So you want to go to Walt Disney World, but you are going alone. Good for you! We applaud this self love. Going on a Disney World solo trip is very freeing and fun. You can arrive when you want, eat what you want and only choose the rides and experiences that interest you. A solo trip means you can perfectly tailor your visit to your wants and needs. If you want to find other solo travelers, we can help point you in that direction, too!
Hop along as we explore our best tips for taking a Disney World solo trip.
The Solo Traveler’s Guide to a Disney World Solo Trip
I remember my first solo trip to a Disney park. Disney was calling me at a time when it was not convenient for anyone in my life to join me (but the deals were hoppin') and I was a nervous frog about going by myself. But once I entered the park gates, I quickly realized that I loved traveling light (without diaper bags and strollers) and could do whatever I wanted, when I wanted. And it turns out I even met some other solo Disney fans who’ve become my Disney friends! So even if you go alone, know that you are not alone.
Many people go to Disney World for all or part of their trip on their own. You might tack a Disney visit onto a business trip in Orlando, or maybe you need a little Disney escape from reality but don't have anyone able to join you at the time you can go. Whatever your reasons for taking a Disney trip, we bring you our top tips for taking a Disney World solo trip with ribbiting details on how to be your own best company. You might also hop over to our hoppin' guide to Disney World for adults for additional tips and ideas for what to do on your adult solo trip.
1. Create a Plan
When planning your trip, you'll first want to purchase your tickets and then book a Disney Park Pass reservation for each day of your trip. However, as of Jan. 9, 2024, theme park reservations are no longer required for date-based tickets. Disney World Annual Passholders and other select tickets such as the Florida Resident or Disney Military Salute Tickets still requires a park reservation.
If you have park hopper tickets, you'll only need to reserve a Park Pass for the first park you'll be visiting each day (this is for non-dated tickets only). Did you know your favorite frogs offer discount tickets to Disney World and other Orlando theme parks?
We've also created park plans as a step-by-step guide to each park. Since you're traveling solo, you can just remove the rides you don't want (sorry Tower of Terror ...) and have more time for characters, entertainment and relaxation! Be sure to check what attractions may have virtual queues in place, such as the new TRON Lightcycle / Run and Tiana's Bayou Adventure starting June 28, 2024. Consider any special add-ons that require reservations such as Droid Depot and Savi's Workshop, 60 days in advance of your visit.
2. Pick the Right Hotel
While you may not need a large room when traveling solo, we do recommend staying at a hotel that is close to the parks, dining, bars or shopping. That way, you can entertain yourself after you leave the parks and can utilize the free Disney transportation! Some of my favorite choices for a Disney World solo trip include:
- Disney's Pop Century Resort (as low as $200 a night) for a value resort stay with toadally fun nostalgia and access to Disney's Skyliner
- Disney's Art of Animation Resort (as low as $244 a night) for a whimsical step into, well, the art of animation, with access to Disney's Skyliner
- Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (as low as $607 a night) for a fairytale stay featuring on-site pampering, award-winning dining options and a quick monorail ride to Magic Kingdom
- Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort are other great solo trip picks, and they're within walking distance (or a boat ride) to the BoardWalk area, including EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios
3. Consider Dining Reservations
Next up is advanced dining reservations for your party of one. Reservations open up 60 days in advance (Disney Resort Hotel guests can book for the entire length of their trip at that 60 day mark). Don’t let dining alone intimidate you! When I dine alone, I just relax or use the time to post my photos. With a smaller party size, it is a lot easier to find last-minute reservations pop up in the week leading up. On the day of, the My Disney Experience app also shows walk-up availability for table-service locations near you — and you'll have a better shot at a walk-up table for one than a large party! (Note that sometimes you have to search for a party of two for reservations to pop up, but you can modify down to one when you check-in.)
You’ll never be alone if you go to character dining. The characters will hop by your table to visit you. Be prepared to take selfies on your phone, though we've never had an issue asking a cast member or people nearby to help take your photo. You can also make a reservation for bars such as Oga's Cantina in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. It's out of this world!
Not wanting to deal with reservations? No worries! There are lots of great quick-service options so you can just go with the flow. Be sure to use mobile order to save even more time. EPCOT festivals are also the perfect way to sample smaller portions from around the world!
4. Use the Single Rider Line
Single rider lines — talk about the perfect perk of a Disney World solo trip! Four attractions at Disney World offer a single rider line. As a party of one, you can fill in available seats in exchange for a shorter wait. Check out our single rider guide for all the details!
