12 Perfect Reasons For Traveling Solo To Disney World

The idea of traveling solo to Disney world is certainly not loved by everyone. Disney World is a place to make memories with family and friends; however, there are some people who like to make these memories alone. To give a better insight on why you should absolutely consider traveling solo to Disney World – guest writer Kylee Gano who have on-hand experience of exploring Disney World alone will share her top 12 reasons on what makes solo travel to Disney World absolutely doable!

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I’m a twenty-something who travels to theme parks alone and often. When I tell people I’m heading to Disney World, the first question I get is, “Oh fun! Who with?” When I tell them I’m going solo, I’m met with an eyebrow raise and blank stares. My obsession with traveling solo to Disney World started when I was 19 years old and I quit college to work at Disney World.

I lived in Washington State, so Florida was about as far away you can get. I was lonely, but the first time I walked through the Magic Kingdom entrance, I was liberated. Like many other Disney lovers, I felt like I made it home. I could wander through the parks at my leisure and sit through the Carousel of Progress three times in a row if I wanted to! Once in a while, I got lonely and wished someone was with me to experience the magic. When the homesickness sets in, you can read inspiring solo travel quotes to make you feel better. If you are an introvert solo traveler like me, just head to the churro cart. Churros make everything better.

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Many people I’ve spoken to confessed they would feel super weird traveling solo to Disney World. I totally understand why. It’s a theme park with a family demographic in mind and for those of us who don’t have kids or would rather travel alone, it feels a little weird. I’ve got news for you though. If you can get your hands on the Disney Magicband for Disney, there are plenty of perks you can avail! This means, there are huge advantages to traveling to Disney solo and once you do, you’ll be hooked. And if you do get lonely, hit up the churro cart.

Enter & Leave the Park Whenever You Want

If you’re traveling with a large group, there will be struggles, there will be altercations, and there will be blood. Ok, it won’t be that dramatic, but it can get really difficult navigating everyone’s schedules and needs. When traveling alone, night owls have the opportunity to arrive late and leave late and if you’re an early bird, you can get there at rope drop without dragging anyone out of bed. Plus, it’s much easier to navigate the crowds when you’re alone. You can slip through the gaps and ninja your way to the exit during the mass exit at closing time. And if you’re lucky, you can also get the change to meet the Disneyland characters. Such a great perk of traveling solo to Disney World!

Use Those Single Rider Lines

The Single Rider Line is used to fill in the empty seats in ride vehicles. Head to the single rider queue whenever possible and cut your waiting time in half! Essentially you can also get a Disney Max Pass that gets you virtually queued up for a ride without being there. You just have to be comfortable riding the attraction with strangers. You can find the lines located right next to the regular standby line. They are used at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in Hollywood Studios, Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom, and Test Track in Epcot.

Snag Those Hard-to-Get Dinner Reservations

There is plenty to from the many Disney World Restaurants. Large parties often have to split the group up in order to find a reservation, but parties of one or two have a much easier time getting a table. Be Our Guest table for one? Yes, please! I still highly advise making reservations far in advance as they fill up very fast. Three of the most popular sit-down restaurants are Cinderella’s Royal Table, Be Our Guest, and California Grill, so I would try your luck with these. You can take look at the full list of restaurants on the official Disney World website.

Always Find a Spot for the Parades

When traveling with a group, you often have to stake out parade seating 30-45 minutes in advance if you want to get a good vantage point. As a solo guest, you can squeeze in just about anywhere. One busy night at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, I walked up to a prime viewing location near the castle about 15 minutes before the show started. This would be a near impossible feat if I was with a group of people.

Always Find an Open Spot at the Lounge

Many restaurants offer first-come, first-serve lounges with full food and cocktail menus. It’s very difficult to get your entire party sat at the lounge, but if you’re solo, you’re chances of finding one empty barstool is high. Not all restaurants have lounges, but here’s a list of all lounges on property. This is a great option if you don’t have a reservation!

