This topic comes up a lot among Disney fans. Most have thought about taking a solo trip at least once, but the idea of traveling by yourself to Disney World can be a little intimidating.
I’ve done a few solo trips for business at this point, and I would say that if you are thinking of doing a solo trip that you should give it a try. There is so much to do in Disney World, so you’ll never be bored.
The biggest question/concern I’ve seen is how to handle eating by yourself. Making reservations for one seems a little lonely at first, but people do it all the time. Cast Members are friendly and so are other guests dining in the restaurants, so you can alway strike up a conversation with someone. If you don’t want to do table service restaurants by yourself there are plenty of quick service locations to choose from.
During this last trip I was by myself and I was able to find other solo travelers to chat with at most of the places I ate. It was especially helpful when Toy Story Land had its soft opening. Seating at Woody’s Lunch Box is limited, so I ended up sitting with another solo traveler and a couple of Cast Members. The conversation was fun and it was nice to meet some new people.
If you are worried about eating alone then I would make sure your phone is charged or that you have a book with you, just in case. Having something to do while eating by yourself can be helpful if you are worried about feeling awkward eating alone.
One of the nice things about doing a solo trip is that you can plan out your days according to what you want to do. If you want to be in the parks all day until park close, you can do that. If you want to spend the morning in the park and then end the day shopping at Disney Springs, you can do that. You can make your schedule however you want to make it. Plus, you can go on whatever rides you want and you can ride them as many times as you want.
Being a solo traveler is a great opportunity to meet new people. During a huge thunder storm a bunch of us hung out under a new DVC area for a while in Hollywood Studios. Again, it was fun chatting with people I didn’t know. There was a mother who traveled to Disney with her daughter to visit her son who is a Cast Member. I found out that the daughter is a reader of Main Street Wishes (thank you!) and she showed me the coolest pictures of a model of Disney World that her brother had been working on for years. It was seriously impressive and a fun way to spend time that could have been so boring.
I also met some nice people while waiting for the opening of Toy Story Land. We bonded over our love of Disney and the fact that we were all there super early for the opening. So, basically what I’m saying is to make the most of each situation because you never know who you will end up meeting.
I know people get concerned about the loneliness of a solo trip, and I was concerned about that too. However, I found myself talking to so many people during the trip that I never really felt lonely. Yes, I missed my family, but it was nice to have people to talk to. While waiting for it to get dark in Pandora – The World of Avatar I spent some time chatting with Ed. He’s a Cast Member who has worked with Disney for five years. He was so knowledgeable and it was really interesting to talk to him.
If you have been thinking about doing a solo trip I would do it and see how you like it. Solo travel isn’t for everyone, but you never know until you try it. My biggest piece of advice would be to make conversation with other guests and with the Cast Members. You will get to meet some nice people!
Have you ever done a solo trip?
Thanks for reading!
*Liz*
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Liz
I love all things Disney, but my main love is for Disney World and I'm always planning for the next trip. Before becoming a Disney blogger, I was a radio DJ, so I guess I'm just continuing in the communication industry, just in a different form. I love talking Disney and I could talk about Disney all day. That's why I started blogging and created the Facebook group. The Disney community is full of friendly, helpful, and happy people...and I love being a part of it! If there is any Disney subject you would like to see covered just let me know! Need help planning your Disney vacation. Feel free to contact myself or Melissa at Never Stop Dreaming Travel Co. We love helping people plan their trips! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy! Don't forget to check out our Countdown to Disney app! Feel free to email me with suggestions of things you would like to see in the app :-)
I did a solo trip last November the week after Thanksgiving. It was wonderful! I must say, though, that I’ve been to WDW more than a dozen times so I feel very much at home there. It was awkward to eat alone at a table service. I only did one. Otherwise, I was at a counter service. Another option is bar seating. It was so much fun to go where I wanted, when I wanted to. I felt very spoiled! Lol.
I’ve never done table service by myself, only quick service. Bar seating is a good idea too, I’ll have to try that next time. Glad you had fun on your solo trip!
I’ve actually done a couple by myself. I still had lots of fun, met lots of people in lines, and never ran out of things to do. It was nice to be in charge of my day. Don’t get me wrong, I love going with my husband, but it is still fun and safe alone.
That’s a good point, Randi. I always feel safe too, which is very helpful for doing solo trips.
I went on a solo trip and had a great time. I went to all the shows and went on all the rides I had never done because everyone else I was with never wanted to.
That’s great, Shirley! It’s definitely a great way to experience things you have never gotten to try. 🙂
I go almost every year by myself. I love it, as Liz said you can do whatever and whenever. I love it.
I have to say I came with my family this year ( I have been coming solo for 14 years) and it was great watching my Grand nephews (3 & 6) enjoy Disney. I got to see Disney through their eyes. It was fun.
Where is the best place to purchase magic bands at Disney. We are not staying at a hotel. Have rented a house but have card passes and fast passes but want to change them to magic bands
Hi Hayley!
MagicBands are available at many locations on Disney property, but not all designs are at every location. I would download the Shop Disney Parks app and look to see which MagicBand you want to get and see where on property it is available to buy.