Subsonic Radio

We've actually been touching on this subject under WDWR Riverside Question, so I thought I would start a new area under Trip Planning, as some of you might have some tips for singles traveling to the parks. I know some of the things that are sometimes difficult when traveling alone, more for women than men (I think) is eating alone. It would be great to be able to eat at the resorts or restaurants in the park, than to hide in your room and do room service which I have done on trips because eating alone is scary to me. In my mind everyone would be saying "oh, look at that poor woman eating alone!" When in reality I am sure they don't even notice. But it can be overwhelming. One thing I told Foldmama was that Oprah once said to bring a book with you, so that you are distracted by your reading and not thinking so much on what you think that other people are thinking about you eating alone. I took a journal with me once and wrote my days events down, and that helped. This would be a good time to look over a guide book or like Foldmama said her Hidden Mickey's Book!

Safety for single women traveling alone is always a big concern, lets not fool ourselves into thinking it could never happen at a Disney Resort, because it can happen anywhere. So what resorts would you say are better to stay at than others? I think onsite would be a definite!

So what recommendations do you all have for those of us that are thinking about, or are actually planning on trips to the parks on our own?? I think this would be a great place to share experiences and ideas on Solo/Single travels to the Disney Resorts/Parks. And who knows we might eventually have a SubSonic Solo/Single's Trip some day.

Thanks!

I've often thought of this scenerio before. I never quite worked out the details (as far as you've thought anyways), but I've thought about other experiences in the parks. Like, can you really ride things like iasw or ppf alone and not get funky looks from the cms and/or other guests? And what about things like the fireworks shows? can you sit through watching them alone without commenting on them with someone else, or reliving the experience hours/days/years later with someone close to you...?

Anyways, I once found a guide to the safest hotels in the orlando area (including kissimmee/st. cloud, celebration, and other surrounding areas). I'll see if I can find it again..

I've spent the day at the World Showcase alone (wicked easy to do - the CM's are really chatty there for the most part, and it's much better to do that park alone anyways for me) and Typhoon Lagoon alone (hello? Like my kids stay with me there anyways??) but the thing that got me the most nervous was doing the MK alone. It turned out to be much easier than I thought. I rode IASW, Pirates, Snow White, Peter Pan, Buzz Lightyear, Haunted Mansion, etc. I always had a car to myself with the exception of IASW, and the family who rode with me was wunnerful. Oh wait, did MGM alone too, and saw just the GMR.

I think the thought of it intimidating you is much worse than the experience of it. Once I got on a couple of rides and saw that not a single CM blinked an eyelash, I was fine. I either ignored the other folks in line, or if someone was near me, I would try to be chatty with them. I met some of the nicest people, which is always my goal when going alone.

For safety tips, always recommend walking with head up and with a purposeful stride. I took a safety course one time and the Officer said to 'walk as if someone was waiting for you...' which I thought was kind of a neat tip. Also, I have my room key out and ready, but tucked in between my first and middle fingers and a bit exposed but in my fist. Always imagine it would make a good slashing device if I needed it. Sounds stupid of me to mention it, but there it is.

Honestly, I think it would be great to be in the world alone. DOnt get me wrong, I love going with my wife, my family, etc. I just think it would be neat to do exactly what you wanted with no one else to worry about..

Selfish I know, but It would be neat to try a few times.

Granted we have already scheduled my to be born son's first trip to Disney..

JS I would have a hard time not commenting on the fireworks or parades, so I would hope that whoever was sitting/standing next to me was a little more out going than I am so that they would engage in a little chit chat. I find that going to the movies alone alot of times I wish there was someone there to say "omg did you see that? or whatever". If you find the book let me know I would be interested in reading it.