Indulge Yourself

Paying for a Disney vacation is quite the investment, but if you’re just taking care of yourself, it’s a little easier to indulge in things that you wouldn’t normally. My favorite thing to do is book a massage at one of the Deluxe Resorts. The Grand Floridian and Saratoga Springs are the most beautiful properties at Disney World and have full-service spas with saunas and relaxation rooms. After your glass of free champagne, have lunch at one of the acclaimed restaurants in the resorts. Also, if you have an Annual Pass or a Disney Visa card, any spa service is 15% off! You can find a list of spas and wellness centers located on Disney property here.

Last Minute Tours

Private park tours are popular and can fill up quickly. While traveling solo to Disney World – as a party of one, you will have an easier time booking these tours on a whim. A fantastic and budget-friendly tour is Behind the Seeds at Epcot, at $25 per person. The most popular tour is Keys to Kingdom, which takes you down to the “secret” underground tunnels closed to the general public in the Magic Kingdom. This tour is $100 per person, 5 hours long, and rich with Disney history and trivia.

Do the Abnormal

There are some things I would be incredibly embarrassed about doing if I was with a group. When you’re alone, there’s no need to feel shame if you end up eating 3 Dole Whips in a day. One great idea is to take the monorail that transports you from the Magic Kingdom to Epcot. You’ll get spectacular views of the properties and it’s a relaxing way to have some down-time with yourself.

Share the Magic

Everyone at home will be super jealous you left without them, but you can ease their pain by bringing back something extra special. Some great gift ideas are Disney mugs, Christmas ornaments, pins, and keychains. If someone in your life loves Disney characters, get the character’s signature on a hat or a picture frame to take home! Another way to involve your loved ones is to FaceTime them when you’re in the parks or add some photos to your Instagram and Facebook. This is only advised if you’re friends and family aren’t completely burned that you left them at home!

Stop and Smell the Disney Popcorn

While traveling solo, you’re on island time and the only schedule you have to follow is your own. Take breaks whenever you want and head to the pool if you’ve had enough. There’s no need to rush or stress. Sit on the hub grass and take in the sights and sounds of the Most Magical Place on Earth.

Make Your Own Itinerary

Want to ride Space Mountain a 3rd time? Go for it! The advantage of solo traveling is that you get to decide what you want to spend time on. The 45-minute wait for Ariel’s autograph may be off-putting for the rest of the group, but if it’s just you, there’s no need to feel like you’re wasting anyone’s time.

Quality “You” Time

Last week, I was talking to a friend about going to Disney World by myself again and she jokingly responded with, “Good for you! I don’t think I would enjoy my own company that much!” It kind off broke my heart. If there’s one thing you can take away from traveling solo at Disney, or anywhere else, is that you can learn a lot about yourself during that time. These Disney quotes will help you keep inspired throughout your solo trip to Disney World.

Whether you’re touring The Pyramids or eating ice cream at Disney World, traveling alone is good for the soul. There’s something about being disconnected from your home, friends, and family that allows you to gain perspective and enjoy your most important travel buddy: you!

Where To Stay At Walt Disney World, Orlando

Booking.com

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For those of you who are hesitant to travel solo at Disney, I encourage you to give it a try. If you’re worried that other guests will judge you because you’re in a theme park alone, I promise you, they won’t. Take it from someone who carries a professional camera and takes pictures of Epcot’s trash cans for fun. No one is paying attention to you and no one cares.

Park guests are only interested in their own itineraries and are too busy trying to make it to their dinner reservations on time to notice you. If you’re an extrovert, chat it up and make friends while you wait in line. If you’re an introvert like me, don’t forget your portable charger so you can entertain yourself on your phone!

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Author’s Bio

Hi, I’m Kylee! I’m the Founder of Theme Parks for Grown-Ups, your personal travel guide to adults-only theme park vacations on a budget. As a Disney Travel Planner and former Walt Disney World Cast Member, I’ve learned the best ways to plan a vacation without overspending. I’m passionate about hunting for the best insider tips for creating a budget-friendly vacation! As ticket prices and hotel rates are constantly increasing, my aim is to create helpful resources that will help others make their dream vacations come true too.

Visit Kylee’s blog Theme Parks for Grown-Ups and follow her on Instagram @themeparksforgrownups

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