Planning a Disney trip doesn’t always have to mean that you’re traveling with family or friends. In fact, Disney World solo travel has become a popular way to experience the parks! Going alone means total freedom to decide where to eat, what rides to prioritize, and when to slow down without needing a group vote. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s actually like to take on Disney World alone, these are the things no one tells you, but you’ll be glad to know.

It’s WAY Easier to Figure Out Where to Eat

Feel like Dole Whip at 9AM? Want to see if the Cheeseburger Spring Roll is actually any good at Magic Kingdom? Craving a perfectly cooked steak? Well, you can have it all when you’re on a solo Disney trip! As a party of one, you don’t have to worry about Aunt Nancy’s dietary preferences or your kids’ picky eating. You can eat exactly what you want, when you want it!

If you’re skipping table service restaurants for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you have the complete freedom to eat whenever hunger strikes. No need to compromise on the type of food or wait a little longer to grab a bite so everyone is hungry. You can just spontaneously decide between all the quick service restaurants (and snack locations!) that are open when you’re hungry.

And, if you are opting for a table service restaurant, getting a dining reservation becomes a lot easier as a party of one. Popular restaurants like Be Our Guest or Oga’s Cantina often have single-seat availability when larger tables are fully booked. Most guests search for tables seating 4 or more people, leaving single spots available even at the most sought-after locations. So, on a solo Disney trip, you can often secure reservations that would be impossible for larger groups.

Even without advance reservations, walk-up waitlists typically accommodate solo diners faster than larger parties because restaurants can easily fit one person at the bar or fill a cancelled reservation.

So, consider Disney’s wonderful dining world your oyster when you’re flying solo!

You’ll Wait In Shorter Lines

Solo travelers at Disney World also have a significant advantage when it comes to wait times for the most popular rides in the theme parks – the single rider line!

If you’re not familiar, single rider lines are used to fill extra seats that are left open in ride vehicles. For example, if there’s a party of three in the regular standby line, a Cast Member will assign someone from the single rider line to sit with them. And, because most people don’t want to risk splitting up their party, the single rider lines are usually much shorter, typically cutting your wait time nearly in half compared to standby lines.

Disney World currently offers single rider lines at:

• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (Hollywood Studios)
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (Hollywood Studios)
• Test Track (EPCOT)
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (EPCOT)
• Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom)

The single rider entrance is usually marked with signs near the main attraction entrance. You simply walk up and join the separate line – no reservations or special tickets required. Just keep in mind that single rider lines aren’t always open, but luckily, as a Disney World solo traveler, you can easily pivot to attractions with shorter waits throughout the day!

It’s Cheaper

Solo Disney trips naturally cost less since you’re only covering expenses for one person. You’re in the driver’s seat! You control the entire budget and make all spending decisions without needing to consult with family members. With that flexibility, you can choose a hotel that fits your exact budget and adjust your travel dates to get the best savings on your stay.

Once you’re in Disney World, you can adjust your dining plans based on your budget. Quick service meals keep costs low, while occasional table service restaurants become more budget-friendly when you’re not paying for multiple people. And, you can be strategic with Lightning Lanes and park tickets by only buying exactly the number of days you want without having to compromise for different family members who want “just one more day in Magic Kingdom.”

Plus, you won’t be overspending on your Disney World solo travel! Airport shuttles, ride shares, and even flights cost significantly less for one person versus a family.

You Should Splurge on Your Disney World Resort Hotel

Solo travel at Disney World gives you the perfect excuse to upgrade your resort experience. When you’re alone, your hotel becomes a relaxing retreat rather than just a place to sleep!

As a solo traveler, you can fully appreciate the resort theming, dining, and recreational activities without rushing to fit everything into the family schedule. With that in mind, the upgrade to a moderate or deluxe resort can really make a big difference in how much you enjoy your vacation.

Staying at a deluxe resort also gives you access to Extended Evening Theme Park Hours (a.k.a. more time in the parks), better dining options within walking distance, premium locations near the parks, and the best amenities Disney World offers. If you plan to spend time at your resort and soak up all the park time you can get, this upgrade is well worth the cost on a solo Disney World trip.

You may want to consider these other worthwhile upgrades as well:

• Club Level access provides complimentary food and beverages throughout the day, plus personalized concierge service
• Preferred rooms at value resorts reduce walking distances to amenities
• BoardWalk area resorts offer walking access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
• Monorail resorts provide fast and scenic transportation to Magic Kingdom

It’s Best to Purchase Park Hopper Tickets

When you’re taking on the theme parks as a party of one, you’ll find that you can get a lot done. You don’t have to check to see if your friends want to go on the next ride, adjust your pace for any slow walkers in the group, or arrive early for a show/parade to find a spot that accommodates your whole party. And, because of this, you might find that you hit all your must-dos in a park well before closing time. That’s why having a Park Hopper ticket can really come in handy!

Park hopper tickets allow you to enter any of the four Disney parks at any time on the days that your ticket is valid. So, you can hit all the major attractions at one park, then switch to another when crowds build up.

Park Hopper tickets cost an extra $60-80 per day, depending on the season, but the investment makes sense if you’re visiting for 2-3 days or less on a solo Disney World trip. You’ll accomplish more in a shorter timeframe than families spending a week.

Without park hopping, you’re limited to one park per day, which can feel more confining when traveling alone since you have complete control over your schedule and pace.

You’ll Make More Connections Than You Think

If you’ve been to Disney World with your family before, you probably didn’t get to interact with many people outside of your party because you were so focused on your group. But that’s not the case for a solo Disney World trip!

Exploring Disney World alone naturally creates opportunities to interact with other people and make connections. Cast Members tend to engage more with guests traveling alone, often sharing park tips or Disney stories during quieter moments. And, you’ll usually find someone else hanging out alone around the park (waiting for the rest of their family) who wants to strike up a conversation.

Additionally, Disney character meet-and-greets become much more personal without group dynamics, and PhotoPass photographers take extra time to capture perfect shots and may suggest unique poses with the characters.

So, by the end of your trip, you might not end up solo after all!

You Get to Be Spontaneous (and That’s Rare at Disney)

A Disney World vacation typically requires months of advance planning. Hotels book over a year out, dining reservations fill up 60 days ahead, and Lightning Lanes can sell out 7 days before you’ve even set foot in a park. But solo travel changes everything.

When you’re on a solo Disney World trip, you can pivot mid-day without consulting anyone or taking a group vote. See a short wait time for Space Mountain? Go for it. Spot an open table at Cinderella’s Royal Table? Grab it instantly.

Additionally, Lightning Lane reservations become yours alone. When individual Lightning Lane purchases open up for popular attractions, you can snag them immediately without needing to check budgets or preferences with family members. And, if you want to spend the day refreshing the Multi Pass return times lines and bopping around the park to the closest one, no one’s going to criticize you for being on your phone too much or complain about sore feet.

Ultimately, your schedule belongs entirely to you, and that unlocks a whole new Disney World experience!

You Can Actually Rest and Recharge

Like we’ve mentioned, when you’re on a Disney World solo trip, you’re in charge. And if that means slowing down to relax a little, you get to do you!

We recommend spending time at your resort pool every afternoon, extending your snack breaks to include people watching, exploring the quiet corners of the theme parks, and staying on the monorail for the full resort loop (or maybe even getting off at each stop to explore!).

Your energy levels dictate the pace. Feel tired at 2PM? Leave the park. Want to sleep until 10AM? Your touring companions won’t judge you. You can skip nighttime shows if you’re tired or stay until park closing if you’re energized. The choice remains entirely yours.

This kind of pacing often lets you end your solo Disney trip feeling more refreshed, which isn’t something most people say when they get home!

The Photos Aren’t a Problem (In Fact, They’re Better)

Without a travel partner, you might be worried that no one will be there to document your trip. But that’s not true! Disney PhotoPass photographers are all over the parks and resorts to serve as your built-in personal photographer, and they genuinely enjoy working with solo travelers.

You’ll notice that PhotoPass photographers often take more time with solo guests. They’ll suggest multiple poses, capture different angles, and ensure that you get the perfect shot rather than rushing through group dynamics or managing multiple family members.

We also recommend packing a lightweight tripod so you can prop your phone up and use the self-timer to get a picture in case there aren’t any Disney photographers in sight.

It Might Feel Awkward at First—And Then Totally Liberating

I’ll be honest, your first Disney World dining reservation alone will feel a bit weird. Sitting at a character breakfast while families surround you might trigger some self-consciousness. However, that awkwardness fades quickly.

By your second day, you’ll be a pro at being alone in Disney World and, well, you probably won’t feel all that alone, after all! I’ve visited Disney World solo many, many times, and can tell you this – it’s just as magical, and you’ll notice things that you never did before.

So, shed any embarrassment and take advantage of all that freedom! You’re in for a really great solo Disney World trip.

Comments

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