Taking a solo journey to Walt Disney World could be an intimidating, but extremely gratifying expertise. This submit gives ideas for taking advantage of doing Walt Disney World by your self, highlighting what you’ll be able to get pleasure from once you’re alone, and providing some reassurances. (Up to date November 6, 2024.)
The concept of going alone could appear off-putting, even. For many individuals, the spotlight of a Disney trip is spending time with household and making reminiscences of enjoyable, laughter, and little moments shared with the individuals you’re keen on. That’s to not say flying solo at Walt Disney World is a lonely and laughter-less expertise. Effectively, relying in your persona, perhaps it’s.
I feel that doing Walt Disney World solo is type of like Residence Alone (minus the housebreaking). Intimidating and scary at first, however fairly superior when you notice you’ll be able to run round doing and consuming no matter you need with out anybody to cease you. I’ve made a number of solo journeys in the previous few years and have gone from being afraid of the very thought of going with out Sarah to being so snug that I spent a day at Storm Lagoon and ate a bucket of ice cream on my own…
November 6, 2024 Replace: I’ve gone solo to Walt Disney World over a dozen occasions within the final two years, with Sarah unable to accompany me because of erring on the aspect of warning throughout being pregnant, earlier than Child Bricker hit the six month mark, and for fast lengthy weekend journeys ‘for the sake of analysis.’
In so doing, I’ve realized quite a lot of classes alongside the best way. Maybe extra importantly, I’ve made quite a lot of unforced errors. So many, the truth is, that I’ve made a counterpart to this submit: Errors I’ve Made Going Solo to Walt Disney World. That is worthwhile when you’re nervous about visiting Walt Disney World by your self and wish to keep away from embarrassment. (For instance, did you ever take into account that household type meals are a extremely dangerous possibility as a celebration of 1?!) If that’s the case, I’d advocate giving {that a} learn as a complement to this so you’ll be able to be taught from my errors.
Even with that stated, solo journeys should not for everybody. I think those that go primarily to see the reactions of their youngsters or severe extroverts could also be much less inclined to benefit from the expertise. Nevertheless, I’ve realized that as an ‘outgoing introvert’ (that’s what the federal government scientists who interrogated me on the bunker in New Mexico studied me concluded) a solo journey now and again is nice for me.
When you suppose a solo journey may be best for you, listed here are 10 tricks to making it an amazing expertise…
10. Eat The place You Need
My greatest concern earlier than my first solo journey to Walt Disney World was consuming alone. I don’t know why…perhaps the stigma? It turned out to be tremendous. That first journey I ate fully at counter service eating places, wanting to reduce awkward encounters by not coping with a server.
I’ve turn into extra snug consuming alone, and have since completed desk service meals. There was no difficulty with this, and I’ve discovered more often than not Solid Members on the restaurant are extra conversational with me to make my expertise higher. One factor you may wish to inform your server if you find yourself order is that you’re in no rush (assuming you might be in no rush).
On a number of events, I’ve had servers rush the meal alongside, most likely underneath the belief that I wish to be out and in (which I did–however you may be totally different than me). Another excuse for that is that servers work for ideas and a smaller social gathering typically means a smaller tip. You may wish to be cognizant of this, particularly at busier eating places, and tip effectively.
9. SINGLE RIDER
We advocate utilizing single rider strains on this weblog even if you find yourself with others, however so many individuals are staunchly against single rider strains when they’re in teams. Whereas that also perplexes me, once you’re touring alone, there’s completely no purpose to not reap the benefits of single rider strains.
Granted, that is solely out there at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Check Monitor, Rock ‘N’ Curler Coaster, and Expedition Everest, however these are three of the longest waits at Walt Disney World, and thrill junkies can actually get their repair by way of these single rider strains. There have been occasions the place I’ve looped Expedition Everest, driving it 3 occasions in about quarter-hour!
When you’re incorporating Common Orlando Resort into your solo journey, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of single rider strains on many sights there. This may be an immense time-saver, and one thing to make use of even once you’re touring with others (we do!).
