Have YOU ever taken a solo trip to Disney World?
Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom
You might be used to going to the parks with your family and friends, but have you ever thought about going ALONE? Here at DFB, we do it all the time (quite literally, it’s our reporters’ JOB to make solo visits daily). But if you’re new to ridin’ solo in Disney World, it might feel a little strange. That’s why we’ve rounded up this list — 11 reasons why it’s not weird to go to Disney World by yourself!
There’s No Rule Against It
We promise you, there are no rules whatsoever against taking a Disney World vacation solo. In fact, it’s probably a lot more common than you think! You’re not required to come as part of a family group or bring children with you to the parks — Walt Disney himself wanted the Disney parks to be a place for people of all ages and backgrounds.
EPCOT
So if you want to take a trip by yourself, just do it! There are plenty of others doing the exact same thing as you are, so no need to feel weird or out of place.
Single Rider Lines
Our next reason why it isn’t weird to go alone? Three words: single. Rider. Lines. They’re available at a few select attractions throughout Disney World, and sometimes they even make the wait FASTER than the regular standby line.
Single Rider at Test Track
Currently, you’ll find Single Rider entrances at Test Track, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Expedition Everest, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. You may also get to skip a portion of the line at Space Mountain if you’re a single rider — just look out for the sign in the queue that gives you instructions on where to go.
Dining Reservations
Dining reservations can be particularly challenging to get in Disney World if you’re in a group of 6 or more, but that means that they should be easier to snag if you’re a party of 1. The majority of Disney World restaurant tables seat 4 people or fewer, so there are definitely more options for smaller parties.
Table at Chef Mickey’s
With a smaller party, you might even be able to more easily snag the most popular dining reservations. Now is the time to try for a visit to Cinderella’s Royal Table!
Walk-Up Dining
And if you don’t book your dining reservations ahead of time? Hakuna matata! (It means no worries!) The Mobile Dine Walk-Up Waitlist exists just for people like you.
©Disney
Just like dining reservations, it can often be easier to snag a spot on the Walk-Up Waitlist if you’re a smaller party. The same goes for restaurants with bar/lounge seating — if there’s only one barstool available, that spot could be yours!
Setting the Pace
The more people you travel with, the harder it is to set a vacation pace that’s appropriate for everyone in your party. Some people may want to go leisurely through the parks while other people are the “run and ride” type. But if you’re traveling by yourself, there’s no need to compromise!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
If you want to take it slow and relax, you can do that. If you want to do the maximum possible attractions in one day, you can do that too! It’s totally up to you.
Cheaper Hotel Rates
One problem that you may encounter when traveling with multiple adults is that hotel rooms can get more expensive for large groups, and there may be fees if there are more than two people over 18 in the same room. If you’re flyin’ solo, then that’s not a problem!
The Little Mermaid Rooms in Caribbean Beach Resort
Also, if you’re a party of one, it should be easier to find a hotel room that meets your needs. Availability becomes more scarce with larger parties, but a single person could stay in any size room — whether it sleeps 2 or 12.
Cheaper Overall
Speaking of saving money — it’s simple math that a trip with fewer people is a cheaper trip! (Unless you decide to treat yo’ self, and if you do, we’re totally supportive.)
Dapper Dans
When you’re traveling by yourself, you can budget less for food, souvenirs, Genie+, and any other purchases that you would typically be required to make for several people. You might be surprised how much you can save!
ALL the Snacks and Souvenirs!
While we’re on the subject of budgets, let’s talk about snacks and souvenirs. When you take a solo trip to Disney World, you can use the ENTIRE snack budget or souvenir budget on yourself!
Let’s go shopping!
You can buy whichever souvenirs YOU want and eat all the snacks on your must-try list, without having to share that budget with others. That’s a pretty big perk, if you ask us!
Entertainment Perks
As a party of one, it’s a lot easier to find a spot when you’re watching entertainment in Disney World! You don’t take up nearly as much space on the sidewalk during the parade and you don’t get in anyone’s way during the fireworks.
Happily Ever After
It’s also easier to find places to sit when entering a theater or amphitheater. You don’t have to find a large section of seats altogether, just one spot with a nice view!
Skipping the Line
One great perk of traveling alone is the blessed phrase: “Party of one or two?!” Occasionally, Cast Members will shout this out when they’re trying to load rides efficiently, and you might get to skip ahead in line if you’re a smaller party who can fill in those extra seats.
Flight of Passage
Traveling in small parties, we’ve been able to skip ahead of 20 people in line at Flight of Passage or squeeze into the last seats at a showing of Festival of the Lion King. You don’t really get to choose when this happens, but sometimes you get lucky!
Making Your Own Schedule
And finally, let’s talk about the biggest benefit of traveling alone — you get to set your own schedule! You can do whichever rides, shows, restaurants, and attractions that you’d like. On top of that, you can skip the things you DON’T like.
Slinky Dog Dash
There’s a lot of flexibility in a solo trip to Disney World, and ultimately that’s the reason that many people choose to take that route. Sometimes it’s just therapeutic to enjoy your own company for a while and give in to your sense of adventure!
If you’re planning on taking a solo trip to Disney World, make sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news and updates, as well as all the tips you need!
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I’ve been to WDW twice on my own and loved it! It’s definitely a different vacation than when I bring the family. For example, I can actually browse every pavilion in World Show Case OR take side tours! I’ve been to WDW 14 times and love family visits BUT highly recommend solo trips if you just need a break from racing thru the rides
I’ve done 2 solo trips to Disney World for multiple days each time and 4 solo trips to Disneyland. I like making my own schedule—which includes starting each visit with a Dole Whip and seeing the Enchanted Tiki Room and having a relaxing sit down lunch in the middle of each day. I love the single rider lines and because it’s just me, I can afford a special treat each stay like a tour or dessert party. I stay in a Disney World hotel—favorite is the Contemporary—but have stayed at both Disney owned and Good Neighbor hotels across the street from the park when visiting Disneyland. I stay for the fireworks, will stop and watch the performances, know the best places to cool off on hot days, stand in line to get my picture with Goofy, and ride the Pirates, Peter Pan, and Radiator Springs Racers as many times as I can. Eventually, when they’re older, I’d like to bring my grandchildren but I will always savor my solo trips as my special retreat. Disney isn’t cheap even for a single, but is more relaxing as a single.
I used to live in Melbourne Florida years ago, and really regret that I didn’t run over to WDW on the weekends by myself occasionally.
I’ve been to Disney World many times over 20 years. My favorite trip to Disney World was our first one when our daughter was young. My second favorite trip was the first one I took by myself when she was in college. It was great! I could do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. Enjoyed going by myself a number of times. Also, enjoyed going many times with her.
Before I got married I went to Disney World every year for a vacation. Loved it. Even did Disneyland once. All the reasons you discussed are true. I’ve even gone by myself while my husband is doing something else when we’re down there.
I just got back from a solo trip a few weeks ago, and I loved it. I am the “run and ride” type, but the people that I usually travel with like to take it slow. But on this last trip, I was going nonstop from before early entry until after closing time, and I can only do that with a solo trip. Being able to go at your own pace, fast or slow or whatever, is the greatest benefit to a solo trip for me. And I never felt strange being at Disney World by myself. Keep listening for cast members saying “party of one?”. At Soarin, I got to skip about 100 people by being a party of one.
I’ve gone solo twice. Once I wanted to go for the Millennium, but none of my friends or family did so I went solo for the first time. It was one of my best trips. The people I met from around the world were amazing and the special parade and activities in Epcot were like a dream in my memory. I’m thinking about a solo trip this Spring.