Walt Disney solo trip may not be the first thought that comes to one’s mind, as when people think of Walt Disney World, a family day out often comes to mind.
However, this famous theme park is also the perfect place for a solo adventure!
Walt Disney World is one of the United State’s most popular theme parks and attracts millions yearly.
There are four parks in total here; Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, so naturally, there’s a lot to see.
This guide to Walt Disney solo trip will cover why it’s a good place to travel on your own, and also offer you some top tips along the way!
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Why is a Walt Disney Solo Trip a great idea?
CONTENTS
This part of the guide will explain the best reasons to plan Walt Disney solo trip, so let’s dive right in!
Embrace our childhood
By visiting Walt Disney World on your own, you can release your inner child (let’s be honest, Disney films and characters hold a special place in all our hearts).
In fact, you’ll be surprised by how many adult solo travellers come here, purely for that very reason.
Although it sounds silly, as we become adults we lose that sense of childhood wonder. Instead, it’s often replaced with a worry about what other people think of you.
Visiting Walt Disney World solo allows you to step outside of your comfort zone, as you will likely never meet any of these people again (unless you find some new friends).
So, why not try karaoke for the first time or dine out with a portion for two? You won’t regret the experience.
You can choose when to visit
One of the best reasons to visit Walt Disney World solo has to be the fact that you can choose when to visit.
All you have to do is figure out your own availability; you don’t even need to think about anyone else.
Although visiting this iconic theme park with family or a group of friends is so much fun, it can often be a nightmare to plan.
You have to organise your trip based on when everyone else is free, and other people’s money constraints.
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If you don’t have children or you’re leaving them at home with the other half, then you can also visit outside of school times.
This means no more queueing for rides during peak season, and you’ll likely have a much better experience.
You can decide how long to spend in each park
You are the sole (and only) decision-maker when visiting Walt Disney World alone!
This means you can prioritise the parks you want to visit, rather than having to compromise on your trip based on what other people would like to do.
As mentioned previously, there are four parks within Walt Disney World. These are Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.
Of course, you’re bound to have some parks that are higher up your list than others.
The most nostalgic tends to be Magic Kingdom Park as this is where you’ll find the iconic castle, the Disney characters, and some of the best rides.
However, if you’ve got the time, then the other parks also have a lot to offer, so try to visit each one.
You get to choose when & where to eat
Although the food in Walt Disney World can be expensive, you’ll have a lot of options to choose from.
In total, there are around 200 places where you can grab food, and this includes restaurants, stalls, and shops.
You’ll find a variety of traditional theme park food including hamburgers, fries, and corn dogs, but there are also dozens of full-service restaurants here as well.
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Some will require a reservation so just make sure you check in advance.
Epcot is probably the best park for food options as it’s home to a variety of international cuisines.
Boasting Japanese, Italian, Chinese, and Mexican dishes, you won’t be short of choices.
If you’re exploring the park on your own, then you can choose what you fancy, and where you’d like to dine – there’s no conferring with the group!
You’ll benefit from being a single rider
Now, this may not be something you even think about, but it’s one of the highlights of visiting Walt Disney World solo.
There’s no denying that this theme park gets extremely busy, and you’ll often find long queues for rides.
This is especially the case for rides such as Expedition Everest, Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
Luckily, these rides offer a ‘single rider’ lane to take full advantage of.
This will allow you to go on the rides much quicker because there are often one or two seats left after the groups have got on there.
You can simply head on the ride on your own, without having to wait for two or three other spare seats.
Not all rides in Walt Disney World have a ‘single rider’ lane but if they have, they make sure that’s the line you choose.
It will be cheaper!
Perhaps the most simple reason to visit solo, your trip will likely be much cheaper!
Although you won’t share accommodation costs, you’ll save money elsewhere.
For starters, if you usually travel as a family, then you’ll be paying for several entrance tickets.
Paying for one is much cheaper! This is also the case when it comes to food, as you’ll be dining for one.
There’s no denying that Walt Disney World has some fantastic souvenir shops.
The problem with visiting with little ones means that they will want a lot of the toys! Although this isn’t a problem as such, it can be expensive!
If you head to Walt Disney World solo then your trip can be as expensive or as cheap as you want it to be.
Tips for Disney Solo Trip
Try to visit during the week if you can
As mentioned previously, you can decide when to visit Walt Disney World if you’re travelling alone.
No matter when you visit, it’s likely to be busy but there are some ways to counteract this.
The best time to go is on a weekday rather than a weekend, as all the children will still be in school.
If you head there when it opens, you’re in for an even quieter experience.
Of course, if you’re visiting during the school holidays, it will be busy no matter what.
Try to avoid the holidays if you can and any other peak times, that will result in a busy theme park.