8. TREAT YO SELF!
You probably have a household of 5, you most likely balk on the costs of some experiences at Walt Disney World. Even issues like a buffet imply dropping at the very least $250. There may be quite a lot of expensive stuff you haven’t completed at Walt Disney World due to how a lot it will price on your whole social gathering. When you’re touring alone, the price of your whole social gathering is the price of YOU.
It might sound tremendous egocentric, however that is America. George Washington would roll in his grave if all of us didn’t act like we’re the middle of the universe. Joking apart, a solo journey is a chance to do a few these costly issues that merely price an excessive amount of along with your whole social gathering.
It may be one thing comparatively simple like a Halloween or Christmas social gathering, otherwise you may go all out and get a spa therapy or do browsing classes at Storm Lagoon. Signature Eating places are a improbable possibility, particularly you probably have youthful youngsters for whom they’re inappropriate.
Guided excursions are one other nice possibility, as these are each pricey (making them a non-starter for a lot of households) and suited extra to area of interest and/or grownup pursuits (so it’s typically tough to persuade the household to do them within the first place). Behind the Seeds at EPCOT could not appear to be a ‘deal with yo self’ splurge given its low price, however it may be once you additionally take into account the associated fee in time, and that your entire household might not be on board. Regardless, Tom & Donna can be proud.
7. Be Somebody Else
Every time I journey to Walt Disney World, the individuals I encounter alongside the best way meet George Kaplan, undercover agent and worldwide man of thriller. Truly…that’s not what I imply. Once you’re on a visit by your self the place you’re solely interacting with individuals who don’t know you and doubtless won’t ever see you once more, you’ll be able to really feel freer to step exterior of your “regular” persona.
This may sound foolish since you might all the time step exterior of your consolation zone when you so desired, however that’s simpler stated than completed. I feel very often we comport with others’ expectations of us…or may be embarrassed to have pals or household see us step exterior of our consolation zones.
Once you’re solo, it’s simpler to exit on a limb, so to talk. Whether or not that is manifested in speaking to strangers on the monorail, getting up and doing karaoke, or consuming a porterhouse the scale of your head when you’re a vegetarian, it may be a enjoyable technique to strive stuff you usually wouldn’t.
On an identical word, you may as well step exterior your household’s consolation zone. Take the chance to do issues your partner or youngsters wouldn’t wish to do. This can be a win-win, since you get to do one thing you in any other case wouldn’t, and so they’ll be less-jealous concerning the expertise you had. Once more, the Behind the Seeds Tour at EPCOT comes up as a major instance. Few youngsters are going to be upset about their mother and father doing that with out them!
6. Dine at Bars
One of many greatest classes I’ve realized from over a dozen solo journeys to Walt Disney World between final 12 months and 2024 is that bars and lounges are far and away one of the best and best technique to eat. I’ve truly added this as its personal entry, consolidating factors about social media and assembly up with pals into #2 (when you’re questioning why that one is so lengthy).
This can be a actually vital level as a result of many Walt Disney World followers assume that bars and lounges are solely–or largely–for drinkers. That couldn’t be farther from the reality. I by no means order alcohol when eating at these spots, that are overwhelming family-friendly, anyway.
What bars and lounges provide is meals menus at comparatively cheap costs, higher effectivity, and fewer awkwardness. I’m largely not a fan of the Magic Kingdom eating scene, so I ceaselessly depart the park to move over to Disney’s Up to date Resort the place I dine at Steakhouse 71 on the bar (pictured above). I can watch soccer with fellow dads (a lot of whom are right here alone, even when touring with household) and have a improbable burger and be again within the park in an hour or underneath.
Consuming at bars & lounges can be an amazing possibility at Signature Eating places. These tremendous eating areas largely have bars the place you’ll be able to order from the total menu, making them much less uncomfortable for solo vacationers. These eating places cater largely to conference visitors, so that you typically received’t be the one solo visitors eating at these bars. Past this, seek the advice of our Listing of the Finest 23 Bars & Lounges at Walt Disney World. There are some nice choices!
