Top 10 Tips for Doing Disney World Solo
Taking a solo trip to Walt Disney World can be an intimidating, yet incredibly enjoyable experience. In this post, we’ll offer some tips for making the most of doing Walt Disney World by yourself, highlighting what you can enjoy when you’re alone, and offering some reassurances.
The idea of going alone may seem off-putting, even. For many people, the highlight of a Disney vacation is spending time with family and making memories of fun, laughter, and little moments shared with the people you love. That’s not to say flying solo at Walt Disney World is a lonely and laughter-less experience. Well, depending on your personality, maybe it is.
I think that doing Walt Disney World solo is sort of like Home Alone (minus the burglary). Intimidating and scary at first, but pretty awesome once you realize you can run around doing and eating whatever you want without anyone to stop you. I’ve made a few solo trips in the last few years and have gone from being scared of the very idea of going without Sarah to being so comfortable that I spent an afternoon at Typhoon Lagoon and ate a bucket of ice cream by myself…
With that said, solo trips are certainly not for everyone. I suspect those who go primarily to see the reactions of their children or serious extroverts may be less inclined to enjoy the experience. However, I’ve learned that as an ‘outgoing introvert’ (that’s what the government scientists who interrogated me at the bunker in New Mexico studied me concluded) a solo trip from time to time is great for me.
If you think a solo trip might be right for you, here are 10 tips to making it a great experience…
10. Eat Where You Want
My biggest fear before my first solo trip to Walt Disney World was eating alone. I don’t know why…maybe the stigma? It turned out to be just fine. That first trip I ate entirely at counter service restaurants, wanting to minimize awkward encounters by not dealing with a server.
I’ve become more comfortable eating alone, and have since done table service meals. There has been no issue with this, and I’ve found most of the time Cast Members at the restaurant are more conversational with me to make my experience better.
One thing you might want to tell your server when you are order is that you are in no rush (assuming you are in no rush). I’ve found on several occasions that servers rush the meal along, probably under the assumption that you want to be in and out.
Another reason for this might be because servers work for tips. You might want to be cognizant of this, especially at busier restaurants, and not take up a table that could be used by a larger party. You might also consider eating at the bar if it’s an option (even if you don’t plan on drinking). It’s usually an environment more conducive to solo travelers, anyway.
9. SINGLE RIDER
We recommend using single rider lines on this blog even when you are with others, but so many people are staunchly opposed to single rider lines when they are in groups. While that still perplexes me, when you’re traveling alone, there’s absolutely no reason not to take advantage of single rider lines.
Granted, this is only available at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Test Track, Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster, and Expedition Everest, but these are three of the longest waits at Walt Disney World, and thrill junkies can really get their fix via these single rider lines. There have been times where I’ve looped Expedition Everest, riding it 3 times in about 15 minutes!
If you’re incorporating Universal Orlando Resort into your solo trip, you can take advantage of single rider lines on many attractions there. This can be an immense time-saver, and something to use even when you’re traveling with others (we do!).
8. TREAT YO SELF!
If you have a family of 5, you probably balk at the prices of some experiences at Walt Disney World. Even things like a buffet mean dropping at least $200. There might be a lot of pricey things you haven’t done at Walt Disney World because of how much it would cost for your entire party. When you are traveling alone, the cost of your entire party is the cost of YOU.
It might seem super selfish, but this is America. George Washington would roll in his grave if we all didn’t act like we are the center of the universe. Joking aside, a solo trip is an opportunity to do a couple of those expensive things that simply cost too much with your entire party.
It might be something relatively straightforward like a Halloween or Christmas party, or you might go all out and get a spa treatment or do surfing lessons at Typhoon Lagoon. Regardless, Tom & Donna would be proud.
7. Be Someone Else
Whenever I travel to Walt Disney World, the people I encounter along the way meet George Kaplan, secret agent and international man of mystery. Actually…that’s not what I mean. When you’re on a trip by yourself where you’re only interacting with people who don’t know you and probably will never see you again, you can feel freer to step outside of your “normal” personality.
