5 Mistakes I Made on My First Solo Disney World Trip & How to Avoid Them

Are you planning your first solo Disney World trip?

In August 2024, I took my first solo Disney trip, and despite doing plenty of research, I made mistakes.

Even though I am a DVC member, an Annual Passholder and I visit Disney World 2-3 times each year, I made some very avoidable mistakes.

So, if you’re trying to plan the easiest – and most fun – solo Disney World trip possible, keep reading; I have some solo Disney World tips to help you plan!

This post is all about the 5 mistakes I made on my first solo Disney World trip and how you can avoid them on your solo vacation.

Solo Disney World Trip

First things first, I want to briefly touch on where I stayed – as this could be considered as a mistake for many people taking solo trips to Disney World.

I stayed on-site using DVC points, so this information is geared toward anyone planning to stay on-site at Disney World (not just those staying at DVC resorts).

I stayed for 9 nights at these resorts:

2 nights at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort (Standard View Deluxe Studio).
2 nights at The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (Standard View Deluxe Studio).
3 nights at Beach Club Villas (Deluxe Studio).
1 night at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (Deluxe Studio).
1 night at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort (Theme Park View Deluxe Studio).

For most people, a split stay (especially moving that many times) is not ideal.

I, however, love the chaos of a split stay, and I wanted to stay in as many different resorts and room types as possible so I can review them.

This doesn’t count as one of the five mistakes, but just wanted to note this, as it could be a mistake for many guests.

I am used to doing split stays when I visit Disney World with family (in fact, I’ve never stayed at Disney World without doing a split stay – even before I was a DVC member).

But it is definitely a little more challenging to do a split stay when you’re a solo traveler.

Packing up and moving every 1-3 nights was more inconvenient without having friends/family to help.

That being said, I don’t regret doing a split stay on my Disney World solo trip.

If you already know you enjoy split stays, or you don’t mind moving and want to see as many resorts as possible, don’t rule out a split stay.

Mistake #1: Trying to “Rope Drop” too much

The plan for my solo trip was to rope drop the parks as much as possible, for 3 reasons:

Safety – I didn’t want to be out super late by myself (Disney World is a generally safe place, and there were many times I stayed out until after dark, but I wanted to get most things done earlier in the day, so I could be back at my resort at a reasonable time).
To avoid paying for Lightning Lanes – I remember the days of free Fastpasses, so paying for Lightning Lane is very unappealing to me. I paid for it for two days at Hollywood Studios, but didn’t want to pay hundreds to have Lightning Lane every day of my trip.

I went in August, so wanted to avoid the heat & humidity – The best times of day to visit the parks in summer are during the morning and evening. The afternoon can feel a little unbearable.

To be perfectly honest, this was easier said than done.

Because I was moving resorts a few times during my stay, I had to check out and be at the parks by opening.

Sometimes I made it to the parks for rope drop, other times I didn’t.

So, if you’re planning a split stay and expect to rope drop every day, you may want to keep this in mind.

However, if you’re not doing a split stay, this can be an effective way to save money, yet ride the more popular attractions before the ridiculous wait times.

If you’re staying at an on-site resort, and you get Early Theme Park Entry, it can be helpful.

Sometimes I utilised this perk, so I could get a popular attraction done early – without having to pay for a Lightning Lane.

disney world solo itinerary. — Frozen Ever After at Epcot

However, consider having a morning at your resort if you’re not too worried about spending most your time at the parks.

I decided to skip Early Theme Park Entry when I stayed at Beach Club, so I could spend more time enjoying the pools and the resort.

If you’re staying at any Disney resort, I’d recommend scheduling at least a little time to enjoy the amenities that you’re paying for (included in the cost of your hotel stay).

Mistake #2: Overpacking for My Solo Trip

This is a mistake – but also a necessity.

It’s a necessity because you need to make sure you have your essentials, you don’t have anyone else to borrow a hairbrush from if you forget yours!

That being said, I definitely didn’t need to take as much as I thought.

Did I need 4 pairs of Minnie ears?

No.

It was summer, so I wore a baseball cap more often than not.

And I realised that I don’t take many photos of myself very much when I’m alone. So I didn’t need lots of clothes and accessories.

That’s not to say you can’t get your photo taken on a solo trip. Lots of people use Disney PhotoPass for photos on solo trips. This is a great method but not one I used (other than for ride photos).

That being said, I would recommend taking enough clothes, so you don’t have to worry about going to the laundry room (unless you have this in the room you’re staying in).

Another reason you won’t want to overpack: if you’re doing a split stay, it’s easier if you have less stuff!

I have also been guilty of packing several Loungefly bags each trip. I didn’t do this on my solo trip, and I’d recommend not taking lots of park bags (as it can be easy to lose your park essentials when using different bags each day!).

