I’ve gone solo to Walt Disney World a few dozen occasions within the final yr or so, with Sarah unable to accompany me attributable to erring on the facet of warning throughout being pregnant and earlier than Child Bricker hit the six month mark. In so doing, I’ve made quite a lot of errors and realized quite a lot of classes alongside the way in which, a few of which I assumed it may be attention-grabbing to share so you’ll be able to study from or chuckle at me. Actually your name.
I’ll begin by saying I’m really a fan of taking solo journeys to Walt Disney World. Or somewhat, I used to be a fan up till this previous yr. At this level, I’m very a lot over it and able to resume touring completely as a household. We’ve already executed that, and even shared ‘what went proper’ throughout our household journey – half 1 and half 2, together with what improper improper half 1 and half 2.
Though I’m trying ahead to extra household holidays, I additionally assume solo journeys could be a good technique to see a special facet of Walt Disney World or do issues in a different way than when with a bigger celebration. See our High 10 Suggestions for Taking Solo Journeys to Walt Disney World for more information. Consider this as a companion put up to that, as a substitute of suggestions for issues to do to boost a solo journey, that is the alternative–cautionary tales so you’ll be able to study from my errors…
Indecisiveness – You understand that feeling whenever you’re sitting at house on the sofa with a number of free hours and a wealth of streaming programming at your fingertips? (I now not do since Child Bricker, however I used to!) However as a substitute of getting proper into it and deciding on a film to observe, you waste half-hour looking a number of streaming providers for the right programming, earlier than finally giving up and simply watching reruns of Frasier? (No? Simply me? Properly alrighty then.)
Sadly, I’m the very same method at Walt Disney World when I’ve my very own free time. With regards to subject testing, I’m completely in my factor, able to execute an ideal plan with precision whereas additionally having contingencies to which I can pivot at a second’s discover. All of that is prime of thoughts–I really feel like a part of Seal Group 6, however for dorks, or (extra precisely) these elves from Prep & Touchdown. It’s an analogous story when Sarah and I’m going to the parks collectively, albeit extra laid again. Though we’ve been tons of of occasions, I really feel a strain to take care of momentum. (Doubly so on our household journeys now.)
Once I’m on my own at Walt Disney World and don’t have an agenda aside from “have enjoyable,” that’s the place the wheels fall off. I’ve all the alternatives on the earth, and might’t resolve on what to do. This results in quite a lot of wandering and revisiting acquainted favorites, which is definitely enjoyable and satisfying, however typically sundown rolls round and I discover myself questioning “the place did the day go?!” So lots of the massive plans I had for the final yr didn’t occur as a result of I had on a regular basis on the earth to do them…however didn’t.
Getting Soaked – I’ve been informed I’ve “center age absent-minded professor power,” which I can solely assume is excessive reward because it signifies that I’m literate and competent at educating. That’s not what is actually meant by that, and a superb instance of the particular intent is made clear by my rain preparedness. I’m very accustomed to Florida climate, having visited and lived within the Sunshine State for years. I do know that the climate can flip to liquid sunshine with out warning or discover, and it’s best to at all times take an umbrella in all places.
Someway, I’ve managed to interrupt or lose a number of umbrellas during the last yr to the purpose that Sarah “joked” she ought to arrange Amazon Subscribe & Save for an umbrella. Including insult to harm, each single umbrella casualty got here at a time when it was not raining, leaving me with out an umbrella when it did rain.
Ethical of the story: pack a number of technique of staying dry–and umbrella and ponchos as a backup. Oh, and whereas we’re at it, at all times pack a number of pairs of sneakers. This must be a given, for extra causes than one, however taking a single pair of sneakers to Walt Disney World is like strolling a tightrope with no security internet. Not advisable.
Mears Join – This was not a mistake for me, because it didn’t make sense for me as a solo traveler to spend the additional cash on Uber/Lyft or different types of transportation, particularly since I can work on my laptop computer whereas on the Mears Join Pushed by Sunshine shuttle bus. So the additional time was very a lot definitely worth the cash saved.
With that mentioned, I need this to be a sensible put up for planners and never only a ineffective listing of my goof-ups. For a lot of/most different friends, I feel Mears Join is a suboptimal choice, both as a result of added time or added value over the alternate options–or each. I feel many individuals use it as a result of it’s the non secular successor to the free Disney’s Magical Categorical, in order that they persist with the protected and acquainted.
To every their very own, I suppose, however with a celebration of three or extra, I want the choice airport transportation choices to Mears Join. For solo vacationers or {couples}, it can make sense, however trip time is cash (or must be) for many of you!
