Sad day at Disney....

[Kfoote]

So, about a month ago I decided to take the day off from work and go down to Disney. My wife was not able to go so I went down all alone. I live only a couple hours away so it was no big deal to get there . I was really looking forward to the experience of Disney for one. It was something I had always dreamed of as a kid and I thought it would be way cool. Was I wrong.

I got there and went through the usual motions of parking and getting into the park. I started out at EPCOT since that is my fav. I rode TT first and enjoyed it. This was something I was used to riding alone sine my wife does not enjoy "thrill" rides. El Rio De Tempo is more her speed....

Anyway... the day went down from there. Everything I did from that point on was just not the same. It seemed the more I walked around the more I started to feel like something was missing...

In the end I realized that when I was young I thought Disney would be cool all alone, no one to slow you down or tell you what to do.... but as an adult I realize that Disney isn't always just about rides and parades. It truly is about "making memories" with the people you are with.

So to sum up, Disney when your alone, bites. Not the park just the experience... in my opinion.

Just thought I would share that....

 

[WDWspider]

I always try to take people who have never been before on each trip. There is something awesome about seeing how they react to all the things you already know. Often it hits them more when they return home though. :lol:

Sorry to hear your own Private Disney was not all you expected, I'm sure many of us have wondered about that.

Of course when I was 15, my parents let me go off on my own for a few hours, that was cool. I rode WoM so many times. :lol:

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

I would probably have to agree, but then I've never experienced Disney alone.
My past experiences have always been enjoying WDW with my family and enjoying my children's facial expressions as they discover the magic for themselves.
Next visit is with the M-I-L - a first time visit for her. So the magic will be renewed for us as we again enjoy the thrill through her.
I imagine that Disney COULD be a lonely experience for a single traveller

 

[GoofyMike29]

Originally posted by spider-man
I always try to take people who have never been before on each trip. There is something awesome about seeing how they react to all the things you already know

I totally agree. It is a great feeling!!

 

[Ijones88]

I've been many times to the World by myself and I found a lot of pleasure just sitting and watching people enjoy themselves, and usually I would be "adopted" by families or other people while waiting in lines and I would talk to people and when they found out I was alone they would invite me to hang out with them the rest of the day....it really gives you a good feeling about people and it was fun making new friends!! Now I don't get to go alone....my wife loves Disney so much she won't let me go alone!!!:lol:

 

[wahooskipper]

I ditto the above. I am an avid people watcher so I really relax when I am at the parks by myself. I love to watch to expressions on people's faces (particularly children) as they are experiencing something for the first time.

I am looking forward to my first trip up there with my child so that I can experience it all over again through young eyes.

 

[MicBat]

No one to comprimise with. You get to go at your own pace. I like doing the parks by myself. I wouldn't never make a trip of it, but I like to spend a few hours and have some time to myself. I'd say doing it w/one other person is the best, though. Only one person to comprimise with and no one feels left out (with the seating situation and stuff).

 

[jrashadb]

ditto...
I've been to the parks alone several times... mostly because I can go whenever I want and my friends can't. And since I love the parks so much, I just pick up and go. And, I've enjoyed going alone every time I've gone.
Granted, I've never spent an entire day at the parks by myself. I've never been in Epcot from 9 to 9 or anything. If I go alone, it's usually for a few hours or so. But, I always have fun during those few hours.
I suppose it's easy for me because I'm an only child and am used to entertaining myself. Plus, I have found that the smaller the group is when you go to a theme park, the better. I went to Epcot with a group of, like, 10 people once and it was a nightmare.
Anyway, the parks are probably more fun with a group of five or less, but I have had some of the best times at Epcot when I went alone.

 

[SamatBCV]

I agree with you jrashadb that a big group sucks at disney (and pretty much everywhere else for that matter). A group can never make up their mind :brick: At the same time, I don't like going alone. I am an only child too and enjoy being alone sometimes, but Disney is such a family place and it's not the same for me without some friends or family. My wife and her sister went on something at MK and I decided to do some stuff on my own. It just wasn't the same.

