How to Have the Best Solo Trip at Walt Disney World

Heading out on a solo Disney World trip? You might be feeling a bit nervous, wondering what it’ll be like to experience the most magical place all alone. The answer? As with any other trip, it’s what you make it, and we recommend making it an absolute blast. Of course, it helps if you have some ideas on how to go about having an excellent solo Disney trip before jumping into your vacation. Lucky for you, we’ve been there and done that, meaning we know exactly how to get the most out of time spent alone in the Disney parks and resorts. Below are our top tips for having the best solo Disney trip ever.

 

1. Make New Friends—From a Distance

One of the best things about Disney World is the fact that the vast majority of people are in a good mood. This tends to make people more friendly and chatty than they might be otherwise. Therefore, if you find yourself feeling lonely, you will almost always be able to find a new friend. That said, social distancing is just as important in the parks as it is anywhere else (if not more so). Therefore, you will need to keep mask and distancing rules in mind when chatting up a new Disney buddy.

2. Book an On-Site Hotel

By booking an onsite hotel, you can avoid a lonely commute to and from the parks each day. Not only that, the Disney hotels are nearly always bustling as well, meaning you’ll never feel lonely in the common areas of one of these resorts. Best of all, every one of the Disney hotels has some amazing pools, and lounging poolside is the ideal solo vacation activity.

3. Use PhotoPass

Being alone on your Disney vacation doesn’t have to mean going without photos of your trip. It just means someone will have to take those photos for you. This means you’ll want to use PhotoPass. PhotoPass is an awesome option offered in all of the Disney World parks. To use PhotoPass, simply approach a PhotoPass photographer (or wait in line if necessary), allow the photographer to scan your MagicBand, and pose for a picture. The photos taken will then show up on your Disney account, giving you the option to purchase them. PhotoPass photographers can be found in a variety of locations, including in front of Cinderella Castle, the silver ball in Epcot, the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom, and various props and backdrops throughout the parks.

4. Don’t Count on Single Rider Lines, But Enjoy Short Waits

Unfortunately, single rider lines are not currently available, taking away one of the most magical aspects of being a solo traveler. The good news? Lines are short right now anyway, so you can still enjoy unusually short waits, even without the single rider option.

5. Do What You Like Best, Over and Over

Perhaps the best thing about traveling alone to Disney World is the fact that you call all the shots. Love Space Mountain? You can ride over and over until you’re sick, if you like. Enjoy the Mickey’s PhilharMagic a little more than the average Joe? Watch to your heart’s content. This freedom to do whatever you like is amazing, and something you might just get used to.

6. Enjoy the People-Watching

Disney World is home to some of the very best people-watching on the planet. People of all sorts come to these parks, and most are fully absorbed in their own little vacation bubbles, meaning they’re much less reserved than they might usually be. On top of that, people like to dress up to come to Disney World, meaning those paying attention will see costumes, Disneybounding, and incredible accessories. Of course, everyone will be in a good mood as well, making this some of the happiest people-watching out there. All that said, you likely won’t be able to focus on people-watching when you’re with friends or family. Therefore, a solo trip is the ideal time to grab a coffee or ice cream, find a place to sit, and really take in the amazing collection of people who all share a common love for Disney.

7. Splurge on Yourself

Buying expensive Disney souvenirs for a family of four is incredibly pricey, to the point where many parents avoid it entirely. However purchasing souvenirs for one individual is not nearly so outrageous. For this reason, a solo trip is the perfect chance to splurge a little and pick up those Disney souvenirs you’ve always wanted. You can pick and choose only what you really want, and you won’t have to foot the bill for anyone else or listen to whining when a person doesn’t get the item they want.

8. Book Those Dining Reservations

There’s a weird stigma around dining out alone. However, solo dining experiences don’t have to be awkward or miserable. In fact, because Disney’s waitstaff is so friendly, solo dining can be quite enjoyable. It’s a great opportunity to check your itinerary and see what’s next in line. It’s also a chance to catch up on texts, email, and social media, so you can keep your friends and family updated on how much fun you’re having.

9. Savor the Moment

Last but not least, a solo trip is a great time to slow down and really savor the sights and sounds that Disney brings. Sure, there is something to be said for rushing from attraction to attraction with the people you love most. However, there is also something beautiful in the ability to stop and breathe and really savor each Disney moment, something that is much more feasible when visiting on your own.