There are plenty of reasons why one may enjoy going to Walt Disney World alone, and chances are if you’re reading this article you’ve already considered some of them. Many solo guests decide to plan a trip for themselves based on the premise that they will have complete and total control over everything they do on their trip. This idea could mean anything from not having to stop at the restroom every time one of your six other family members needs to go to riding Space Mountain eight times in a row if that’s all you really want to do.
A solo trip can also lend oneself the ability to do the park at your own pace. If you want to wake up at 5:00 am to catch a breakfast reservation at 7:00, and still get to the park when it opens at 9:00, you won’t have anyone holding you back or complaining about getting up early. Conversely, if your usual trips consist of rushing around between rides, a solo trip can come as a nice change of pace where you can really take your time and enjoy all of the details that make the parks special.
Image: Brittany DiCologero
If you’ve always wanted to meet characters, but the rest of the family never wants to stop, or you’ve found that you’re the only thrill junkie in the group, or maybe you’re the only one content spending some time people-watching, a solo trip may be just the thing you need right now. The freedom of having the entire resort at your own disposal means that you can eat what you want, ride what you want, and all around do what you want without worrying about anyone else but yourself. It may sound selfish now, but sometimes it’s good to be a little selfish and treat yourself to what you really want in a vacation.
Of course, a solo trip is not for everyone. Some guests will always feel uncomfortable dining alone, and others may miss spending time with their families after seeing so many other families enjoying the parks together. While it may sound awkward and uncomfortable at first, a solo trip to Walt Disney World (or any vacation destination for that matter) is something that is worth a try at least once.
When should I plan to visit?
Image: Brittany DiCologero
Like most aspects of a solo vacation, the answer to this question is entirely up to you. The simple response here is “whenever you want!” however if you’re looking to consider the “best” times to go, in terms of when being alone may not feel so uncomfortable here are a few suggestions.
The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival can serve as a great opportunity for the solo guests. Many locals and annual passholders visit Epcot by themselves during this time, so you won’t be the only one visiting alone. The standing tables that are set up around World Showcase during the Festival provide the perfect set-up for solo guests, as they often end up sharing the tables with others while snacking around the world, which can make the whole “solo experience” far less uncomfortable if it’s something you’re worried about.
RunDisney events can also be the perfect “icebreaker” week or weekend for the first time solo traveler. Many guests actually do participate in Disney races alone, so you may not feel as surrounded by families as you usually would while in the Disney parks. The running community is also very welcoming and easy to be a part of when you don’t have your family by your side. Not sure if you’re ready for a RunDisney race? There is a minimum pace requirement of a 16-minute mile that you need to keep, but if you can power-walk or lightly jog this pace on the treadmill you shouldn’t have a problem keeping up.
While not a specific time of year, another ideal time for a solo trip may be during a long weekend. If you’re short on vacation time, or would simply rather use those days to travel when the whole family can go, a long weekend can be the perfect getaway. Even during a popular travel weekend, like Columbus Day weekend or Memorial Day weekend, when the parks tend to be very busy, factoring in that you will be by yourself means that you will actually have more time. The parks may be busier, but you’ll be able to use the single rider lines, plan your Fastpasses based on your specific requests only, and follow your own touring plan for getting around the parks.
Where should I stay?
Image: Brittany DiCologero
If you are going to Orlando only to visit Walt Disney World, the answer is always on site, especially as a solo traveler where you may not want to be using ride-share services like Uber or paying for cabs by yourself. (At least with the whole family the value of a cab ride is a little bit higher when acknowledging the number of guests using the service). The benefits of staying at a Disney resort far outweigh the benefits of staying off property. Regardless of how many people are in your party, you can always take advantage of things like extra time in the parks and complimentary transportation.
Deciding where to stay during your solo trip really depends on how much you’re willing to spend by yourself, and how much time you think you’ll be spending at the resort. The majority of solo guests tend to stay at value resorts like the All Star Resorts or Pop Century, however if you’re looking to splurge and stay somewhere nicer during your trip, the decisions are all up to you! Many solo guests do not spend too much time at their resorts alone, and therefore would prefer to spend their money elsewhere. But if you’ve been saving up for a splurge-worthy stay at the Polynesian Village Resort, don’t let the size of your party stop you!
