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 have just booked my first solo trip. It’s not until Nov 2021 hoping covid19 has gone by then and the world is back to normal. I feel guilty leaving my two kids but every time I’ve taken them there has been fighting or moaning. I’m looking forward to enjoy my own pace and having some alone time in the most magical place on earth.
Hiiiii i’m going to be 31 in a few days so i’m going by myself on march 11 to Disney!!!! Please someone be with me!!!!!
Thanks for your post. I am used to do things by my own, but this is going to be my first time at Disney Parks, it was an opportunity that showed up, and I had to prepare everything in a few weeks (I learned where I was going last week, and I’ll travel in two weeks) and as I researched about the parks and things to do I started to feel a bit uncomfortable because every video would mention their kids or spouses, and I am going without them. I am feeling better about it now. Thank you!
Thank’s for this post. I booked my flights last week for May 4-11. I’m a single male going by myself at 58 because most of my friends are married or not big Disney fans. Living near Disneyland I’ve been to the parks tons of times. I’m a little nervous about going by myself but I plan on making it an amazing trip. Focusing on the fact I can go, not that I’ll be alone:) I’m still looking for a nice hotel outside of the parks and trying to decide if I want to do four, maybe five park hopper days or just one park one day. Any suggestions or advice on these two things would be great to hear! Thanks for all of the comments!
Thank you so much for this post! I’m going alone in September and it is kind of intimidating but reading this just got me so much more excited! Do you recommend doing a dining plan since I’ll be by myself or to just go where the wind pushes me?
I have been to Disney so many times with my parents and then with my own children. I am going through a divorce and just booked a trip for March 2020 to visit my best friend who works at Disney for a week! I’ll be visiting the parks solo while she is working! I kind of feel bad to be there without my kids, but I’m also REALLY EXCITED!!!
Thanks for posting Tom! I too have done a few solo trips and your post was spot on for me. I also often add a day or two on my own around group trips- as I have come to realize I can do more Disney than most of my friends.
On my trip last week I had a fantastic time with my grandkids for their first ever visit, then had 2 days on my own. The first day I hit all 4 parks in one day. (Thanks to your blog I was able to ride RoR first thing in the morning and FoP directly after for an amazing start to that day). And the next day I had a decadent breakfast at Ale & Compass (my go to stop for great food each trip). Then I sat in the coveted seat on the stern for 2 hours leisurely riding the boat around Crescent Lake until my shuttle arrived for the flight home. Those two days on my own were the cherry on top of an unforgettable trip with my family.
I have been to Disney so many times with my parents and then with my own children. I am going through a divorce and just booked a trip for March 2020 to visit my best friend who works at Disney for a week! I’ll be visiting the parks solo while she is working! I kind of feel bad to be there without my kids, but I’m also REALLY EXCITED!!!
I’ve been to WDW twice as a solo traveler and am giddy with excitement as I’m going again in a couple months! Of course I’ve done the whole big family thing a couple times, but now when I’m in Orlando for a conference I always schedule at least 3-4 extra days to see the parks. Getting to schedule each of my days is wonderful! It may sound selfish but focusing on just what I want to see is great and I can get in and out of areas very quickly and less time wasted. I’ve gone on a behind-the-scenes tour at EPCOT and MK each time too which was a great experience. I also really enjoy taking some time to slowly stroll the parks and truly see all the Disney magic that is missed when you’re wrangling a big group. I can’t encourage enough for someone to go solo and have a super time!
I have done two Disney solo trips both over a week. My third is coming up in May. I went with the kids in 2016 and felt like I got dragged everywhere it was exhausting. It’s true solo trips are much more relaxing going at your own pace. I spent a whole day looking at tree orchids. I don’t feel the need to get on all the rides, last time I sat in front of a Starbucks and people watched. Just be careful single riding they don’t stick you next to a big man with a tee covered in sweat. You can say you would rather wait. Try not to be seated in the last car of every ride too. I really don’t think there is another place on earth that I would be more comfortable solo than Disneyworld. This was so cute I was eating at a character buffet and goofy saw me eating alone I got two huge hugs from him it made me smile all day. Two things do not discuss religion or politics with locals. But mostly I meet a lot of really nice people.
I haven’t done traveling solo yet but already planning. I would like to give it a try and looking forward for Disney World as my first. Excited and at the same time… a bit nervous. Thanks for the tips!
So excited, I’ve done several trips to orlando with family but next year I’m going alone. 38 yrs old and a woman as you can see. Any advice please
I’ve done Disney alone twice and had a fabulous time. Sure, it’s great to enjoy it with friends/family members. Unfortunately this wasn’t an option for me. I was already in Florida for work and added on some extra Vacation days at the parks. My husband has severe osteoarthritis and can’t walk more than a mile so he told me to go and enjoy myself. Some advice: 1) Don’t feel self conscious about being a solo traveller. Everyone else I s focused on themselves and their own group and no one is paying any attention to you. 2) Travel during non-peak times if you can. Standing in line for 30 minutes by yourself for a ride goes by quickly. Any longer than this might get a bit tedious. 3) Have fun! You’re your own boss and can do the parks anyway you want without having to compromise with anyone. I covered so much ground as a solo visitor but never felt like I was rushing.
I have traveled alone to Disney many, many times. I have gotten a campsite at Fort Wilderness and used my back packing tent as well stayed solo at the Yacht and Beach club. I don’t waste money on dining service except for the buffet in Germany or a show like Hoopdie do Review which is a fun way to meet some people. I find counter service has enough Disney atmosphere for me most of the time.