This might sound silly because you could always step outside of your comfort zone if you so desired, but that’s easier said than done. I think quite often we comport with others’ expectations of us…or might be embarrassed to have friends or family see us step outside of our comfort zones.
When you’re solo, it’s easier to go out on a limb, so to speak. Whether this is manifested in talking to strangers on the monorail, getting up and doing karaoke, or eating a porterhouse the size of your head if you’re a vegetarian, it can be a fun way to try things you normally wouldn’t.
6. Be Social…
Social media can be your lifeline to the outside world. While there is something to be said for actually experiencing what you’re doing rather than sharing the supposed experience, I think a solo trip is somewhat different because it gives you a chance to engage with others.
Part of what makes a trip with others fun is sharing those little moments in the parks with someone else. Sharing online provides a quick and easy way to have a semblance of that, while still traveling solo. Just be careful: the fear of loneliness can make it easy to spend too much time sharing on social media, and not enough time actually enjoying yourself and doing things on your solo Walt Disney World trip.
My recommendation here would be to live in the moment and ‘catch up’ on sharing when you’re waiting in lines. Oh, and be sure to bring an external battery charger for your phone. The dullness of certain queues is amplified when you’re by yourself, and you will use a lot of battery killing time…
5. Vacation Kingdom
I’m not entirely sure why I view this as a solo activity, but I find myself stepping beyond the turnstiles of the parks out into the rest of the Vacation Kingdom of the World when I visit by myself. This is probably because the theme parks are broadly appealing to a wide range of people, whereas the rest of the Vacation Kingdom–whether it’s golf, fishing, or specific resorts–is all more targeted to certain hobbies and interests.
You can also venture outside the park by simple “riding the rails.” Take a flight on the Skyliner or monorail, a leisurely ride around Bay Lake on the boats, or simply a stroll around Crescent Lake. One form of transportation we’d probably skip is the buses. While practical, there’s not much fun to be had simply riding around random bus routes.
One place I often find myself is Fort Wilderness, a resort I really love. Perhaps this is because I am accustomed to being alone with nature when I travel alone in the real world, so I gravitate to that same type of location at Walt Disney World. There’s a reason “at one with nature” is a popular saying, and I’ve found that Fort Wilderness is a great place for quiet strolls and introspection. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that Trail’s End is an awesome place to eat.
4. Choose Your Own Adventure!
Want to do Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin 10 times in a row? How about spending the day watching ducks wandering around Casey’s Corner? Maybe stopping for 30 minutes to wait for the monorail to pass in Epcot so you can get that stellar photo you’ve always wanted.
One thing I’ve learned through this blog is that different people get different things out of Walt Disney World. I can tell you that my ideal day is radically different than some others’ idea of a perfect day. When you travel solo, your vision of “ideal” is the day you get to have, no matter how odd that may seem to others.
I spent an entire day in Epcot by myself once, and literally did nothing besides watching Impressions de France (twice), American Adventure, sitting on a bench listening to the Innoventions background music, and taking photos. So go ahead, stare at those ducks. You’ve earned it.
3. Fly by the Seat of Your Pants
Having a solid itinerary for Walt Disney World when you’re with several other people makes sense because there are certain pressures of a multi-thousand dollar trip. These pressures are significantly lower when you’re by yourself. This is not to say a Walt Disney World vacation is cheap when you’re by yourself or that you should go in without Genie+ or any goals, but the stakes are lower.
It is to say that going solo at Walt Disney World makes for a more flexible vacation. If you don’t have a plan and you’re with a larger party, every step must be discussed, and making decisions on the fly is inefficient and unwieldy.
When you are by yourself, you can easily pivot and do things on the fly, as there’s no collaborative element. Not having any plan may make you feel somewhat “naked” at first, but it is another way to have a different type of day at Walt Disney World. Spontaneity is one of the highlights of a solo Disney trip.
