lorax123
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2006
I just got back from my first solo trip... after going with family and spouses for years, this was my first time alone.
I imagine many solo travelers have all had day dreams about how you would tackle a solo trip, while mired in the chaos of a family trip.
Here's my list of the POSITIVE attributes of a solo trip:
Of course, there are always NEGATIVES, even a solo trip can't be perfection:
I really enjoyed my solo trip. The only real regret was that it was so short. I wish I had stayed a few more days. By the time I started to wind down from commando mode, it was time to go home. I'll definitely be planning another solo adventure next year. While I'm not a complete curmudgeon and want to spend the entire time alone, it was nice not having any responsibility for others stuff, happiness and schedule. It would be fun to hang out with other solo travelers for snacks, ride or social drink, I just put this adventure together at the very last minute and had no time to investigate the possibilities of any social gatherings.
I imagine many solo travelers have all had day dreams about how you would tackle a solo trip, while mired in the chaos of a family trip.
Here's my list of the POSITIVE attributes of a solo trip:
- I can commando tour from rope drop to closing and no one complains that they are tried
- Flying... no need to worry about herding kids through security, trying to get seats together... just so much less hectic. And your seating options on Southwest are so much better since you only need one seat
- Eating alone is not bad at all, plus so much cheaper!
- Any ambitions you have of going to the hotel lounge later are wiped out by exhaustion
- Apparently kids do drive you to drink, I didn't have one alcoholic drink
- The rides that exit into gift shops don't cause you anxiety. There's no need to talk a 9 year old out of spending their entire allotment of trip funds after the first ride on a souvenir.
- Counter service, you only need to visit one counter service station per meal. No need to wait in line for burgers at this stand, chicken fingers at the other.
- Snacks, no need to share with someone that said they weren't hungry when you decided you really wanted that turkey leg or ice cream.
- Snacks... in addition, you can have ice cream or a turkey leg even though you just ate lunch. No judgement or need to set a good example.
- You only go to the bathroom when you want to and you aren't left holding all the bags while everyone else goes.
- Observing that other families spend a lot of time looking at their phones while eating.
- Not having to stop for photo-ops. Yes! I know that's a thing for some people, but I have no desire to be in any pictures.
- No need for an itinerary.
- Single rider all the time, anytime!
Of course, there are always NEGATIVES, even a solo trip can't be perfection:
- You do say to yourself... XXXX would have really loved that.
- You do get nostalgic for any memorable experiences you had with loved ones.
- It does feel weird going on 'kiddie' rides without a child. I skipped a few just so I didn't look like a big creep
- You can't have your smart kid memorize the locker number you stored your stuff in. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what my locker number was.
- No one to split counter service with. Counter service is usually more than enough for 2 people. So, not being able to split means I had to eat it all. I was not properly hungry for my table service later.
- It's even harder coming home, since it would be so much easier to miss that flight home and not leave central Florida.
I really enjoyed my solo trip. The only real regret was that it was so short. I wish I had stayed a few more days. By the time I started to wind down from commando mode, it was time to go home. I'll definitely be planning another solo adventure next year. While I'm not a complete curmudgeon and want to spend the entire time alone, it was nice not having any responsibility for others stuff, happiness and schedule. It would be fun to hang out with other solo travelers for snacks, ride or social drink, I just put this adventure together at the very last minute and had no time to investigate the possibilities of any social gatherings.