Going to a theme park ALONE can be daunting, but I do it ALL THE TIME anyway.
Disneyland
When we’re covering massive events like Disneyland Resort festivals, we usually use a team of multiple reporters. However, for the most part, when I’m reporting at the park, I’m exploring on my own without anyone by my side for MANY hours. Wondering what it’s like to go to Disneyland by yourself? I’m bringing you the realities of that experience and what you can expect.
I grew up going to Disneyland and I’ve seen it evolve for over 30 years. But until I started writing and reporting for DFB, I really never went by myself. Like most folks, I went to Disneyland with friends and family, never considering going by myself. However, once I became a Disneyland reporter, that all changed. Admittedly, going to Disney by yourself is daunting —and if you’re like me and totally used to going with at least one other person, going alone for the first time will be a shocking experience.
An empty Disney California Adventure Park
Disneyland is built for the party experience — meaning groups of two or more people. Many rides have two seats, experiences are catered toward families, and the parks sort of expect everyone to be accompanied by someone. So going alone feels…well…weird — at least at first.
You won’t really have anyone to talk to, you’re either riding attractions alone or with strangers, there’s no way to avoid looking like a loner while you’re sitting by yourself at a table during meals, and you won’t make any shared memories.
Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland
While those negatives are significant, they aren’t the end-all-be-all. After quite some time doing this, I have to admit…there are some SERIOUS perks to going to Disneyland alone.
For starters, I’m not responsible to anyone else. I don’t have to make sure everyone is fed, or that we get on every ride, or spend money on anyone else. It’s a bit freeing.
Disneyland
I can also use Single Rider lines, which usually speed up the queuing process, and I ultimately get to explore Disneyland at my own pace.
Some days I want to blitz rides or experience attractions my friends and family aren’t too keen on, like water rides or motion simulators. Other days I don’t feel like riding anything and just want to take it slow and breathe in the parks. Either way, I’m in complete control of my itinerary.
California Adventure
Going alone to Disneyland isn’t a new concept, either. When I go alone, I become a bit more aware of my surroundings, including the Disney influencers and locals who are doing the exact same thing. If you think going to theme parks alone is a new concept, I’m here to tell you it’s most definitely not.
There’s also a peacefulness about going alone, and those who do it usually have a calmer, more in-control presence about them. It makes sense, as you’re in complete control of the pace.
Radiator Springs Racers
Still, going alone to Disneyland is not for everyone, and loneliness is always possible. Some days I adore the freedom of going alone. Other days I can feel quite lonely and miss the company of family and friends. It really all depends on my mood that day, the conditions the resort is presenting (like crowd levels or special events), and all kinds of factors.
While I can’t predict how you’d react to going alone, I definitely recommend trying it if you’re considering doing so! You’ll never know how you feel about it until you do it!
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland
If you’ve been to Disneyland alone, share your experiences in the comments below!
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How do you feel about going to the Disney Parks alone? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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I almost always go to the parks alone now as friend’s schedules get busier and less of them have annual passes. It is really nice knowing I’m in full control of my pace, schedule, and any last minute changes! In the past 6 months I also did my first solo Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland trips and I really enjoyed have full control of the planning for both of us because I love to slow down and focus on the atmosphere – but tend to feel guilty not focusing on rides when I’m with others. It’s also nice to listen to a podcast while wandering aimlessly through the parks – or reading a book on my phone/kindle when I AM waiting in line for a ride :). I definitely recommend people try it!
I use to go by myself all the time. It’s wonderful. Now I can’t go without my wife as I feel guilty about it. She goes by herself a lot and that was only after I encouraged her to go because I was working late. Now she’ll top drop by herself on a Saturday or swing by alone when I’m working late.
I’m going to Disneyland for the first time ever and by myself. Admittedly, a little worried, but at the same time exhilarated by it! I hope the loneliness doesn’t creep in.
There are definite benefits to visiting any of the Disney Parks on your own. I have found that solo trips provide more opportunity to explore, in depth, other areas of whatever park you’re at. There are so many little hidden details at the parks that are often missed because your party is racing to meet a dining reservation or lighting lane experience. On a recent solo trip to Disney World, I was able to fit in a resort day where I basically resort hopped without having to constantly wait for people to agree on which resort to visit next. Bear in mind, solo trips aren’t for everyone and there is a certain “awkwardness” to visiting on your own, but there are also many benefits to creating and having your own schedule. You may find that a solo trip will actually add a little extra magic to your Disney day!
