I'm at WDW solo right now...here's what I'm learning

I liked not having to think about paying for food but I did also find myself ordering the more expensive options to "make the most of it". I think on my next trip I probably would do the quick service plan again but I'd likely try to eat lunch earlier. I think a big part of my problem also was that I ended up eat lunch at 13:00ish, then not really feeling like dinner until quite late, and later still sometimes if I used a snack in the afternoon. On a couple of nights I ate when I got back to the hotel after the fireworks which probably isn't the best!

I too like the idea of having meals already paid for. We usually ate a big breakfast at the resort around 8am then round 1pm maybe had a snack like popcorn or dole whip and then ate dinner between 5pm-730pm. We are at SciFi one night at 730pm. We tried to plan meals so we’d be back to the parks for fireworks(missed Illuminations). With the Quick Service Plan the 2 meals a day were ok, but we really didn’t need 2 snacks also, plus we planned a character breakfast, SciFi for dinner and Tusker House(lunch), in order to get ROL. I googled dining plan comparisons(or to see if the dining plan is worth it). Next time I think I’m just going to get a Disney gift card and use that. We go to Universal Studios in May and have the dining plan, but it’s only one Quick Service meal and one snack a day, in our promotion we have 2 breakfast buffets.
 
I too like the idea of having meals already paid for. We usually ate a big breakfast at the resort around 8am then round 1pm maybe had a snack like popcorn or dole whip and then ate dinner between 5pm-730pm. We are at SciFi one night at 730pm. We tried to plan meals so we’d be back to the parks for fireworks(missed Illuminations). With the Quick Service Plan the 2 meals a day were ok, but we really didn’t need 2 snacks also, plus we planned a character breakfast, SciFi for dinner and Tusker House(lunch), in order to get ROL. I googled dining plan comparisons(or to see if the dining plan is worth it). Next time I think I’m just going to get a Disney gift card and use that. We go to Universal Studios in May and have the dining plan, but it’s only one Quick Service meal and one snack a day, in our promotion we have 2 breakfast buffets.
Since there is a good chance you would lose money on the dining plan, I would put the money you would spend on it on a prepaid VISA card and use that to pay for meals. Then if you had any left over, you could spend it elsewhere
 
I really do hope this inspires anyone sat on the fence to take the leap and give it a go. I think it's well worth it. Sure, it won't be for everyone, but if you're even remotely happy in your own company then I think it's worth a go.

I know this post was the last push I needed to go through with booking. I went from skeptical to booking 10 days and I'm already thinking of adding another. I'm a bit nervous since it will be my first trip ever but I figure it's almost impossible to be unhappy at WDW.
 
Another reason "being solo" does not really get noticed all that much is because it's more common than you might think. Once my kids reached a certain age, They would head off for Space, or ToT and I'd go "Solo" for a bit before catching up with them again.
 


This is a great thread. I started going solo a few years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. I used to be nervous (am still am sometimes) about being a guy in his 40's roaming around Disney by himself, but once I'm there I get over it real quick. I think my main problem that I'm still trying to work on is making better use of my time in between fast passes and ts dinners because sometimes I'm just cruising so fast that I have done everything I wanted to do for that park early.

I have 2 solo trips upcoming centering around RunDisney Races, Star Wars and Wine and Dine. I can't wait to do Wild Afrika Trek in April and I just bought a ticket for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party for Halloween night.
 
Yeah this is without a doubt the hardest thing, because I want to get the most out of my holiday but I have to keep reminding myself that to do that I need to schedule time to recharge a bit. Got another 10 full days to enjoy it all though, and I've gotten through the first few days of "i have to do everything right now!!" so can ease off a little now!

I've found that my choice of hotel influences whether I take breaks or not. I love to stay at the Wilderness Lodge so a break is always welcome. It needs to be a place where if I don't make it to the parks until late one day, I won't feel like I missed out on much. I make a spreadsheet with all my planned activities and schedule rest time everyday just to make sure it happens. I need to be staying somewhere that is an adventure in itself.
 


I know this post was the last push I needed to go through with booking. I went from skeptical to booking 10 days and I'm already thinking of adding another. I'm a bit nervous since it will be my first trip ever but I figure it's almost impossible to be unhappy at WDW.
This!! My philosophy as well. :flower3:
 
I've found that my choice of hotel influences whether I take breaks or not. I love to stay at the Wilderness Lodge so a break is always welcome. It needs to be a place where if I don't make it to the parks until late one day, I won't feel like I missed out on much. I make a spreadsheet with all my planned activities and schedule rest time everyday just to make sure it happens. I need to be staying somewhere that is an adventure in itself.

Absolutely, and I guess it's for this reason that if I could afford it I would choose to stay at either Poly or AKL, both of which feel like amazing places just to walk around so I imagine staying at them is pretty awesome. Wilderness lodge is one of the few resorts that I've never really visited properly so I'll have to take a look at it on my next trip.
 
This is a great thread. I started going solo a few years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. I used to be nervous (am still am sometimes) about being a guy in his 40's roaming around Disney by himself, but once I'm there I get over it real quick. I think my main problem that I'm still trying to work on is making better use of my time in between fast passes and ts dinners because sometimes I'm just cruising so fast that I have done everything I wanted to do for that park early.