 

[Lhriangel]

I've done Disney alone many times when I was working down there. It's nice sometimes cause you can take everything at your own pace. Others it was depressing cause you saw the cute couples that are happy and are having fun together and then you are all alone. I don't know... it depended on the mood I was in. But it's nice when you are trying to decide where to eat in Epcot...

 

[Horizons38]

Originally posted by jrashadb
ditto...

I suppose it's easy for me because I'm an only child and am used to entertaining myself. Plus, I have found that the smaller the group is when you go to a theme park, the better. I went to Epcot with a group of, like, 10 people once and it was a nightmare.
Anyway, the parks are probably more fun with a group of five or less, but I have had some of the best times at Epcot when I went alone.

I so agree with you ! The more people with me the less i seem to enjoy myself ! Normally we are 4 or 5 , 6 at the most and it's great ! I have spent many hours alone at AK and Epcot on trips by myself and have always enjoyed it a lot !

 

[dreamer]

I don't enjoy Disney as much when the parks are deserted either. It's just not the same. Even though you have to put up with a few obnoxious idiots, most people are considerate and add to the experience.

People -- can't live with em. Can't live without 'em. Go figure.


:veryconfu

 

[garyhoov]

Originally posted by Horizons38
I so agree with you ! The more people with me the less i seem to enjoy myself ! Normally we are 4 or 5 , 6 at the most and it's great ! I have spent many hours alone at AK and Epcot on trips by myself and have always enjoyed it a lot !

In the past two years I've had three opportunities to visit Disney parks by myself (two times in Orlando and once in LA) but passed all three times.

The thing that I like about Disney World isn't just the rides, parks, atmosphere. The thing I really enjoy is getting away from home and work responsibilities with family and having nothing to do but have fun.

To do it part-way just wouldn't be nearly as much fun.

 

[Fievel]

Originally posted by dreamer
I don't enjoy Disney as much when the parks are deserted either. It's just not the same. Even though you have to put up with a few obnoxious idiots, most people are considerate and add to the experience.

People -- can't live with em. Can't live without 'em. Go figure.


:veryconfu

I love when they're deserted. I was there 2 weeks after the WTC disaster and they were virtually empty. At times there was a feeling that we had the parks to ourselves, much like an e-ride night.

It's a feeling you won't get too often at WDW. And it's the most fun we've ever had there

 

[General Grizz]

Ditto. I never visit the parks alone - - it takes people to have Disney...but it takes people to be Disney.

 

[Horizons38]

Originally posted by garyhoov
In the past two years I've had three opportunities to visit Disney parks by myself (two times in Orlando and once in LA) but passed all three times.

The thing that I like about Disney World isn't just the rides, parks, atmosphere. The thing I really enjoy is getting away from home and work responsibilities with family and having nothing to do but have fun.

To do it part-way just wouldn't be nearly as much fun.

I feel the same way, i just meant that if my hubby or family and friends can't go and i happen to have an extra 2 days i manage to still enjoy visiting the parks by my lonesome ! I love going to Epcot, just walking around having a cup of java doing SE and loving Disney just the same ! It doesn't mean i do not enjoy going with my little group of 4, 5 or 6 people, i think if you are a bigger group visiting together it gets to be about is everybody doing everything they all want , and worrying et all ... if you are a smaller group it's just more fun !

 

[goofyman]

Wow this was always dream of mine to be there all by myself, now reading this I wonder..I guess I have to agree with alot written here that I do also enjoy going with others and showing them around and watching the joy when they see something they have'nt before. But there is a limit to how big a crowd I can travel with. Maybe thats why I always wanted to go alone, aybe I have to make the crowd we travel with smaller..Then again one day alone would be cool!

 

[jcrb]

Originally posted by Kfoote
So, about a month ago I decided to take the day off from work and go down to Disney. My wife was not able to go so I went down all alone. I live only a couple hours away so it was no big deal to get there . I was really looking forward to the experience of Disney for one. It was something I had always dreamed of as a kid and I thought it would be way cool. Was I wrong.