5. Trip Kingdom
I’m not fully certain why I view this as a solo exercise, however I discover myself stepping past the turnstiles of the parks out into the remainder of the Trip Kingdom of the World once I go to on my own. That is most likely as a result of the theme parks are broadly interesting to a variety of individuals, whereas the remainder of the Trip Kingdom–whether or not it’s golf, fishing, or particular resorts–is all extra focused to sure hobbies and pursuits.
It’s also possible to enterprise exterior the park by easy “driving the rails.” Take a flight on the Skyliner or monorail, a leisurely experience round Bay Lake on the boats, or just a stroll round Crescent Lake. One type of transportation we’d most likely skip is the buses. Whereas sensible, there’s not a lot enjoyable available merely driving round random bus routes.
One place I typically discover myself is Fort Wilderness, a resort I actually love. Maybe it’s because I’m accustomed to being alone with nature once I journey alone in the actual world, so I gravitate to that very same kind of location at Walt Disney World. There’s a purpose “at one with nature” is a well-liked saying, and I’ve discovered that Fort Wilderness is a good place for quiet strolls and introspection. Oh, and it doesn’t damage that Path’s Finish is an superior place to eat.
4. Select Your Personal Journey!
Wish to do Buzz Lightyear’s Area Ranger Spin 10 occasions in a row? How about spending the day watching geese wandering round? Perhaps your partner hates sizzling canine and thrill rides, wherein case, it’s a very good time to feast at Casey’s Nook earlier than doing TRON Lightcycle Run. (On second thought, maybe it is best to house these out a bit.)
One factor I’ve realized by way of this weblog is that totally different individuals get various things out of Walt Disney World. I can let you know that my best day is radically totally different than some others’ thought of an ideal day. Once you journey solo, your imaginative and prescient of “best” is the day you get to have, regardless of how odd that will appear to others.
I as soon as spent a complete day in Epcot on my own as soon as, and actually did nothing moreover watching Impressions de France (twice), American Journey, sitting on a bench listening to background music, and taking photographs. So go forward, stare at these geese. You’ve earned it.
3. Fly by the Seat of Your Pants
Having a strong itinerary for Walt Disney World once you’re with a number of different individuals is smart as a result of there are specific pressures of a multi-thousand greenback journey. These pressures are considerably decrease once you’re by your self. This isn’t to say a Walt Disney World trip is affordable once you’re by your self or that it is best to go in with out Lightning Lanes or any targets, however the stakes are decrease.
It’s to say that going solo at Walt Disney World makes for a extra versatile trip. When you don’t have a plan and also you’re with a bigger social gathering, each step have to be mentioned, and making selections on the fly is inefficient and unwieldy.
When you’re by your self, you’ll be able to simply pivot and do issues on the fly, as there’s no collaborative aspect. Not having any plan could make you’re feeling considerably “bare” at first, however it’s one other technique to have a special kind of day at Walt Disney World. Spontaneity is among the highlights of a solo Disney journey.
2. Make “Web Pals”
If this weblog submit had been written 15 years in the past, that heading may sound just like the creepiest factor ever. “Web pals” was most likely related to having a sit-down with Chris Hansen. The dynamic and notion of the web has actually modified quite a bit since then, and socializing on-line is now not considered as a pastime of the anti-social.
Now, there really is a Disney on-line fan neighborhood, and it’s an amazing place to make pals. The factor about that is that it’s a must to go about it the fitting manner. When you’re not at the moment lively in any on-line communities, don’t join 2 weeks earlier than your journey and begin randomly posting your journey dates in Fb teams about Disney or doing TikTok dances to lure individuals to fulfill up with you.
It’s essential to make pals on-line simply as you’d in the actual world, interacting and forming friendships over time, after which privately messaging them nearer to your journey dates. I might write a complete submit on the “proper” technique to do all of this, however I’m going to imagine the readers of this weblog are the good of the cool, and never socially maladjusted, so you’ll be able to most likely determine most of this out for yourselves.
