Walt Disney World and Disneyland are absolutely the most magical places on earth, and they’re a great way to make a world of memories with your friends and family. That’s all perfectly fine—definitely an idea of which Walt himself would approve—but, sometimes, you need to take some time for yourself. Where better to enjoy yourself than Disney?
Though the idea might seem shocking and certain contributors to social media have attempted to shame those who indulge, a solo trip to a Disney park really is the way to go. Be our guest and have a look at these ten reasons you should park-hop on your own.
Work Within Your Budget
Let’s go ahead and get the most obvious point out of the way. It’s perfectly logical that the fewer people you have in your traveling party, the cheaper your expenses are going to be. Granted, you can always go all out on your vacation, stay at a resort, have a colorful cocktail or two, and shop till you drop. It’s your vacation, after all.
But, as the saying goes, all magic comes at a price. If you travel to Disney on your lonesome, you don’t have to break the bank. You can find cheap flights, visit on a weekday, pack only the essentials, and spend your vacation within your means. Spend a little, spend a lot, just be wise about your funds.
Stay Single
There are few greater simple vacation pleasures that having a hotel room all to yourself, and you can make it happen on your solo Disney adventure. Though it’s true you don’t have to stay on park property and you could easily stay at a normal hotel like Holiday Inn, Marriot, etc. within an Uber’s distance of the park. We definitely recommend it.
Even Disney’s value hotels have an incredible dose of magic to them, and we’re particularly fond of the All-Star Movies resort, ourselves. But you can always stay at their Good Neighbor hotels if you’re looking to watch your funds. Either way, it’s pretty luxurious to get a place to yourself.
Manage Your Own Time
One of the biggest benefits you’ll find on this list is the flexibility of your stay. On a solo trip, you’re on nobody’s agenda but your own. You chart the course, you pick the rides, shows, restaurants, and every other trimming and trapping that Disney has to offer. It’s your decision!
You don’t have to follow a family or party plan to be on some specific ride in some specific park at some specific time of the day because one or two members of your party absolutely have to be there when you’d be perfectly content kicking back on the Tomorrowland People-Mover. As the song goes, ain’t nobody’s business but your own.
Choose Your Adventure
Okay, we’re going to admit that most of these reasons are not so much rules as they are guidelines or recommendations. However, this one is a biggie and is practically mandatory for any seasoned Disney junkie. Three words, friends: Park. Hopper. Pass. If you really want to experience the best of Disney, namely Disney World, this is the only way to go.
With four parks and dozens of rides, experiences, and characters, you can’t do it all in one sitting. Obviously, we highly recommend the option that allows you to freely explore at your leisure.
Eat What You Want
One of the absolute best things about Disney is definitely the food, especially if you visit Epcot’s Food and Wine festival. Granted, some of their dining options will cost a little extra, but, if you’re smart about it and know where to go, you can easily enjoy a good meal without denting your wallet.
Keep in mind that you’re also only paying for yourself. So, don’t feel bad if you want to indulge in a Baliey’s Shake from Raglan Road or a pizza from Via Napoli. It’s not like you have to worry about anyone else’s eating habits, right?
Ride As You Please
If you are traveling to Disney on your own and on your own dime, you’re probably an adult. This means that you’re more than likely to have your choice of rides without worrying about height or age requirements. And, if you think the Disney Parks attractions aren’t much for thrills, think again!
If you’re an adrenaline junkie looking for their next coaster, take a look at Expedition Everest, Rockin’ Rollercoaster, or Test Track before you turn your nose at the house of mouse. But if you prefer the tamer stuff like Soarin’ and the Mad Tea Party, or classics like the Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain, that’s A-OK, too.
Single Riders For the Win
While we’re on the subject of riding, we have to expose the biggest overlooked option that even some veteran Disney fans miss out on. If you don’t have a Fastpass+ but want to take a significant chunk out of your wait time, go single rider all the way. It’s not like you have much choice when visiting solo, anyway.
We’re mainly including this as more of a tip to save to memory, but the fact still stands. Single riders definitely move faster than those in a group. Plus, if you’re luckier than Oswald the Rabbit, you might even beat out the Fastpass+ riders!
Stay the Day… Or Not
If you’re as big of Disney fans as we are, you’ll no doubt want to spend your day from dawn till dusk at your park or parks of choice. From rope-drop to fireworks, it’s cups, it’s caps, it’s cubits of fun! That all being said, you don’t necessarily have to do as we do. If you want to take a load off at some point in the day, you are perfectly welcome to.
Let’s face it, not everyone can call themselves a Disney-Rambo. If you can only take five or six hours at a park, don’t worry about it. Disney has plenty of ways to spend your time on and off of park property. So, if you’d like to crash in your room, go out to the Springs for a bite to eat, or simply play a round of Fantasia mini-golf, it’s all up to you.
They Know…
Perhaps our favorite feature of any Disney Park is seeing the characters and performers bring the streets and areas to life. Not only do the likes of Mickey and the gang know how to wow their fans with every visit, but they also know how to cater to parties of any size, including parties of one.
The character performers will definitely give special attention to families and children, but they also know how to make solo guests feel all the more welcome. This is mainly for characters and performers outside the Meet and Greet spots, but, honestly, how do you not love getting an impromptu photo with Goofy while you’re exploring?
Party of One
You’ve got no strings, so go have fun! You’re not tied down to anyone. What’s the biggest perk of visiting the parks playing single-player? Simple, it’s your trip, and only yours. You make all the calls, you can decide how hard you want to party and not have to dance around anyone else’s needs.
It’s a simple pleasure, but one we can’t deny the top spot. Traveling solo allows you to experience every last treat and ounce of magic that Disney has to offer. So long as you plan appropriately, you can have a five-star vacation all on your own. So, ride your favorite rides, eat all the food you want, and rub elbows with your favorite characters. Just relish the time in the most magical place on earth.