2. Make “Internet Friends”
If this blog post were written 15 years ago, that heading might sound like the creepiest thing ever. “Internet friends” was probably associated with having a sit-down with Chris Hansen. The dynamic and perception of the internet has certainly changed a lot since then, and socializing online is no longer viewed as a hobby of the anti-social.
Now, there truly is a Disney online fan “community” (or multiple communities), and it’s a great place to make friends. Many of these people live close to the parks, and enjoy meeting up with their online friends “IRL”.
The thing about this is that you have to go about it the right way. If you’re not currently active in any online communities, don’t sign up 2 weeks before your trip and start randomly posting your travel dates in Facebook groups about Disney or doing TikTok dances to lure people to meet up with you.
You need to make friends online just as you would in the real world, interacting and forming friendships over time, and then privately messaging them closer to your travel dates. I could write an entire post on the “right” way to do all of this, but I’m going to assume the readers of this blog are the coolest of the cool, and not socially maladjusted, so you can probably figure most of this out for yourselves.
Meeting up with friends is a nice safety net, so to speak, or a way to balance out the trip. This way, you can choose when you’re by yourself and when you experience the parks with friends. Personally, I know after a couple days of only superficial interactions, I’m ready for a ‘break’ from the solo thing and looking for meaningful interactions.
1. Disney Enlightenment
One of the odd problems I have with a group dynamic is that I always feel compelled to be ‘accomplishing’ something, regardless of whether the people I’m with are even more laid back than me. It’s this odd, slightly neurotic thing, I guess. For example, Sarah says ‘she’s just happy being there’ but I still feel the need to keep things moving along. I don’t want to stop for too long to take a photo, or linger after a meal. There’s just something in the back of my mind prodding me along.
By contrast, when I’m by myself, this does not even enter my mind. I am perfectly fine taking my time, whether that means doing a lap around Crescent Lake or sitting poolside for an hour just soaking up the sun. You might think that if you didn’t have anyone else slowing you down, you would do attractions non-stop, but inevitably, everyone I know who has gone solo talks about how they really loved the leisurely pace.
I refer to this as getting to know Walt Disney World. It’s my favorite part of going solo. There’s something about this that I just love that’s almost impossible to articulate, but you end up seeing the parks in an intimate, different way. It’s tough to explain, but after about a day of this, it feels almost like you have heightened senses: you see things you normally don’t see, hear things you normally don’t hear, etc. I suppose it’s like enlightenment, Disney style. That might seem embellished or even preposterous if you’ve never had solo time in the parks, but trust me on this. It’s a “thing.”
One thing I didn’t mention above was safety. Personally, I don’t think this really qualifies as much of a tip. You should be safe wherever you go. Although incidents do occur at Walt Disney World, bad stuff happens everywhere, and I view Walt Disney World as one of the safest places on the planet. So, yeah, don’t do anything stupid that jeopardizes your safety. Otherwise, I think I covered my favorite tips for flying solo at Walt Disney World!
If you are planning a Walt Disney World trip–solo or otherwise–check out our planning resources! If you’re interested in learning more about hotels, our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page is a good place to start. For where to eat, try out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews page. If you want to save money on tickets or determine which type you should get, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at unconventional things you should take on your trip. Once you arrive at the parks, our Walt Disney World “Ride Guides” are great for determining what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of these topics and so much more, the best place to start is our comprehensive Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide to make the most of your experience!
Your Thoughts…
Have you done a solo Walt Disney World vacation? Any additional tips? Are you thinking of flying solo at WDW? Does a solo trip seem like something you’d enjoy, or would you miss being with your friends or family? Hearing from you is half the fun, so if you have other thoughts or questions, please share in the comments!
