Would you go the WDW alone?

[disney junky]

I have on occasions taken brief afternoon excursions by myself. I think I'd enjoy a few days of it; I tend to try to make sure everyone is having a good time, so I think I'd enjoy giving it a try. I like Dan's idea...meet other DIS'ers.

 

[tacomaranch]

I am going in a couple of weeks with just DS as DH has work. It will not be the same without him. He is such a goof and drinks like a fish. He is a child when he is there and having him to share the joy is the fun and magic. We both love to see DS's face light up when he sees the castle and the characters!

We will have fun without DH but it won't be the same. When I turn to say "did you see that" no one will be there!

 

[donrulz]

Last year DS was in the college program so we all went down to spend Christmas with him. After about a week DW and DD had fly home for school and work. DS had about a week before he finished the program so I stayed to haul all of his junk home. Since I had a car with me I would take him to work at MGM and then pick him up at night. The first couple of days walking around the parks by myself was kinda neat, but it got old fast. It's just not as much fun going on rides by your self. I spent most of my time at EPCOT. The best part was when I went to pick DS up from MGM. They would let me park up where the CM's park. They also let me stay in the park after close waiting for him to get out of work. It was pretty cool walking around MGM at night with the park to myself. I would go to the Osbourn Lights as stand in the middle of the street by myself. After many trips to WDW with family It is just not the same solo.

 

[cleo]

The first couple of days walking around the parks by myself was kinda neat, but it got old fast. It's just not as much fun going on rides by your self. I spent most of my time at EPCOT.

You make an excellent point, donrulz. I tend to spend a lot of time at Epcot when I'm solo (Animal Kingdom works well, too). Being less 'heavy' on the rides, it's easier to take at a slow pace, by yourself. MGM and Magic Kingdom are more about the attractions and it IS a bit more 'lonely' in those parks. If you love the details as much as I do, you can just about get away with a solo day in Magic Kingdom without feeling rather 'alone'.

 

[DisneyWorldWisher]

I don't think I would like it much.

I think it would be very lonely.

What's the fun of Splash Mountain if you don't have someone to hold onto?

 

[disneyaggie]

Absolutely go it solo! I go solo a lot and truly love it. I can enjoy the parks at my pace and can just have some quiet personal time. I have been with friends and alone -- both ways are nice.

And hey, try going solo just once. If you like it, great! If not, then you will know.

But I truly love going solo -- and have had some wonderful character and cast member experiences. As you can see, I have another trip (yep, solo) planned in September, and maybe even sooner if I can squeeze it in!

While solo, I share rides with others or ride by myself. But you are not so "alone" that you feel you are the only human left on this planet. I never feel lonely. Heck, with thousands of others, how can you? I meet new folks and have always felt welcome wherever I went.

Now, of course, I am very independent and have been single for so many years. So that does factor in a bit. But truly, I love going solo.

Go, do, enjoy!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

A solo trip is a different style of trip. If you embrace it that way you wont waste time pining for the way your other trips were. If you are stressed and need "me" time its great. The ideal solo trip is one that occurs just before the rest of your party shows up.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Been there, done that-lots of times! Actually my first solo trip was a gift from my family-"Mom's weekend". I absolutely loved it. Now I go solo about once a year (going solo in 3 weeks). DH likes it because he knows that I'll do all the Fantasyland rides, waving at the characters, dancing to the Jammin Jungle Parade when I'm solo. And he knows I love to trade pins-I've gone into parks and just walked around looking for pin trades. I don't go on his golf trips, he doesn't go on my solo WDW trips, and we're both happy.

 

[Metro West]

I go more often alone than I do with other people due to scheduling. It always seems that when I'm free, no one else is. Anyway...I prefer going with someone but I don't let that stop me mainly because you can do things at your own pace. Not having to follow someone else's schedule for bathroom breaks, eating, etc. is great. I have just as much fun alone as I do with someone else.

 

[4theloveofdisney]

I think I would miss my kids and DH too much! But that's just me. If it were my fantasy to go alone though, nothing would stop me. I'd say go for it!

 

[Fitswimmer]

I'm getting a solo day this Wednesday. I think I'll be spending the day in EPCOT checking out the holiday stuff. I've never had time to take in all the little special things that each country does for the holidays so this is my chance!