Mistake #3: Not Scheduling Enough Down Time

It is easy to be productive on a solo trip – compared to traveling with others.

When you’re in a group of people, maybe different people want to stop at different attractions, and take the day at different paces.

On your solo trip, you can do whatever you want, at the speed you want.

It can be very appealing to try and cram as much as possible into each day of your solo Disney trip.

I’m not necessarily saying not to do this. After all, it’s your solo trip; you get to make all the decisions!

But scheduling downtime can be just as important.

Like I mentioned earlier, I realised this when I was staying at Beach Club. Rest and pool time (especially at Stormalong Bay – which has a lazy river and sand bottomed pool!) can be just as important as park time.

And it’s important to have breaks and re-charge, so you have enough energy to have intense park days (if that’s what you choose to do).

You don’t have to take an entire day to chill on your Disney solo trip.

Maybe it’s just a couple hours in the afternoon. Or a slower morning. Or an early evening at your resort.

But especially if you’re visiting in hotter and more humid months, you’ll probably need some time away from the Disney Parks chaos!

The best ways to have downtime at Disney World:

Go to the pool (if you’re staying at a Disney World resort, choose the quiet pool for a more relaxing experience. Port Orleans – French Quarter is the only resort with just one pool, so this can be more crowded).

solo disney trip cost — Leisure Pool at the Casitas – at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

If you’re taking the bus, make this time as relaxing as possible. I know, most people don’t like taking Disney buses. Especially if you’re staying at the All-Star Resorts, Coronado Springs or Animal Kingdom Lodge – and you’re relying on buses for everything. But you can make good use of this time! Assuming the bus isn’t busy, I’ll take a seat and read (usually on my phone or Kindle, though I’ll occasionally bring a physical book if I have room in my bag). This helps the time go faster, but also transports you away from the beautiful chaos for 10 minutes or so.

Take time to have a leisurely meal in air conditioning – this doesn’t have to be at a table service restaurant. Great locations include PizzaRizzo at Hollywood Studios, Pecos Bill (it can get busy here, so make sure to mobile order) and Restaurantosauraus at Animal Kingdom (which is likely closing soon along with DinoLand, U.S.A.).

disney world single rider lines — Kids’ Cheese Pizza Meal at PizzaRizzo

Watch a show (inside) – Disney World is home to a lot of great shows. And even better: they’re a great place to escape for a break in the parks! From For The First Time in Forever: A Frozen Celebration at Hollywood Studios to Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! at Animal Kingdom, there are plenty of Disney World shows to choose from.

Go to your hotel room – sometimes you just need to watch a sit com or Mickey cartoons and relax. If you have a balcony, you could also go read or enjoy the view (even some standard views at certain resorts can be great – though they’re not all made equal!).

Mistake #4: Missing Single Rider Lines

Disney World doesn’t have lots of single rider lines.

But there’s a few, and they can often reduce your wait time (though this is not guaranteed and is not always the case).

I realised I’d made this mistake when I went on Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom.

After waiting half an hour in the standby line, I realised that the single rider line was open.

Even if it only saves you 10 minutes, it’s worth doing as a solo visitor.

Disney World Attractions with Single Rider Lines

Test Track (at Epcot – this attraction is currently closed for refurbishment. We can expect this to reopen in 2025 at the earliest).

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (at Hollywood Studios. This has recently reopened after a lengthy refurbishment, so many people are riding this. The single rider line may help you wait a little less for the ride!).

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (at Hollywood Studios. Please keep in mind that this is an interactive attraction with other guests. There’s no reason not to go on this as a solo traveler, but keep this in mind, in case you’d like to avoid this type of experience).

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain (at Animal Kingdom Park).

Rise of the Resistance (at Hollywood Studios. This tends to be temporarily available. At the time of writing this post, it is open, but could go at any time).

*Please note that single rider lines can be closed at certain times, so you can’t necessarily “depend” on them. You can always ask cast members at the attractions for more information.*

Mistake #5: Taking a Park Bag that was Too Small

On my solo trip, I intended to use my carry on bag (a pretty moderatetely sized backpack) as my park bag.

I did this to begin with, but it turned out to be slightly too small, and had no compartments, making it difficult to find anything in the parks!

I ended up buying a Disney World backpack whilst I was there, because the zip was starting to break on my original bag (I was trying to carry too much in the backpack!)

Moral of the story – pack the appropriate park bag!

I recommend writing a list of things you need in your park bag, and then you can choose a bag that will comfortably fit everything!

That’s a recommendation I should’ve thought of before my solo trip!