5. Enjoy the Freedom!
If you have ever visited Disney World with a larger group, you know how hard it can be to meet everyone’s needs, height requirements, interests, bathroom breaks and diets. When you go solo, it’s all about you. Take all the selfies you want! Look for hidden Mickeys and other hidden gems. Slow down and enjoy all the little details. Ride your favorite ride three times. Get all nostalgic about your childhood favorites. Grab a parade and fireworks spot more easily. There’s no pressure when you pick the pace. I guarantee you will notice the most frogtastic details during a Disney World solo trip that you might miss when you are focused on the people with you.
6. Take Lots of Photos
An awesome solo trip to Disney World deserves awesome photos to go with it! While you won't have someone else with you to take your photos, you can always take selfies, prop your phone up or ask someone to take your photo (it happens all the time in front of Cinderella Castle!).
There are PhotoPass photographers stationed throughout the park with high-quality cameras, and they will also take photos on your phone. We highly recommend purchasing Memory Maker, which includes unlimited photo downloads. This way, you'll have lots and lots of photos to relive the memories, like meeting your favorite character for the first time!
And here's a bonus! With the purchase of Disney Genie+, digital downloads of your Disney PhotoPass attraction photos are included at no additional cost. Yah!
7. Talk to Other Park Guests and Cast Members
If you are a people person and are worried about getting lonely, you can chat with other park guests. Whether we are waiting in line together or camped out for character cavalcade, show, parade or fireworks, I love talking to the people around me. I enjoy finding out where people are from, what they loved about their day and any tips they have. Some have become friends on social media so we can stay in touch and keep the magic alive when we aren’t at the parks (or we can share our pics when we are).
You can learn a lot by being friendly with cast members, too. We find people are often quite hoppy to talk about their trips and experiences. They sometimes bring my attention to something I might have missed. I love learning new Disney World secrets!
8. Get Your DisneyBound On
Whether you want to dress in the style, colors or patterns of a character or just put on your ears, one of my favorite ways to invite others to talk to me is to dress in my Disney best. People appreciate a good DisneyBound and love to offer compliments or ask questions about the look. And let’s be real — if you put effort into your appearance, it feels good to be seen and appreciated. You’ll feel connected to your fellow Disney-goers when they comment on your look or even figure our which character you are channeling.
Cast members also seem to call out appreciation for cool Disney ears or a unique Disney or Star Wars ensemble. Just use regular street clothes to complete your look because Disney World does not allow costumes on guests ages 14 and up. Learn more in our DisneyBounding guide!
9. Use the Play Disney Parks App
When you are alone, you can entertain yourself in lines and around the park with the Play Disney Parks App. Once you enter Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, your app will turn into a Data Pad, which unlocks a whole new world of interactions within the land. Feel free to geek out by hacking, scanning, translating and tuning in to communications signals and conversations. Earn your own virtual bounties with Batuu Bounty Hunters. Definitely bring your cords and chargers, since using your phone will take a toll on battery.
10. Buy Souvenirs for Loved Ones (and Yourself)
Bring back some of the magic for your loved ones with gifts from your trip. Don’t froget to get something for yourself! We recommend items you can enjoy on your trip such as a Disney hat or ears. (We actually like to pre-buy our Disney shirts at Target and other discount stores so we can save money and have Disney shirts to wear on vacation.) When I visit Disney World with the tadpoles, they get bored pretty quickly in the shops once they've found their must-have item. That's why I save my extended shopping trips for solo trips. On that note, don't froget all about the fun shopping, dining and entertainment options at Disney Springs!
11. Stay Connected with Others
With social media (are you following us on Instagram or TikTok yet?), you are never really alone in this modern world. You can connect with new friends or stay connected with friends or family at home by posting pictures and videos of your journey. One way to connect with other Disney fans is to join a Solo Disney World Facebook group. Join the groups well in advance of your trip to pick up tips and maybe even make some new online friends. Locals may even want to meet up with you in the park for a ride or a meal!
I find it hopful to chat with the regular Disney World solo travelers who can share their must-see sights and tips. It's fun to share the Disney love with others who appreciate the Disney magic. I’ve made several friends who share my passion for Disney through online groups. (I mean who else in my life can I talk about Disney with all day long with than other Disnerds? Even my Disney-loving family can only take so much.) The social media groups provide an outlet for all that Disney love. Even if you do not want to meet your new Disney friends in person, it's a relief to discover that you are not alone in wanting to visit Disney alone.
Are you planning your first Disney World solo trip? You can get a hoppin' deal on discounted Walt Disney World resort theme park tickets and hotel stays in Orlando with Undercover Tourist.
Related: The Very Best Times to Visit Disney World
Hoppy planning!
