Scared to go solo

[3PrinceMom]

Disney fix needed, but kids can't miss any school. So....I booked my first solo trip and now I'm getting scared! I've never been on a solo trip. Not sure if I will enjoy myself alone. Any tips to make it through a week alone? Anyone want to join me? 1/22-1/28? Just thought I'd put it out there.

 

[Siriusblack]

That actually sounds like a great idea! I would join you, but I have to work! Have fun! Just think, you can do whatever you want, eat wherever you want.

 

[Neesy228]

Disney fix needed, but kids can't miss any school. So....I booked my first solo trip and now I'm getting scared! I've never been on a solo trip. Not sure if I will enjoy myself alone. Any tips to make it through a week alone? Anyone want to join me? 1/22-1/28? Just thought I'd put it out there.

I'm heading down alone for the Princess Half and I can't wait! I plan to do all of the things that I can't do with three kids: I'm going to leisurely take in the sights and sounds of the parks, I'm going to sit on a bench and watch the world go by, I'm going to eat at a couple places my kids don't like, I'm going to RELAX by the pool don't be scared! Go and enjoy!

 

[ArielseekingEric]

I completed my first solo trip back in November. As much as I love going with friends, it was nice not having to deal with what the rear of the group wants. If you want to spend time watching the movie after maelstrom, you can. If you want to ride rockin rollercoaster twice in a row you can. I was only there for 4 days.i didn't do a lot of sit down meals since I did eat a lot at the country booths at Epcot but I did venture to big river brewery at boardwalk. Enjoy.

 

[CarouselOfProgress4]

I have taken a few solo trips and we seem to be very similar. For me the scariest part is travelling to and from WDW alone. When you get there the weight will be lifted and you will realize that you can do anything you want! If you get lonely you can always call home or chitchat with a friendly looking stranger!

 

[Viva Las Disney]

I just returned from my first solo trip a few weeks ago and highly recommend it. There is so much to see and do at WDW I never had a chance to get bored and it was nice to do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted.

I went for 7 days and I'm already planning on going again next year for 10 days, I've asked a few friends to go but if no one can make it I'll be thrilled to go solo again.

 

[MissM]

I did a solo day last year.. I loved it! I got to walk through any an every attraction and shop that I wanted, met a ton of people, had a great time!

PLUS there are the single rider lines, which make the already great January wait lines even shorter.

We'll be there Jan 18-24.

 

[stasijane]

My first solo trip was a bit strange and lonely. I even went home a day early, but I quickly got over it when I realized I could go more often and now I take about 2 or 3 solo trips a year Now I love them and the freedom I have.

 

[3PrinceMom]

Thanks all! You are putting my mind at ease. I can do this! I always take my kids, and before that I went with my parents. I can only take the kids out of school for so many days a year...which I did for Halloween and will have a few days they will miss at Spring Break time. I wish Michigan would change to year round school with breaks, but that's another topic. I guess I will just be nervous until I get there. I'm not one that will enjoy a TS meal alone. I think that's my biggest issue.

 

[jagfanjosh3252]

Thanks all! You are putting my mind at ease. I can do this! I always take my kids, and before that I went with my parents. I can only take the kids out of school for so many days a year...which I did for Halloween and will have a few days they will miss at Spring Break time. I wish Michigan would change to year round school with breaks, but that's another topic. I guess I will just be nervous until I get there. I'm not one that will enjoy a TS meal alone. I think that's my biggest issue.

You will be fine. TS are easy solo. Bring a book or surf the internet on your phone. The bar is a great place to eat. Other singles and the bartender usually chat people up!

 

[DetroitDisney]

I havent done a solo Disney trip, but I have done solo backpacking trips around the world and I generally have found solo travel to be amazing. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want, and there are plenty of random people to chat with along the way. Just make sure to make friends as you go around, as that will make the entire time that much more enjoyable.

I just got back from WDW a few days ago, but I really want to go again. Thinking about planning another trip for the fall already, haha.

 

[iheartbuffy]

I can relate. I am going to Florida the end of Jan with my friend and 2.5 of the days there I will be alone so I decided to do Disney. She knows I get weird with being alone for some things and my friend let me know that she will be checking in on me lol I booked the keys to the kingdom tour for one of the days. I am excited though.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

I'm not one that will enjoy a TS meal alone. I think that's my biggest issue.

I was worried about this too but didn't have any awkward or bored moments eating alone. I always had park maps and my itinerary to look over, I used the time to text my friends and post facebook updates and most of the time I spent talking to the servers, people watching, or taking in the scenery.

