The Disney properties are typically regarded as family vacation destinations, with a focus on multi-generational fun for all ages. While family and friend group vacations are certainly the norm at Walt Disney World, more and more adults are venturing to the parks on their own – including me! In fact, adults have always been taking trips to the Disney properties. Walt himself referred to them as “oldsters” at Disneyland– adults who would visit the parks while their kids are in school.

My first solo adventure at Walt Disney World was actually just one evening at EPCOT while my travel buddy was feeling too tired to head back out. (This was my first trip post-Covid and I was not wasting a moment!) I bopped around the World Showcase enjoying a few drinks and snacks, and explored the empty pavilions. My next dabble was a solo day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on a family trip, while the rest of the group did pool or golf days. After these minor forays, I made the deep dive down the rabbit hole, and haven’t really looked back. There is a lot to consider when thinking about a solo trip (or maybe you are just “solo-curious”) and I’ll review the things I took into consideration, along with my personal strategy when it comes to traveling to Walt Disney World as a single rider.

Air Travel and Resort Transportation

I live in New England, and I have very few options for direct flights to Orlando. Thankfully more have been added recently to my local airport, but for the past couple of years I have endured many a layover on my way to/from MCO. In addition to the cost of the flight, I am also looking at the location and length of the layover. Some airports are easier to navigate than others, and I have a few personal preferences based on my familiarity with the location and prior connections. On the East Coast, I am always going to choose to connect through JFK or LGA in New York over Newark or Regan, primarily because of how the airlines are spaced out at different terminals. Ever had to catch a bus to get to your next gate? Never again, Newark. Never. Again.

Resort transportation options cover rideshare, taxi, personal car service, or Mears Connect shuttle service, and my usual choice when traveling solo is Mears Connect. Experiences can vary a bit and have read some stories of long waits, though the service is always professional. Personally, my wait time has ranged from 10 minutes to 30 minutes for bus arrival with anywhere from 1-4 stops before my resort. This will cost you $16 per person ($32 roundtrip), and is the most economical option. Lyft/Uber is also available and rideshare costs will run anywhere from $30 to $45 during peak times. I prefer to save the money on the total cost and relax a bit on the bus ride to property. I also have had a couple of rather odd experiences where my Lyft or Uber driver got lost on Disney property, and I had to direct them to the resort I was staying at. Walt Disney World is private property and google maps will not route drivers through there regularly, so if your driver happens to be unfamiliar with Disney property (and you are too), you could be in for one wild ride.

Which is faster? Lyft or Uber (or taxi or a personal car service) is faster by far, and it’s not even close. It is about a 30-minute ride to Disney property from MCO, and I budget 90 minutes from gate to resort when using Mears. With rideshare or car service, it is closer to 45 minutes from gate to resort.

Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance

Traveling by yourself means you can prioritize the things you really want to do. But what ARE those things? When it comes to Disney World, take the time to consider how long you’re willing to wait in line for any given attraction, and which things are the most important that you feel you MUST accomplish at some point on your trip. This will allow you to plan whether or not you’ll want to purchase MultiPass or Individual Lightning Lanes – Disney’s skip the line service, or perhaps Rope Drop the parks to check off some of the more popular rides with lower wait times.

Some simple things to acquaint yourself with before going are the park operating times, park transportation options from your resort (yes, it varies depending on where you stay!), park maps (and specifically where the Joffrey’s stands are), and where to find this information if you forget (when in doubt, always check the My Disney Experience App).

PIVOT!!

One of the main perks of traveling solo is the ability to go with the flow and change gears when you want or need to. While I do recommend planning out a few things on your trip and in general knowing your priorities and where things are, being able and willing to pivot from those plans is where the fun really begins. Walt Disney World is an operational behemoth, and attractions or shows can close temporarily or have showtimes cancelled with little to no notice, for a variety of reasons – weather, technology, guest behavior, you name it. When you are traveling solo, you don’t need to consult with anyone but yourself about what your next move is. Space Mountain not launching? Put me on the PeopleMover. Tower of Terror not dropping? Maybe I grab a snack and a Joffrey’s, and catch the next showing of Beauty and the Beast right next door. These are perfect pivots, and doing a little prep work to know where things are makes these transitions easier.

I once missed the bus from Coronado Springs Resort to Hollywood Studios, and rather than simply waiting for the next bus, I headed over to Three Bridges for a light dinner, winding up at Hollywood Studios two hours later for some evening fun. I was able to try out a new lounge at my resort without a reservation (keep reading to hear about dining!), still made it to Hollywood Studios later, and didn’t use up any precious Disney time discussing other options with a group. Win-win!

No Reservations

Potentially my favorite thing about planning a solo trip to Disney World is watching my 60-day Advanced Dining Reservations (ADR) window come and go without batting an eye. When you are traveling with a group, this particular morning is as high stakes as they come, with many popular locations already full due to earlier bookings, or lacking any normal dining hour availability – dinner at 9p for a family of 4? Probably not ideal.

