I’ve gone solo to Walt Disney World a few dozen occasions within the final yr or so, with Sarah unable to accompany me attributable to erring on the facet of warning throughout being pregnant and earlier than Child Bricker hit the six month mark. In so doing, I’ve made lots of errors and discovered lots of classes alongside the best way, a few of which I believed it could be fascinating to share so you possibly can be taught from or snort at me. Actually your name.
I’ll begin by saying I’m really a fan of taking solo journeys to Walt Disney World. Or reasonably, I used to be a fan up till this previous yr. At this level, I’m very a lot over it and able to resume touring completely as a household. We’ve already accomplished that, and even shared ‘what went proper’ throughout our household journey – half 1 and half 2, together with what incorrect incorrect half 1 and half 2.
Regardless that I’m wanting ahead to extra household holidays, I additionally suppose solo journeys could be a good solution to see a special facet of Walt Disney World or do issues in a different way than when with a bigger occasion. See our Prime 10 Ideas for Taking Solo Journeys to Walt Disney World for more information. Consider this as a companion put up to that, as a substitute of suggestions for issues to do to reinforce a solo journey, that is the alternative–cautionary tales so you possibly can be taught from my errors…
Indecisiveness – that feeling while you’re sitting at dwelling on the sofa with just a few free hours and a wealth of streaming programming at your fingertips? (I not do since Child Bricker, however I used to!) However as a substitute of getting proper into it and deciding on a film to look at, you waste half-hour looking a number of streaming companies for the proper programming, earlier than ultimately giving up and simply watching reruns of Frasier? (No? Simply me? Nicely alrighty then.)
Sadly, I’m the very same approach at Walt Disney World when I’ve my very own free time. Relating to subject testing, I’m completely in my factor, able to execute an ideal plan with precision whereas additionally having contingencies to which I can pivot at a second’s discover. All of that is prime of thoughts–I really feel like a part of Seal Staff 6, however for dorks, or (extra precisely) these elves from Prep & Touchdown. It’s an analogous story when Sarah and I am going to the parks collectively, albeit extra laid again. Regardless that we’ve been a whole bunch of occasions, I really feel a stress to take care of momentum. (Doubly so on our household journeys now.)
After I’m on my own at Walt Disney World and don’t have an agenda apart from “have enjoyable,” that’s the place the wheels fall off. I’ve all the alternatives on the earth, and may’t resolve on what to do. This results in lots of wandering and revisiting acquainted favorites, which is definitely enjoyable and satisfying, however typically sundown rolls round and I discover myself questioning “the place did the day go?!” So lots of the huge plans I had for the final yr didn’t occur as a result of I had on a regular basis on the earth to do them…however didn’t.
Getting Soaked – I’ve been advised I’ve “center age absent-minded professor power,” which I can solely assume is excessive reward because it signifies that I’m literate and competent at educating. That’s not what is admittedly meant by that, and a superb instance of the particular intent is made clear by my rain preparedness. I’m very conversant in Florida climate, having visited and lived within the Sunshine State for years. I do know that the climate can flip to liquid sunshine with out warning or discover, and you need to at all times take an umbrella in every single place.
One way or the other, I’ve managed to interrupt or lose a number of umbrellas over the past yr to the purpose that Sarah “joked” she ought to arrange Amazon Subscribe & Save for an umbrella. Including insult to harm, each single umbrella casualty got here at a time when it was not raining, leaving me with out an umbrella when it did rain.
Ethical of the story: pack a number of technique of staying dry–and umbrella and ponchos as a backup. Oh, and whereas we’re at it, at all times pack a number of pairs of sneakers. This ought to be a given, for extra causes than one, however taking a single pair of sneakers to Walt Disney World is like strolling a tightrope with no security internet. Not advisable.
Mears Join – This was not a mistake for me, because it didn’t make sense for me as a solo traveler to spend the additional cash on Uber/Lyft or various types of transportation, particularly since I can work on my laptop computer whereas on the Mears Join Pushed by Sunshine shuttle bus. So the additional time was very a lot well worth the cash saved.
With that stated, I need this to be a sensible put up for planners and never only a ineffective record of my goof-ups. For a lot of/most different friends, I believe Mears Join is a suboptimal choice, both as a result of added time or added price over the options–or each. I believe many individuals use it as a result of it’s the religious successor to the free Disney’s Magical Specific, so that they follow the protected and acquainted.
To every their very own, I assume, however with a celebration of three or extra, I want the choice airport transportation choices to Mears Join. For solo vacationers or {couples}, it can make sense, however trip time is cash (or ought to be) for many of you!