I have 2 solo trips upcoming centering around RunDisney Races, Star Wars and Wine and Dine. I can't wait to do Wild Afrika Trek in April and I just bought a ticket for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party for Halloween night.
I've found that my choice of hotel influences whether I take breaks or not. I love to stay at the Wilderness Lodge so a break is always welcome. It needs to be a place where if I don't make it to the parks until late one day, I won't feel like I missed out on much. I make a spreadsheet with all my planned activities and schedule rest time everyday just to make sure it happens. I need to be staying somewhere that is an adventure in itself.

Can I ask what you like about Wilderness Lodge? This resort seems to be overlooked in reviews, seems like most of the focus is on the Value to Moderate(Port Orleans). I was just reading some good reviews on Wilderness Lodge dining.
 
Can I ask what you like about Wilderness Lodge? This resort seems to be overlooked in reviews, seems like most of the focus is on the Value to Moderate(Port Orleans). I was just reading some good reviews on Wilderness Lodge dining.

I like how it feels like I'm not at WDW when I need to get away from the crowds. I love the sound of the geyser going off and the sounds of children laughing in the pool below. I especially love getting a 6th floor private balcony room because I feel even more closed off. I can watch the Electrical Water Pageant at night in my pajamas and no one can see me entirely. I love the dark wood design of the whole building. There is no greater feeling when you're on vacation and the bus goes through the two pillars leading to the Wilderness Lodge, especially at night. All the lanterns are on and it is just beautiful! It doesn't hurt that this resort is close to the Magic Kingdom and you can get there by boat. For a solo traveler who wants to get away from it all and be in the middle of everything at the same time, it is the best resort for my money. Anytime I leave the parks to take a break, I feel much more relaxed before going back because my room is very cozy so I get some really good naps in.
 
Wilderness lodge is one of the few resorts that I've never really visited properly so I'll have to take a look at it on my next trip.

Please do! You won't regret it. I love it so much that when I'm staying at another resort, I end up asking myself why I didn't just book the Wilderness Lodge again.
 
Just back from my solo weekend! The parks were fun as always, but I was surprised that Disney Springs was a lot less fun solo. Note to self to either be dressed & mentally prepared for more of a bar scene, or bring a friend next time.
 
Just back from my solo weekend! The parks were fun as always, but I was surprised that Disney Springs was a lot less fun solo. Note to self to either be dressed & mentally prepared for more of a bar scene, or bring a friend next time.
I can imagine how that could be true with DS; it was my first time since it had been changed from downtown Disney when I visited for my trip and I enjoyed it but only visited for a couple of hours on 2 occasions in the morning, mostly just to explore it. I imagine it's got a good night life but perhaps not somewhere that would appeal much to me solo.
 
Just back from my solo weekend! The parks were fun as always, but I was surprised that Disney Springs was a lot less fun solo. Note to self to either be dressed & mentally prepared for more of a bar scene, or bring a friend next time.

Good to know. I have been contemplating dinner in one of the bars. Perhaps a week night might offer a different vibe?
 
Good to know. I have been contemplating dinner in one of the bars. Perhaps a week night might offer a different vibe?

If solo, you may be better just grabbing lunch at one of the bars in Disney Springs. I've seen DS get pretty crowded even on week nights. During the day DS is great for a solo to drop by places like the Boathouse, Homecomin', the Hanger etc bar areas for some food and drinks ... usually very relaxed and can chat with the bartenders and others around the bar. At night, DS is tends to take on more of a Pleasure Island vibe (more than what Downtown Disney did). I've noticed a lot more people wandering and bar hopping like the good old days of PI. To get food at the bars you'll need to get a seat, and I've seen some week nights where the seats were packed in some of the places.

Don't get me wrong, DS is fun at night but as MusicalAstronaut mentioned it's a different vibe than during the day
 
Good to know. I have been contemplating dinner in one of the bars. Perhaps a week night might offer a different vibe?
I ended up eating at the bar at Morimoto and that was nice. The Hanger Bar & the Edison only had people drinking, I didn't see anyone eating at the counters. A week night would probably be better! My guess is it may also be popular with locals on weekends too who are just going out, whereas during the week it's probably more vacationers. This was also around 10:30pm & later because I stayed to watch Illuminations at Epcot before heading over, so if you want to eat in DS, I would try earlier in the evening to avoid the "just drinking" crowds.
 
This thread is great. I hadn’t gone for many years because I never even thought of going solo. Was able to do a mother/daughter trip last year, but I’m already anxious to go again! (After the August heat she is not!)

After reading everyone’s experiences I definitely think I’d actually really enjoy a solo trip! I mean what could be bad about 4 times on the haunted mansion! I’ve been dying to go see all the Christmas stuff Disney has so I think I’m ready to take the plunge.
 
Just back from my solo weekend! The parks were fun as always, but I was surprised that Disney Springs was a lot less fun solo. Note to self to either be dressed & mentally prepared for more of a bar scene, or bring a friend next time.
I've been visiting solo since our kids grew up and moved away (DH is not a theme park guy) and prefer DS before about 7:00 PM. If I plan to eat there it's usually just for lunch.
 
I haven’t been there solo yet, though soon. I was thinking the same thing about DS. We went a couple of days, once about 3:30pm and it was pretty dead and once 6:30 and it was packed.
 

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