Any advice for my first solo trip??

[star77kc]

Hey guys! My last visit to WDW was Dec. 08 with my fiance. Lets just say he is not as big of a disney park lover as I am...so Ive decided to take a solo trip at the end of September this year. Not only because of my fiance, but also because Ive always wondered what it could be like wondering around WDW solo. My plan is to first go to Typhoon Lagoon (never been to any of the water parks), chill out...ride some slides, get a tan, float down the lazy river...etc. I am hoping to get a little of DHS in later that night and maybe catch Fantasmic! My second day I want to spend entirely at my most fav park..the Magic Kingdom!! I will probably check out the next day and have lunch and explore Downtown Disney! I REALLY want to stay at the Contemporary Resort even though Im by myself, but it is a little pricey...it just looks sooo lovely and comfy. Any ideas? Suggestions? Opinions on going solo? Thanks in advance!!

 

[yankspy]

Have fun. I did a solo trip last year and it was great. I was there for five days. You will notice that you will be able to cover a lot more being alone. It's also nice to just do whatever you want to do. I actually rode HM four times in a row. As far as the Contemporary, if you can afford it, go for it.

 

[disneytopdog]

I did my first solo trip 3 years ago and loved it. Your own your own time schedule. Take your time and do stuff the you wouldnt normally do when you are in a group. I actually saw all the films in World Showcase(Yes including the one at the Norway pavillion). I ate at the Morocan pavillion finally. None of my friends are brave enough to eat things out of their box. I actually stopped at the attractions in Innovations at Epcot. I rode the TTA like 4 times in a row without having to get off during Wishes. I loved sitting in the rocking chairs at HOP porch and watch all the humanity rush by.

The only weird thing was I was on the dining plan and it felt kinda goofy doing a sitdown table service meal. I found that you eat alot faster when there is no one to talk to and the wait staff are not used to turning a table that fast. So this year I will still do the dining plan but will do all buffet's so i can serve myself and leave.

This year I am doing a solo trip the last weekend November/first week in December. I just hope I have enough time to see all the Christmas stuff at the resorts and parks. Have a great time!!!! .

 

[Disney_Belle]

In my opinion I think everyone should do at least one solo trip in their life!

I went in May of 2005 and it was nothing less than amazing!

I got to see things I never got to before, try food I never got to try before - and I noticed so many details that I missed on previois trips because I was too busy going from one place to the next.

You would be amazed at how fun it is - and how "not lonely" it is. I thought it would be kind of lonely being by myself all week, but it wasn't - i met some amazing people there - cast members, other travelers - it was great

My only advice - do everything you want to do that you've never gotten to do before - and enjoy it!

If you need any help planning just shoot me over an email and I'd be glad to help :wave:

 

[Monty]

1) Get a better fiancé! :lookaroun [I happen to be available, but almost 50]

2) Tan before you go. The Florida sun is not the way to start a tan.

3) Make use of single-rider lines where you can, but don't skip all the stand-by lines some are well worth at least one go-through.

4) If you plan table service meals, take a book or something to do... Wait staff and kitchens are geared to timings of people talking

5) Enjoy!

 

[krankenstein]

I've taken numerous solo trips, and I'm sure that trend will continue in the future. You will be able to cover a lot of ground. As a result, you might want to invest in a park hopper. I've tried to spend my whole day at one park when I was alone, but I can do a ton of attractions relatively quickly and want to do something else. It's nothing uncommon for me to visit 3 parks and a resort or 2 during a day.

Just to give you an idea, this past trip I went to DAK and rode KS, EE (2 times), CTX, ITTBAB and ate lunch. Next, (around 1ish) I went to AKL and hung out for a bit, than headed to EPCOT. Once at EPCOT, I caught AA, JIYI, and SSE. Than, I caught the bus to Pop and ate dinner in my room, changed and went back to DAK for EEMH. During EEMH, I rode EE (2 times), caught FOLK, ITTBAB again, and spent another hour just walking around and exploring.

That's a full day, but I never rushed. I really took my time and did all that. The key to a solo trip is to slow down, enjoy the parks, and take in new experiences. You'll have a blast! :wave:

 

[Tink *~*~*]

I've gone solo quite a bit. One of the things I enjoy the most is the ability to follow my muse and not have a plan. It is true that you can cover quite a bit more on your own, so there's no need to plan it to the max - you can be very flexible and just go with the flow. Also, I don't do dining plans or sit downs when I go solo, and I think that contributes to having more time for touring.

 

[star77kc]

Thank you so much for all the advice so far! :wave: I am now more excited about my trip than ever!! As far as getting another fiance is concerned...Im sure I have the best one out there already! Ill just have to use my disney charms to make him a huge fan yet!!! Actually, Im glad I will get the opportunity to go solo while I can...Im sure after kids, etc..it would definitely be harder!!
I appreciate all and any advice you guys have! Your the experts!!:sohappy:

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Wow! I'm jealous! I'd love to do a solo trip but I'm almost afraid to ask my hubby if I can shoot for that someday. I don't wanna hurt his feelings. Plus, I think of how I'd feel if he suddenly wanted to go to our happy place without me. I'd cry!

That said, I'm going with my brother and his 2 daughters at the end of May. I'm seriously considering planning a little something, a tour or something, that I can sneak off and do alone so they can have some alone time and I can get a taste of solo time.

Last May hubby and I took a 9 night trip without our kids and the difference was incredible. We did so much more, relaxed more, and soaked in more than we do when we bring our boys (who are 10 & 13 so it's not like they're babies with strollers and gear to lug around). The pace is just entirely different.

Have fun! I think everyone here has given some excellent advice!

 

[MichWolv]

I've done several solo trips. You'll have a great time. For me, spending the money on the Contemporary for a solo trip would never be worth it. Give me a King Bed at a Value resort and I'm happy -- use the extra $200 on food and drink.

I agree with others -- you can cover a lot ground solo. Single rider lines, no waiting for others' rest room breaks, very fast quick-service meals, no attractions that you don't really like but others do, etc. Definitely take time to do whatever strikes your fancy at the time, and do things you might not otherwise do. I recall a solo trip were I rode Tower of Terror soon after opening about 12 times. On another, I spent a day in Epcot and rode about 2 rides -- spent time seeing everything in Innoventions, the post-show areas of Seas, Space, and Imagination, looking at the WS pavilions in detail and seeing the entertainment, etc. These things can be done on solo trips much easier. So enjoy.

 

[Tiggerfanatic]

I'm seriously kicking around a solo trip this fall. Probably wouldn't do a dining plan - I prefer to "graze" thru the day. I'd just like the opportunity to do things at my own pace and timetable. In my last 3 trips, I only watched one parade, only saw Illuminations once, and watched the Christmas fireworks show from the back of the castle because we were trying to see all the characters. I think I would focus more on shows and parades rather than rides as much, and just take my time looking at all the little touches that make Disney so special, and that I never take the time to appreciate.

 

[alanbrai]

I loved my solo trip last summer, like others have said cancover more ground and you can basically throw away any plan of attack that one may think they need, Just Go With The Flow - It's great.

As far as the Contemp. I personnally would not go back. I think it has gotten to corporate oriented. My suggestion, if you want to be near the MK would be Wilderness Lodge. Cheapest of the deluxes and very beautifull.

Enjoy your trip.