Advice for a soloist

[Daddio]

So here's my dilemma:

I am reading all the great stuff about last year's MF and the plans for this year's MF and I really want to go to experience it first hand. But my dear wife is in retail and can't get away during those dates.

Do you have any suggestions if I go it alone? Is there enough going on to keep a soloist busy? I noticed some posts on sharing ADRs but a little apprehensive about asking for a seat (shy).

All opinions are appreciated.

David

[Belle]

Hi Daddio!

I went to WDW solo for the first time ever back in Jan of 2005 as a cheerleader for the marathoners... I had a blast! Of course I love more than anything to have my family with me at WDW, but I was never bored for the entire 4 days I was there. Between the meets and greets and fun, I went to bed tired and fell hard and fast asleep. Everyone here is great and lots of people travel solo, but making friends happens quickly and you don't feel isolated anymore. Feel free to sign up for any of the meets - we'd love to have you join us!

When I wasn't hanging out with the crew, I was sitting poolside with a great book or magazine, enjoying the beautiful warm breeze (it was blizzarding at home! :shock: ) I really enjoyed having some "me" to time reconnect with myself - maybe that sounds corney, but it really was a great experience. Its like having the whole park to yourself and doing whatever you want, whenever you want :D

I am sure everyone else here would encourage you to get over the shyness and come have some Mousefest fun!

{hugs}
Belle

[Kaycee]

Mousefest is absolutely the best time to visit WDW solo! There are so many great meets and activities, you can do as much or as little as you want, and you'll never feel alone. I can understand why a sitdown meal with a handful of strangers would be intimidating if you are shy, but most of the events aren't like that at all. And, take it from one shy person to another, the people at Mousefest (especially the Taginators) are so warm and welcoming, you will be comfortable in no time. I promise!

[kathleena]

Hi Daddio!

I went last year for the first time to MF and the first time to meet anyone from this website (except Dave :D ). I'm an introvert!

As Belle has already noted - you may be going by yourself, but you are never alone!

This year I'm going "by myself" once again - and even going on the cruise "by myself" but already my travel agent is suggesting meets with other travelers going without spouses. So sometimes I wonder if I will have time "by myself".:lol:

Last year I signed up for just a few things - Wishes meet, Stop, Drop and Roll, Brunch at the Ball, Epcot Tree Lighting and MegaMouse Meet. Oh and then I hosted the Soarin' meet, so I guess I "Signed Up" for that too. :lol: It was enough to get my feet wet, but not too overwheming. Oh wait I guess I went to Kona breakfast too. OK, so maybe more than I thought......but still - it was fine and fun all the time!

So Daddio - come on in! Although my LTT dinner Thursday is full right now, if you'd like to take a spot on the wait list....... LOL just like at Disney!

[Carrie]

I was going to WDW last April on my first solo trip. But a few weeks before I went, my friend Gina decided to join me. So this Mousefest I will be going solo. Jamie has no interest in WDW, so I usually go with my sister or a friend. Tyler is at that toddler age where he can't sit still for 2 minutes, so I'll leave him at home so I can attend some of the late meets. So it works well for me to leave the guys at home and go solo. I'm signing up for as many meets as I can fit in so I don't feel alone. I also found a roommate so I don't have to go back to an empty room at night...not that there will be much sleeping anyway with all those evening meets.

I had family with me last year, so I couldn't get very chummy with anyone. But I'm hoping to find people to hang out with this year.

[Stinkerbelle]

I've had the odd solo day at Disneyland and a few solo days at WDW and I have to tell you - as much as I enjoy the company of those I love its really nice to go it alone. Its so nice to get to do what you want to do on your timetable. No one ever wants to enjoy the shows like CoP, Hall of Presidents, American Adventure, Beauty & the Beast Stage show. Mickey's Philharmagic, Fantasmic nearly as often as I do and I am usually met with moans and groans for suggesting them. When I am solo I can sit in CoP all day if I want to. I also like that when I am alone no one is there trying to pressure me into riding a thrill ride. I can eat whatever I want to eat. Or not eat at all if its meal time and I'm not hungry yet. My BF is not an adventuresome eater at all so I take the time alone to enjoy Marrakesh or Mama Melrose or something I wouldn't eat if he were there. I get up when I want with no waiting for a shower or waiting for someone to hurry up and get to the bus stop.

Disney is a wonderful place to spend time with friends and family but its also a wonderful place to enjoy by yourself.

Hope to see you there!

[Daddio]

Thank you all for your replies. I guess there isn't much left to think about other than where I want to stay and when I want to book my flight. I'll check with MS tomorrow and see what is available.

[zakerdog]

Thank you all for your replies. I guess there isn't much left to think about other than where I want to stay and when I want to book my flight. I'll check with MS tomorrow and see what is available.

Hi neighbor - we are in Burlington, Ont. not far from you. When you have made all your arrangements don't forget to sign up for Brunch at the Ball, it is a nice gathering where everyone gets a chance to chat and also have something to eat. We do a group picture every year and you'd be surprised how much bigger the group gets every year. Also, not sure if you know but if you fly Southwest out of Buffalo you can get some really cheap flights, it's worth the extra drive. We are flying down in September and today I got a Ding, which is a notification of specials - Return Buf to MCO $123 (US) total.

[Annette]

The best way to do your first Solo trip to WDW is MouseFest! I have done this for several years and I think my family prefers it that way! You can pick and choose from all the events to see which one fits your likes and schedule. Everyone is so friendly! And you will see there are quite a few people traveling solo.

Dont forget to sign up on www.mousefest.org (http://www.mousefest.org) so everyone will know you are going!

[Bookwood]

Lots of us here travel "solo" for mousefest (meaning we're not bringing family/friends from home- but 10 minutes with the tags and no one is alone anymore! I hope to meet you (several times) at mousefest Daddio!

[Jimbolini1963]

Hi Daddio,

Welcome to Tagrel! I agree with all the posters here. Walt Disney World is a wonderful place for a soloist. There's so much to see and do that you'll need several trips to experience even most of it. At MouseFest you will not feel alone; I've been to the first three MouseFests (in 2003, 2004, and 2005) and have met so many great friends from the various Disney communities--especially this one--that I feel that I'm part of a far-flung, loving family.

Jim

[Carrie]

Thank you all for your replies. I guess there isn't much left to think about other than where I want to stay and when I want to book my flight. I'll check with MS tomorrow and see what is available.

Pop Century is a good choice. There are always Taginaters staying there at MF and it doesn't break the budget either.

[Daddio]

You've all made me feel real comfortable. Thanks. I was able to get a room at Saratoga today. Step one completed.

zakerdog: Thanks neighbour. I'm also two hours from Detroit so always use Spirit Air who is selling seats for $77.00 each way right now for December. It's too bad I'm not going next week because they have a $44.00 seat sale on to MCO. That said, maybe I'll make a quick "busniess trip" :winking: .

[kathleena]

You've all made me feel real comfortable. Thanks. I was able to get a room at Saratoga today. Step one completed.

zakerdog: Thanks neighbour. I'm also two hours from Detroit so always use Spirit Air who is selling seats for $77.00 each way right now for December. It's too bad I'm not going next week because they have a $44.00 seat sale on to MCO. That said, maybe I'll make a quick "busniess trip" :winking: .

Very cool.

Did we tell you about these :holidayhyno: .They are the holiday hypnotizers and they are used to make you book MouseFest trips. Congrats! You've been hypotized!