Won’t it be awkward?
Going to the Walt Disney World Resort alone is only awkward if you make it awkward. Occasionally other guests may notice that you’re alone, but they probably aren’t going to dwell on this or make you feel uncomfortable. How many times have you been to Walt Disney World in the past where you saw someone by his or herself and it ruined your day? See? It won’t be awkward unless you make it awkward yourself.
For many first time solo trips, a primary concern is eating alone. If you feel like dining in a restaurant alone may be uncomfortable there are a couple of ways to combat this concern. If you are having major anxiety over it, and don’t think you’d like to have a table service meal at all, quick service restaurants and simply snacking throughout the day can help you avoid this altogether. If you value your Disney food however, sitting at a bar, or bringing something to look at while you’re at the table can make the experience a bit easier.
If you have a book that you don’t mind carrying into the parks with you, or a tablet, or maybe even simply your cell phone, you’ll already feel more comfortable than you would if you just stared at the empty chair across from you during the entire meal. Of course, if you’d rather not feel like you “need” the distraction, and you’re comfortable enough with the idea to simply sit and take in the ambiance of the restaurant, that works too! Sitting at a bar rather than getting a table can also ease the discomfort, as you’ll at least have the bartender to talk to, and probably other guests as well. At the bar you will also not be surrounded by families, as children obviously wouldn’t be hanging out there.
Another dining tip (that may be hit or miss so choose wisely) is to eat at restaurants that seat you with other guests. At Biergarten for instance, guests share tables with other guests regardless of whether or not they are dining alone. Be warned though, how awkward this experience will go can depend on who you end up being seated with– some guests will embrace the new conversations with whoever is at their tables, and others will scoff at the idea of a traditional Biergarten setting in this day and age where people tend to avoid conversations with those they don’t know personally.
Who will I talk to?
Image: Brittany DiCologero
Cast members and other guests! As someone who has been to Walt Disney World alone more times than I can count, I can attest to the fact that other guests and cast members will enjoy talking with you, and it won’t be uncomfortable at all. There have been instances where I’ve become so friendly with other guests while in line for an attraction, that when asked how many in their party they’ve included me so that I could ride with them. You also may notice more solo guests now that you’re alone in the parks yourself, without the distractions of your family. Many Florida residents, annual passholders, and cast members spend time in the parks alone, so you may find that you don’t stand out as much as you had originally thought.
Especially as a solo guest you should always feel free to talk to cast members. They love talking to guests, and they actually don’t always have as much time to speak with them as they’d like. (When I was working in the parks during my Disney College Program I often found that guests with families wouldn’t be so interested in spending their time talking to me. This was not anything personal towards me, but rather because they had a whole family to keep happy, and this meant that their priority was going off towards different attractions and not standing around talking). If you’re visiting the parks alone and just looking to spend some time while having a cup of water or waiting for a line to open for a show, feel free to converse with the nearest cast member.
So should I do it?
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You’ve probably never questioned whether or not you should take a trip to Walt Disney World when invited by a family member, but now that you’re considering going alone you may still be on the fence about it. There are so many positive things that come out of a solo vacation that you cannot possibly have while traveling with a group. Vacationing alone is an eye-opening and fulfilling experience that I truly believe everyone should try at least once in their lifetime.
If the thought of going to a family-centric theme park alone still worries you, plan a short trip and stay at a value resort. Leave on a Friday and come home on a Monday, and stay at one of the All Star Resorts. By planning your trip in this manner, you’ll be able to get a taste of what a Disney vacation can be like by yourself, without spending too much time and money on it. (The last thing you’d want is to realize you hate being alone on the second day and have a week left, or worse be paying top bucks for a deluxe resort during a vacation that you can’t wait to finish).
Consider all of the positive aspects of a solo trip, and come to terms with the fact that there is no real reason why you should be uncomfortable. Missing your family, especially given the destination, is totally normal but you should still be able to have a great time solo. So you may need to ask for help taking a photo once in awhile– no big deal, cast members and other guests will be happy to help. Once you overcome the fear of checking into a hotel and dining alone, and come to realize how much fun you can have doing exactly what you want to do when you want to do, you may end up enjoying your solo trips just as much as your family vacations!
