Should I attempt a solo trip?

[bethymouse]

I am seriously thinking about going solo this August to Disneyland or WDW. I have friends in Ca. that live about an hour away. Have any of you gone solo? Any advice would be great please? Thanks.

 

[bethymouse]

My main goal really in this case would be to visit my best friend for her 45th birthday! She's lived in Ca. for several years now, and I miss her. I've just never really gotten the courage up to fly solo until now. I just wanted to enjoy DL w/ my best friend I've known for 30 years!

 

[luv]

I am so angry with my "not so" DH right now.
We took a trip to WDW in June, and then a short trip w/ my Mom to Ocean City, Md.
He will be going to a Joyce Meyer conference Aug 8-12 in Hershey. I thought it'd be nice for all of us to go not too expensive. He actually said "NO".
Now I am more determined than ever to plan this solo trip! I work too you know! I will keep you all posted. Thanks for listening to my rant.

Happy to listen, but not getting in the middle of that!!

Maybe a solo trip in a few years would be a better idea?

Good luck.

Eta: I know you're an In The Bubble kind of girl, but there are much cheaper places to stay offsite. Get one with a fridge and microwave and you can save a ton on food, too. Just a word to the wise there on how to go to Disney for less.

 

[Club34]

I've been to both DLR and WDW on solo trips. Once had a "friend" bail on me two days before the flight. Regardless, I have enjoyed all of my solo trips as much as I've enjoyed trips with friends and family. It certainly is a different experience, but one that is what you make it.

You can do rope-drop to closing if you like. Or take a more leisurely pace (my personal preference) to do and see what YOU want. Some people can be intimidated by dining solo at TS restaurants, but I find it can be more intimidating to the server. (They need to find that fine line between rushing you and not paying enough attention to you.) Plus, I always have some kind of reading material or am completely absorbed by the atmosphere. There's always the chance to strike up a conversation with nearby diners too, just for something completely different.

If you're a comfortable-in-your-own-skin type; solo trips can be stress free, relaxing and a heck of a lot of fun.

I recently got separated/runaway bride. I don't think I could go solo now as its still too raw and I think I would break down the second I went on the airport tram ride at MCO let alone walking alone to my room at CSR. If and when I get over it, the only part of the solo trip that would make me skittish would be TS dining which I usually do at least 1 per day if not 2. I don't mind dining alone, I do it all the time at home, but at WDW it would seem strange.

 

[jw24]

Regarding the concern about random people staring, for the most part, I find that most people don't really give a hoot about what I do or where I go. If they stare at me, it's not my problem, it's theirs. But anyway, it sounds to me that this trip was thought of on impulses. In anything in life, you shouldn't act on impulses. It will do more harm than you think. I know it's hard to give up desires or not give in to impulses and accept the cold hard truth but I mean, it's not the end of the world. There are far worse things that could happen in life.

 

[Rogue21]

I don't mind dining alone, I do it all the time at home, but at WDW it would seem strange.

I find it the complete opposite. At WDW, you're on vacation and people just take most of what/who they see in stride. On a local level, with your whole network of friends or family, that might get more looks. But, that's just my experience. Plus, I love engaging the server in conversation -- especially around World Showcase. I have found some can be more open to solo diners. Great experiences all around; except for that one guy in Jiko.

Still, like others have said, if you aren't comfortable doing things by yourself or do not have the "solo mind set" a solo trip can be uncomfortable.

 

[Cindee75]

Beth I say go for you solo trip with friends - I'm sure you'll love it. Question is their a reason your DH said no to the Joyce Meyer conference? Just being nosy - I think that would be a great family outing to hear the word together? That's just me. But - I say if he wants his time away - you go for yours and don't look back. Enjoy and tell us how it turns out.

 

[BigDave]

Although I am not single, I have done the parks by myself.

Usually on a business trip or convention- I have used my passholder ticket to go to EPCOT for the night. It is very nice not to have the kids running around and trying to empty my wallet. I have spent the time going from country to country and exploring on my own time. Dining alone is a little lonely I will admit, however, you usually can get in without a wait because you are a party of 1. And I can try places I know they would never want to eat at.

Just have the confidence and enjoy the time.

 

[disneygirl76]

I am seriously thinking about going solo this August to Disneyland or WDW. I have friends in Ca. that live about an hour away. Have any of you gone solo? Any advice would be great please? Thanks.

I did a partially (mostly) solo trip to Disneyland and yes, do it. It was one of the most amazing experiences I ever did. I was in CA for business and had like a 5 day pass. So for 3 days, I was on my own. I was a little nervous at first but I never felt uncomfortable or insecure or anything. I loved it! I went at my own pace and did everything that I wanted to do. It was very liberating and so much fun!

 

[Mrsdonaldduck]

I was in California for a business trip and I went to dl solo and I was very sad I wasn't there with my hubby and the boys. It wasn't fun not being able to share
it with them

 

[bethymouse]

Beth I say go for you solo trip with friends - I'm sure you'll love it. Question is their a reason your DH said no to the Joyce Meyer conference? Just being nosy - I think that would be a great family outing to hear the word together? That's just me. But - I say if he wants his time away - you go for yours and don't look back. Enjoy and tell us how it turns out.

Thank you. He's been wanting to go for years!
He went to see Joel Osteen @ Verizon Center a few years ago w/ his Mom & loved it!
I didn't realize kids could go too? I guess though he just wants to go it alone. I have no problem w/ that at all! I guess it was the $$$ to spend @ Hersheypark. He was just going to get a "cheap motel" since the conference was FREE. He'll have to eat and parking is 12$! Oh well. I will keep you posted my Disney friend.

 

[bethymouse]

I was in California for a business trip and I went to dl solo and I was very sad I wasn't there with my hubby and the boys. It wasn't fun not being able to share
it with them

I would love to take the boys w/o the DH. LOL. It's just still so very expensive. I just wanted to have it be an "adult" trip as I would be visiting my best friend and a very dear "old" friend who lives in LA. So it wouldn't be exclusively DL nor would it be solo @ DL for one of the 2 days.

 

[Cindee75]

Thank you. He's been wanting to go for years!
He went to see Joel Osteen @ Verizon Center a few years ago w/ his Mom & loved it!
I didn't realize kids could go too? I guess though he just wants to go it alone. I have no problem w/ that at all! I guess it was the $$$ to spend @ Hersheypark. He was just going to get a "cheap motel" since the conference was FREE. He'll have to eat and parking is 12$! Oh well. I will keep you posted my Disney friend.

Hey Beth - even though I think Joyce would be great as a family I'm not sure my 3 kiddos would agree - they are 10, 8, and 6 and may not want to sit that long unless they had a specific kids program. On the bright side be inspired that your DH wants to attend these conferences some would not. Happy planning your next trip whenever it may be.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Go for it if you can! Sometimes I think a quick solo trip would be fantastic, I could do exactaly what I want to do. Even just sitting on a bench or riding the tea cups 10 times in a row without worrying about someone else waiting for me.

 

[bethymouse]

No such luck.
I am hoping for next year, but probably not a solo trip.