I’ve gone solo to Walt Disney World a few dozen instances within the final yr or so, with Sarah unable to accompany me as a consequence 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 variety of errors and realized a variety of classes alongside the best way, a few of which I assumed it is perhaps attention-grabbing to share so you possibly can be taught 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 quite, 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 solely as a household. We’ve already completed that, and even shared ‘what went proper’ throughout our household journey – half 1 and half 2, together with what unsuitable unsuitable half 1 and half 2.
Despite the fact that I’m wanting ahead to extra household holidays, I additionally suppose solo journeys is usually a good approach to see a unique 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 publish to that, as a substitute of suggestions for issues to do to reinforce a solo journey, that is the alternative–cautionary tales so you possibly can be taught from my errors…
Indecisiveness – You understand that feeling whenever you’re sitting at residence on the sofa with a number of free hours and a wealth of streaming programming at your fingertips? (I not do since Child Bricker, however I used to!) However as a substitute of getting proper into it and deciding on a film to look at, you waste half-hour looking out a number of streaming providers for the right programming, earlier than ultimately giving up and simply watching reruns of Frasier? (No? Simply me? Effectively alrighty then.)
Sadly, I’m the very same approach at Walt Disney World when I’ve my very own free time. Relating to area 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 prime of thoughts–I really feel like a part of Seal Staff 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. Despite the fact that we’ve been a whole lot of instances, I really feel a stress to keep up 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 this planet, and may’t resolve on what to do. This results in a variety 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 this planet to do them…however didn’t.
Getting Soaked – I’ve been advised I’ve “center age absent-minded professor vitality,” which I can solely assume is excessive reward because it implies that I’m literate and competent at instructing. That’s not what is actually meant by that, and a great instance of the particular intent is made clear by my rain preparedness. I’m very aware of 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 you need to at all times take an umbrella all over the place.
Someway, I’ve managed to interrupt or lose a number of umbrellas over the past yr to the purpose that Sarah “joked” she ought to arrange Amazon Subscribe & Save for an umbrella. Including insult to damage, 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 footwear. This ought to 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 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 well worth the cash saved.
With that mentioned, I would like this to be a sensible publish for planners and never only a ineffective listing of my goof-ups. For a lot of/most different company, I believe Mears Join is a suboptimal choice, both as a result of added time or added value over the alternate options–or each. I believe many individuals use it as a result of it’s the non secular successor to the free Disney’s Magical Specific, in order that they keep on with the secure 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 ought to 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 doable. There are lots of 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 area testing days the place I wanted to spend your entire 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 wish to cease by the varied 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, in truth. I believe that is value 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 by safety, and so on.)
Household Fashion Meals – I like to eat and, though images may counsel in any other case, can put down a variety of meals. However alone, I nonetheless sometimes can’t eat sufficient to pretty and totally overview eating places with out making a number of visits. And I refuse to waste meals. That offered a dilemma of both overeating (or taking leftovers to again to my room) or doing household fashion meals.
Household fashion meals had been enticing as the apparent worth for cash choice that labored higher, not less than in concept, for solo journeys versus ones as a pair or, now, as a household of three. In spite of everything, the menu is identical whether or not you could have 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 most effective solo.
Once more, all in concept. I realized my lesson the exhausting approach with Toy Story Roundup Rodeo BBQ. I used to be seated on the very entrance of the restaurant, at a desk each occasion would move on their approach to be seated, and proper subsequent to just a little 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 measurement parts, so I bought 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 had been with me, this could’ve been approach 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 approach too exhausting to attenuate the waste. I used to be embarrassed and apologized profusely for the meals waste to my server. She was unfazed and advised me to not fear about it–that Walt Disney World recycles all the meals (to not future patrons–this isn’t Chuck E. Cheese). Though I’m aware of Walt Disney World’s dedication to decreasing and diverting meals waste, I’d nonetheless quite not be in that place within the first place.
For no matter it’s value, buffets are a completely completely 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 approach 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 overview as a lot as doable proved to be a harmful mixture.
It additionally didn’t assist that, as soon as pre-arrival Lightning Lanes had been introduced, I reduce considerably on Genie+ testing. This left the center of my days large open, and–quite than ready in lengthy strains for sights I’ve completed dozens or a whole lot of instances–I opted to eat. Rather a lot. For analysis.
Combining all the above (massive meals for the sake of critiques, no waste, consuming too usually) together with Disney meals being very completely different from what I eat at residence 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 a variety of enjoyable and not likely a mistake, on steadiness. I most likely ought to’ve opted for a number of lighter dishes, although. That might’ve made it extra satisfying.
Too A lot Caffeine – A typical 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 notice as quickly as she says one thing–and don’t purchase it in consequence. This occurs on a regular basis after we’re out and about (together with as we speak as I used to be penning this publish).
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 puffed up and full of pleasure!!! (In the event 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 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 may suppose. I’ve zero regrets about All Star Sports activities being my prime resort (when it comes to stays) over the past year-plus, with Coronado Springs being scorching on its heels. I’m on report 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 turned very accustomed to Walt Disney World journeys being very cheap. And though I shouldn’t since I worth 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 wished to splurge. They are saying that when you get a style of filet mignon, you possibly can by no means return to lesser cuts of steak.
I suppose I’m the alternative. As soon as I bought a style of doing Disney on a dime and having these lodging be completely effective, it’s grow to be tougher to justify the pricier choices. That is most likely why Pop Century ranks as my #1 resort at Walt Disney World–it affords nice bang for buck and I’ve a extremely exhausting 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 a whole lot 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 economic system on Delta. I’ve their co-branded American Specific card, so this wasn’t as a lot of a drawback because it may appear.
Nevertheless, 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 indicate 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 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 isn’t straightforward–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 effective airport that’s as environment friendly as doable given the circumstances, I’d implore you to enroll in TSA Pre-Verify. (In case your journey is approaching, undoubtedly try this–don’t await World Entry, as processing instances 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. Significantly–I’ve been doing 3 hours. That, or fly out of Terminal C if in any respect doable, because the state of affairs 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 may get nonstop redeye flights to MCO that work very well for my schedule. I additionally love the Delta lounge and new terminal at LAX. However flying fundamental economic system and not having TSA PreCheck exacerbate the negatives of LAX, so it deserves not less than a point out right here.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study inns on our Walt Disney World Resorts Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular 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 begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for the whole lot it’s essential 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 suppose 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 under within the feedback!