MickeyMac, I have never found a CM to be that chatty usually they are in such a hurry to usher us inside a ride that I haven't actually seen one chit chat with anyone in line. Never might be an exaggeration and my experiences are limited to DL since that is where I grew up. I do however remember that the CM's back in the 70's were totally different attitude wise than the ones I came across in the 90's. In the 70's they made the rides fun, they were always interacting with guests and it's what made part of the DL experience so magical. They were "in character" no matter what they were doing. But in the 90's what I experienced was CM talking to their co-workers about how they disliked their jobs, the overtime, the short staff and they seemed so unhappy. My friend Steve and I talked about it on our last trip how things had changed so much. I am a friendly person and always try to speak to the CM but have yet to have the experiences you have had with them. I absolutely mean no disrespect to current CM's, dealing with the public especially in the arena they have (the family vacations of a lifetime to some and their high expectations) has to have its unique challenges. Maybe I was just there on off days, I don't know. There are great, good and bad apples in every walk of life that will leave an impression on all of us and spoil it for those who truly excel at what they do. From what I read on SubSonic there are some awesome CM's past and present on here and I would love to run into them because they sound exactly like the ones you have come across. Maybe DL is different because it is so compact into one area as WDW is so spread out and you don't come across it as often. Then again.....maybe its me

I am getting more excited about gaining the courage to try a big Disney vacation by myself. To go on whatever ride you want when you want, take a break when you want, eat where you want, go to the potty as often as you want and not have to explain, or adhere to anyone else's agenda.....sounds pretty exciting!! I think it will take a boat load of will power for me to actually go through with it cause I am kinda shy until I can get my comfort zone going. But it's worth a shot, who knows it could be the best vacation ever!! Of-course, if I do actually book a trip I can't let my 26 yr old son hear about it, he would never forgive me for not taking him, he is a Disney fan as well.....must be in the genes

Addlema, I think we all secretly crave alone time, some of us just have too much of it

Gotta get to work I hate it when work interferes with my personal time online......ha ha ha
TTFN

I must admit that it is so nice to read everyone’s comments about traveling alone to Disney. I believe it’s something that a lot more of us would like to do, but are just a bit nervous about. I’ve have really given this some thought over the last few days. I admitted on the pervious log that I had turned 50 in July and I have been to Disney several time with family or friends. Each trip has been wonderful for different reasons, but there is always a few things that I could not do because the people with me were either too young or were just being a pain in the butt! Let’s face it, when you travel with other people you always have to compromise. I scheduled this solo trip to do everything that I have wanted to do over the years but never did for one reason or another. Plus, I have always wanted to take the Backstage Magic and Keys to the Kingdom tour. Yes Addlema, I am being selfish for once in my life!

I believe that many of us women (who are a certain age) were just brought up to believe that women should not travel alone. Many of us do it for business now, but a personal vacation just makes me feel a bit insecure. I am also extremely shy in group situations so this has been a big step for me. The truth is, this insecurity is inside me, no one on the outside is pointing and feeling sorry for me traveling alone. Maybe some are even jealous!

Bontoncq, I love your idea of taking notes. What a great idea. I have made a dinner reservation for after the Backstage Magic tour and this will be a great time to make notes so I can give a full report when I return. I hope I don’t chicken out at the last minute.

I would also only stay onsite. I have a note in my reservation that I am traveling alone and have requested a room that is not far off the beaten path. I also find that when you are standing in line a lot of people just start talking to each other. For me, it’s part of the Disney Magic.

Thanks for the support!

bostoncg wrote:MickeyMac, I have never found a CM to be that chatty usually they are in such a hurry to usher us inside a ride that I haven't actually seen one chit chat with anyone in line.

I think MickeyMac was talking about the ones at the shops and resturants. They have more "free" time to talk to guests. The ones running the rides are also chatty if you get them when their not trying to start the show. I was in the Canada pavillion one time and was talking to the CMs there and they were very talative, until the show started then they had to work. I always love going to the German section and practice my German(which consists of Guten Tag, Ein Donner Kabab, bitte schon, etc.) And ofcourse England to test my banter.

I am 23 and I have gone to the parks with my brother manytimes (he's 26) and I have gone off to do my own thing. I usually enjoy riding my favorite rides (which are really his too) while he takes pictures around the park. Of course he doesn't want to ride Casey Jr. or walk into minnies house, or even just walking around talking to random CM's (he is shy, and I'm talking about both american parks) I just call him on his nextel so we can meet up again. So I have riden many rides by myself and I have found that no one cares if you are alone or with people, Unless your group has a FLAG then get out of my way.

