Is going on your own less fun?

[Jellyfish]

I'm thinking of going on my own for a week or so. I went last August with my family, and i was thinking of going with friends this time but they can't afford it.

But will i get lonely going on my own or do you prefer going in a group?

See i don't think i'll have time to be lonely because i'll be too busy doing stuff :lol: i was just wondering on your opinions really.

Is it different going to WDW on your own to going to DLP on your own? [As in, would you be less lonely going to DLP on your own than going to WDW or vice versa?]

 

[joanna71985]

I actually enjoy going to the parks by myself. I love getting to do everything I want to do.

 

[marty]

I went last September to WDW on my own and had the best time of my life. I went on Rock N' Roller coaster five times in a row one morning, and another day I was at EPCOT and spontaneously zipped over to Magic Kingdom for a Dole Whip. It was so nice to be able to do whatever I wanted, when I wanted, without having to worry about other people.

But WDW is fun with family too!

 

[krankenstein]

I have gone solo, actually my next trip will be another solo one! I absolutely love going alone. You have so much more independence, it is awesome. The only time I ever got lonely last time was riding the bus/monorail between parks at night. I think you also need to consider the type of person you are. I am a natural loner, I enjoy being by myself. That said I think everyone should experience a trip alone once.

I can't really speak on DLP V. WDW alone thing since I have never been to DLP.

Also do a search, this has been discussed several times, it might give you more insight.

 

[MacRtst]

I went solo for my 30th birthday . I had the best time. It was truly an experience I'd recommend to anyone. Have a great time!

 

[uklad79]

I have done a day WDW and DLP on my own as the friends I was on the trip with were ill at the time so stayed at the hotel. I would say WDW is a much better place to go on your own because people will talk to you on the buses, in the lines, if you are sat on a bench or anywhere really. Americans are on the whole more friendly to-wards Brits than the French and they have a genuine interest in talking to you. I have chatted to some lovely people while in Orlando and they really make your day. We have so much in common with our American cousins. I was chatting to a couple of older lady's while in line for a crape in World Showcase and they asked me where I lived and it turned out as a child she had visited my home city when she was a small child and that her grandfather was something to do with Blackpool Tower and his name was on a plack in the tower.

 

[frankd1962]

I spent my 45th birthday at WDW on a solo trip and I had more fun than I thought I would have. To do what you want, when you want and where you want. Not worrying about someone else when you're in a store if they're getting bored while you're checking out something. And :drevil: act as much as a kid you want without embarrassing someone else. You'll have fun if you let yourself have it. Don't worry.

 

[urbanvegan]

I have never gone to WDW solo, so I cannot speak for that - but the only time I have ever been to DLP was a solo trip at the tail end of a study abroad program to France a few years ago (before the Studios Park opened).

I really did not prefer it - I like going with others better, personally. I tend to be a bit of a loner in everyday life, so I don't think I would hate a solo WDW trip. But given the choice, I would much rather go with others.

 

[ChrisQ]

Those of you who have been on solo trips...how long did you stay?

 

[phenom1307]

when i did the cp program i usually always went into the parks by myself and still had a lot of fun. it would be more fun going into the parks with friends.


i usually didn't wait for a ride unless it was under 40 minutes because i'd have felt awkward waiting by myself for like an hour. but on the plus side you can go at your own pace and if you dont like a ride you dont have to do it, like you might if you were in a group

 

[krankenstein]

Those of you who have been on solo trips...how long did you stay?

I normally go 4 days by myself or with people.

 

[ChrisQ]

I normally go 4 days by myself or with people.

Gotcha. I used to have to travel a lot by myself on business, so I wonder if I could handle WDW on my own.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

My 5th year Going Solo and Celebrating my 30th It's gonna be great!!

 

[macsmom]

I had the best time going solo. Friends are fun to go with, but solo was fun, too. I went on things I had never been on before, I stayed late (EMH), set my alarm to get to the parks early, went back to my room to take a nap. It was great.

danna

 

[kag1984]

A couple of years ago I went on a 4 day trip by myself. I had a great time! The crazy thing was I went into WOL and this guy that was also traveling by himself asked if I would take a pic of him in front of something, so I did, then he took my pic. We ended up walking around the park just hanging out the rest of the day. Then we decided to hit the parks together the next couple of days. It was cool because we were both there and very independent and with both of us having that attitude we had some pretty crazy times, we would just hop from one park to the other do the ride we wanted, head off to another park... It was just a really good time. Today we are still good friends, mostly over the phone and through e-mail as we both live on opposite sides of the country... but we are actually planning a trip out to Disneyland next month, he's going with his family, and I'm going with some friends. But you never know what kind of people you are going to meet and what new friends you can make while you are traveling alone. Go for it!

