Originally Posted By Audrey I spent the day alone in Disneyland this last May as my friends were not meeting up with me until the evening. I thought I would love having the time to do whatever I wanted, and at first it was very nice. However, I did find that I got lonely after a while. I didn't have anyone to talk to after the rides or shows to share my opinions with. The advice from others about sitting and people watching is good, and I also found that seeing the shows that maybe I ordinarily don't take the time to watch was a good way to pass the time. Oh, and shopping alone is also fun. However, I don't think I will ever try Disneyland solo again, I have more fun with a friend. Just my opinion!
Originally Posted By chilifries I love this topic. Everyone's comments bring different angles and colors to the park. I travelled solo not long ago and followed 8th Dwarf's advice, about taking one's time, sitting in a nice place and watching the diverse people walking by, listening to the words people are saying, sipping on a coffee, and just enjoying spending some relaxing time in the happiest place on earth. When taking your time, you really notice things you wouldn't have seen before and sometimes people and places take on a more dreamy kind of state (call it a natural high!). I wandered in and out of places -- caught the last half of Billy Ray and the Hillbillies before I knew who they were. Wandered down the forested path past the Big Thunder Mountain RR, hearing the rattling of the rails and delighted screams of its passengers. Turned back and got on. Enjoyed a dole whip and watched the carts roll by and setup, selling roses, and lighted hoops and other shiny trinkets. I really enjoyed moving past cast members as they chatted amongst themselves and catching snippets of conversations -- like: "And so I promised that I would take him (using finger quotes) behind the scenes" "You have to remember that having a sense of humor can sometimes be missunderstood as something else" "She asked me if we sold red colored light up roses but I told her we don't have any" "And then just when it really started shaking -- he raised both his arms in the air and went "aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!" But the most interesting conversation I heard was unavoidably right next to me when a teen called her mother: "Hi mom, yeah I'm here right now! We're standing in line at the Haunted Mansion! But... I have to tell you that uh... well, we couldn't find him at all, so uh, I went ahead and used your card to buy our tickets to get in.... that's ok right? I mean -- they're really expensive but we couldn't get in. I mean we couldn't find him and we needed tickets right? And I'm gonna get you a really neat souvenir! So you're not mad are you?" Thankfully she wasn't!
Originally Posted By ShivaThDestroyer chilifries, (great name!!) I've never been to DL solo so I'm not really sure exactly how it would be. The DW and I usually visit for about a week each time we go and start off by getting our fix of the E-Ticket rides over the first 2-3 days and then slow down and enjoy the park much as you have described. I'm one of those people who loves DL whether it's hot, cold , sunny, rainy, few guests or extremely crowded. I've always referred to it as different flavors instead of colors but we both mean the same thing. Disney Joy was right though, yours was a very nice post and shows a side to the park that many people miss. I really enjoyed reading your post!
Originally Posted By EighthDwarf Thanks chilifries. I too enjoy listening to the conversations that go on all around you at Disneyland (and you picked up on some entertaining ones). And they're much easier to listen to when you are alone. One of the greatest things about Disneyland is that there are so many people from all different walks of life there having very different experiences. Tapping into what's going with others helps me gain a little perspective on my own life. That makes Disneyland a lot more than just an amusement park for me.
Originally Posted By chilifries People at LP are kewl! There's so many posts to read and catch up on. Audrey- I agree -- going solo can be a bit alone-ish at times. Perhaps when you are with a group, you might all split up on one day or afternoon and then meet back together at the end to talk about your experiences. Or as others have done -- arrive at the park one day earlier and then you can traverse knowing that you can look forward to the rest of the vacation with your friends. Thanks DisneyJoy and all for your gracious comments! Shiva - so true! The rain and other weather brings a different theme to the park altogether. It must be fantastic to have an enthused partner with you to share the time-slowing pace of the Disney park. Like the 'flavors' angle. Have to jot that one down! 8thDwarf - Agreed - your comments make me remember all the different flavors of CM's I listened to, chatted with and otherwise got to smile at. Like CM Ray(?) (am bad with names) at the Adventureland Bazaar - who's italian american and winks at everyone who comes to his counter, then looks them in the eye with one raised eyebrow exclaiming: "How you doin?", because he's a fan of a certain tv show and enjoys making people smile even if they don't know who Joey Tribbiani is (which usually generates a friendly but concise explanation).
