A LESSON IN PERSONAL GROWTH:
Why Everyone Should Go to Disneyland Alone at Least Once
A solo trip to the happiest place on earth unexpectedly changed my life—and it might do the same for you!
When you think of Disney, you probably picture a specific group of people you’d go with — right? Without those people, would you go on the same rides? Eat the same foods? Stop and take pictures at the same places? Have as much fun?
I never pictured myself going to Disneyland alone, but honestly, it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life — all by accident.
A girl in California with nowhere to be…
It all started out when I traveled to California for a friend’s wedding. I arrived a couple of days early to see my college roommate who lived in Burbank. She is definitely my “Disney Best Friend”, but unfortunately had work and couldn’t come with me, so I’d effectively crossed it off of my list of possibilities for the trip.
We finished our breakfast at a cute little cafe before saying our goodbyes as she headed off to work, and I was left sitting in my very-badly parallel-parked rental car.
It was 9 A.M., and I didn’t have to be at the wedding dinner until about 7 P.M., but my Airbnb wouldn’t let me check in until 5:30. It was just me, myself, and this rental car until then, so I thought about my options.
I could go to the beach, I could check out a museum, or… I could go to Disneyland.
But — could I?
Could I go by myself when it’s designated as “the happiest place on earth”, and the place you always see cute group pictures with family and friends making forever memories while wearing clothes you can only wear to Disneyland and still call yourself a normal person?
I figured all of my possible destinations were along the same route anyway, so I got on the 5 and pondered my options.
To be fair, this was one of the most peaceful days of my life because I had the opportunity to have these as my options — a privilege to be sure.
Did I really want to go to the beach today? Did I want to go to a museum? Somehow these options alone sounded even more daunting for an introvert than Disney.
I also felt torn because I didn’t have all day, and if I was going to spend money on a ticket, it should be worth it.
After about half an hour in the car, I started to see exit signs for Disneyland…
I was going.
I took the exit and followed the signs to the parking structure, where I waited in line to pay. This was in the middle of June, at 9:30 in the morning, and it was absolutely packed.
The weather was beautiful, and as I sat in line waiting to pay for my parking, I thought over and over “what am I doing?” and “this is insane!” — but it was too late to back out, literally.
After I paid for parking, I figured I might as well just buy a ticket on my phone to save time at the entrance of the parks. I bought it, found my spot, and pulled my rental car in.
I put on some sunscreen — safety first — and grabbed my cross-body bag to take with me. I made sure I had the keys (can you imagine?), noted where the car was (it was on the top floor of the parking structure, A.K.A. the surface of the sun both in distance from the park entrance and in temperature) and headed off to find the tram.
While waiting in line, I was extremely aware that I was alone, surrounded by groups of friends and families. I remember nervously looking at my phone and texting a few people, but after a little while, I just got used to it.
I felt… surprisingly comfortable being alone.
I go to movies alone regularly (my mom thinks I’m nuts) but I feel like going to a theme park is an entirely different ball game.
I finally made it to the park entrance and realized… Disneyland was my oyster.
I remember standing on main street thinking to myself, “I can do whatever I want…” and somehow that was an incredibly freeing feeling. Not that going with friends is restrictive, but there’s usually a plan.
As an adult, having a moment where you can just do whatever you want — even for a few hours — is incredible.
Here are my top reasons why a solo Disney trip should be in your future:
(…Once the world opens up, of course!)
#1: You make the schedule
Do you want to go to California Adventure later? And then back to Disney because that’s where you have a FastPass to next? Do it!
Do you want to sit and enjoy the scenery and just do some people watching instead of rushing around from ride-to-ride? Do it!
You choose your rides, you choose your pace, you are in control of your destiny.
My “Disney Best Friend” has a Tumblr where she posts Disney photography and she said she enjoyed being alone in the park for a bit so she could just stop and take note of the little details you wouldn’t otherwise notice while rushing from ride to ride!
#2: Food, Food, Food
Do you want to eat 3 churros in an hour? Do you want to stop for a Dole whip in between each ride? Please do.
If you’re there with other people you might put it off instead of making a nonsensical bee-line to whatever you want at the moment. When you’re by yourself, impulse control goes out the window.
Pro-tip: You can now order your food ahead of time on the Disneyland app to save time — order it when you’re leaving to go pick it up, and it’ll be ready by the time you get there!
#3: Crowd Control and Mobility
Have you ever tried to make it the full way through Adventureland (think Indiana Jones) on a crowded day? That street is not meant for crowds, and when going with a group of friends, we usually avoid it at all costs since it’s just too busy.
When you’re by yourself, you can take the scenic route — quite literally — because you only have to worry about keeping track of yourself and not bumping into others. It’s quite easy to do, and you aren’t constantly checking to make sure one of your friends hasn’t been distracted or left behind.
#4: Single Rider + FastPass = Winning
If you know how to work the FastPass system at Disney, you’re already winning. Get a pass, know the time you can get the next one, and make sure you’ve got them stacked and ready to go.
If you couple that strategy with Single Rider, you will be able to go on every ride you want in only a few hours. Here is a list of rides that offer single rider so you can plan it out ahead of time — wait time is usually under 10 minutes, even on a busy day.
I think I waited 15 to get on Space Mountain once, but then decided to get straight back on it again and went 3 times in the span of 45 minutes!
Pro tip: If you can’t find the single rider entrance (usually near the exit) just ask one of the cast members working the regular entrance and they’ll point you in the right direction.
By the time 4 P.M. rolled around, I was exhausted, but not in a bad way:
I had eaten my weight in Dole whips, explored, experienced all the rides I wanted — some multiple times — and I was ready to make the long trek to my car to get ready for the wedding dinner.
Normally it can take days to experience everything Disney has to offer, but I did it in record time all by myself.
My last ride was Guardians of the Galaxy in California Adventure — and let me tell you — riding that one alone the first time since it changed over from Tower of Terror was an experience.
I was ready to leave, fairly sunburned despite all of my sunscreen applications, but also somewhat sad that I wouldn’t get to experience my favorite part of Disney — seeing it lit up at night with all the lights, sounds, and extra magic.
I knew I’d save that for another time, and thought about how great my day was as I wandered the top floor of the parking garage looking for my generic rental car that everyone else had picked out as well.
I finally found it, got back on the highway, found my Airbnb, and made it to the wedding celebration.
Needless to say, it was probably one of the most magical days of my life.
I somehow can’t fully articulate it, but I grew an immense amount that day in bravery, self-confidence, and overall decision-making skills. It may sound simple and silly, but I can’t recommend it enough.
Try it — you might just find some solo magic you weren’t expecting!
Thanks for reading!
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