Disney World Solo Trip - 7 Biggest Mistakes to Avoid

Follow along to learn everything you need to know about a solo Disney trip!

There are plenty of perks to a solo trip to Walt Disney World. From saving some dollars to complete control over your ride itinerary, there’s a lot to be gained by going it alone.

Hang out in Galaxy’s Edge, meet fellow travelers and sip creative cocktails at the Boathouse, or ride Space Mountain as many times as you can handle.

Enjoy people watching on Main Street U.S.A, or hightail it to Hollywood Studios for a timeless Beauty and the Beast live show. 

While visiting a theme park as a party of one may seem daunting, our tips and tricks will lay out the groundwork for living your best solo traveler life.

Pack that suitcase and pull on those Mickey ears, as it’s possible to enjoy all the magic of Disney alone.

Solo Travelers 101

If you’ve never experienced the pleasure of solo adult travel, you are in for a real treat! While traveling alone may seem scary, there are countless advantages to tackling Orlando’s most famous theme park solo. Going to Disney World alone means you can save boatloads of money.

A Disney World Family vacation is fun but often correlates to an elevated price tag.

Four tickets for a 2-day two-park ticket with Park Hopper will cost a pretty penny. Add in restaurant meals, souvenirs, and snacks, and you might be left with little wiggle room. Spending time exploring Disney solo means you’ll have a more flexible travel budget. Single Disneyphiles can put their leftover cash towards extra park time or more luxe accommodations. 

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Travel Smart, Travel Safe

Our number one rule for a solo trip to Disney World – stay safe! Always inform a family member or close friend of your Disney itinerary and/or travel plans. Keep your cell phone fully charged, and pack a portable charger for long park days. Rest assured, the ‘Most Magical Place on Earth’ is extremely safe.
In fact, for a park that welcomes millions of visitors each year, there are very few serious incidents. Rest assured that Walt Disney World implements a highly comprehensive security approach that includes visible and invisible measures. This includes using uniformed police officers, specially trained hazard detection canines, and bag checks. 

Design Your Own Disney

The best part about a Disney World solo trip is you get to call all the shots. Whether that means ice cream for breakfast or singing out loud to It’s a Small World. Kick off your independent journey with a selfie by the infamous traveler statue at the Orlando airport, and then get to work on that dream Disney World solo trip itinerary.

No need to vote on where to go for lunch or what ride to conquer next. Traveling alone means you can decide the flow of your Disney days. Adrenaline junkies may bounce back and forth between Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Space Mountain, while foodies will surely head to EPCOT for a taste of Morocco, China, and more.

Are you looking for a complete list of Disney’s best thrill rides?

Make the most of park hopping and delight in your every Disney whim. Some mornings you may opt for rising bright and early and witnessing the majesty of an African safari in the Animal Kingdom. While the next day, you may favor a leisurely breakfast with Minnie.

When you explore Disney alone, there are no rules! So take your time, and snap photo after photo of Cinderella’s Castle or create your own scavenger hunt as you scope out every last hidden Mickey. The pleasure of your own company means you can work through each theme park at your own pace. 

Where to Stay

Whether you are yearning for rest and relaxation or are hoping to make friends with fellow travelers, choosing the right Disney accommodations matters, we always recommend solo Mouseketeers opt for a Disney resort.

Besides delivering top-tier convenience and complimentary transportation options, these hotels offer excellent amenities and bountiful dining options. Anxious individuals will rest easy knowing they have an added layer of Disney Security. 

Our favorite Disney Resort picks for solo travelers are as follows:

Disney Yacht Club

Ahoy matey! Live your most nautical life when you reserve a stay at this New England-style Yacht Club. Located in the EPCOT resort area, this deluxe resort offers pontoon boat rides, Crescent Lake views, and a 3-acre water wonderland.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Treat yourself like the king (or queen) of the jungle you are with an African-inspired retreat at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Inspired by the horseshoe-shaped design of a traditional kraal and featuring over 200 exotic creatures, this resort injects any solo stay with a dash of animal adventure. 

Related Post: What are The Benefits of Staying on Disney Property

Coronado Springs

Stunning architecture, seafood tapas, and Southwest influences come together at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Ideal for individuals looking to mix and mingle while exploring the cultures and cuisines of Spain, Mexico, and the American Southwest. Dine at the lakefront Three Bridges Bar & Grill, or treat yourself to a heavenly massage at the spa. 

Port Orleans

Staying near Disney Springs means you’ll have plenty of dining, nightlife, and excitement at your doorstep. You’ll swear you’ve been whisked away to the Big Easy when you enjoy the Bayou charm of the Port Orleans resort. Sip on a Hurricane as you savor jazz at the Scat Cat’s Club or fuel up on Southern delights at the Riverside Mill Food Court. 

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The Grand Floridian

Calling all Magic Kingdom lovers! Sleep just moments away from Cinderella’s Castle when you book a room at the serene Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Unwind after a day at Disney with a soothing body treatment or facial, or revel in fairytale ambiance and exquisite cocktails at the Enchanted Rose.

Pop over to the Magic Kingdom as often as you like utilizing the monorail, walking path, or water taxi services.

Riding Solo

Got a need for speed? Going to Disney World solo means you can ride your favorite roller coasters with abandon when you utilize single-rider lines. Embrace your single status and skip out on tons of line waiting with Single Rider lanes.

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This handy queue allows guests who wish to ride alone to choose a separate, typically faster line for the ride. So while Disney gets to fill empty seats, you get to enjoy the thrill of Aerosmith’s Rock n’ Roller Coaster as much as your stomach can handle. 

The main Disney World attractions that feature Single Rider Lines are:

• Aerosmith’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (Hollywood Studios)
• Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run (Hollywood Studios)
• Test Track (Epcot)
• Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom)

So, save your Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections for rides without Single Rider lanes, and you’ll be skipping lines left and right. Check out our guide for a complete list of Disney’s most iconic rides!

Create Lasting Memories

We’ll be the first to admit that half the fun of a Disney vacation is documenting your day on social media. If you’re hitting up Hollywood Studios or EPCOT solo, don’t fret, there are still ways of securing picture-perfect snaps. Don’t be afraid to ask the Disney Park photographers to capture some photos of you.

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They’ll be more than happy to provide you with professional photos you can purchase and photos via your own device. Can’t spy any shutterbugs? Remember Disney cast members and guests or always willing to help out a fellow Mickey lover. 

Treat Yourself

Remember all that cash you saved planning your solo Disney excursion? Well, now it’s time to splurge! When you aren’t conquering Disney as a pack of five or fifty, it’s easy to accommodate your more extravagant desires. Pamper yourself with a professional blowout at the Grand Floridian Spa, or deck yourself out in head-to-toe Mickey and Minnie apparel.

Chow down on a mouthwatering meal at Be Our Guest Restaurant, or come home with a custom lightsaber. Traveling solo also provides a great excuse to splurge on ticket upgrades. Give your Disney park experience a glow-up when you opt for Lightning Lane Multi Pass, park hopper, and lightning lane options. 

Dig in!

Table for one. For many independent travelers, these three words can trigger an avalanche of anxiety. However, there is no reason to fear dining solo. Thanks to dining reservations, friendly cast members, and many meal options, eating solo at Disney World is quite easy.

Related Post: The Complete Guide to Food at Disney World 

Settle in for a delicious glass of red at Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar, or bring your appetite for a three-course meal at Be Our Guest. So whether you are craving sushi or Tamarind-braised Short Ribs from Tiffins, there are endless ways to feast as a single visitor. 

Take the sting out of solo reservations with our following tips:

• Take advantage of advanced dining reservations and order when possible.
• Sit at the bar for a more social experience.
• Come prepared! Use this time to upload photos, catch up with friends back home, or soak in the Disney scenery.
• Embrace entertainment. Drama, storytelling, and dazzling characters are what Disney does best. So combine your dinner with a show at many of the top Disney resort eateries.

Star Wars nerds, fairytale fanatics, and adrenaline junkies all flock to Walt Disney World. No matter your reason for visiting the Most Magical Place on Earth, there are countless ways to enjoy this theme park as a party of one. 

Sweep your fear of solo travel aside as you embrace the high octane thrills of the Test Track or delight in the vibrant fireworks spectacular.

Give yourself the gift of international exploration when you head to EPCOT for a world showcase or get up close and personal with Belle. However you exert your independence, you’ll soon see that tackling Disney World solo is as magical as can be!

If your solo trip to Orlando calls for even more fun, grab discount Universal Studios Orlando tickets or Discovery Cove tickets!

Wondering if Tripster is safe for Disney World? Check out Tripster customers’ great reviews!

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