Transportation Time – Talking of which, the time-sink of transportation is one other one. When it’s each of us, we have a tendency to remain in the identical park, having fun with as a lot as attainable. There are various days that we don’t Park Hop in any respect, particularly if working hours aren’t conducive to it (which means that there’s no profit to hopping to increase the day).
Apart from subject testing days the place I wanted to spend the complete day in a single park, I’m at all times bouncing round. I really love this, however that’s largely as a result of I view the monorail, boats, and gondolas as a type of an attraction. I additionally prefer to cease by the assorted resorts and spend time at every. So for me, this works and wasn’t essentially a mistake per se.
Nevertheless, in ‘auditing’ my days after every journey, I couldn’t assist however discover that I wasted a ton of time on transportation. More often than not, I didn’t even come out forward when accounting for beginning at parks that opened earlier and ending at ones closing later. There have been some days when transportation ate up a number of hours, actually. I feel that is value highlighting as a result of some friends underestimate simply how a lot time commuting round Walt Disney World can take. (And little or no of this has to do with inefficient buses or ready–it was principally the transit occasions themselves, going by way of safety, and so on.)
Household Type Meals – I like to eat and, though images would possibly counsel in any other case, can put down quite a lot of meals. However alone, I nonetheless sometimes can not eat sufficient to pretty and totally evaluate eating places with out making a number of visits. And I refuse to waste meals. That introduced a dilemma of both overeating (or taking leftovers to again to my room) or doing household fashion meals.
Household fashion meals have been engaging as the apparent worth for cash choice that labored higher, no less than in concept, for solo journeys versus ones as a pair or, now, as a household of three. In any case, the menu is similar whether or not you have got a celebration of 1 or a celebration of 10–in contrast to a la carte menus, there’s no benefit to having a big celebration. It’s most effective solo.
Once more, all in concept. I realized my lesson the onerous method with Toy Story Roundup Rodeo BBQ. I used to be seated on the very entrance of the restaurant, at a desk each celebration would move on their technique to be seated, and proper subsequent to a bit of prep station for servers. I used to be already barely uncomfortable to be a solo grownup male in a children restaurant, and being on absolutely show exacerbated it.
What actually put issues excessive was that the kitchen couldn’t put together smaller dimension parts, so I obtained a complete ton of meals introduced out to me. And naturally, I’m photographing all of this meals. (My very own “fault,” so to talk, however did me no favors in making myself much less conspicuous.)
Even when Sarah have been with me, this might’ve been method an excessive amount of meals–I’ll wager we may’ve solely completed half of it. On my own, I used to be solely capable of eat rather less than half of it, and that was solely after going method too onerous to attenuate the waste. I used to be embarrassed and apologized profusely for the meals waste to my server. She was unfazed and informed me to not fear about it–that Walt Disney World recycles the entire meals (to not future patrons–this isn’t Chuck E. Cheese). Though I’m accustomed to Walt Disney World’s dedication to decreasing and diverting meals waste, I’d nonetheless somewhat not be in that place within the first place.
For no matter it’s value, buffets are a completely totally different story. I’d really say these–particularly Boma because it has a bit extra of an grownup vibe–are excellent for solo vacationers. There are additionally different household fashion eating places which are higher about this, together with Liberty Tree Tavern and Diamond Horseshoe, however Toy Story Roundup Rodeo BBQ was such an embarrassing expertise that I finished doing solo household fashion meals after that.
Consuming Too A lot – In all probability an unsurprising outgrowth of the above, however I ate method an excessive amount of at Walt Disney World within the final yr. Not being keen to waste meals (with the occasional exception for the barely-edible and desserts laden with synthetic flavors and colours that hardly qualify as “meals” within the first place) and eager to evaluate as a lot as attainable proved to be a harmful mixture.
It additionally didn’t assist that, as soon as pre-arrival Lightning Lanes have been introduced, I reduce considerably on Genie+ testing. This left the center of my days huge open, and–somewhat than ready in lengthy strains for sights I’ve executed dozens or tons of of occasions–I opted to eat. So much. For analysis.
Combining the entire above (massive meals for the sake of evaluations, no waste, consuming too typically) together with Disney meals being very totally different from what I eat at house led to me feeling bloated and drained. On the plus facet, that additionally satisfied me to stroll extra and sooner than regular–I’d clock over 25,000 steps on a median day and burn 1,000 to 1,500 energy (in line with my watch). All in all…I remorse nothing. This really was quite a lot of enjoyable and probably not a mistake, on stability. I in all probability ought to’ve opted for a number of lighter dishes, although. That might’ve made it extra pleasing.
