Solo Trip

[TinkSassy]

It has been almost 20 years since I did a solo trip. I've gone with family and friends alot, and remember having a good time by myself before.

Any ideas from those that have done this recently? Things that are just better, easier, etc. on a solo trip? Dining experiences that were really good?

 

[DisneyParksFan]

What park do you plan on going to?

 

[Tiggerfanatic]

I did a solo trip last December, and really enjoyed it. I was able to go where the mood took me, no waiting around for anyone else to decide where we were eating (I had the Quick Service dining), or what ride we were doing next. I watched the Steet Performers at the Studios in their entirety, took the Behind the Seeds tour, sat in the bar at POR and watched Monday Night Football and cheered with strangers! Ate at Chefs de France and did the Candlelight Processional- my server at Chefs was really nice and spent a lot of time talking to me about my trip. I would do a solo trip again someday.

 

[Susan Savia]

If for some reason, my husband and son could not go, I would do a solo trip. Might be kind of interesting actually....

 

[Sloan]

Great options

I've done two solo trips in the past year - 5 days last November during the Food & Wine Festival, and then 4 days in January. Both were excellent. I have another 5 day solo planned for this coming November - again for the Food & Wine Festival.

Solo dining at Jiko and California Grill were both excellent - servers were particularly attentive, and I found myself moving at a very relaxed pace for ordering and eating. There were also times where, not having a reservation, I was able to squeeze in to eat at the bar at otherwise full spots. Since I was moving at a more leisurely pace, I also did little stops I'd skipped before, like the 'new' tequila bar in Mexico, extra lingering in One Man's Dream, etc..

On the park / attraction side of the equation, check what attractions offer single-rider lines. I found that they often moved very quickly, and made Fastpass unnecessary for those attractions offering the single rider line - offhand, I can recall them at Test Track and Expedition Everest, and I think they have it for Rock-n-Roller Coaster - I can't recall for sure though.

One thing that was definitely easier - walking around. Fortunately, it was not very busy for either of these past trips, but I was able to move through parks / crowds in record time, not having to worry about keeping a party together, sticking by someones side, etc. - I am a very fast walker, and being able to thread my way through on my own was very quick!

I hope that you will enjoy your solo trip - while I'd been a tiny bit apprehensive the first time around, it turned out great, and I'll keep making my own solo trips until I find Disney-worthy company again.

 

[fosse76]

On the park / attraction side of the equation, check what attractions offer single-rider lines. I found that they often moved very quickly, and made Fastpass unnecessary for those attractions offering the single rider line - offhand, I can recall them at Test Track and Expedition Everest, and I think they have it for Rock-n-Roller Coaster - I can't recall for sure though.

Yes, Rock-n-Roller Coaster has a single rider line...and its wait time is unpredictable.

One thing that was definitely easier - walking around. Fortunately, it was not very busy for either of these past trips, but I was able to move through parks / crowds in record time, not having to worry about keeping a party together, sticking by someones side, etc. - I am a very fast walker, and being able to thread my way through on my own was very quick!

The biggest advantage is how quickly you'll move through the parks. Even on crowded days you will be able to do everything you want to do, provided you make judicious use of FPs.

 

[TinkSassy]

This is great info. Thanks! Has anyone tried character dining? I've done some with friends in the past and no one would do the princesses in Norway or the Cinderella at Grand Floridian. - Any solos on those or notes on solo character dining?

I'll be doing MK and Epcot only this trip. Mission Space and Test Track are no go for my past company. Can I tell you how excited I am to ride these?

Slippery When Wet is there while I am - I have my Bon Jovi T ready to go!

 

[ErickainPA]

I went on a mommy only trip last Sept, left the kids and hubby at home. When I checked into my hotel they asked what I was celebrating, I said a mommy only trip, the clerk said really? I said yup no kids or hubby hanging out with me, she said that's great, enjoy your time away. I liked it so much I am going again this year and staying 1 extra day.

A friend is planning on flying in a day before me and staying at the airport hotel for 2 days then coming to Disney. I did book a character breakfast this time and will do another sit down place as well this time around. I just plan on enjoying myself and it's great to be able to do what you want, when you want and get up whatever time you want.

 

[JohnLocke]

We do the single rider lines alot, and I would say skip Rock 'n' Rollercoaster's, unless it looks like there is no line. With people seated by twos, it really doesn't lend itself to single rider as well. Unless you have to do a regular or fastpass line, single rider is the way to go on Test Track, we usually have to wait at most 15 minutes to get on it.