I'm a guy and I probably don't have to worry as much as the ladies, but I am still very coutious when walking anywhere. Look at the faces of the people on the street, as if to say "I'll remember you".

I think that society on a whole precieve men and women traveling alone a lot different. Shame on me, because I will see a woman and think "oh poor her alone" when I see a man I think "I wonder if he is single ha ha ha) when I should see the woman and say "look at that impowered woman on her own, that is awesome!" Of-course I would still wonder if the man is single..ha ha ha

I am going to make it a point to engage myself with CM's on all levels and not let past experiences make me leary of doing so. Because I know they are great, and I too get busy and can't always chit chat with callers when they call my office, so I am guilty as charged.

oh cr*p the boss is coming in...........gotta go...........be back online later ......

I've had a few solo trips and they're fun because you do what you want, when you want.

I took a 5-day solo trip in December '04 for my 25th birthday. I had a blast, though I did run myself a bit ragged... by the end I was exhausted!

The best thing about being solo is that you do what you want, where you want, when you want... not saying it's necessarily better all around than with loved ones, but when I was hungry, I ate, if I wanted to do the same ride over and over, I did.

I never got any weird looks, at all, from other guests or CMs... the guests couldn't have given a crap less about me... after all, they were on their own vacation, having their own fun. The CMs were pretty easy to chat up, actually.

I'm a guy, and I dunno, eating alone didn't bug me in the least (I also used to go to movies by myself if no one wanted to see what I wanted to see)... maybe in general I just don't understand where people get the idea that there is a stigma against solo diners... because when I see someone solo I certainly don't think "Oh my god what is s/he doing ALL ALONE?!"

Anyway, while my more recent trip to WDW (on which I proposed to my girlfriend-now-fiancee) was better than my solo trip, I still love the solo and would recommend it to anyone.

LOl Spaulo, guys never worry about eating alone. It's all about them and the food!

Boston, the good Dr. is right, I was talking about CM's in general, not nessarily in the loading queue. The only folks I find chatty while waiting in lines are Moms with young children who look at me jealously thinking 'hey, bet SHE's going to enjoy the ride without a cling-on!' LOL!

Fold, don't back out on the tour!!! I book singles onto tours a lot, so you will be in good company!

Thank you so much for this thread and all the advice. I'm getting to WDW a day before my family this weekend and will go to one of the parks by myself on Saturday. I haven't been nervous but it's good to hear about other's experiences and advice. I'm afraid I'll be lonely since I have so many memories at the park with my family and friends, but I am looking forward to walking as fast as I want and not worry about losing my group. I know it sounds selfish, but it will be nice for some alone time for a day.

MickeyMac - I will definitely take the tour. I have been looking forward to it for years. I made a dinner reservation for after the tour at Hollywood & Vine and I'm not sure I will keep that. I must admit that I'm felling better about traveling alone!

MissPrincess: Now that's the perfect trip. Alone time in the parks to do your most favorite things and just when you start to feel lonely the family arrives! Have a great trip!

Spaulo: Guys never mind traveling or eating alone. I know it's silly, it's just how we feel. Hopefully, this trip will be my cure! My confidence is building every day.

addlema wrote:Honestly, I think it would be great to be in the world alone. DOnt get me wrong, I love going with my wife, my family, etc. I just think it would be neat to do exactly what you wanted with no one else to worry about..

Selfish I know, but It would be neat to try a few times.

addlema, thanks for having the guts to say exactly what I was thinking, but was too afraid to write!! It definately would be cool to do ....... once.

MissPrincess - I usually get lonely. I get this ache in my heart when I wish I could hug my daughter or russle my son's hair, and get blue.

Then, I'll catch myself and think 'Mac, what are ya, NUTS??!! Get off the pity wagon and go shop for a change!" and it's all over! LOLOL!

Fold - have you heard about the Lunch with an Animator program over at MGM? Might be a nice follow up to your tour.