Too A lot Caffeine – A standard alternate between the 2 of us is me saying that I’m going to get a espresso or Coke at 3 p.m., and Sarah saying, “are you certain that’s a good suggestion?” It’s not, which I understand as quickly as she says one thing–and don’t purchase it in consequence. This occurs on a regular basis once we’re out and about (together with at present as I used to be penning this put up).
Once I’m on my own, there’s nobody to remind me of this apparent factor I ought to’ve realized a decade or extra in the past. And so I get a 3 p.m. espresso and generally a 6 p.m. Coke and, on uncommon event, an 8 p.m. Coke earlier than the fireworks. It’s superior! I’m overestimated and full of pleasure!!! (When you’ve ever met me within the parks and I’ve been cheery and outgoing, this was inside an hour of espresso or Coke.)
Then 3 a.m. rolls round, and I’m stressed and anxious. I don’t get uninterrupted sleep. It sucks. Who may’ve recognized that caffeine would do that to me?! (I do know I sound like an imbecile incapable of checking my worst impulses, however…eh, that’s about proper.)
All Star Sports activities – This one isn’t what you would possibly assume. I’ve zero regrets about All Star Sports activities being my prime resort (by way of stays) during the last year-plus, with Coronado Springs being sizzling on its heels. I’m on file as saying that Walt Disney World’s least expensive resorts are literally good, and I imply that. That wasn’t simply faint reward to reassure funds vacationers.
To the extent this was a mistake, it’s that I grew to become very accustomed to Walt Disney World journeys being very cheap. And though I shouldn’t since I value these items out on a regular basis, I had a little bit of sticker shock once we began planning Megatron’s first journey and we needed to splurge. They are saying that when you get a style of filet mignon, you’ll be able to by no means return to lesser cuts of steak.
I suppose I’m the alternative. As soon as I obtained a style of doing Disney on a dime and having these lodging be completely advantageous, it’s grow to be tougher to justify the pricier choices. That is in all probability why Pop Century ranks as my #1 resort at Walt Disney World–it provides nice bang for buck and I’ve a very onerous time justifying the premium pricing on Deluxes, particularly for anybody who will spend most of their days within the parks. Is it actually value spending tons of of additional {dollars} to keep away from bus rides firstly and finish of the day?!
Flight Follies: Fundamental Economic system – To economize, I routinely booked primary economic system on Delta. I’ve their co-branded American Categorical card, so this wasn’t as a lot of an obstacle because it may appear.
Nevertheless, I didn’t earn miles (in the direction of standing or rewards) on these flights. So regardless of flying quite a bit, I don’t have something to point out for it with Delta. This can be a good instance of short-term considering having a better long-term value. This may be utilized far past flights, and I’m usually fairly good about the sort of factor. I’ve additionally generally gotten caught within the center seat. I hate the center seat. Anyway, lesson realized.
Flight Follies: TSA Precheck – I had World Entry, which incorporates TSA Pre-Verify. I wasn’t paying shut sufficient consideration to my e mail, and missed my extension window. Sadly, renewing as soon as this expires is just not simple–6 months later, and I’m nonetheless ready on conditional approval. After that, I’ve to schedule an interview.
I’ve thus had a number of flights out of MCO utilizing the common TSA safety screening strains. 0/10, don’t suggest. Whereas MCO is a advantageous airport that’s as environment friendly as attainable given the circumstances, I’d implore you to enroll in TSA Pre-Verify. (In case your journey is approaching, positively do this–don’t anticipate World Entry, as processing occasions are absurd proper now.)
MCO retains breaking its personal customer quantity information, and is bursting on the seams. The conventional safety strains can take a very long time, and also you’ll wish to be on the airport over 2 hours upfront with out it. Severely–I’ve been doing 3 hours. That, or fly out of Terminal C if in any respect attainable, because the scenario there appears to be a lot better.
Lastly, a “dishonorable point out” to flying into LAX. I’ve a love-hate relationship with Los Angeles Worldwide Airport. It even made our listing of 10 Issues We’ll By no means Do Once more at Disneyland. The rationale it’s not an official entry is as a result of I really like LAX when flying solo, as I do know the ins and outs of the airport and might get nonstop redeye flights to MCO that work rather well for my schedule. I additionally love the Delta lounge and new terminal at LAX. However flying primary economic system and not having TSA PreCheck exacerbate the negatives of LAX, so it deserves no less than a point out right here.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Resorts Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for the whole lot it’s good to know!
Your Ideas
What errors have you ever made when doing Walt Disney World or touring on the whole, solo or in any other case? Does your companion likewise forestall you from making poor selections at Disney? Any entry on this listing “converse to you” or do you assume these are all dumb strikes that no functioning grownup ought to’ve made? Listening to your suggestions—even whenever you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!