Just got back from a solo trip (5 full days)

[MeganMango]

I'm at the airport going home! At first I was unsure about traveling solo, but it was amazing. I did what I wanted when I wanted, ate what I wanted and where I wanted, even park hopped 3 times in a day (I'm a very quick mover!).

I stayed at All Star Sports and found the buses to be very reliable. Only one time did twice wait longer than 10 minutes, but other than that, it was nice to not have to worry about a rental car. The hotel rooms were decent. The pool was very nice!

I did 35 character meet and greets mainly for the photos, but the interactions were amazing. Especially Gaston and Peter Pan. Did I mention Gaston was HILARIOUS!!!?? So was Peter! They just make you feel so special!


Single rider lines aren't all the hype i discovered, as there are only a few. I also loved dining alone, which I was surprised! I did two character meals (Tusker House and Crystal Palace) both breakfasts. Both outstanding food. I also ate at Boma. Service wasn't good (specifically my waiter), but food was amazing. I wanted to do more character meals, but for how many characters I was meeting in the park, I couldn't justify it.

I love the Kilamonjaro Safari. However last night I had a terrible experience with it. I was getting on the last safari of the day, and when it came my turn to get in my row, the cast member asked me if i wanted the first or second row. Of course I said first, and we all board! Next thing I know they have everyone get off that safari bus onto another one, and I go up to the front row. Then I was asked to move by a cast member so a couple could sit there because they said the two of them wouldn't have been able to sit together. But when I was moved to the back next to families who had their bags spread out on the seats, I was extremely disappointed because there certainly was room. Took it to guest relations and they gave me a $100 gift card. I feel like Disney went wrong on that move. When we switched safari buses, they had people pick their seats (even though I thought we were going to the same assigned rows). I'm still angry about it. To me it's not about the money, but I felt as a single rider I was devalued. Because there certainly was plenty of room for them to where they moved me. Has anyone as a single rider felt like that before? I know they apologized, and admitted they were wrong, but I still feel like that took away some of the "magic" for me, especially being my last night.

It was pretty busy. The hardest part of my trip were the things I couldn't control, such as rude people. I literally had a lady ask me to move from a table so she could sit down. She claimed she was "about" to sit down. I moved because I didn't feel like dealing with it. I don't know why I didn't just tell her to leave. I also had far too many strollers/scooters almost run me over, and people just push you to get through. Next time I go back, I would never go during a busy season. My blood pressure rose quickly with some of these people.

Then I met some really great people, too! Who were very kind and friendly and fun to talk to.


So that's my trip. I'm exhausted. I moved pretty fast, but I saw nearly everything! Lots of walking and now a sore back! Ready to rest!

 

[kashzan]

I am glad that for the most part you enjoyed your trip.
I have been to WDW over 50 times, some solo, some not. I have never thought that some magic was missing because I did not like my seat on any particular attraction. It is a theme park after all serving thousand of guests.Sometimes things turn out in a way we dont love. Reading your experience I just don'e see it as being horrible, nor do I think it is an event to bring to guest relations. Glad they understood.

 

[Dug720]

I am glad that for the most part you enjoyed your trip.
I have been to WDW over 50 times, some solo, some not. I have never thought that some magic was missing because I did not like my seat on any particular attraction. It is a theme park after all serving thousand of guests.Sometimes things turn out in a way we dont love. Reading your experience I just don'e see it as being horrible, nor do I think it is an event to bring to guest relations. Glad they understood.

I agree. I actually like the back seat at the safari because you've got a much larger "window". Right behind the driver so much is blocked.

 

[MeganMango]

I guess what I'm trying to say is my point isn't that they assigned me to a bad seat. The cast member asked which one I wanted, and that's why I felt the way I did. And I wasn't in the back row, but just towards the back with a mother who let her kid stand the whole time.

 

[kashzan]

It is Disney. There are kids. I just do not see it as being a terrible experience, or something to get so upset about that it has to be brought to guest relations. As much as we want it, no Disney trip is 100% perfect, and if the worst that you can say about yours, is that a standing kid ruined your safari then...your trip is close to the perfection mark.

 

[samsteele]

I've also had some less than magical experiences as a frequent solo guest where I have been required to stand aside for a couple or family. Sometimes I understood. A few times, I definitely did not. This seems to be happening more frequently over the past year or so than in the past and possibly is linked to crowding and less CM training. If the incident at Kili Safaris truly offended you, then you were right to go to Guest Services to report it. If you don't let WDW know, then nothing can be done to improve interactions with solo guests in the future. That they provided a gift card was probably never your intent but is still a decent gesture. Overall, it sounds like you had a great first solo trip to WDW. Sadly, there are very few less crowded times now. I can tell you that barring one or two more glaring experiences, most of the rude fellow guest stuff falls by the wayside as time goes by & I really end up remembering the positive. WDW remains one of the best solo guest destinations where you can simply enjoy yourself and not worry about catering to the interests, issues or whims of traveling companions. I still can't get over how you had the energy to park hop so many times in one day! Kudos to you. If you decide to go back, no doubt you will find other activities to pass the time as well. I find something new & interesting every time I go. Cheers!

 

[MeganMango]

I've also had some less than magical experiences as a frequent solo guest where I have been required to stand aside for a couple or family. Sometimes I understood. A few times, I definitely did not. This seems to be happening more frequently over the past year or so than in the past and possibly is linked to crowding and less CM training. If the incident at Kili Safaris truly offended you, then you were right to go to Guest Services to report it. If you don't let WDW know, then nothing can be done to improve interactions with solo guests in the future. That they provided a gift card was probably never your intent but is still a decent gesture. Overall, it sounds like you had a great first solo trip to WDW. Sadly, there are very few less crowded times now. I can tell you that barring one or two more glaring experiences, most of the rude fellow guest stuff falls by the wayside as time goes by & I really end up remembering the positive. WDW remains one of the best solo guest destinations where you can simply enjoy yourself and not worry about catering to the interests, issues or whims of traveling companions. I still can't get over how you had the energy to park hop so many times in one day! Kudos to you. If you decide to go back, no doubt you will find other activities to pass the time as well. I find something new & interesting every time I go. Cheers!

Exactly! You took the words right from me! I would definitely go back. It's a great time solo because there's so much entertainment! Of course the one time where I felt I was overlooked did not make my trip a bad grip, just a bad moment (understandably so). I had a fantastic trip. I'm glad I brought it up and know I'm not the only one whose felt like that on a solo trip to WDW!

 

[samsteele]

I would definitely go back. It's a great time solo because there's so much entertainment!

I think you had another earlier post re suggestions for some activities to do. For your next trip, I'd suggest theming your vacation a bit and if you are a planner, do some extra prep work to map out extra activities that interest you. For example, if you are a foodie, consider making a quest to search out 4 different snacks in each park that have been touted on the Boards & you wish to try. A snack crawl in a sense. Or, check out some hidden gem attractions that don't make the top 3 headliners in each park but you want to see at least once before they disappear forever. There are also great TS and CS restaurants at the resorts & just planning out your transpo (by monorail, by boat or bus) can lead to a mini tour of parts of WDW that you would never see otherwise. These little quests can add a lot of fun to each day and give you a little sense of accomplishment. I also enjoy taking time to walk around other resorts to get an on the ground recon to see if its somewhere I'd like to stay at on another vacation. WDW has so much to see and do. Enjoy your next vacation & remember planning is half the fun.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

But when I was moved to the back next to families who had their bags spread out on the seats, I was extremely disappointed because there certainly was room. Took it to guest relations and they gave me a $100 gift card. I feel like Disney went wrong on that move. When we switched safari buses, they had people pick their seats (even though I thought we were going to the same assigned rows). I'm still angry about it. To me it's not about the money, but I felt as a single rider I was devalued. Because there certainly was plenty of room for them to where they moved me. Has anyone as a single rider felt like that before? I know they apologized, and admitted they were wrong, but I still feel like that took away some of the "magic" for me, especially being my last night.

As a single rider, if you don't make any special seating request then you may get treated as if you are a filler, but I have found in most instances they are very accommodating when I request a particular seat. Usually all you have to do is ask, and be willing to wait for another vehicle or two. Yes, it's a bummer to be disrespected in favor of a couple, but I think they were quite generous to make it up to you with a $100 gift card. Instead of that they could have given you a fastpass to go on the same ride and get the seat you want next time, which would have been pretty fair.

 

[ArielRae]

I agree with your choice with going to guest relations. Since disney has decided that their product is so good that they can raise prices everywhere then I want to be sure I am getting my moneys worth for that price. If I feel they aren't providing me what I am paying for I will not hesitate to go and complain to get some sort of refund for my decline in service.

 

[MeganMango]

I agree with your choice with going to guest relations. Since disney has decided that their product is so good that they can raise prices everywhere then I want to be sure I am getting my moneys worth for that price. If I feel they aren't providing me what I am paying for I will not hesitate to go and complain to get some sort of refund for my decline in service.

Exactly how I felt! I spent an arm and a leg to go to Disney's amusement park, and to not just go to any amusement park in Florida. I expected it to line up with the price I paid! Plus, I'm sure that $100 giftcard didn't break Disney's bank. Lol.

 

[BalooFan]

I feel your pain on your KS experience! I enjoy travelling solo, but my most disappointing experiences have been on rides. How many times have you reached the front of the line to be seated in a ride vehicle to have the CM ask "Just you?" Or have you ever had families behind you in line on IASW seated before you because the CM assumes that you are part of a group? Or have you ever been the last person seated in a row on GMR to face the stares of everyone in the row wondering why this lone person is trying to sit next to them? I think a lot of ride CM need to be more considerate and courteous to solo guests.

As far as the rude people, I actually feel like I have an easier time avoiding them when I am alone. I find it's easier to navigate around them when I'm by myself than it is when I'm trying to stay close to my travelling party.

 

[danny1649]

Thanks for sharing , details of your trip, I'm sure it will help others with their trip planning. Sorry for your problems I still think overall you had a good time. You really did supply information like single rider lines that and other things that will be of help to many others in our forum Danny

 

[ludari]

Sounds like you had a great time with a few hiccups which of course didn't seem to get you down. My favorite part of your trip report is that you met 35 characters, which I find very impressive. Rest, relax and plan your next trip that's typically what I do.