- I've gone to Disney World alone dozens of times, and it's better than going with a big group.
- When I'm solo traveling, I always get a seat at the restaurants I want to eat at.
I've been going to Disney World for almost 30 years. I often visit the parks with my family or friends, but I actually prefer to explore as a solo traveler.
Here are some of the biggest benefits of going to the Disney parks alone.
Getting into popular shows around the parks is typically easier
I love watching shows at Disney World — a few of my favorites are "Fantasmic" at Hollywood Studios and "Festival of the Lion King" at Animal Kingdom.
I usually don't care where I sit because, in most theaters around Disney World, every seat is a good seat. So even though Disney suggests getting in line for these popular shows about 45 minutes early, as a solo traveler, I tend to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before they start.
I may not end up in the front row, but it doesn't matter to me because I didn't waste a lot of time sitting around in line when I could've been on a ride.
I can usually get a seat at any restaurant I want to dine in
When I go to Disney World by myself, I often try to visit at least one table-service restaurant a day, whether at a hotel or inside a park. Sitting at the bars and lounges is one of my favorite ways to have a leisurely meal without the pressure of getting advanced reservations.
The menus are often just as good (if not exactly the same) as the main dinging rooms, and sometimes there are even a few lounge-exclusive dishes.
On a recent trip, I ate dinner at the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge in Hollywood Studios. The outdoor area is well-shaded thanks to large umbrellas, and it has great views of the park.
I was able to order my favorite Cobb salad and the restaurant's famous grapefruit cake without the hassle of making a dining reservation.
I don't have a hard time getting on rides, even if I don't use the single-rider line
Many people think the single-rider lines at select Disney World attractions are the way to go for solo travelers, but I think they can be deceiving.
Even though the single-rider line often doesn't spill out of the entrance like the standby queues do, the number of seats that are actually available for single riders tends to be limited.
I've found that waiting in the regular standby line actually works better for me when I'm at the parks alone. I get through the queue faster in some instances, and I'll have a better estimate of how long it'll take since there's a listed wait time, which the single-rider lines don't have.
Doing what I want all day makes everything more relaxing
My favorite thing about going to Disney World alone is that I get to do what I want all day.
There's no stress to please four or five other people in my group and make sure everyone enjoys the day. If the park I'm at is busy, I can leave and go somewhere else. If I want to go back to the hotel to take a nap and go to the pool, that's fine, too.
As a solo traveler, I don't have to consider anyone else's schedule, and that brings a lot of freedom to a Disney World trip.