Hello Fodorites,

It's been a very long time since I've been on this site - probably since the Santa Fe GTG in 2010. My excuse is that I went back to college full time and, well, it has consumed my life. The good news is that I am graduating in December and I'm spoiling myself with a reward trip. The bad news is that I haven't worked full time since starting college so money's a little tight. But where there's a will, there's a way...

I'm wondering if anyone has ever traveled to Disney World solo, and if so, how was it? I have a friend who's interesting in joining me, but he's not the most reliable so I'm planning on doing this trip alone. I have traveled solo quite a bit so have no problems with it, but I'm curious how it works with the Disney rides/attractions. Do you normally have to sit next to strangers, or do they give you your own car? I'll be going early January so it won't be too busy then, I hope.

Appreciate any advice... Thanks!

Heidi

Disney World is almost always "busy" although the first part of January is less "busy' than say Christmas Week or other "holiday periods". To answer your question, in most instances you'll be seated in a car with others unless there are very few people waiting for a particular ride (which is not often the case). FYI - there are some rides and attractions (think theaters) that have individual "seats" but you'll still be next to strangers sitting in the adjacent seats.

No - they don;t normally pack you into a car for 2 with a stranger - you would have your own. However, on rides that hold more than 2 - quite a few have seating that hold 4 or 5 - you will probably have others in the row with you unless their group is too big to fit with you.

I have done a lot of travel on my own - since I do a lot of business trips to prime locations I often add 2 or 3 days before or after the trip in London or paris or whatever. My concern would be Disney as a solo when it is such a family-oriented location based on the needs of kids. (Well, actually my concern would be Disney for just an adult since IMHO so much is geared to kids - including meals etc.) I'm sure you could focus on Epcot and take advantage of possible single availability at better restaurants. It's just that as a single adult I can think of so many other places I would rather go.

Thanks RoamsAround. I read something about a singles line for some of the rides - do you know anything about that? I don't remember seeing those last time I was there, but then again, I was with someone so I probably was not paying attention.

BTW, I'm not afraid of strangers - if I was, I certainly wouldn't be considering Disney World.

Curious to hear from others who have gone to Disney by themselves. Thanks.

Thanks NYTraveler - we must have been posting at the same time. There are many other places I've considered going on this trip - New Orleans, Key West, Santa Fe, Tucson - and I haven't ruled those places out yet entirely either, but I love Disney. Even though there are a gazillion kids, I've always found plenty to enjoy as an adult. Epcot is a favorite and I could probably spend a week there alone. But I hear what you're saying... it may be weird to be there alone with all the families - that is a concern.

Not DW - But I've been to Disneyland solo several times. w/ seats/cars that hold 2 or 3 across, you'll sit by yourself.

Many of the really long lined rides have a solo rider queue-jumping option. (I've even used that sometimes when I'm w/ somebody else - hey, Disney doesn't need to know we are together. ) It really saves a lot of time. You enter and often your route is going upstream of folks exiting the ride. You end up near the front of the line.

Plus there is always Fast Pass.

Disney is a really easy place to manage solo (I know DW is different than DL, but lots of similarities)

Congratulations!

> Curious to hear from others who have gone to Disney by themselves

I went to Disney World solo at age 56 and adored every minute of it.

> I read something about a singles line for some of the rides -
> do you know anything about that?

The solo line operates to fill up cars with one empty seat. Capacity varies between rides, but let's say a ride's cars has four seats, and a family of three people get on board. They then call for one person from the solo line to sit in that one empty seat. Wasn't a problem for me in the slightest.

There's a specific forum on Disboards for adults and solo travelers, so you can't be the only one with that idea.

Thanks janisj, PaulRabe & persimmondeb - I appreciate your help as well. Now I just wish I could go now instead of waiting until I graduate in December! (Patience is not one of my virtues...)

If you go anytime after Thanksgiving and before Christmas week you'll be there at the least crowded time of the year. We live in Florida and adore Disney World so that's my best advice. Go and enjoy. No one cares what anyone else is doing when you're there. Being seated next to a stranger on a ride is not big deal. You'll be so absorbed in what's going on you'll forget who's next to you anyway.

wdwinfo.com go a fair amount no clue about your budget but for me last solo Lake Buena Vista(downtown disney)adult area Royal Plaza hotel $30/nt bidding priceline.com . Adult Parks like Epcot MGM tickets not cheap but can be purchased there. With my wife on Hotel Points am headed for the Marriott.com World Center for a conference soon for more upscale. Downtown Disney Lake Buena Vista areas best for singles/action mostly FREE. Lines in Jan not bad you will ride with others no one gets their own private rides. Disney Hotel Guests can pay more get in 1 hour early and bypass lines. Usually not worth it for me to do this. I pay 10X more than I used to in the 1970s for admission so I do mostly the free stuff especially as a single.Wolfgang Puck has a great restaurant in downtown Disney I eat at a lot good prices great food better than Disney food.

Good luck!

"you will ride with others no one gets their own private rides. "

Totally depends on the ride . . .

I've been to Disney and Epcot by myself and had a wonderful time. Go for it!

Congratulations and have fun!
Fyi, the Disney Marathon is Jan. 13. Could be very crowded that weekend.
Check out easywdw.com for lots of great info/strategy