I’ve gone solo to Walt Disney World a few dozen instances within the final yr or so, with Sarah unable to accompany me because of 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 a whole lot of errors and discovered a whole lot of classes alongside the best way, a few of which I assumed it could be attention-grabbing to share so you’ll be able to study from or snigger at me. Actually your name.
I’ll begin by saying I’m truly a fan of taking solo journeys to Walt Disney World. Or moderately, 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 accomplished that, and even shared ‘what went proper’ throughout our household journey – half 1 and half 2, together with what fallacious fallacious half 1 and half 2.
Although I’m wanting ahead to extra household holidays, I additionally assume solo journeys could be a good approach to see a special facet of Walt Disney World or do issues in another way than when with a bigger occasion. 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 an alternative of suggestions for issues to do to reinforce a solo journey, that is the other–cautionary tales so you’ll be able to study from my errors…
Indecisiveness – You recognize that feeling while you’re sitting at house on the sofa with just a few free hours and a wealth of streaming programming at your fingertips? (I now not do since Child Bricker, however I used to!) However as an alternative of getting proper into it and choosing a film to look at, you waste half-hour looking a number of streaming companies for the proper programming, earlier than finally giving up and simply watching reruns of Frasier? (No? Simply me? Effectively alrighty then.)
Sadly, I’m the very same method at Walt Disney World when I’ve my very own free time. In the case of discipline testing, I’m completely in my component, 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 high of thoughts–I really feel like a part of Seal Crew 6, however for dorks, or (extra precisely) these elves from Prep & Touchdown. It’s an analogous story when Sarah and I am going to the parks collectively, albeit extra laid again. Although we’ve been tons of of instances, I really feel a strain to keep up momentum. (Doubly so on our household journeys now.)
After I’m on my own at Walt Disney World and don’t have an agenda apart 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 a whole lot of wandering and revisiting acquainted favorites, which is definitely enjoyable and satisfying, however usually sundown rolls round and I discover myself questioning “the place did the day go?!” So most 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 vitality,” which I can solely assume is excessive reward because it signifies that I’m literate and competent at educating. That’s not what is admittedly meant by that, and a very good instance of the particular intent is made clear by my rain preparedness. I’m very conversant in 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 all the time take an umbrella in every single place.
By some means, 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, all the time pack a number of pairs of footwear. This must be a given, for extra causes than one, however taking a single pair of footwear 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 various 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 well worth the cash saved.
With that stated, I would like 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 company, I feel Mears Join is a suboptimal possibility, 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, so that they persist with the protected and acquainted.
To every their very own, I suppose, however with a celebration of three or extra, I favor 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 potential. There are lots of days that we don’t Park Hop in any respect, particularly if working hours aren’t conducive to it (that means that there’s no profit to hopping to increase the day).
Excluding discipline testing days the place I wanted to spend your complete day in a single park, I’m all the time bouncing round. I truly 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 varied resorts and spend time at every. So for me, this works and wasn’t essentially a mistake per se.
Nonetheless, 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 price highlighting as a result of some company 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 largely the transit instances themselves, going via safety, and many others.)
Household Type Meals – I like to eat and, though photographs would possibly recommend in any other case, can put down a whole lot of meals. However by myself, I nonetheless sometimes can’t eat sufficient to pretty and totally evaluation 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 plain worth for cash possibility that labored higher, at the least in principle, for solo journeys versus ones as a pair or, now, as a household of three. In spite of everything, 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 occasion. It’s best solo.
Once more, all in principle. I discovered my lesson the arduous method with Toy Story Roundup Rodeo BBQ. I used to be seated on the very entrance of the restaurant, at a desk each occasion would cross on their approach to be seated, and proper subsequent to somewhat prep station for servers. I used to be already barely uncomfortable to be a solo grownup male in a youngsters restaurant, and being on totally show exacerbated it.
