Tips to Make a Solo Disneyland Trip Amazing
Isn’t Sleeping Beauty Castle absolutely gorgeous during the holidays? | © Serena Guentz
Disneyland is often seen as a place to be enjoyed with family and friends, but a solo trip to the Disneyland Resort can be just as fun and make for some great memories. I recently went on my first fully solo trip to Disneyland, and I loved every minute.
Because I finally had a break from school and work, I wanted to go to Disneyland before I started classes again, but with my plans being put together somewhat last minute, none of my friends were able to come with me. I live about a three and a half hours from Anaheim, so when I go to the parks, I want to stay for at least a couple days. After I confirmed that no one would be able to go with me, I decided I’d still go and have a great time on my own. I booked a hotel, put aside the money to buy my Disneyland ticket, and started counting down the days until I’d be in my happy place again.
I ended up having an amazing time on my trip, and I’m here now to share some tips that I picked up from my experience, so you can feel better about going to Disneyland alone and have a fun time!
Single Rider Line
The single rider line lets you get onto select rides faster! | © Serena Guentz
One of the main perks of going to the Disneyland Resort solo is that you get to take advantage of the single rider lines! Single rider lines are available at a number of popular attractions in both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure and can significantly reduce your wait time. Some rides have a designated single rider line, while others have a line where you enter through the ride’s exit. The easiest way to figure it out is to just ask the cast member at the start of the attraction’s queue. The cast member will then give you a single rider pass, like the one shown above, and they’ll direct you where to go from there.
This service is only offered at select attractions though, so for attractions that don’t offer a single rider line, get a FASTPASS if they are offered!
Attractions that do offer a single rider line:
Disneyland
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Splash Mountain
Indiana Jones™ Adventure
Space Mountain
Disney California Adventure
Grizzly River Run
Incredicoaster
Goofy’s Sky School
Radiator Springs Racers
PhotoPass
Here’s a fun picture of myself with Clarabelle Cow! | © Serena Guentz
I personally love taking photos, and it’s nice to have some photos of myself sometimes, especially with all the characters I meet at the Disneyland Resort. There are PhotoPass photographers all over the parks who are happy to take your photo. You can even ask them to take a photo with your phone. If there isn’t a PhotoPass photographer around when you want a photo of yourself, try asking another guest near you. Most people are definitely willing to take your photo! I got quite a few photos this way that are so fun, and I know my family were happy to see these photos of me when I returned home.
Try Something New
My attempt at drawing Piglet in the Animation Academy in DCA | © Serena Guentz
I noticed I had plenty of time to do a lot during my trip, as I didn’t have to wait on anyone else. I decided to try some new things I never had a chance to do before, or things I hadn’t done in a long time. For example, I got to try my hand at drawing Piglet (and later, Minnie Mouse as she appears in Steamboat Willie) in the Animation Academy, located inside the Animation building in Disney California Adventure. It was so much fun! Take the time to try something new! I promise, you won’t regret it.
Enjoy Doing Whatever You Want!
One of the best things about going on a solo Disneyland trip is that you can do whatever you want, whenever you want! If you want to go on a ride multiple times, go for it! If you want to get to a show early to get a good view, you can! Go ahead and eat whenever you want, and you get to decide if you want to go shopping or watch a parade or do anything else. I think I went on Matterhorn at least five or six times within the two and a half days I was in the parks. Additionally, it had been years since I actually watched Fantasmic! in its entirety, so I went to the Rivers of America a little early and was able to get a spot right at the edge of the river where I could sit and see the show perfectly. It also helped that it was just myself, as I may not have been able to find such a good spot that close with more people.
If you’re still debating on if you should go to Disneyland alone, I say DO IT! You get to use the single rider line, and you can do whatever your heart desires. It was such a great experience for me that I’m already looking forward to being able to do it again.
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