As a solo diner, you have a greater ability to walk up to bar or lounge seating without needing any sort of reservation. If you do enjoy solo sit-down meals and are unable to score reservations for a party of 1 or 2, you can try to pop over to the restaurant earlier in the day (if they are open) and see if they have anything available day-of. With more flexibility in your day, this is easier to do. For certain restaurants like Cinderella’s Royal Table or Space 220 Lounge, you may still want to wake up for that early ADR window for a coveted reservation, if those are must-do eats for you.

Single Rider Queues and “Party of One” Calls

There are several single rider queues at Disney World, and the specific operations of these queues can and do change occasionally. As of April 11, 2025 the attractions with single rider queues are:

• Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (NEW)
• Rock’n’Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith
• Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
• Rise of the Resistance*
• Test Track (currently closed for refurbishment, reopening Summer 2025)

*Rise of the Resistance’s single rider queue does cut off the pre-show and transport portion of the attraction. If this is your first time riding, or if you want to experience the entire attraction from start to finish, this single ride queue is not for you.

If you find yourself in the standby line, pay attention as you near the loading area. Cast members frequently call out for parties of one to round out a ride vehicle and it truly feels like you’re having a “Price is Right” moment when you (politely) skip past a dozen or so guests in front of you. (This happens often at Avatar: Flight of Passage!)

Pro Tip: One “sneaky single rider queue” that is very much a hit or miss can be found on Space Mountain. The standby queue will split into the left and right rides when you get to the larger loading area. If you let the cast member there know you are a single rider, they may have you walk around the last leg of the queue, which can save about 7-10 minutes depending on how busy things are.

Soak it all in

Focusing on your priorities and utilizing single rider queues to save time in your day opens up a world of possibilities beyond attractions at Walt Disney World. These parks are highly immersive, and when you take a break from the mad dashes between rides, you will find pieces of Disney history mixed with details that bring these stories to life.

Some of my favorite ways to luxuriate at the parks include:

• At Animal Kingdom, explore the animal viewing walking paths, including the Tree of Life Trails that snake through Discovery Island. You might even meet a character or two as you explore.
• At Hollywood Studios, grab a Joffrey’s coffee and check out the hand prints and signatures in cement outside of the Chinese Theater, with the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Roger Rabbit, and Mary Tyler Moore.
• At EPCOT, watch a performance of Forces of Nature by AntiGravity in the World Celebration gardens. This act is a real highlight of the International Festival of the Arts as well.
• At Magic Kingdom, take a stroll down Main Street USA and take in all of the details in the second floor windows. You might find a few nods to Disney history, like the Seven Summits Expeditions window, “For those who want to do it all,” which is a tribute to the late Frank Wells, President of the Walt Disney Company 1984-1994.

You’re surrounded by other DisNerds

Regardless of how long your trip is, odds are you are not taking a vow of silence on vacation and will more than likely find yourself chatting with other guests at some point. Whether in line, at a bar or lounge, or stuck in a delayed queue (it happens!), this is a great opportunity to broaden your horizons and strike up conversations with total strangers. You all have at least one thing in common because you’re all at the same place!

(If the idea of talking to a stranger just made you physically cringe, download the Play Disney Parks app before your trip. Many of the newer queues have games that you can play while you wait, and there is always trivia to help pass the time.)

Hot Takes

I skip a few attractions when I go to Disney by myself, in favor of nerding out on the things I find more enjoyable. I am unlikely to ride Smuggler’s Run (always the engineer), Kali River Rapids (don’t want to get soaked), or It’s A Small World (sorry, not sorry) when I am on a solo trip. These rides have their own drawbacks for me, and I don’t need to consult with anyone about skipping them. I am going to ride Living with the Land at least once, maybe twice, and I am definitely taking the train out to Rafiki’s Conservation Station at Animal Kingdom to pet goats and participate in the Animation Experience.

Take the Leap!

Traveling anywhere by yourself can have a profound impact on your life, in ways that you wouldn’t expect. From tackling travel anxieties, to eating a meal (or several) by yourself, to even – gasp – talking to strangers! – you might find that you are more capable doing difficult or uncomfortable things than you realize. And, it’s kind of fun to do the impossible.

“Your life can be life changing anywhere, as long as you pay attention to it.”

 – Former Imagineer and Disney Legend, Joe Rohde. (Lou Mongello’s WDW Radio Episode #800. “Joe Rohde: Our Conversation on Art, Wildlife, and Culture.” 09/09/2024.). WDW Radio # 800 – Joe Rohde: Our Conversation on Art, Wildlife, and Culture – WDW Radio

Ready to start planning a solo trip to the Disney properties? Let’s map out your next Magical Quest today!