Disney's Magical Express solo... awkward or just me?

[Coogz]

So this is probably just another one of my many little quirks, and may not even be an issue to anyone else, but I figured I would ask.

I have my solo trip coming up in June, and this will be my 3rd solo trip to WDW, and every other time I have rented a car, I have a car reserved with Enterprise, at a really good rate of like $17/day (I work for a little green lizard that sells auto insurance), so we get good rates on rentals.

At the same time, that is still going to amount to like $200 for the week I will be there, and thats $200 I could use somewhere else.

I have had times where even when I rented a car, I left it at the resort and took Disney transport to the parks or downtown disney, just because I did not want to have to go park and walk into a park, and usually the buses are a lot closer to the park entrances. So the bus part of it while on property I tend to not have any issues with... but with DME, I don't know I just get that awkward feeling like everyone will be staring at me when I get on the bus type thing...lol

Again its probably just me caring way too much about what others are thinking, and they probably don't care at all.

So for solo trips, who has done DME solo and how was the experience? For those that have done it, would you do it again?

Thanks in advance for the information guys!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I've done DME solo more than once. I think other riders are focused on their own family and probably don't even notice that someone is solo. What other people on the bus might think about my being solo would not factor into my decision at all. I've also rented a car on some other trips, and enjoyed being able to go buy a case of water on the way in from the airport. Future trips could go either way.

 

[sky13]

I'm doing DME solo next month!

I haven't even considered that it may be awkward and I really don't think it will be awkward at all!

Also I'm sure there are people on group trips that take DME solo especially if they are flying into MCO at different times?

 

[Disneylover99]

When I travel with my family on ME, they always head to the back of the bus so they can find seats together, but I always sit near the front, so maybe I look single. Don't worry. Nobody will notice or care.

 

[ludari]

I have never rented a car when I travel to WDW since I find that the transportation options at WDW are so convenient. I've done DME so many times solo for visits to WDW and Disney Cruises that I can't even count the number of times. I have never even considered feeling awkward or out of place and I often see others sitting alone because families get split up especially if they are odd numbers.

There was this one time when my flight arrived super early in the morning (3AM/4AM) that I was the only passenger on the DME which was memorable. Being the only person on the bus the driver confirmed which resort I was staying at so he can drive directly to that resort and not waste time driving to the other resorts. He even asked if I wanted to watch the video and I say "no" since I have seen it multiple times and would prefer to rest. I wish it was always like this.

In any event, no one can change how you feel but saving $200 and using it somewhere else should be motivation enough to feel a little awkward. Enjoy your trip.

 

[disneyhorselover]

I've done DME solo and seen lots of single riders (I travel during runDisney race weekends-lots of solo or split up travelers then!) Nobody pays any attention-they are all way to excited about starting their own vacation to be looking at you!

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

I will be doing it solo in December.... I couldn't care less what others think about me riding the bus alone.

 

[automaticsoap]

I've been on DME a couple times alone -- and it's totally comfortable and not awkward! People are alone on DME for many reasons -- different flights than their party, solo trips, etc. I don't think anyone really notices.

 

[richmo]

Wouldn't worry about it. No one is going to care, and why should they?

But, don't give up on the car either. I like to have a car, even when staying on property. Keep in mind that the best rates for a car rental may not be until a week or two before you leave. What I'd do is go ahead and book DME, but keep an eye out on car rentals. There's no penalty if you don't show for DME.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

I've done it and just like public transportation anywhere else, no one knows or cares if you're traveling alone. Even if they did, who cares? Strangers aren't real people.

 

[mame71430]

I've personally (almost) always done DME solo. My family/friends have often stayed at different resorts or I've traveled solo all together. Paying the money to rent a vehicle that I'd rarely use down there just isn't worth it to me. I love the convenience of the DME and not having to stress over driving/parking. Love the comment above that says 'strangers aren't real people' - great approach! We pay way too much money and our time off is hard earned to care about people who mean nothing in our real lives. Enjoy the DME! Put on your headphones, read a book on the ride or enjoy the short video they play on the way. My next solo trip is mid-may and I can't wait! Hope you have a blast on yours!

 

[spiceycat]

you will be fine!

did solo DME - to just try DME - it was fine. Now I drive around 9 to 10 hours at night.

 

[disney world dreamer]

i have my first solo trip coming up in just under 4 weeks and i'm using DME.

i don't think it will feel awkward at all.

people are focused on their family not someone sitting across the isle.

and i'd say i have a better reason to feel awkward than most.
i'm visually impaired.

but the way i look at it is i'm never gonna see these people again so i don't care what they think of me which makes me feel more confident about myself.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

The other riders have no way of knowing that you are on a solo trip vs. meeting the rest of the family there, if they notice you at all (I'm usually awfully busy taking everything in). I would totally do it.

 

[ClareH37]

I love using the ME, for my next trip I'm staying at Universal for a couple of nights before moving to Disney - I'm going to get a taxi from universal to MCO just so I can hop on the ME to start my Disney trip 'properly'.

 

[RejoyceoverDisney]

I have done it, and I even ended up sitting alone when I was with my husband and friends because the bus was crowded. Everyone is so excited abot their own vacation I doubt anyone notices or cares! If anything I found on my solo trip people were "Jealous". LOL

If you can do the bus transportation from resort to parks, I wouldn't even think twice about the DME.
I wish it was me!

 

[BrianL]

Nobody will care. The only thing I'll say is that the long ride is pretty boring sitting by yourself, especially once you know that video by heart! Don't worry about what anyone else might be thinking though. If they do think ill of you, it's their problem, not yours.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

One thing I might say here, being that I am making my first solo this year...... if you are having anxiety over a bus ride, what people may think about you, there is a possibility your whole trip may be like that. You will be in ride queues, restaurants, character lines, etc by yourself. The bus will be the one place where people will probably never take notice because of the high backs on the seats, video on the bus, kids bouncing all over the place, their own excitement, etc. Truly, even if people do notice, I dont think anybody will care. I am sure there are people that go with their family that wish they could go alone. LOL

 

[DisneyBelle_x]

I plan to use it for my first solo trip in September and it hasn't even crossed my mind what people might think, i've never taken notice of others while using it so don't think anyone will be taking notice of me

 

[karly05]

I'll tell you what, I wouldn't go solo without DME. No way do I want to drive a car on vacation, and I would be nervous/uncomfortable about taking a cab or car service alone.

I've done DME for 3 trips, have never felt awkward, have never noticed anyone else noticing me or expressing any opinion about who is solo or who is with whom. As a lot of PPs have said, everyone's there to enjoy their own vacations, and there are plenty of reasons someone might be on the bus alone, or seated apart from their family. Watch the video or enjoy the view out the window; you'll be fine.