I got there and went through the usual motions of parking and getting into the park. I started out at EPCOT since that is my fav. I rode TT first and enjoyed it. This was something I was used to riding alone sine my wife does not enjoy "thrill" rides. El Rio De Tempo is more her speed....

Anyway... the day went down from there. Everything I did from that point on was just not the same. It seemed the more I walked around the more I started to feel like something was missing...

In the end I realized that when I was young I thought Disney would be cool all alone, no one to slow you down or tell you what to do.... but as an adult I realize that Disney isn't always just about rides and parades. It truly is about "making memories" with the people you are with.

So to sum up, Disney when your alone, bites. Not the park just the experience... in my opinion.

Just thought I would share that....

I have to disagree partly. For me I like to go with family but one day I like to go to the parks all alone. Why, well the family slows me down. I get my trill from going on other rides and seeing people that I have never seen in my life. The cool thing is being free to talk with people that are having fun too. Hey it pretty cool to spend at least one days alone.

Heck the next few days you can spend it with your family.

For example, last march I went to Disney from my school and I got their at 7 in the morning. Checked in at the Wilderness Lodge and called my mom. She told me that she would be their at 6 that night. So for the day I hoped from every park. I saw more people than I have every seen in my life and went on every possible attraction.

That was a fun day!

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

when i was younger, i always thought i wouldn't mind having the parks all to myself. but as i've gotten older and i've realized how precious my time is with my family (i'm a senior in high school, so my time as a 'child' is quickly coming to an end...unfortunately) i've also realized what Disney has been about all these years...and it's exactly what you said, Kfoote. it wasn't about the rides or the shopping...it was about the memories...it was about bonding with the people i love (though they can sometimes be such a pain in the neck....but who isn't?) i will ALWAYS wish i could relive those memories...but i will never ever forget them, and i will always cherish them.
so would i go now to disney world all by myself? probably not. i'm so used to having people with me, it just wouldn't be right. plus, i hate doing anything by myself. i just find it kind of pointless, unless i'm on a mission to pick something up from a store.
also, i agree with those who said that they're not as fond of the parks when they're deserted. as much as the crowd sometimes gets on my nerves, i love them. disney just wouldn't be disney without them. and yeah, you'll happen upon rude people in big crowds, but you can't let them ruin your day, you know?
spider-man, i so agree! i just love taking people who've never been! so far my family has only taken one (my sister's best friend about 4 years ago), but next year, we're taking my best friend who has also never been! i'm so excited! i can't wait to see her reactions to everything! i just love seeing the amazed expressions on first-timers' faces! they're so priceless!

 

[MicBat]

Originally posted by Dizknee_Phreek
when i was younger, i always thought i wouldn't mind having the parks all to myself. but as i've gotten older and i've realized how precious my time is with my family (i'm a senior in high school, so my time as a 'child' is quickly coming to an end...unfortunately) i've also realized what Disney has been about all these years...and it's exactly what you said, Kfoote. it wasn't about the rides or the shopping...it was about the memories...it was about bonding with the people i love (though they can sometimes be such a pain in the neck....but who isn't?) i will ALWAYS wish i could relive those memories...but i will never ever forget them, and i will always cherish them.
so would i go now to disney world all by myself? probably not. i'm so used to having people with me, it just wouldn't be right. plus, i hate doing anything by myself. i just find it kind of pointless, unless i'm on a mission to pick something up from a store.
also, i agree with those who said that they're not as fond of the parks when they're deserted. as much as the crowd sometimes gets on my nerves, i love them. disney just wouldn't be disney without them. and yeah, you'll happen upon rude people in big crowds, but you can't let them ruin your day, you know?
spider-man, i so agree! i just love taking people who've never been! so far my family has only taken one (my sister's best friend about 4 years ago), but next year, we're taking my best friend who has also never been! i'm so excited! i can't wait to see her reactions to everything! i just love seeing the amazed expressions on first-timers' faces! they're so priceless!

Does your school go to Grad Nite? If so, the reaction on the friend's that haven't gone to WDW, faces is priceless! Also, by the end of the trip, though, you'll be wanting to do the parks alone (esp if you're w/a big group! :brick: )