I can get a book read in a day while waiting in line at the park. And I love the ability to go and do whatever I want whenever I want.
It’s fun to go with friends and family, and I enjoy doing that as well. But it is fun to go alone, too.
I absolutely love going alone. I look forward to my solo days. There’s so much you can do faster and then some days you can just hang out and people watch. I never get lonely. I love going with hubby and friends and my family is cool, but there will always be days I wish I could go solo.
Over the years, I have gone to DL many times alone. I make my own schedule and I can ride what I want to, eat when and where I want , sit and people watch as long as I want to, etc.,etc. No pressure!!❤️?
A wonderful experience.
I have done this a few times, and I have always enjoyed it. It’s nice to go wherever I want whenever I want without having to consider what everyone else wants to do. For me it’s fun with my husband and fun by myself. I have only had one problem being a woman by myself with a man on Guardians of the Galaxy that use the opportunity to try and grope me. Grosse! Otherwise, it has always been fun. I have gone to several Star Wars Nites by myself, and had fun with that too. It’s worth trying when no one else wants to go, and you do! 🙂
I go to Disney World and Disneyland alone all of the time even though I don’t live in Florida or California.
At first it was just weird and I felt out of place, but then it was kind of freeing.
I didn’t have to do “everything”. I just went to do one thing. Ride one ride or eat everything at one of the festivals.
Though sometimes it is lonely, I ended up doing all of the backstage tours that I couldn’t do because no one else in my group / family wanted to do them.
But it’s also cool when you’re going alone. You end up seeing all these other people who are also going alone. And it’s not really an isolated case. Sometimes we end up talking and sharing what we’re doing and then after the line has gone thru we go our separate ways.
I’ve been travelling solo for decades and now I’m retired. My friends visit family and buy the kids bikes, I go on cruises and Disney Parks. At Disney and on cruises people are friendly and easy to chat with–we all love the same thing. I enjoy the freedom and will stop to spend time in the gardens, to walk through every shop or skip them all, and I love riding the transportation. I explore the hotels and take lots of pictures. If I find a short line or single rider I’ll ride 3 times in a row. I’ll treat myself to a viewing party–one ticket versus for a family of 4 ticket budget buster. Wake up when I want, go to the pool whenever, have soup or salad for dinner, freedom.
Absolutely yes! Haven’t done DL solo but have done WDW solo at twice and loved every minute of it – it takes some getting used to if you are usually with a group, but i love the chance to do things the group as a whole doesn’t normally like- character meet and greats, shows, whatever! Would definitely recommend!
I took a solo trip to Disney World last year and I LOVED IT!!!!!! I can’t wait to do it again! I love going with my family and friends, but there’s something so liberating about a solo trip – it was truly amazing and I highly recommend it.
It’s always been on my bucket list to do a solo Disney trip, and I pretty much got to do that for the first time last year. I say pretty much because I did end up meeting up with some friends later in the day when they got out of work. But for the most part, getting to enjoy a day in the park alone was nice. As the article said, it’s kind of nice not having to worry about anyone else or trying to coordinate what to do next or when and where to eat. And getting to use single rider on several of my fave rides cut down on my wait time immensely.
One of my few ‘bucket list’ items is a solo trip to WDW, just to be able to soak in everything, and reminisce about all of the memories I’ve had there with generations of my family. Go on the rides I care about, skip the ones I don’t, and spend all day meeting characters if that’s what I want to do ?Being on the east coast, I doubt I will ever do a solo trip to Disneyland, but who knows – maybe I will do a ‘research trip’ before taking the fam lol! I do really want to go to the museum, and I don’t know that anyone else will.
Since my kids have gotten older and moved away, I’ve had the chance to travel to Disney World and Tokyo Disney on my own. It is really fun and relaxing – Disney is such a safe “bubble” so no worries. I get to ride what I want and eat whatever I want too! And best of all, you get to meet new people you would not meet otherwise if you were with friends or family.
I love solo Disney trips! The best though is when I go solo but meet up with someone else I know that’s at Disney for like a meal or just a few rides.