 

[The Mick]

I go more often alone than I do with other people due to scheduling. It always seems that when I'm free, no one else is. Anyway...I prefer going with someone but I don't let that stop me mainly because you can do things at your own pace. Not having to follow someone else's schedule for bathroom breaks, eating, etc. is great. I have just as much fun alone as I do with someone else.

Almost exactly what I would have written, verbatim.

 

[texasthree]

No, we wouldnt go solo or even together without our son. For us Disney is a fantastic family vacation and I wouldnt enjoy it without my son. I dont care how little we get "done" while we are there as long as we are together.

 

[WDWLVR]

I did it a couple of times years ago (before I was married) and enjoyed it. DH loves WDW as much as I do so unless I was going with friends I don't think I would go without him. 2 years ago we went down the same week he had a conference and i got to tour 2 days on my own but still have the nights with him. That was the best of both worlds.

 

[MickeyMaz]

Thanks for all of the input folks. I am thinking about a quick trip down after the spring break crowds get done. I won't feel that guilty since we just got back. Now the big question, should I stay cheap or expensive. Hmmmm. Don't think I would do the dinning plan either.

Thanks,

Maz

 

[cleo]

Hmmmm.....didn't your original post include a comment about how much cheaper it would be without the family in tow?

You have a very understanding wife. I don't think I'd agree to it, unless I was getting a reciprocating trip. Hopefully you are giving her some fabulous pay-back in exchange for your solo trip (after all, YOU just got back, too!)

 

[Tissa]

I decided not to do the dining plan, I really wouldn't want to eat a ts meal everyday by myself. I'm sticking to mostly cs and one ts at Kona. At first I decided to go cheap and stay at POP. I figured since it was just me and I hadn't planned on being in the room much I could live with POP. Then just a few days ago I decided to upgrade my last two nights to WL. I wanted to experience at least one night of sitting on the balcony just sitting!

 

[wild4dis]

I have been to WDW a few times for work......I went to the park one time by myself...we were ther in Oct as a family and TT was not open yet..i was back in April for work and said I have to go back and get on that ride....I went to Epcot and walked around by myself doing some rides...I kind of felt awkward being by myself, while everyone else was enjoying family and friends...

also there one time for work and brought the DW with me...she did parks, massage, etc during the day and we did park hopping at night......we both kept saying Wouldnt the kids love this" or "I wish the kids were her"

There are some benefits of being solo, easier ride access, no arguing etc....but to me the Disney "magic" is best spent with family and friends

 

[Tinkerbell424]

I couldnt.

Im not THAT brave

 

[C.Ann]

The year before last I got this "brilliant" idea to go to Disney alone - before I headed to my sister's house up in Lady Lake.. I arrived in Florida on April 2 - which would have been my 28th wedding anniversary (my DH has passed away on January 17th).. I don't know WHAT I was thinking, but I made arrangements with Mears transportation and got a room at Pop Century.. After I got checked in, I headed over the the Magic Kingdom - surrounded by thousands of people - and I never felt soooooo alone in my entire life!! I had all I could do to keep from bursting out into tears.. Then I slapped myself around a little bit and decided that I had to do something to "snap out of it", so what I did was every time I saw a family together - carrying a camera - I approached them and asked if they would like for me to take a photo of them together.. It made them happy - which in turn made me happy.. However, I did get out of there before "Wishes" because I knew it would make me cry..

I invited my sister down (my treat) but she couldn't come until Monday afternoon, so I went to the parks alone on Sunday and Monday morning.. Decided to take a ride on the resort tram and ended up playing "tour guide" for an elderly couple.. They were sooo appreciative - and it made me realize that all I had to do was reach out for others - do something nice for them - and it would make my day as well as theirs..

After that I was approaching strangers left and right - LOL - striking up conversations; helping people with their bags when they were struggling to get on the monorail; admiring small children and telling their parents how cute they were; etc.. Normally I'm a very shy person, but by "putting myself out there" I had a much nicer time..

Once my sis got there it was great too - because she hadn't been to Disney World since it was just the Magic Kingdom and she was like a kid in a candy shop..

Now that I know how to handle myself when I'm there alone, I won't hesitate to do it again.. As a matter of fact, I have an Annual Pass now!!!!