I can’t thank you enough for this article (which is extremely well written and witty). I have been contemplating treating myself to a solo trip and I’m nervous about it. Will I look stupid being alone among all the families? Will I get weird stares? Reading this post really helped me see that going to Disney solo could be a great thing and something that I should try!
HI! Im thinking the same thing, it seems unlikely people will stare and wonder, mostly because people wont even notice, theyre so busy doing their own thing. Im currently thinking about going alone too, my worry is if ill regret it, not being able to share experiences with people? Or maybe itll have the opposite effect and ill end up feeling super alone and sad seeing all the happy families and couples, this part is kinda scary. I hope you do go, itll probably be amazing and empowering, the best of luck!
I did my first solo trip almost 20 yrs ago…I’ll admit I was nervous the first time but that quickly passed…I now go every year solo….I usually go the beginning of December, the decorations and holiday themes are so beautiful….they really put me in the Holiday spirit…..I look at my solo trips as a gift to myself…..I get do what I want or don’t want to do….no longer am I standing in a group saying “what to you want to do or where do you want to eat”….I find it very relaxing….if I’m tired I go back to my resort, pull the curtains, leave a message for Mickey Mouse or Stitch to wake me and go back out to the parks…standing on a line there is always someone to chat with….I love to people watch, especially the little ones so excited in the costumes….I highly recommend a solo trip…..try it, you’ll like it….celebrating my 75th birthday this year with my 5yr old twin grandsons, WDW threw a child’s eye…can’t wait…12 days and counting
I love reading your blog, Tom. I have for years. And I’m glad I read this. I’m in Florida a week ahead of my wife and kids, for our annual trip, and I’ve always thought about strolling through a park by myself. I was on the fence about it, but I think I will now. The problem is that I have to pick just two parks…….. it’s making my head hurt! Thoughts Tom? Thanks
I’ve not flown solo to Disney World. I’m going to be going this year for my very first time; I’m excited and nervous about it. How can I make the flight and travel planning safe and less stressful? I would appreciate some advice.
Greetings Tom !!!
I hope you’re doing well.
Well, after 12 years of NOT going to DW, I’ve decided to go solo(?) for my 64th birthday
thin coming July. BTW, my birthday is on July 5th. I figured(?) I arrive on the fifth or July 4th in the evening.
Please advise !!!
Thank You !
Edgar Rivera
If you like fireworks, you might want to arrive in time to see the July 4th show at Magic Kingdom or EPCOT. Otherwise, arrival date is really a matter of personal preference. Have fun!
I do Disney world trips solo every year and love it! I always end up meeting nice people and having a blast
Hey Tom, im planning my solo Disney trip in SEPTEMBER.
One of my biggest fear it’s not be able to use the tripod in the parks. did you took yours, where you able to use in magic kingdom and Hollywood studios?
Thanks for the tips.
I am so glad I looked this up. My friend cancelled on me a few hours after I purchased tickets. So now do I lose the money I spent or just come solo. Reading your suggestions helped me. It may not be ideal but I can make the best of it and have a great time anyway.
Why are all my comments being moderated?
I have no idea–it’s the WordPress moderation AI, I guess?
There are some flagged keywords, but your posts haven’t contained any.
Thanks for the great advice! I’m thinking about at trip next summer after I graduate from nursing school @50 years old! Any advice about places to stay? I hate to spring for a pricy room to just sleep but I’d like to be close to the parks. Thanks!
If you have your nursing license, the swan and dolphin offer a deep discount. You can walk to Epcot and Hollywood studios from there. Last I looked it was 139.00 a night but they have other charges. I go solo all the time I have a great time. I am going 9/21 hopefully if things are normal.
Juliette, don’t know if you’ve gone yet but… the Hilton hotel chain has some good rates. There are great locations & meh. I recommend Hilton grand vacations Tuscany, if you have a car. Hilton lake Buenavista vista near Disney springs or if you want to spend a little more Hilton bonnet creek has a really great pool. Cheaper than Disney hotels but still good experiences.