Transportation Time – Talking of which, the time-sink of transportation is one other one. When it’s each of us, we have a tendency to remain in the identical park, having fun with as a lot as attainable. There are numerous days that we don’t Park Hop in any respect, particularly if working hours aren’t conducive to it (which means that there’s no profit to hopping to increase the day).
Excluding subject testing days the place I wanted to spend your complete day in a single park, I’m at all times bouncing round. I really love this, however that’s largely as a result of I view the monorail, boats, and gondolas as a type of an attraction. I additionally prefer to cease by the assorted resorts and spend time at every. So for me, this works and wasn’t essentially a mistake per se.
Nevertheless, in ‘auditing’ my days after every journey, I couldn’t assist however discover that I wasted a ton of time on transportation. More often than not, I didn’t even come out forward when accounting for beginning at parks that opened earlier and ending at ones closing later. There have been some days when transportation ate up a number of hours, actually. I believe that is value highlighting as a result of some friends underestimate simply how a lot time commuting round Walt Disney World can take. (And little or no of this has to do with inefficient buses or ready–it was largely the transit occasions themselves, going by means of safety, and so on.)
Household Model Meals – I like to eat and, though photographs would possibly recommend in any other case, can put down lots of meals. However alone, I nonetheless usually can not eat sufficient to pretty and totally overview eating places with out making a number of visits. And I refuse to waste meals. That offered a dilemma of both overeating (or taking leftovers to again to my room) or doing household model meals.
Household model meals have been engaging as the apparent worth for cash choice that labored higher, at the very least in principle, for solo journeys versus ones as a pair or, now, as a household of three. In any case, the menu is similar whether or not you’ve got a celebration of 1 or a celebration of 10–not like a la carte menus, there’s no benefit to having a big occasion. It’s best solo.
Once more, all in principle. I discovered my lesson the exhausting approach with Toy Story Roundup Rodeo BBQ. I used to be seated on the very entrance of the restaurant, at a desk each occasion would cross on their solution to be seated, and proper subsequent to a little bit prep station for servers. I used to be already barely uncomfortable to be a solo grownup male in a youngsters restaurant, and being on totally show exacerbated it.
What actually put issues excessive was that the kitchen couldn’t put together smaller dimension parts, so I received an entire ton of meals introduced out to me. And naturally, I’m photographing all of this meals. (My very own “fault,” so to talk, however did me no favors in making myself much less conspicuous.)
Even when Sarah have been with me, this may’ve been approach an excessive amount of meals–I’ll wager we may’ve solely completed half of it. On my own, I used to be solely capable of eat rather less than half of it, and that was solely after going approach too exhausting to reduce the waste. I used to be embarrassed and apologized profusely for the meals waste to my server. She was unfazed and advised me to not fear about it–that Walt Disney World recycles the entire meals (to not future patrons–this isn’t Chuck E. Cheese). Though I’m conversant in Walt Disney World’s dedication to decreasing and diverting meals waste, I’d nonetheless reasonably not be in that place within the first place.
For no matter it’s value, buffets are a completely completely different story. I’d really say these–particularly Boma because it has a bit extra of an grownup vibe–are good for solo vacationers. There are additionally different household model eating places which might be higher about this, together with Liberty Tree Tavern and Diamond Horseshoe, however Toy Story Roundup Rodeo BBQ was such an embarrassing expertise that I ended doing solo household model meals after that.
Consuming Too A lot – Most likely an unsurprising outgrowth of the above, however I ate approach an excessive amount of at Walt Disney World within the final yr. Not being keen to waste meals (with the occasional exception for the barely-edible and desserts laden with synthetic flavors and colours that hardly qualify as “meals” within the first place) and eager to overview as a lot as attainable proved to be a harmful mixture.
It additionally didn’t assist that, as soon as pre-arrival Lightning Lanes have been introduced, I in the reduction of considerably on Genie+ testing. This left the center of my days vast open, and–reasonably than ready in lengthy strains for sights I’ve accomplished dozens or a whole bunch of occasions–I opted to eat. Lots. For analysis.
Combining the entire above (huge meals for the sake of critiques, no waste, consuming too typically) together with Disney meals being very completely different from what I eat at dwelling led to me feeling bloated and drained. On the plus facet, that additionally satisfied me to stroll extra and quicker than regular–I’d clock over 25,000 steps on a mean day and burn 1,000 to 1,500 energy (in accordance with my watch). All in all…I remorse nothing. This really was lots of enjoyable and not likely a mistake, on steadiness. I most likely ought to’ve opted for just a few lighter dishes, although. That will’ve made it extra pleasurable.
