If you’re a Disney lover, at some point in your life, you’ve probably thought about just packing up and heading to Orlando on your own. Maybe work was getting you down, maybe you had a long weekend and nothing to do with it – whatever the case, you probably thought to yourself, “You know what? I’m just gonna go to Disney World.”
Then, maybe, you realized that other people aren’t quite as free-spirited and impulsive and, exercising your better judgement, you opted to stay behind and put that day-dreamed spontaneous trip to rest. “It’s not as fun going alone,” you might think. “What on earth would I even do there by myself?”
Plenty. Come on. It is my belief that not having anyone to drag along is not a good enough reason to deny yourself a trip to the vacation kingdom. Life is meant for living, happiness is something worth seeking, and, ultimately, being alone means you’ve got one less person to try and wrangle a Fastpass+ reservation for.
Now, naturally, there are some things at Disney World that are best left to couples and families, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of activities for solo travelers to enjoy. In fact, visiting on your own gives you something that, in many ways, is even better – time to explore.
Here are just a few attractions that solo travelers will love, not just because they’re fun, but because they reward those who are moving at their own pace.
6. Walt Disney World Railroad
If you’re traveling with a group or in a family without a train-obsessed child, it’s unlikely you’ll find your way onto the Walt Disney World Railroad during your time at the Magic Kingdom. And, even if you do, you’re probably just using it as a shortcut from one part of the park to another. But, since you’re on you’re own, why not take a moment to appreciate a truly classic Disney attraction – one that celebrates not just its own proud history, but also one of the greatest passions of Walt Disney, himself.
Walt loved trains, and prior to his construction of Disneyland in 1955, he built his own miniature railroad in his backyard. He was so enamored with it that he made sure to include a railroad as one of the defining features of his iconic Anaheim theme park.
The train was such an important part of Disneyland’s aesthetic that Imagineers recreated it for Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in 1971. They tracked down four locomotives – all built in the 1920s and 10s – and installed them in a circuit around the park, including stops at Main Street USA and Frontierland. In 1989, they added a stop in the then-Mickey’s Birthdayland (now part of New Fantasyland).
The complete circuit is full of beautiful scenery, unique set pieces, and unusual views of the park, including a special peek inside the riverboat finale of Splash Mountain. Ultimately, it provides a different way of experiencing the Magic Kingdom – one that rewards guests for taking the time to experience it in whole and with an eye for detail.
5. Swiss Family Treehouse
Speaking of detail, the Swiss Family Treehouse is unparalleled in that regard. An opening day attraction at Walt Disney World, the Treehouse is particularly good for solo travelers because of the depth of scenery it provides. Plus, it’s self-guided walking tour style is perfect for guests moving to the beat of their own drum.
The attraction recreates the fictional treehouse home from the book and film Swiss Family Robinson, and the attention to detail is truly extraordinary. The various rooms of the Treehouse are completely furnished with a combination of materials native to a shipwreck as well as things one might find on a deserted island. The result of that careful design is a fully realized home that seems lived in and real.
The benefit of seeing it alone is that you can take your time to really study the portions of the Treehouse you find most interesting, but no matter the size of your party, it’s always fun picking out where you’d like to stay if you could call the Treehouse your own.
4. Mission: Space
Image: Disney
The main caveat here is that Mission: Space is a very intense attraction – one that many guests simply find too intimidating. However, if you’re the kind of person who loves motion simulators or who has always wanted to be an astronaut, Mission: Space can give a solo traveler one of the more unique experiences possible in a theme park.
If you’ve ridden the ride before, you’ll know that guests are divided into groups of four, with each guest being given a task they must complete during the ride. Now, these tasks aren’t incredibly important – the ride still functions either way – but being given individual responsibilities does something special to a group: it makes them a team.
After all, the power of teamwork is one of the overarching themes of Mission: Space, and what is a team if not a collection of individuals working toward a common goal? Does it matter if you showed up in the queue on your own? No, it doesn’t – you’re just as integral to the mission’s success as the rest of your party.
But while there is a palpable sense of team unity for those teams of four – even among strangers – the attraction itself is actually something of a solitary experience. The ride vehicle is designed in such a way that it’s difficult (and nearly impossible) to see any of your teammates. You’re mostly just experiencing this space launch on your own – but you have the backup of your “highly trained” cohorts. It really is a perfect attraction for a solo traveler in that it provides the right balance of social contact and independent enjoyment — plus a fully-themed environment to explore.
3. Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream
Much like the Railroad and Swiss Family Treehouse, Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream benefits those who travel at a more measured pace – something that’s much easier to do on your own.
The attraction is a walk-through exhibit detailing the history of Walt Disney and his theme parks – both Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Orlando. Featuring artifacts from Disney’s past and a wonderful film about his life, the attraction is both a nice break from the Hollywood Studios crowds as well as something meant to be explored in depth.
Odds are, if you’re traveling to Walt Disney World on your own, you’re more than a little passionate about the guy. For that reason, this should really be a must-see for solo travelers.
2. Expedition Everest
Image: Disney
Expedition Everest is something of a double whammy for solo travelers. The first major benefit for those traveling alone is that this attraction features a single-rider line – and unlike some others on the Disney property, this single-rider line actually moves very well. If you’re making a trip on your own, but still want to do the commando-style Disney attack we all know and love, the single-rider line will be your best friend.
But that’s not the only reason Expedition Everest is good for those traveling alone: This attraction also features one of Disney’s most elaborate and well-themed queues. Now, that may seem like a strange reason to list it here, but the fact is, if you’re visiting Disney on you’re own, you’ll probably be amazed at the level of detail and care the Imagineers put into recreating this piece of East Asia. Everything from the prayer flags flying overhead to the fully-stocked Yeti museum is visually stunning and worth taking the time to investigate — even if it means foregoing the speed of a single-rider line.
You know what? Let’s just take this one step further.
1. Pretty much all of Animal Kingdom
Image: Disney
What’s amazing about Disney’s Animal Kingdom is just how immersive it feels. From the moment you set foot in that park, you feel transported to another world – one far away from Orlando or your office or anywhere familiar. It’s a park designed to be explored, and one that rewards a sense of adventure and spontaneity.
There are countless animal exhibits that can be viewed on winding forest trails or down poorly-marked pathways. There’s an entire section of the park that requires a ride on a train to visit. It’s a place for those who want to get lost. More than Dinosaur, Expedition Everest, Finding Nemo: the Musical, or anything, that is what makes Animal Kingdom unique — and getting lost is much easier to do when you’re on your own.
Frankly, that feeling of exploration is also why Walt Disney World is such a brilliant place to visit if you’re flying solo: You get to plot your own course and make your own schedule. You get to discover the parks and attractions completely on your own. You get to make your own adventure, and you get to appreciate it the way you want.
Now doesn’t that sound like a vacation?