My favorite TS was 50's primetime cafe, I spent the whole time either talking with my waiter or watching the waiters mess with other tables. I was so busy laughing I never had a change to look at my map let alone get bored. I was worried about eating here solo since they mess with people but even when my waiter used a kazoo to make plane noises while feeding me my green beans I was to busy cracking up to worry about being alone.

I loved Liberty Tree Tavern also, not only was the food great but they sat me at a two top in a bay window and even though the glass was the old wrinkle glass I was still able to people watch outside.

I also had amazing dinners at Yak and Yeti (also a window seat ) and at Kona at the Polynesian which had a bit of a wait for my steak but I just used the time to catch up on some emails.

The ADR I was most worried about was Biergarten and being seated with strangers. I sat with a table of 5 ladies (on a girls only trip) and a mother and adult son. The ladies were all talkative and the son was a great storyteller, his mom was a bit odd but 6 out of 7 isn't bad. It was a bit awkward at first but we quickly started talking about where we were from and what everyone's plans were and it ended up being a great time. A lot of the time the band was doing their show so even if I didn't have fun table mates I think it would still be enjoyable.

I'd never eaten alone in a sit down restaurant prior to WDW but am glad i made ADR's, I had some great meals, met some nice people, and my feet needed the recovery time.

 

[Lyndarella]

Like everyone else said, you can ride some things more than once and skip other rides. When I go alone in Feb. I plan to sit at more shows than I am usually allowed to. Also, it is more affordable to eat out when you only have to pay for one person!

About flying alone, I ended up having to do this more than once when I was NOT on a solo trip. I usually travel with my cousin, but as she keeps moving farther and farther away, we have had to meet at the airport. I have been to completely unfamiliar airports alone and find everything to be well marked. I never hesitate to ask for directions when I am confused. You will be fine there - if I can do it anyone can!

 

[DizNights]

"Solo" trips don't necessarily have to mean "alone" trips. I live in Orlando, and I know tons of locals that are always in town and always willing to hang out with others traveling in town for a visit.

If you're interested in hanging out with other Disney Fanatics during your trip, just PM me, and I'll give you the scoop.

 

[bryanb]

I was a little nervous about taking a solo trip as well, but it ended up being such a great time. Although I do want to go again with friends/family, I hope I'll have the opportunity to enjoy a solo trip again someday.

If you don't normally enjoy a TS meal alone, then there are always plenty of great quick service options. But don't avoid TS restaurants just because they're at Disney World. I never felt like I stuck out.

Have a great time!

 

[amytech]

I have actually contemplated doing exactly what you are doing! I have always gone with my kids and one time with dh when ds was on his CP in WDW. A solo trip intrigues me and having time to really recharge and not be responsible for anyone sounds fabulous!

Plus, with the current weather this week in Michigan, I would do ANYTHING to get to Florida!

Hope you have a wonderful time relaxing and doing whatever you want on your time table

 

[NJDiva]

Disney fix needed, but kids can't miss any school. So....I booked my first solo trip and now I'm getting scared! I've never been on a solo trip. Not sure if I will enjoy myself alone. Any tips to make it through a week alone? Anyone want to join me? 1/22-1/28? Just thought I'd put it out there.

I guess my first question would be what are you scared of? are you afraid that you won't enjoy yourself because your are solo, that people will look at you differently because you are by yourself, that the magic won't be the same?
I can pretty much say without question you will have a good time! think of it this way....what are those things that you've always wanted to do but couldn't because of one thing or another (kids didn't want to go, not enough time, wasn't in the family budget...) now you get to be selfish and do everything (or nothing) that you want to do at your pace on your terms. Think of it as the real life Ferris Bueller's Day Off...in Disney!! and just because you're solo doesn't mean you have to be alone, there are plenty of people on the board that are probably there the same time you are and would be willing to meet up for a meal or a ride buddy...trust me, you will so enjoy the freedom and wonder why it took you so long to go solo!

 

[pharaoh]

My first solo trip is coming up in 4 days (!!!) and I am a little nervous too. I've been to the parks plenty of times with friends but this time I just wanted to have the freedom to do what I wanted, at my own pace.

I'm a bit shy so I'm nervous about having to sit next to strangers on rides, eating by myself at sit-down restaurants, and I really want to meet some characters but I feel like that would be weird, a solo adult in line to meet Merida.

I know I'll get over it once I'm actually there but it is a little bit nerve-wracking right now!

 

[mousetrip]

ENJOY!!! Do it for all us peeps that would love to be in your shoes but can't explain to our families why we'd ever want to go without them! Go and have a blast, enjoy every minute of your freedom! Summon your inner 8 year old and have at it! I will do it someday, when the stars line up as they have for you...

But also, isn't there a thread here somewhere for solo travelers? Perhaps you could set up a dinner somewhere with all of them?