Too A lot Caffeine – A standard alternate between the 2 of us is me saying that I’m going to get a espresso or Coke at 3 p.m., and Sarah saying, “are you certain that’s a good suggestion?” It’s not, which I notice as quickly as she says one thing–and don’t purchase it consequently. This occurs on a regular basis once we’re out and about (together with at the moment as I used to be scripting this put up).
After I’m on my own, there’s nobody to remind me of this apparent factor I ought to’ve discovered a decade or extra in the past. And so I get a 3 p.m. espresso and generally a 6 p.m. Coke and, on uncommon event, an 8 p.m. Coke earlier than the fireworks. It’s superior! I’m overvalued and full of pleasure!!! (If you happen to’ve ever met me within the parks and I’ve been cheery and outgoing, this was inside an hour of espresso or Coke.)
Then 3 a.m. rolls round, and I’m stressed and anxious. I don’t get uninterrupted sleep. It sucks. Who may’ve recognized that caffeine would do that to me?! (I do know I sound like an imbecile incapable of checking my worst impulses, however…eh, that’s about proper.)
All Star Sports activities – This one isn’t what you would possibly suppose. I’ve zero regrets about All Star Sports activities being my prime resort (by way of stays) over the past year-plus, with Coronado Springs being scorching on its heels. I’m on report as saying that Walt Disney World’s most cost-effective resorts are literally good, and I imply that. That wasn’t simply faint reward to reassure price range vacationers.
To the extent this was a mistake, it’s that I turned very accustomed to Walt Disney World journeys being very cheap. And though I shouldn’t since I worth these things out on a regular basis, I had a little bit of sticker shock once we began planning Megatron’s first journey and we needed to splurge. They are saying that when you get a style of filet mignon, you possibly can by no means return to lesser cuts of steak.
I assume I’m the alternative. As soon as I received a style of doing Disney on a dime and having these lodging be completely advantageous, it’s turn into more durable to justify the pricier choices. That is most likely why Pop Century ranks as my #1 resort at Walt Disney World–it affords nice bang for buck and I’ve a very exhausting time justifying the premium pricing on Deluxes, particularly for anybody who will spend most of their days within the parks. Is it actually value spending a whole bunch of additional {dollars} to keep away from bus rides in the beginning and finish of the day?!
Flight Follies: Fundamental Financial system – To save cash, I routinely booked primary financial system on Delta. I’ve their co-branded American Specific card, so this wasn’t as a lot of an obstacle because it may appear.
Nevertheless, I didn’t earn miles (in direction of standing or rewards) on these flights. So regardless of flying rather a lot, I don’t have something to point out for it with Delta. This can be a good instance of short-term considering having the next long-term price. This may be utilized far past flights, and I’m usually fairly good about the sort of factor. I’ve additionally generally gotten caught within the center seat. I hate the center seat. Anyway, lesson discovered.
Flight Follies: TSA Precheck – I had World Entry, which incorporates TSA Pre-Verify. I wasn’t paying shut sufficient consideration to my e-mail, and missed my extension window. Sadly, renewing as soon as this expires is just not simple–6 months later, and I’m nonetheless ready on conditional approval. After that, I’ve to schedule an interview.
I’ve thus had just a few flights out of MCO utilizing the common TSA safety screening strains. 0/10, don’t advocate. Whereas MCO is a advantageous airport that’s as environment friendly as attainable given the circumstances, I’d implore you to enroll in TSA Pre-Verify. (In case your journey is approaching, undoubtedly do this–don’t anticipate World Entry, as processing occasions are absurd proper now.)
MCO retains breaking its personal customer quantity information, and is bursting on the seams. The traditional safety strains can take a very long time, and also you’ll wish to be on the airport over 2 hours upfront with out it. Severely–I’ve been doing 3 hours. That, or fly out of Terminal C if in any respect attainable, because the state of affairs there appears to be a lot better.
Lastly, a “dishonorable point out” to flying into LAX. I’ve a love-hate relationship with Los Angeles Worldwide Airport. It even made our record of 10 Issues We’ll By no means Do Once more at Disneyland. The explanation it’s not an official entry is as a result of I really like LAX when flying solo, as I do know the ins and outs of the airport and may get nonstop redeye flights to MCO that work very well for my schedule. I additionally love the Delta lounge and new terminal at LAX. However flying primary financial system and not having TSA PreCheck exacerbate the negatives of LAX, so it deserves at the very least a point out right here.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about resorts on our Walt Disney World Resorts Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every little thing it’s essential know!
Your Ideas
What errors have you ever made when doing Walt Disney World or touring usually, solo or in any other case? Does your accomplice likewise stop you from making poor selections at Disney? Any entry on this record “converse to you” or do you suppose these are all dumb strikes that no functioning grownup ought to’ve made? Listening to your suggestions—even while you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