I tell people Disney World is a great place to travel to alone. It is safe, clean, and fun. Transportation is a breeze if you stay on site. I recommend a hopper ticket as you will have greater flexibility to move between parks multiple times in one day if you like because you are not lugging other people with you.
I’m looking forward to doing a solo trip in October. I was going to Orlando for a conference and figured “why not?”. Being from California, I’ve been to Disneyland numerous times (some of those trips have been solo) and I’ve loved the freedom of being able to jump from place to place. I will admit that Disney World by myself feels a little more daunting due to its size, but like I said I’m looking forward to it.
Until then, I’m keeping my eyes and ears open for tips and tricks from other solo adventurers and welcome their suggestions and experiences. 🙂
Thanks LT I am going to be at the Grace Hopper Celebration in October and really want to go to Disney since I have never been. I am happy I found this blog since I will be going solo.
I’m actually going to be in Orlando for a conference in October too. I’m debating on going to Magic Kingdom by myself as well!
Google brought me here because I was specifically looking for advice when travelling alone. Ideally would have gone with my ex but, well, she’s an ex now! My main puzzle right now is where to stay because it feels a bit weird to me to be staying at the resort because, in my head, it’s a family resort and I’d be on my own.
I’m going solo and staying in a resort – Saratoga Springs 🙂 I have taken my daughters many times and this will be my first without them. I am a little hesitant but when I realized that they just can’t/won’t/don’t-want-to keep up with me & my Disney-mom-walk, it’s going to be a totally different and hopefully wonderful experience! No more pushing them to get up early, don’t have to worry about pleasing my vegetarian kids, I can ride Rock n Rollercoaster countless times… and relax at the resort when I’m done.
Hopefully you will have an equally blissful time!
That’s so funny much kids call my walk the Disney world weave. O great shes doing the Disney world weave mom can you slow down? Lol
Have fun!
Going solo was undoubtedly one of the best Disney experiences I have ever had. I stayed at Pop Century alone for eight nights. It was great. Seriously nobody really knows you are alone, and nobody gives you a second look. Everyone is too focused on their families and doing their own thing. I did get a couple of curious glances while I was eating, but when you think about it who really cares? You aren’t going to see any of these people again anyway. You wouldn’t believe the amount of solo travelers I saw on my last trip. It’s becoming more and more common I think.
My how this article made me smile!
My plans were going with my sister, but then she started working and now I don’t wanna postpone the trip because of it, so I might give it a try to a solo trip.
I am trying solo for the first time in September it is going to be an adventure
I ended up deciding to book a solo trip in May 2020. 7 nights, 6 whole days in practice (I’ll be lucky to be at the hotel by 5pm on the first day). Not sure that’ll be enough time to see everything, especially as I’ll be spending one day off site.
Much research to be done now to work out what restaurants to book in advance and which fast passes to snag!
I’m taking my first solo trip in August and it’s taken a lot for me to be up for going on my own. (It was originally supposed to be a trip for me and my now ex) and after reading this I feel better about going on my own
You are never too old to go to Disney on your own. I too am planning a trip in September as a solo I am a little unsure but life is an adventure so I am going for it
Great blog. I am retired and only a little over an hour from Disney. Just starting to make the best of it. I have done one solo day at Epcot a any couple of years ago and enjoyed the pace and not worrying about others. Now have a Florida weekday pass, making solo trips even easier Heading for a three day trip in a couple of
weeks. Staying at the cheapest Disney
resort available and will take advantage of the Disney buses. Fast passes ready, but unsure about dining. Don’t want to feel too uncomfortable, but want some good food! Any advice?
I am going by myself in December. Probably for the better. I can meander around hordes of people with ease!
In 56 and going on my 1st solo to Disney world in Sept. I wanted my adult kids to come too but was told omg mom you need to go somewhere else! There are so many better cheaper vacations you can take.
So on that note I decided I’m going by myself! I am kind of apprehensive though. Does Disney still off tours? Like keys to the kingdom, behind the scenes etc? Is there a pass I can buy that gets me on quicker on all rides?
Thanks!
You are never too old to go to Disney on your own. I too am planning a trip in September as a solo I am a little unsure but life is an adventure so I am going for it
I am off to WDW in July for a solo trip
I have done 5 trips with family but two years ago my wife had an affair and left for another man
I hope that I can enjoy the place on my own, even at 50 I am Disney crazy and cannot wait to go
Can you still do character meets as a solo traveler?
Have fun! I’m going in Sept by myself ut will definitely be a change from past Disney world vacations for me.
I too am going in September 3-10
You can absolutely do Character meet and greets and Character dining. So much fun as a solo.
Although have to tell you I was at one character dining and heard a mom say to their ten-year-old “look at them they shouldn’t be paying attention to that adult, all this is for kids”. Made me want to cry. But I just smiled and had a fantastic time!
I do a lot of solo ventures because I find you can make the entire experience just yours. There is NOTHING wrong with doing things solo. I get the stigma part though, and can remember the first time I did NYCC by myself, I felt so intimidated because almost everyone was with someone. But then you start talking to people, making new connections, and finding the experience highly enjoyable! I might even solo Disney in the near future.
I’m going solo September 2020 ,I’m excited ,its going to be cool, just me and my self for eight days