 

[daringstoic]

When I was on my CP, I'd go to the parks by myself all the time. If nobody was around to hang out with, I'd just head over to one of the parks and enjoy the atmosphere. Sometimes I wouldn't even ride a single ride. I'd just walk around taking pictures and discovering new things. I also had a reunion trip with some co-workers, but they could only come down for 4 days, and I thought it was silly to pay that much for a flight and only stay for a few days, so I flew down 3 days before my friends and got my own room. I had an awesome time by myself, but I'm a natural loner anyway. When I first started going on rides by myself, I felt awkward saying I was a single rider all the time, but then I remembered that I didn't even give single riders a second thought when I was working. The best part, like others have already said, was getting to do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted to do it. If I wanted to ride one ride, and then hike all the way across the park to ride something else, there was nobody to complain about too much walking. If I wasn't hungry, there was nobody to try to coordinate my stomach with. I could stay for every last second of EMH if I wanted.
If you don't mind being alone, or if you're relatively independent and you like exploring things on your own, you'll have a great time no matter what. I think Disney is 90% attitude anyway. If you come there determined to have a good time, you will, whether you're by yourself or with a party of 15. If you come down there expecting everything to be boring or lame, that's exactly the kind of vacation you'll end up with.

 

[krankenstein]

When I was on my CP, I'd go to the parks by myself all the time. If nobody was around to hang out with, I'd just head over to one of the parks and enjoy the atmosphere. Sometimes I wouldn't even ride a single ride. I'd just walk around taking pictures and discovering new things. I also had a reunion trip with some co-workers, but they could only come down for 4 days, and I thought it was silly to pay that much for a flight and only stay for a few days, so I flew down 3 days before my friends and got my own room. I had an awesome time by myself, but I'm a natural loner anyway. When I first started going on rides by myself, I felt awkward saying I was a single rider all the time, but then I remembered that I didn't even give single riders a second thought when I was working. The best part, like others have already said, was getting to do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted to do it. If I wanted to ride one ride, and then hike all the way across the park to ride something else, there was nobody to complain about too much walking. If I wasn't hungry, there was nobody to try to coordinate my stomach with. I could stay for every last second of EMH if I wanted.
If you don't mind being alone, or if you're relatively independent and you like exploring things on your own, you'll have a great time no matter what. I think Disney is 90% attitude anyway. If you come there determined to have a good time, whether you're by yourself or with a party of 15. If you come down there expecting everything to be boring or lame, that's exactly the kind of vacation you'll end up with.

The best post I have read about going alone. You pretty much summed up all of my feelings about going alone.

 

[H20Babie]

I can only attest to WDW solo, as I just got back earlier this month from my first solo trip. I have been to WDW 18 times, all with family, so this was a big first for me.

While it was a different trip in feeling, it was wonderful nonetheless.

Here are some pros and cons of solo travel, as I see it:​

Pros of Solo Travel

• You make the decisions, nobody else. Total bliss!
• It's easier to meet people: I was always getting into conversations with other guests and castmembers.
• Three words: Single Riders Lines. (While there were only 3, I often got on other rides fairly quickly when I explained that I was solo).
• If you get ill, you don't ruin someone else's plans, so there's no guilt trip.
• You can stay wherever you like as your budget will afford -- in the cheapest, nastiest off-site hotel if you like ... or the most expensive suite at the Grand Floridian.
• Ordering whatever you want off the menu ... and not having to share! Dessert for breakfast, ice cream for lunch, whatever floats your boat.
• You can discover fantastic sights all by yourself and try rides you might not have otherwise. I personally tried M:S after years of avoiding it in case I got I sick. Together, the sense of achievement is amazing.
• There's nobody to argue with: travelling with someone is one of the biggest tests of a friendship or relationship, and it's hard going sometimes.
• When you're on that Disney high, the glory is all yours to enjoy.
• I liked it.

Cons of Solo Travel

• You take the blame for anything that goes wrong on your trip, nobody else. Not so good.
• You get lonely sometimes, when there's nobody around. It can be especially lonely when you're on a favourite ride or see a loved one's favourite character and wish they had been there with you.
• If you get ill, there's nobody to go out for medicine, bottled water and offer some TLC.
• All your self-portrait photos have to be self-timed or taken by others.
• There's nobody to share the good times with, and nobody to reminisce with when you're home after the trip.
• When you're on a downer, there's nobody to help you back up again.
• You might not.

There are a few current solo trip reports on the trip planning thread right now. Check them out and then decide if solo is right for you.

:wave:

 

[robinldorf]

Been Solo Many Times

I have been solo at WDW many times. It is true you really do get to do what YOU want to do. I do not like dining alone at sit down restaurants, I feel like I am taking up space and they want me to move on fast. I do more quick service meals and do Fulton's Crab House for a good sitdown. You really see different things that normally you miss with worrying about a lot of people.

 

[macsmom]

I had free dining on my solo trip, so I was able to eat at different places I had never been to before. At Crystal Palace, my waiter was wonderful. Instead of making me feel like I needed to hurry and make room for a bigger party, he made sure that the characters came to me and he would take pictures to make sure I had my memories. So, eating alone didn't bother me a bit. The CMs are great.

danna