That being said, I really like my new Disney World backpack, so this mistake wasn’t that bad in the end). 😂

And a Bonus #6: Not Packing the Right Chargers

When it comes to a solo Disney World trip, everyone has a packing checklist, but one item often slips through the cracks — the right chargers.

This is very important if you’re an international guest (like me).

I didn’t bring the the right plug or a USB charger, so I was stuck.

I had to purchase a $38 fuelrod charger at Disney World, and keep swapping them throughout the day.

I ordered USBs from Amazon, but had issues, and it took a few days for me to receive them.

This usually wouldn’t be that big of a deal, but as a solo traveler, I always wanted my phone to have plenty of charge for safety reasons.

At the end of my trip, I realised that you could be a USB charger at the Contemporary (at Fantasia Market).

So, if you forget a charger (and you’re staying at an on-site resort), go to your gift shop and ask a cast member if they have any (they were quite well hidden at the Contemporary, so I missed them earlier in my trip).

Long story short: be super prepared when it comes to phone chargers!

Types of Chargers You Need

The right plugs – some older rooms don’t have USB charging ports yet.
Portable Chargers (Power Banks): Portable chargers are a traveler’s best friend. They’re lightweight and fit right in your bag. I highly recommend the power rod. $38 is steep, but it’s a one-time initial cost. Every time your power rod loses charge, you can go and exchange it at a machine (there are plenty throughout the parks and usually one at each resort – you can check this on My Disney Experience).
USB Chargers

Frequently Asked Questions about Taking a Solo Disney World Trip

Is it weird to go to Disney World alone?

No! Going to Disney World alone isn’t weird at all.

It’s actually a great way to enjoy the park on your own terms. You don’t have to compromise on which rides to go on or how long to spend in certain areas.

Solo trips mean no waiting on others. You can enjoy parks and resorts (if you’re staying on-site) at your own pace.

Plus, there are plenty of friendly cast members and guests you can meet on your visit.

And remember it’s not uncommon for people to visit the parks alone. From cast members on their days off to other solo travelers like you and me!

How much is a solo trip to Disney World?

Wondering ‘how much is a trip to Disney World for one person’?

It’s both cheaper and more expensive than taking a trip with others.

Here’s why:

Accommodation is more expensive when you’re not splitting the cost. I would also recommend splurging a little on your hotel if your budget allows (and saving in other areas I’ll talk about in a minute). This is because safety is key! Some of the best Disney hotels for solo travelers includes: Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs, Wilderness Lodge (particularly the hotel side and Copper Creek) and Animal Kingdom Lodge. Remember you can save money on Deluxe Resorts by renting DVC points!

solo rider disney world — The lobby at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

You can spend a lot less on food. I only ate at quick service locations and pool bars (and ordered kids meals a lot of the time), so I saved a lot on food. I also ate some breakfasts and snacks in my room that I brought from home (e.g. protein bars and popcorn).

Is it safe to go to Disney World alone?

Disney World is a generally safe place to visit. But, I recommend taking extra precautions just to make sure you’re as safe as possible on your Walt Disney World solo trip, such as:

Carrying a personal alarm with you at all times (you can buy these online at places like Amazon).
Make sure you’re not staying out too late (I was always back at my resort before 11pm).
Choose a hotel with internal hallways for added safety (like I mentioned, Gran Destino Tower, Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom are some great options).

Make sure you have a spare mobile phone (in case you lose or break one on your trip. This may seem over the top, but it really gave me peace of mind).
Don’t tell everyone you meet that you’re traveling alone.

If you have any other safety tips for solo travelers at Disney World, please share! 🙂

Which Disney Park is best alone?

This will vary depending on your favourite and least favourite parks, but here are the reasons why each park is great for solo travelers (ranked best to worst):

Epcot – It’s awesome to go to Epcot alone. You can get a Virtual Queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Walk around the showcase. Try great snacks. Visit great shops. And if there’s an Epcot Festival on during your visit, that’s even better!

disney world solo travel itinerary — The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

Animal Kingdom – This park suffers from not having enough rides, but there is so much to walk around and explore. Gorgeous details, some good shows and more amazing gift shops.
Hollywood Studios – This park has single rider lines for a few attractions and the best lineup of shows. The only thing is I’d recommend considering a Lightning Lane Multipass if you’re going to Hollywood Studios, as this park does not handle crowds super well.
Magic Kingdom – This is still a great park for solo travelers. It has the most attractions and great snacks (I mean, Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Pineapple Dole Whip!). It has some iconic shows that are more geared to adults (like the Carousel of Progress and The Hall of Presidents). You can also get a Virtual Queue for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Ta Ta For Now

Navigating a solo Disney World trip can be a thrilling experience if done right.

Learning from my mistakes, can make your adventure smoother and more enjoyable.

Do you have any Disney World solo trip tips? Let us know!