What actually put issues excessive was that the kitchen couldn’t put together smaller dimension parts, so I bought an entire 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 may’ve been method an excessive amount of meals–I’ll guess we might’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 arduous to reduce 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 conversant in Walt Disney World’s dedication to lowering and diverting meals waste, I’d nonetheless moderately not be in that place within the first place.
For no matter it’s price, buffets are a very totally different story. I’d truly say these–particularly Boma because it has a bit extra of an grownup vibe–are good for solo vacationers. There are additionally different household fashion eating places which might be 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 evaluation as a lot as potential 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 extensive open, and–moderately than ready in lengthy traces for sights I’ve accomplished dozens or tons of of instances–I opted to eat. Lots. For analysis.
Combining the entire above (massive meals for the sake of opinions, no waste, consuming too usually) 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 quicker than regular–I’d clock over 25,000 steps on a median day and burn 1,000 to 1,500 energy (in accordance with my watch). All in all…I remorse nothing. This truly was a whole lot of enjoyable and not likely a mistake, on steadiness. I most likely ought to’ve opted for just a few lighter dishes, although. That might’ve made it extra fulfilling.
Too A lot Caffeine – A standard change 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 positive that’s a good suggestion?” It’s not, which I notice as quickly as she says one thing–and don’t purchase it consequently. This occurs on a regular basis after we’re out and about (together with immediately as I used to be scripting this put up).
After I’m on my own, there’s nobody to remind me of this apparent factor I ought to’ve discovered a decade or extra in the past. And so I get a 3 p.m. espresso and typically 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!!! (If you happen to’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 might’ve identified 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 high resort (when it comes to stays) during the last year-plus, with Coronado Springs being scorching on its heels. I’m on document as saying that Walt Disney World’s most cost-effective 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 turned very accustomed to Walt Disney World journeys being very cheap. And though I shouldn’t since I value these things out on a regular basis, I had a little bit of sticker shock after 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 other. As soon as I bought a style of doing Disney on a dime and having these lodging be completely wonderful, it’s change into tougher to justify the pricier choices. That is most likely why Pop Century ranks as my #1 resort at Walt Disney World–it provides nice bang for buck and I’ve a very arduous time justifying the premium pricing on Deluxes, particularly for anybody who will spend most of their days within the parks. Is it actually price spending tons of of additional {dollars} to keep away from bus rides at the start and finish of the day?!
Flight Follies: Fundamental Financial system – To save cash, I routinely booked fundamental financial 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.
Nonetheless, I didn’t earn miles (in the direction of standing or rewards) on these flights. So regardless of flying rather a lot, I don’t have something to point out for it with Delta. It is a good instance of short-term pondering having a better long-term value. This may be utilized far past flights, and I’m usually fairly good about any such factor. I’ve additionally typically gotten caught within the center seat. I hate the center seat. Anyway, lesson discovered.
Flight Follies: TSA Precheck – I had World Entry, which incorporates TSA Pre-Examine. I wasn’t paying shut sufficient consideration to my e-mail, and missed my extension window. Sadly, renewing as soon as this expires shouldn’t be straightforward–6 months later, and I’m nonetheless ready on conditional approval. After that, I’ve to schedule an interview.
I’ve thus had just a few flights out of MCO utilizing the common TSA safety screening traces. 0/10, don’t suggest. Whereas MCO is a wonderful airport that’s as environment friendly as potential given the circumstances, I’d implore you to join TSA Pre-Examine. (In case your journey is approaching, undoubtedly do this–don’t look ahead to World Entry, as processing instances are absurd proper now.)
MCO retains breaking its personal customer quantity data, and is bursting on the seams. The conventional safety traces can take a very long time, and also you’ll wish to be on the airport over 2 hours prematurely with out it. Critically–I’ve been doing 3 hours. That, or fly out of Terminal C if in any respect potential, because the state of affairs there appears to be significantly 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 truly 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 fundamental financial system and not having TSA PreCheck exacerbate the negatives of LAX, so it deserves at the least a point out right here.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study inns on our Walt Disney World Motels Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind 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, the perfect place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every thing it is advisable 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 while you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!