know if I could manage to sleep all by myself!

Dh now is saying that he doesn't know if he'd want to go alone...lol....just after I start liking the idea. There is something about not having to cater to anyone else (or even willingly adapt) that is extremely appealing to me right now. Oh, maybe its because I haven't had that in sooooooooo long! I am a sahm and have been for about 6 years. I love my kids and wouldn't give up what we have for anything, but we are together ALL the time.

Dh is suggesting that we make time to ourselves a tradition at WDW...so rather than a solo trip, I guess I'm looking at a solo day!

Now I'm trying to figure out what I'd do with 3 kids by myself at WDW. Dh claims to have no fear of taking them all to the parks by himself....either he's brave or delusional, but hey, that's not my problem!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Thanks for all the input so far. Dh has now suggested that we each take a day to ourselves during our next several trips (after I researched air travel from here and discovered that not only is it more expensive than we thought, but it would take 5 hours just in flight time....making the door to door time about the same as driving). The suggestion certainly solves certain problems, including some of the ones mentioned....the kids feeling left out, wondering if the littlest one would sleep for her daddy, etc.... And come to think of it I don't know if I could manage to sleep all by myself!

Dh now is saying that he doesn't know if he'd want to go alone...lol....just after I start liking the idea. There is something about not having to cater to anyone else (or even willingly adapt) that is extremely appealing to me right now. Oh, maybe its because I haven't had that in sooooooooo long! I am a sahm and have been for about 6 years. I love my kids and wouldn't give up what we have for anything, but we are together ALL the time.

Dh is suggesting that we make time to ourselves a tradition at WDW...so rather than a solo trip, I guess I'm looking at a solo day!

Now I'm trying to figure out what I'd do with 3 kids by myself at WDW. Dh claims to have no fear of taking them all to the parks by himself....either he's brave or delusional, but hey, that's not my problem!

Going from working part time with one child to being a SAHM with 2 kids I can understand that. It sounds like this plan would be the easiest and save the most money (think about it you don't need hotel rooms twice.)

So with that money you could do some things like also be sure to take some time for the 2 of you. If you kids are old enough they could do the kids clubs. There is baby sitting services I have heard great things about (but haven't used yet since we often bring a friend, MIL or niece with us.) They are pricey compared to what you would spend on a sitter at home, but I think they would be worth it (and come high recomended, even from people who don't like leaving their kids.)

Also is there anyone you could bring to help out so when each parent had their alone time, the other wasn't alone to manage the 3 kids? (MIL, friend, older niece or nephew.) Sometimes we go with another couple that has kids the same age as ours. That is fun too.

Also I haven't tried it yet but I hear the curise ships have great programs for being together, but having alone time too. (something to think about.) All most likely would be cheaper and easier then the solo trips. The idea of the solo trips might have more apeal then the relaity. (all those little things like flying alone, the other person has to sit at home with the kids and wait their turn.......seeing other kids and husbands and missing them. Being alone and no one to share jokes withe events with, take pictures of......

 

[maine_jennifer]

I took a 12 day solo trip the beginning of October. Course, I fall into the single, no one else wants to go, so I'm going no matter what category. Going solo - great. Do what you want, when you want. Sometimes you want to share things with someone, but not so much that you don't have a good time. Feel free to read my trip report.

http://www.queenofthefreakinuniverse.com/Vacation_Report.htm

Cheers!

 

[dalstitch45]

I go solo all the time, and have always had a blast. My one drawback is picture-taking. If you are getting your picture taken with a character, you can always get a cast member to take it for you. Other than that, you are on your own. You can do whatever you want, when you want. It is all about you. I have been so many times these past twelve months (five - and two more planned), no one wants to go anymore. I plan my activities, and experience things I normally wouldn't if the rest of the clan were there. When I do take someone with me, it's all about them. I have a couple of friends who really wanted to do Disney, but were afraid to go alone. After I told them how much fun I have each time I go, they tried it and are now among the legions of the solo crew. Don't knock it until you try it.