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!
Solo Disney is the way to go. My friends and family don’t really “get” Disney. So I love going by myself. I love to ride all the popular coaster type rides, so I book a group tour that specifically takes folks to all four parks just to ride the most popular coasters and such. It’s an all day tour and you have to purchase a park hopper ticket. It includes lunch and it’s a lot of fun. I also treat myself to a spa day and a night out for a nice meal. Once, I actually went to Victoria and Alberts for dinner and because I was solo, the staff did everything to make me feel at home and special- the chef came out to personally greet me. I take advantage of the solo rider option as well. I have never had a problem getting a reservation for a meal – and I call the day of most times. Loneliness- sure there are moments but they usually pass. Plus, I’ve been in a group and felt lonely- so no biggie. But I like the fact that I can do what I want when I want and don’t have to negotiate with anyone else. Disney allows me to do that and I am appreciative of this opportunity.
I have gone solo for a number of trips, and it works for me. But this last trip was with my best friend and it was awesome, a combination of both, she is not a morning person and I am… so I headed solo for a few mornings and then we would meet later. It was perfect!!
I love visiting WDW solo. In fact, the great majority of my visits have been solo– I’m single so it’s true of most of my travel. I’ve been to Disney with family, with a group of old college friends, and most recently with a current friend and her family, but solo much more often.
I find a solo trip and a group trip are such totally different experiences that it almost seems it was two destinations. I enjoy both, in different ways.
A big plus to solo travel for me is that I move a lot faster and do more, yet feel like it’s all much more leisurely and relaxed. A group moves much more slowly and as a result often has to keep to a schedule to make dinner reservations and Fastpasses, feeling hurried. Solo, I park-hop like mad and don’t feel the loss of the travel time, while my last group trip we never park-hopped and couldn’t have found a moment to do it if we tried.
On the other side, the big plus for group travel is that other people will want to do things I normally wouldn’t, and as a result I’ve ended up enjoying plenty of things I never would have tried (on the last trip, my friend’s daughter being along on the trip meant standing in line for a lot of princesses, a big part of Disney that I’d never have experienced otherwise).
This is BRILLIANT. I’ve been planning a dream USA trip (I’m from Australia) with my partner for the last two years. It was going to be a 6-7 week long adventure, with a full week in DisneyWorld for the first time. I’ve been to Anaheim Disney Land twice and Tokyo Disney once, so I’m ITCHING to experience Disney World. However we just received the news that my partner received a full time position at his job (yay!) and that he only gets 2-3 weeks vacation (not yay!). I refuse to fly to the US without visiting Disney World, but also acknowledge my partner isn’t as keen about the Disney parks as I am, so have chosen to fly over before him and visit by myself. I started out being a bit nervous, but then felt pretty excited for the exact reasons you’ve listed here. You’ve made me realise that I am actually going to enjoy visiting the parks more by myself, than I would have with my partner. I’m so excited to do whatever I want, whenever I want. I’m even excited to just be adventuring by myself for the first time.
Thank you for the post! I have the opportunity to visit WDW next month and I will be making the trip solo. I have loved visiting Disneyland over the years with my family but this will be my first time in Florida. I am a little nervous about how I will feel without having someone to share the experience will but you have encouraged me to make the most of my trip! Looking forward to those moments of Disney “enlightenment,” and to no one stopping me from spending too time on searching out hidden mickeys :))
Thank you for this awesome blog post. I love Disney World & Universal Studios and it is my favourite place to vacation. Previously, I have bee with my family, just my mom, and my best friend (on 5 different occasions). However, I am starting to realize that I may have to go alone the next time. I feel bad about always asking my parent to come along with me and although I have a couple of friends who are also in love with Disney/Universal, they are not in the best financial situation at the moment. I was quite upset when I realized I may have to go alone the next time (especially since I am a HUGE introvert). But this post did make me feel a lot better. Why should I give up my love to travel just because of other people? On the bright side… I can do what I want and don’t have to worry about taking too long doing something or how other people are feeling lol.
Thank you so much for writing this! Makes me feel so much better about my upcoming DW trip and the few days I will be there solo. So many great points and this made me look forward to it even more. Thank you!
