JSB on Disney: Why solo trips are a lot of fun
I’m often asked if I mind ending up going to Disney alone, but the truth is I don’t.
Roaming the parks solo can actually be quite a fun experience and is often how I’ve ended up meeting people whom I now call my best friends. Here are a few reasons why going to a Disney park on your own is actually cool:
Attractions
If you didn’t know, quite a lot of the major attractions (otherwise known as E-Tickets) feature Single Rider Lines; which do exactly what the name suggests. More often than not, by utilising one of these lines you’ll end up waiting only a few minutes before it’s your turn to ride, rather than almost an hour in the regular standby line. Of course not all attractions offer this service, but it’s always worth asking the Cast Member at the attractions entrance. I know that groups will try to use the Single Rider Line in the hope of not having to wait like everyone else, but Cast Members know this and will split groups up.
Food
Roaming around Disney on your own doesn’t mean you need to forgo enjoying a meal at your favourite table-service restaurant. It’s actually a great way to enjoy a meal, read a book in-between courses and chat to your server. I’ve now experienced fantastic service on several occasions when dining alone. The waiting staff regularly walked by and checked in on me. So much so, that they actually provided me with useful tips on where to watch the parades from and of course what food to seat.
Characters
Everyone loves taking a photo with the fabulous Disney characters, so why should a solo visit be any different? In my experience, you’ll be able to meticulously plan in advance what characters you want to meet and make a beeline for where they are due to appear before the lines start to get too long.
Entertainment
From street performers to the daily parades and shows, there is always something going on somewhere within the theme-parks. It’s certainly worth picking up a map and times guide and working out what you want to see in advance or whilst you are enjoying your morning coffee.
Have you ever been to the Disney Parks solo? What did you think of your experience and is there any other tips you’d like to add? Feel free to leave your comments below.
I didn’t know that the E ticket parlance was still around. I remember back when you bought books of ride tickets at Disney, with E tickets being for the best rides.
Hi Christian! Technically the E-ticket parlance isn’t around, but it is… If you know what I mean. 😉 A lot of guests still refer to the major attractions (Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Radiator Springs Racers etc) as E-ticket attractions because they command some of the highest wait times and are of an intense nature. 🙂
Of all the Disney trips I’ve done, I’ve never done it solo. I guess it feels like a vacation you’re supposed to do with others, but you’re giving me confidence to give it a shot on my own sometime.
Hi Mark! Great to hear that you feel I’ve given you a bit more confidence to visit Disney on your own sometime. Admittedly it did feel strange at first, but it was a lot of fun. You’ll find that quite a lot of people actually visit on their own. 🙂