 

[xsupaxmanxsfnex]

My dream is to do a solo trip. I might even start to look for a good spot to propose when the time comes. :lol: I've always wanted to go and not have to worry about other people slowing me down or getting too tired. When I'm at the parks I hit turbo mode and walk fast and I am always doing something or going somewhere.

 

[LoriMistress]

I've always wanted to do a solo trip. I thought it would be fine that I would be on my schedule and do whatever I wanted.

 

[David S.]

I prefer using Fastpass over single rider lines, since it's just as quick and usually seems quicker.

More importantly, I prefer Fastpass over the single-rider queue because when using Fastpass (or standby) your "party of one" is still considered a soverign party treated with the same coutesy as a party of 2 or more. In other words you can tell the grouper "I'd like the front row, please" and they put you in the front row line. The single rider queue is there simply to fill seats and you have to sit wherever the empty seat is. Since I'm a stickler for requesting the front (and sometimes also the back on coasters), I personally don't use the single line, but if someone doesn't care where they sit and doesn't have a Fastpass, I suppose the single rider line could save some time provided it's not backed up up too much.

Regarding the original thread question, I live in the area seasonally by myself so most of my park visits are alone except when family and friends visit. I enjoy the other advantages others have mentioned, such as the spontanaity of being able to do exactly what you want whenever you want, and also the ability to make good time and to get to do more attractions. I do enjoy sharing the experience with others when it happens, but also enjoy the solo experience, so I wouldn't want all of my visits to be either one way or the other.

 

[Texas84]

Segway tour. I've done it as a single twice and the guests who take the time and money to do this are always really friendly and fun.

 

[JohnLocke]

I prefer using Fastpass over single rider lines, since it's just as quick and usually seems quicker.

More importantly, I prefer Fastpass over the single-rider queue because when using Fastpass (or standby) your "party of one" is still considered a soverign party treated with the same coutesy as a party of 2 or more. In other words you can tell the grouper "I'd like the front row, please" and they put you in the front row line. The single rider queue is there simply to fill seats and you have to sit wherever the empty seat is. Since I'm a stickler for requesting the front (and sometimes also the back on coasters), I personally don't use the single line, but if someone doesn't care where they sit and doesn't have a Fastpass, I suppose the single rider line could save some time provided it's not backed up up too much.

Regarding the original thread question, I live in the area seasonally by myself so most of my park visits are alone except when family and friends visit. I enjoy the other advantages others have mentioned, such as the spontanaity of being able to do exactly what you want whenever you want, and also the ability to make good time and to get to do more attractions. I do enjoy sharing the experience with others when it happens, but also enjoy the solo experience, so I wouldn't want all of my visits to be either one way or the other.

I don't really think Single Rider works very well on the coasters, with only two seats by each other, there's not as much need for a single rider as there is in Test Track, when they have to fill a car of 6.

The one time I tried it for RNRC, I think I would have had a shorter wait if I had done standby, and when we usually go to Everest, there's very little line in Standby anyway.

As I've said before though, Test Track's single rider offers a pretty fast way to get on the ride and frees up a FP to be used at M:S or Soarin', where it is almost necessary to have one.

 

[Victoria]

This is great info. Thanks! Has anyone tried character dining? I've done some with friends in the past and no one would do the princesses in Norway or the Cinderella at Grand Floridian. - Any solos on those or notes on solo character dining?

I'll be doing MK and Epcot only this trip. Mission Space and Test Track are no go for my past company. Can I tell you how excited I am to ride these?

Slippery When Wet is there while I am - I have my Bon Jovi T ready to go!

I personally am not a fan of solo character dining. It's kinda weird. However, since the beauty of a solo trip is doing whatever you want, go for it.

One of my favorite things about being solo is how easy it is to walk through crowds. You don't have to constantly worry about losing someone in the masses. Getting a spot for shows, parades, etc is also so much easier. Single rider lines are the best too. I also find that when I am alone I tend to notice a lot more small details than when I am with a group. I guess it is all the silence and lack of distraction when walking from one place to another that enables me to soak up the atmosphere more.

 

[crazydaveh]

Solo trips are great. Like others have said, you can do what you want, when you want. I suggest eating at the bar. There's usually no wait and always people to chat with. Often, you'll find others doing the solo thing as well. Of course, you cant' do this at MK, but I've done this at Epcot many times and it's been a great way to eat quality food faster than normal and have some type of interaction other than saying "1."

Have fun.