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

Zimbing · Mar 17, 2015

Nope, never had an issue being solo on the DME, too excited to care what others think! But I'm used to travelling alone so it doesn't phase me. Just sit back and enjoy the video, or the world going by out of the window

ajrwdwgirl · Mar 17, 2015

I just got back from my solo trip and I didn't feel awkward at all on the Magical Express.

tinkerbella16 · Mar 17, 2015

I have ridden DME solo in 2012 when I stayed at POFQ solo but my friend and his family were staying at BLT. It didn't feel awkward at all and others families actually struck up a conversation with me. That is something I love about wdw.. I love meeting and talking with other guests, whether its on the buses or in lines. Most people do not even notice. More solo people travel to wdw than we think, so it really isn't a big deal.

Coogz · Mar 17, 2015

Thanks, as is usual my overthinking a situation seems to have gotten the best of me. I appreciate all the feedback.

lustergirl · Mar 18, 2015

Disneylover99 said:
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.

Going solo is great and the seats at the front are an easy grab. Quicker to get off the bus and get checked into your hotel.

Disneylover99 · Mar 18, 2015

lustergirl said:
Going solo is great and the seats at the front are an easy grab. Quicker to get off the bus and get checked into your hotel.

That's why I sit there. :thumbsup2

Lilica · Mar 18, 2015

Susiequsie60 said:
Oh man . . . the more I read this thread the more I want to do this!!!

ClareH37 said:
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'.

That's a idea that i will imitate!!! Love it... :yo-yo:

I'm staying 5 days in Hard Rock Resort before going to POR.

Daytona99 · Mar 19, 2015

Coogz said:
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!

Don't worry. I've done ME with my family and alone. Nobody is even noticing. Everyone is so psyched to be there, see the scenery, watch the movie, they're not analyzing whether or not people are singles, alone, together, etc. And, lots of people go alone - people in Florida on business who have extra time and go to WDW, and people just going alone. It's fine, don't stress it. Just have a blast. AND, it's so nice to not have to pay extra to rent a car.

EPCOTgrl1 · Mar 19, 2015

I have done DME solo many times. People are more worried about themselves then anything else. I just play on my phone most of the time I am on the bus. When it comes down to it I will never see those people again so I don't care if the judge me.

JasonDeyoung30 · Mar 19, 2015

Between being excited to be almost to Disney, being on vacation, possibly tired and the video they play. I've gone on DME numerous times solo and nobody even pays attention to you unless maybe it's full and an empty seat is next to you. To much excitement and anxiousness going on to worry about other travelers

carmelhp · Mar 20, 2015

Everytime I've been on DME it's been so chaotic and whirlwind I doubt anyone knows what's going on around them.

morninglemon · Mar 20, 2015

I've done DME solo in the past because my friends had different flight times as me. I never got a funny look from other travelers, even when I'm sitting there with a ridiculously goofy grin on my face because Disneyworld! I agree with others who wouldn't do solo without DME. I think it's a total waste of $ to rent a car that you'll only use twice for getting to/from the airport if you're staying on-property. Even the times when I went off-property for UR, I still used DME and just got cabs to/from UR. One time I even took a LYNX from Magic Kingdom to UR (don't ask me how I did it - but it took like 1.5 hours. But I saved $45 each way so...). Anything beats the hassle of driving + parking + paying for parking/tolls/gas.

StLDisFan · Mar 20, 2015

Just like every other single response on here, it's no biggy (this is coming from an extremely shy, awkward introvert). It's just like riding public transit anywhere else or if you've done any aspect of Disney solo (the tram, a ride, stood in line for something, etc), people are either self-absorbed or they are focused on their family/friends. And occasionally someone next to/near you might strike up a convo and I have never felt awkward. First solo trip, I lied and said friends were on different flights (option #1); the second time I told the truth (option #2) and at first they didn't comprehend traveling solo but after explaining myself they wanted to ditch their family and try it out! :rotfl:

The only time it might be awkward is if you are a 29 y/o male balling his eyes out as the bus leaves the property... not that I would know.... just... hypothetical of course...

MatzoBelle · Mar 21, 2015

People judge us all the time, but it is fleeting and of no consequence anyway because we have no way of knowing whether or not they are doing it. Some of those judgments are positive: they might be envious or admiring of you. Mostly, people are so self-absorbed that they don't notice us at all or compare us with themselves or wonder what we are thinking of them. To every stranger, you represent a potential judge. The power to judge is equally distributed among all of us. Those who look at us with less than compassion may have some evolving to do, just as we do when we look at them with less than compassion. Judgment feels scary, but it's nothing to fear unless it results in mistreatment. Enjoy the freedom to take DME. You'll be invisible anyway in those high-backed seats.

btk2333 · Mar 21, 2015

Coogz said:
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!

I wouldn't worry too much- most people are more interested in their own vacations than whether or not you got on the bus alone! Plus you could be meeting someone in the bus already, someone already at the park (my family usually comes in on separate flights) or any number of equally possible scenarios for why you'd be riding the bus alone. The few times I've ridden alone- someone near me usually strikes up a conversation (either they're the odd traveler and sitting alone, or they're traveling alone too!)

LadyDiznee123 · Mar 24, 2015

Coogz said:
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!

Hey Coogz...

I am going SOLO and I cant wait to the DME bus! I really dont care. As well... I'm pretty much sure that most people won't notice or care if they do notice. If someone happens to ask you (and I doubt it would happen) tell them you're meeting up with friends and leave it at that. Its my hope that you dont give this reply because you feel awkward, but because its really nobody's business (safety-wise and/ or privacy-wise) that you are traveling alone. (and since I plan to meet up with a few members from these boards - I will indeed be telling the truth about meeting up with friends! (*_*) )

Own it and enjoy it! I cant wait to get on the bus and look out of the window and know I'm on my way to POFQ. I'm going to have a giant smile on my face when I board. You should too! (*_*)

Simba's Mom · Mar 24, 2015

The only thing I find awkward is that, even when the bus gets real full, and there's an empty seat next to me, people avoid eye contact and walk by rather than sit next to me. I kind of feel like the kid who didn't get picked for a "side" in high school gym class. Except for that awkwardness, I don't have any problem-as long as the bus isn't too full, I love it.

MagentaMulan · Mar 27, 2015

I think being solo isn't weird or awkward. If the bus isn't too full, i like to sit by myself. I noticed solo travelers, but didn't think much of it, except that I wish i could go to Disney world alone.

kungaloosh22 · Mar 29, 2015

automaticsoap said:
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.

On my last DME solo trip, I think every person on the bus was solo (whether on a solo trip or not--I have no idea but it doesn't matter).

disneyshakeygirl · Mar 29, 2015

I've done it solo several times and have had no problems. Nobody else cares. I thought it'd be awkward but nobody even looked at me. The only time I talked to someone was to ask if I could sit next to them. There's the video, interaction with the bus driver if he's doing trivia etc.

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

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