You may also want to visit during the shoulder or off-season.
Just make sure it’s worth it to do this, as the weather conditions in Florida can be extreme.
Take advantage of the free transport
While you’re exploring the theme parks, make sure you check out the free public transport that’s available.
Walt Disney World operates an efficient transport network that will take you between the four different parks.
Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot are located relatively close together, although you’ll still require transport to travel between the three.
Compared to the others, Magic Kingdom is quite a distance away.
Many people hire a car to get around, but why do that when you can take advantage of the park’s complimentary transport?
This includes buses, boats, and the monorail, so there are several options.
While at Walt Disney World, make sure you allow for travel time in your itinerary.
Just remember that the transport can get busy, so you may have to wait in line for a seat.
Make sure you take your time
For the best experience, don’t rush your time at Walt Disney World.
Honestly, you could spend a day in every park, as each one offers so much to do.
For the best experience, you’ll want to allow at least 4 days for your visit.
That will allow you to visit the four separate parks; Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.
However, you may not have that kind of time. Instead of rushing around all four parks, it’s best to pick two as your must-visit and then take your time.
This way, you can appreciate the rides and grab something to eat.
Besides, that just means you’ll have an excuse to come back!
If you’ve flown a long way, then it’s likely you’ll want to cram in as much as possible instead, which leads to our next point.
Check out the park-hopping tickets if you’re short of time.
If you don’t have 3 or 4 days to spend at the park, and you want to cram in as much as possible, then you’ll want to opt for a park-hopping ticket.
This ticket allows you to visit more than one park in one day so it’s extremely handy.
It’s the perfect option for those who have visited Walt Disney World before or those who simply want some more flexibility when it comes to their ticket.
You’ll first need to make a reservation for the first park you’d like to visit, then make another reservation for the second one. Then after 2 pm, you’re free to visit the second park.
Just be aware that the availability to visit another park will all depend on the capacity, which is why you’re best heading here out of peak season (preferably on weekdays).
Download the My Disney Experience app
To make the most of your trip to Walt Disney World, make sure you download the My Disney Experience app.
It’s the best tool to have while exploring the parks, as you’ll have all your information in one place.
First of all, you can add reservations through the app, which is extremely handy if you’re looking to visit one of the more popular restaurants.
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Not only that, but you can select hotels and other park tickets on the app too.
However, one of the highlights of this app has to be the mobile food and drink order service.
From the app, you can order your food ahead of time and simply head there to pick it up rather than wait in the queue. This will save you plenty of time!
Check out the on-site hotels
Although the on-site hotels will naturally be more expensive, you’ll be in a great location for exploring the parks.
Not only that, but you won’t have to pay for daily transport to reach Walt Disney World.
There are a wide variety of hotels to choose from in the area, so here are some recommendations for each park:
- Magic Kingdom – Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the Wilderness Lodge, and the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Epcot – Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, the Beach Club Villas, and the Caribbean Beach Resort
- Hollywood Studios – Disney’s Pop Century Resort & the Art of Animation Resort
- Animal Kingdom – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, the All-Star Movies Resort, and the All-Star Music Resort
Many of these hotels can get booked up quickly, so it’s essential to book your stay in advance if you can.
Relax in one of Walt Disney World’s lounges
One of the highlights of your solo trip to Disney World is that you can relax in the lounges.
There are so many to choose from, and you’ll want to make reservations in advance if you can. This can easily be done through the app!
Here are some popular lounge options in the park:
- Nomad Lounge, Animal Kingdom
- Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Stargazers Bar, Disney Springs (a large complex near the park)
- Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar, EPCOT
- Oga’s Cantina, Hollywood Studios
- Scat Cat’s Cub, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort
Of course, where you visit will all depend on the park you’re in.
If you can, head to Nomad Lounge, known for its quirky banners and various cuisines. They also do some tasty speciality cocktails!
Take advantage of the park’s festivals if you can
If you’re planning to visit the EPCOT park then see if your visit coincides with any of the festivals that take place here.
There are a variety of events that take place throughout the year, and many of them are food-centred.
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is a popular choice, where you can try delicious cheese (and cheese dishes), along with wine, of course!
Another great option is the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival.
If this festival is on during your time here, don’t miss it as you’ll get to try some truly creative cuisine.
Other popular festivals at EPCOT include the International Festival of Arts and the International Festival of the Holidays!
As you can see there are so many fantastic reasons to plan your solo trip to Disney World.
Whether you’re simply looking to embrace your inner child or looking for a bit of flexibility, there are many reasons why you should go alone.
You’ll save money, you’ll get to prioritise the rides and restaurants you want to visit, and you can simply take your time. So what are you waiting for?
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