Assembly up with pals is a pleasant security internet, so to talk, or a technique to steadiness out the journey. This manner, you’ll be able to select once you’re by your self and once you expertise the parks with pals. Personally, I do know after a pair days of solely superficial interactions, I’m prepared for a ‘break’ from the solo factor and searching for significant interactions.
Equally, social media could be your lifeline to the skin world. Whereas there’s something to be stated for truly experiencing what you’re doing fairly than sharing the supposed expertise, I feel a solo journey is considerably totally different as a result of it offers you an opportunity to have interaction with others.
A part of what makes a visit with others enjoyable is sharing these little moments within the parks with another person. Sharing on-line offers a fast and simple technique to have a semblance of that, whereas nonetheless touring solo. Simply watch out: the concern of loneliness could make it straightforward to spend an excessive amount of time sharing on social media, and never sufficient time truly having fun with your self and doing issues in your solo Walt Disney World journey.
My suggestion right here can be to stay within the second and ‘catch up’ on sharing once you’re ready in strains. Oh, and make sure to convey an exterior battery charger on your cellphone. The dullness of sure queues is amplified once you’re by your self, and you’ll use quite a lot of battery killing time…
1. Disney Enlightenment
One of many odd issues I’ve with a bunch dynamic is that I all the time really feel compelled to be ‘conducting’ one thing, no matter whether or not the individuals I’m with are much more laid again than me. It’s this odd, barely neurotic factor, I suppose. For instance, Sarah says ‘she’s simply completely happy being there’ however I nonetheless really feel the necessity to preserve issues shifting alongside. I don’t wish to cease for too lengthy to take a photograph, or linger after a meal. There’s simply one thing behind my thoughts prodding me alongside.
Against this, once I’m on my own, this doesn’t even enter my thoughts. I’m completely tremendous taking my time, whether or not which means doing a lap round Crescent Lake or sitting poolside for an hour simply absorbing the solar. You may suppose that when you didn’t have anybody else slowing you down, you’d do sights continuous, however inevitably, everybody I do know who has gone solo talks about how they actually liked the leisurely tempo.
I confer with this as attending to know Walt Disney World. It’s my favourite a part of going solo. There’s one thing about this that I simply love that’s nearly not possible to articulate, however you find yourself seeing the parks in an intimate, totally different manner. It’s powerful to elucidate, however after a couple of day of this, it feels nearly like you’ve heightened senses: you see stuff you usually don’t see, hear stuff you usually don’t hear, and many others. I suppose it’s like enlightenment, Disney type. That may appear embellished and even preposterous when you’ve by no means had solo time within the parks, however belief me on this. It’s a “factor.”
One factor I didn’t point out above was security. Personally, I don’t suppose this actually qualifies as a lot of a tip. You have to be secure wherever you go. Though incidents do happen at Walt Disney World, dangerous stuff occurs in all places, and I view Walt Disney World as one of many most secure locations on the planet. So, yeah, don’t do something silly that jeopardizes your security. In any other case, I feel I lined my favourite ideas for flying solo at Walt Disney World!
If you’re planning a Walt Disney World journey–solo or in any other case–try our planning assets! When you’re fascinated by studying extra about accommodations, our Walt Disney World Accommodations Opinions web page is an effective place to begin. For the place to eat, check out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions web page. If you wish to lower your expenses on tickets or decide which sort it is best to get, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a singular have a look at unconventional issues it is best to take in your journey. When you arrive on the parks, our Walt Disney World “Experience Guides” are nice for figuring out what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of those subjects and a lot extra, one of the best place to begin is our complete Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information to benefit from your expertise!
Your Ideas
Have you ever completed a solo Walt Disney World trip? Any extra ideas? Are you pondering of flying solo at WDW? Does a solo journey appear to be one thing you’d get pleasure from, or would you miss being with your mates or household? Listening to from you is half the enjoyable, so you probably have different ideas or questions, please share within the feedback!
