Never been solo before! Tips?

Minnie_CBH

Earning My Ears
Joined
Jul 3, 2019
Hello!

I’m taking my first solo trip this early December. I will be in Orlando for a work conference and will be able to go to the parks in the evening. Have any tips for me? I’ve always been with my family so this is my first time. Would love any advice you can give on how to not feel like I wish they were with me the whole time lol! Thank you!
 
Hello!

I’m taking my first solo trip this early December. I will be in Orlando for a work conference and will be able to go to the parks in the evening. Have any tips for me? I’ve always been with my family so this is my first time. Would love any advice you can give on how to not feel like I wish they were with me the whole time lol! Thank you!

If you are able to go to the parks in the evening, definitely think about buying a ticket to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party as opposed to buying a full-day ticket. You can go into the park as early as 4 pm, and take in all the festivities as well as ride rides with slightly less wait times. :-)

As a fellow solo traveler... keep an eye out for the single rider line, make a loose plan on what rides & things you want to do and include options. (then don't be afraid to change it - remember, you're by yourself).

Also, Disney Vlogger Michael Kay made a great video about traveling solo:

Hope that helps!
 


Eating at a table service restaurant can be daunting when solo, but I encourage you to do it. The servers I encountered when I was eating alone were so lovely, no-one made me feel weird, and I got to enjoy some really great food.

If you do eat at a TS but are worried about feeling uncomfortable, I think the most important thing is to relax, everyone else is so caught up in their own day they probably won't give you a second glance. All of the times I have been to WDW I can't remember even one time when I noticed someone eating on their own - I am sure there were people doing this, I just didn't notice.

Above all, do what you like, when you like, how you like...have an amazing time! ::yes::
 
I went down to Orlando in May for a job interview. Since I had a little extra time(and hadn't been yo Disney since 08) I took the day just resort hopping, riding the monorail and such. Loved Disney Springs on my own!
 


Eating at a table service restaurant can be daunting when solo, but I encourage you to do it. The servers I encountered when I was eating alone were so lovely, no-one made me feel weird, and I got to enjoy some really great food.

If you do eat at a TS but are worried about feeling uncomfortable, I think the most important thing is to relax, everyone else is so caught up in their own day they probably won't give you a second glance. All of the times I have been to WDW I can't remember even one time when I noticed someone eating on their own - I am sure there were people doing this, I just didn't notice.

Above all, do what you like, when you like, how you like...have an amazing time! ::yes::
I am going solo in late September, early October and plan to eat at Narcoosee's by myself. So what? Do what you want. You are a grownup... probably. LOL.
 
Eating at a table service restaurant can be daunting when solo, but I encourage you to do it. The servers I encountered when I was eating alone were so lovely, no-one made me feel weird, and I got to enjoy some really great food.

I second this! I always do at least one table service meal to treat myself and I've never felt too awkward or out of place. I'm also trying some solo tasting experiences at F&W in November which are generally more about the presentation and less about the company your with.
 
Sounds awesome. My big suggestion is to think of dining spots you wouldn't do with others. Even beyond the attractions, the big benefit is having time to explore some new spots. I say this as someone who's only been solo at night a few times thus far, and time can fly by. So instead of trying to pack in everything (which I tend to do), just enjoy having a bit more freedom.
 
One big advantage of dining TS when you're solo is that you don't have to worry about finding a seat. When I'm solo (which is often), and I'm eating QS, I make sure to eat at off times, so that it's easier to find a seat. I look enviously at the families who have someone to find and save seats while others stand in line for the food. But then, I'm sure they're looking enviously at me being solo, no one to disagree with on what to do next, melt-downs, etc.
 
If you’re eating quick service solo, mobile order can really help you out. You can put in your food order, then go put down a bag or utensils and napkins to save a seat while you pick up your meal.
 
If you’re eating quick service solo, mobile order can really help you out. You can put in your food order, then go put down a bag or utensils and napkins to save a seat while you pick up your meal.

I'm not sure I'm comfortable leaving my bag at a table in a crowded place while I pick up my food. But I do agree with the mobile ordering!
 
I'm not sure I'm comfortable leaving my bag at a table in a crowded place while I pick up my food. But I do agree with the mobile ordering!

I’d never leave anything on a table I’d be upset to have walk off, but I’ve never had an issue with that at Disney.

My other big suggestion for a solo trip is to make it a project if you’re no sure what to do with your time. Vlog, go with a list of photos you want, take notes for a trip report. Give yourself something to do besides just ride the rides and see the shows.
 
Hello!

I’m taking my first solo trip this early December. I will be in Orlando for a work conference and will be able to go to the parks in the evening. Have any tips for me? I’ve always been with my family so this is my first time. Would love any advice you can give on how to not feel like I wish they were with me the whole time lol! Thank you!

Don’t plan ADRs, it’s very fun to go on your own and plan as you go. You don’t have competing opinions or tastes. Makes for an awesome experience where you can do almost anything you want. Also, taking advantage of single rider lines is nice.
 
Hello!

I’m taking my first solo trip this early December. I will be in Orlando for a work conference and will be able to go to the parks in the evening. Have any tips for me? I’ve always been with my family so this is my first time. Would love any advice you can give on how to not feel like I wish they were with me the whole time lol! Thank you!

I also think you should look into an after hours event, I did AK after hours by myself in May, had far too many margaritas, tripped over a rock in the middle of Pandora, got up to look around at who saw me and there was literally nobody - just Pandora lit up at night. Right then and there I knew I made the right choice coming to the event on my own and proceeded to ride FOP 3 times.
 
I'm afraid I'm far overestimating the stamina I'm going to have. I'm probably not planning enough down time. But at least I can cancel things without disappointing anyone else.
 
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I'm afraid I'm far estimating the stamina I'm going to have. I'm probably not planning enough down time. But at least I can cancel things without disappointing anyone else.

I did the same... I challenged myself to ride every ride in MK in one day and added a monorail crawl to boot (one drink at each loop resort)... it was EMH that night but tapped out at 11 not wanting to battle lines to the bus after the event. I missed Astro Orbiter, everything is Story Book circus, and Teacups, and by the time I got back to my room I literally hit the bed and passed out. If you have more than a couple days don’t overdo it all in one!
 
I did the same... I challenged myself to ride every ride in MK in one day and added a monorail crawl to boot (one drink at each loop resort)... it was EMH that night but tapped out at 11 not wanting to battle lines to the bus after the event. I missed Astro Orbiter, everything is Story Book circus, and Teacups, and by the time I got back to my room I literally hit the bed and passed out. If you have more than a couple days don’t overdo it all in one!

5 AM flight, straight to MK, evening EMH until 1 am, I think. I'm going to try to nap before the dessert party.

That's just the 1st of 8 consecutive park days. Ha!
 

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