Today, we’re talking about doing Disney World, Solo Style.
This blog is dedicated to travelling solo, and while most experiences can be covered with a quick blurb, one question from friends and family I get a lot is: “Is it worth doing Disney World or Disneyland alone?”
The thought is super daunting. After all, on paper, it’s a family experience where you’ll be surrounded by other groups. You’ll be surrounded by pairs and groups. Even for myself, who’s been solo travelling for decades, I didn’t do this myself until a work trip opportunity when I got the chance to do one day at Disneyland on my own.
Out of that experience, I’ve booked a couple solo trips to Walt Disney World and while I feel like I’m done for a while, it’s less to do with my appreciation for the destination fading and more to do with the fact that I truly feel like I did everything I set out to do, because I was solo. You won’t be the only one doing this solo. In fact, there’s a joy of being the master of your own schedule in a place like Disney World, and the quote on Disneyland simply says “To all who come to this place.”
That means that even if you’re solo, you can still find joy, imagination, delight, and more in a trip to the castles.
Today we’ll focus on Walt Disney World and the things that you can do on a solo trip, and some that truly make it one of the best ways to visit.
Cast Compliments
One of the first things I challenge myself to do is to offer cast compliments daily, with one at minimum. It encourages me to both interact with the cast, but also appreciate the small ways they bring magic to me. You can use the app to give high-level compliments, but if you feel like someone went above and beyond, you might want to do more. If that’s the case, you can email wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com with “Cast Compliment” in the subject line to let the team know.
When I went on the Wild Africa Trek, I felt like my guides deserved a huge round of kudos, so I used the email, but otherwise I like to try and bring my own magic to the cast members with a few compliments a day. Plus, it gives you a “mission” while you’re there solo!
Check out the Disney Parks blog for details about how to do this.
Make New Friends
Every time I’ve gone to Disney World or Disneyland on my own, I inevitably make new friends in line. Sometimes, it’s other travellers who are solo for the whole trip or temporarily (like the nice man I met whose wife didn’t want to do Tron). It could be people who just like to strike up a conversation (like the sweet old man who talked my ear off about how much he loves Star Wars during the Rise of the Resistance line). Sometimes, you’ll chat on the ride or as you’re getting off.
This can also happen when sharing tables. There’s something about the Disney bubble that can bring out the stress in people, but it should also be noted that it can bring out the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. I’ve struck up so many random conversations at restaurants, festivals, rides, in the Skyliner, and more — and I’m quite a socially anxious person. In pretty much all those cases, someone else initiated in a super friendly and open way.
It’s one of the best parts of being solo, because you never know what you’re going to expect.
Become a Photographer
Every day that you’re at one of the parks, you’re likely going to be walking by someone trying to take an awkwardly angled selfie. The best part of being solo is that you can veer off and become a photographer in a second flat. No cast member needed to take a Photopass. You can offer to take photos to commemorate someone else’s vacation.
It’s an easy offer and someone might turn it down, but let me tell you that the rush of getting to do that for someone else can’t be beat.
Single Rider Lines
This is a little better in Disneyland where there are more rides available, but there’s still the option in Disney World to join the single rider line. This is the line that they’ll use to fill in gaps and can be found on rides like Expedition Everest, Rise of the Resistance, Test Track, and more.
Will you see non-solo travellers in these lines? Yes. Sometimes, it might be an incredibly frustrating experience when you’re truly there as a single rider. It’s even worse on the frustration levels to arrive at the front and have them insist on being kept together, but if you can put that aside and be patient, this is still the best option.
There’s also the potential for a group to not want you with them. I ran into this on Remy. It was a complete walk-on, but the group that I got paired with tried to refuse me and the cast member had to insist, which led to an awkward ride. If you’re planning to use single rider on Millennium Falcon, you’re likely going to end up as the engineer. And, one thing to note, is that you should take note of the ride configuration. Having to find a solo spot on a two-wide seat is harder than other seating arrangements, so single rider lines at places like Rock n’ Roller Coaster with a shorter car might not be a great option (and yet, somehow, Expedition Everest always moves quickly, but that’s likely due to the longer train).
Don’t Get Intimated by Solo Dining
One of my favourite things to do is to dine solo, because you can eat at your own pace. There’s been a few times when I’m with friends or family and we either eat so fast that my stomach hurts or so slow that I’m twitching to get back to the entertainment and rides.
However, there is a downside on this one. I’ve found that the All You Can Eat options are a little more limited. Yes, they will keep the portions manageable, but it’s a lot easier with a big table of people to share foods that you might not like as much. It could end up feeling like a bit of a waste. Buffets are a good option, but they can get a bit pricy if you’re not planning to eat much. I highly recommend regular restaurants and quick service options if you’re solo, so you don’t have to worry about stomach space.
Enchanting Extra Options
One of the best things to do solo is meet new people, right? However, if you want to get away from crowds, but want to treat yourself, what do you do? For me, that means perusing the Enchanting Extra collection. You get a smaller group of people to share your experience with. It helps temper some of the loneliness of missing friends and family to share something with. Whether you’re meeting elephants or rhinos or going behind Living With the Land, you’re now having a shared experience with a group of people.
One in a Crowd
The best reason to go solo is that you’re not truly the only one. No one will look at you funny. If they do, it’s their issue and not yours. Every time I’ve gone solo to Disney, I run into a bunch of other people there on their own. Sometimes, they’re just solo until their group catches up. Either way, it’s a common practice and you’re in a huge crowd. You can forget about pleasing other people. You can just enjoy yourself and don’t worry about expectations or what people think.
So, should you go to Disney solo? You won’t be the only one, there’s plenty of activity, and it’s very safe. That’s especially true if you stay on property inside the bubble. Some of the best Disney vacations have been when I go on my own. Do I want to do that every time? Definitely not. However, it’s a nice way to break up family and friend vacations where you can do what you want, when you want, and enjoy the magic.
If you’re on the fence, take this as a sign to book a solo trip and find out what I mean. It doesn’t have to be a long one. You could start with a weekend.
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