When I have the money I am considering doing this. Honestly going with people I had to skip out on things because rides no one wanted to go on, too expensive to eat at places etc..etc.. Granted I won’t be staying a deluxe resort but that won’t bother me.
Thank you for this post! I am in the process of organising my first solo trip and going to Disneyworld on my own was a little daunting until I read this! I am now actually looking forward to doing this on my own at my own pace. Thank you
I did my first solo trip last February during the Arts & Entertainment Festival at Epcot. I enjoyed it overall, but was happy when I met 2 young men at Epcot on my last day there. I joined them for a couple of hours on their “wine tasting tour” and had a lot of fun.
Thank you so much for that post.
I was unsure whether to travel solo or not, but you just convinced me. Due to the fact, that I will be flying in from Germany my Solo trip will though be 14 days instead of a short one
I have done Hong Kong Disneyland alone twice. Tokyo Disneyland and Anaheim Disneyland alone once each. I love going on my own. I get to do what I want to it’s a big adventure and I have to travel all the way from Perth Australia.
I am going solo october 30
Thanks Tom!
Contemplating adding a one day solo trip to Disneyland Paris onto the end of a conference – you’ve just convinced me.
I’m going Solo from SC, Dec. 8-12, 2016.
Anyone else going to be there then?
Michael
Hi! Is anyone going to Disneyworld in Florida the week of July 25-29?
I am going Solo, and would like to meet some new friends. I’m from Austin, Texas, single male.
Wish I was. I will be going solo Aug 18-22. I am very excited. My family was initially going to come, but I am an adult daughter, and my mother and college attending niece live with me. I decided I needed a break period. So I will be solo; Thank you GOD! LOL. I love my family, but I just realized today I need space. Geesh.
If anyone is reading this, and will be in town solo, it may be cool to link up for dinner or drinks etc.
I am single (recently out of a long term relationship), I am not looking for romance, but friendship/companionship is perfect. I live in Atlanta, GA by way of S.F. Bay Area, CA. I am 36 year old female.
I’m taking a solo trip as well but unfortunately getting there the day you’re leaving! Enjoy!
I am going to Anaheim Disneyland solo on August 22,2016… Female , currently not in a relationship. Hopefully there might be another single female that would like to share some company!
I’m headed to WDW for my first solo trip (anywhere) in November, and I can’t wait! My last WDW trip was with a group of 9, and it was miserable. I’m looking forward to being able to set my own agenda and see the parks at a slower pace. Thanks for the tips!
I’m going in november for my first trip to Disney which happens to be solo!!!
Hi Tom,
Thanks for the great article. I’m a Disneyworld fan and have been there many times, but always with family or a boyfriend. I would love to try a solo trip since I can’t find anyone who wants to join me this time around. Any tips or ideas for cutting back on the cost of a hotel room? Price is basically roughly the same for 1 guest per room vs 2 or more. Oh and the “value” hotels really aren’t for me.. I like the moderates. Seems to me the only thing to reduce the hotel cost is to go at off-peak times of the year. Just wondering if you know of any other accommodation tips for solo travelers… Thanks!!
I agree one-hundred percent, when your alone and take your time you see things and experience the parks in a totally different way. I spent an hour talking to a CM at Allstar movies once, he told he was on the crew that built EPCOT Center ( yes I still call it that)
I must say it was one of the highlights of the trip for me. So I encourage anyone to not be afraid of a solo adventure to the parks, you will get to see things in a brand new lightZ
I just wanted to say, thank you Tom! I got back from my first trip to Orlando yesterday, and your advice was a huge help in everything from itineraries, to dining, transportation, and hotels!
My daughter and I take a Disney World vacation every two years. We get the 5 day park-hopper pass. She could spend the entire five days at the Magic Kingdom unless there are princess meet and greets at other parks. She is a young adult who has some developmental challenges and learning disabilities but she is extremely comfortable and confident when at the Magic Kingdom. We frequently go our separate ways so I can enjoy my favorite attractions solo and she can do the same. I have never worried about her roaming the park alone and she feels very empowered to be able to do so. We stay in touch by cell phone and meet for some meals. I always feel fine by myself, but wonder what the other guests are thinking when they see me time and again and always by myself. I’m a real people-watcher so they probably think I’m stalking them! I hope not, I try to look as unsuspecting as possible in my Disney tourist garb:)