Kristi391
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2007
You've got to go with the Broccoli Peppercorn Salad there.
Oh, that sounds good! Broccoli is my favorite vegetable!
Hi Kristi! Fellow solo traveler here and I want to reassure you - though I'm really sorry to hear about the circumstances that led to this - that solo trips are amazing! I'm planning my third if you want to check out my PTR for some solo-related travel planning... though I'm not too far in... yet! I'm also single, without kids, and have a nephew!
To answer some of the questions you threw out in the beginning:
Will I be lonely? NO! At least I'm not. I use line time to research Hidden Mickeys or chat with other people, or just take a break from all the commotion and tune out
Can I eat at a TS meal alone and not feel self-conscious? I haven't done that myself but I'm seriously contemplating it. I figure if I can vacation alone, I can dine alone, right?
Do I add days on to my 4 day park passes or have 2 non-park days? I would absolutely add another day or two... but I realize the weather hasn't been on your side lately - I'm positive that between resort hopping and DTD, there are plenty of ways to entertain yourself if you end up not purchasing the extra day(s)
I really love the freedom of solo traveling - you get to do whatever you want, whenever you want, without feeling guilty. I hope you do a TR after you return!
Hi Tracy! Thanks for stopping by! Thanks for your reassurance. I love the idea of the hidden Mickeys! I had skimmed through a book when my mom and I went last December, but I didn't really get in to it because I didn't want to have my nose in the book while with mom. Now I can just shove it in my purse and take it out when I want. Great idea!
I have just under three weeks until my second solo trip, and I'm going for two weeks. Can't wait!
Talking from experience, you won't be lonely. SO MANY PEOPLE will chat to you. CMs and guests. I find the CMs are even more friendly when they know I'm solo, and make a special effort with me, and it was very nice. So many interesting people spoke to me, too. I had a wonderful bus ride to AK one morning with two lovely senior ladies who were going for breakfast with Donald. That was a highlight. Also sat next to a wish family with a beautiful daughter at Chef Mickeys and they were chatting to me the whole time. I only felt lonely a few times, and that was when I first got to my hotel room after I arrived, but it didn't last long. The other times were when I saw a small girl about the same age as my niece and it made me miss her a lot, and I felt a bit sad and lonely, but I went to the Character Spot and it cheered me up right away to get hugs and kisses from Mickey! The last time was actually my first day at the parks. I did everything on my list in under two hours and I felt a bit lost and dazed, because I suppose I'd forgotten that my plans would go by faster when I was alone. I actually found it better to wing it, rather than plan, but I suppose it's different with fastpass+.
I have social anxiety disorder and I was SO WORRIED about eating alone. But you know what? It was fine. It was lovely, in fact! I had a table service meal every day because I had the dining plan, and the servers always made me feel welcome and talked to me when they could. I wrote in my diary, read books on my kindle and browsed DIS and Tumblr on my phone when I was waiting for food, but I rarely felt awkward. I got a few funny looks at character meals, but I soon forgot about it. I say try it. Bring a book or something like that to keep you busy, just in case. But you'll be okay. Ask for a seat near a window, or away from the main area, that's what I did. It made it much easier.
I had one anxiety attack when I got on a bus full of local Orlando school kids to MK, because I have a few scars on my arms and I was wearing short sleeves and they were staring and laughing, but that was okay. A very kind man came and sat with me and talked to me about my favourite Disney rides. I found that a lot of guests were like this, mostly parents and older adults. They saw I was alone and made an effort to talk to me, especially when waiting in lines.
All in all, I had the time of my life and I can't wait until next month for my next solo trip.
I'm sorry this was so long, but I wanted to try to reassure you.
Hugs, from Becca.
Hi Becca! Thank you for sharing your experiences! Some of the things you talked about are EXACTLY some of the things I am concerned about! Finishing things up faster than normal and feeling lost and out of sorts and seeing little ones the same age as my nephew and being super sad with missing him! Your words make me feel so much better and give me more confidence about the whole trip! Your experience on the bus with the local kids made tear up! Groups of kids can be awful...pack mentality and all that! I am so happy the kind man sat with you and talked with you. The fact that you had some bumps along the way and are still planning your next solo trip is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing!