Are you looking for the best Disney World tips for your solo trip?
Solo traveling can be a most daunting task, especially at Walt Disney World. It can be overwhelming, intimidating and even jarring at times.
One wonders where you would need to start with dining, flights, tips, and safety precautions.
Thankfully, you have me, a seasoned Walt Disney World Passholder and expert to give you some of my favorite tips when it comes to navigating the Wide World of Disney.
They may seem small but they could mean great comfort or assistance to you.
Let’s dive in together and hopefully you can gain some newfound knowledge or tips!
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Tip #1 Arrive to the Park 1 hour before Park Open
If you aren’t an early riser like myself, this may be a challenging one for you to achieve, but trust that it is worth doing.
Usually, you are able to enter the parks one hour prior to park opening but are simply held to a certain point.
For example, at Magic Kingdom, you can go up to the castle hub, but will be held there until park open.
This gives everyone time to get breakfast at the Main Street Bakery, take a look at what to buy loved ones at Emporium or prepare to rush over to the rides that you simply must get out of the way.
Doing this sets you up for a successful park day and allows you to get everything you really want to get done complete by lunchtime.
It also allows you to not have to be at the park until it closes, unless that’s what you wish to do.
This tip in particular is mainly done by Annual Passholders, so consider this a very special one!
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Tip #2 Know the Best Time to Visit Disney World
This tip is especially important because it’s a determining factor when it comes to getting a deal if you are staying on property, buying tickets, etc.
Usually, the value season gives you a chance to save a bit of money vs. the high season where you will have to deal with higher crowds, the possibility of not being able to get a park pass reservation or dining reservation or long wait times.
From my experience, the best times to visit Walt Disney World are
- Second week of January after News Years Day through Mid-February
- Mid-April to Early May
- Late August to Mid-September
- First two weeks of December
Recommended: The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide
During these times, you can anticipate low crowds, especially for the Epcot festivals, package or room only deals for these timeframes (particularly late August and September when Food and Wine Festival is happening).
The chances of you getting the exact park reservations that you want are much higher too as long as you plan ahead and accordingly.
Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!
Tip #3 Use Disney Gift Cards
This tip has been another lifesaver for my wallet!
If you are a shopaholic like me, this one will keep your debit or credit card from weeping and could even save you more money in the long run.
I started using Disney gift cards for the Epcot festivals to make sure I only spent a certain amount of money on food, beverages and merchandise during my time there.
The amount would truly depend on the person, but I say a safe number for all of this total would be between $100-$150.
Upon further research, I learned that if you buy gift cards in bulk from stores such as Costco, you can get a deal and use those to pay of your resort stays.
Keeping your goods on a Disney gift card allows you to have some self-control and keep you from screaming at your bank statement once you come back from your vacation.
This is one of the best Disney tips for your solo trip!
Tip #4 Keep Your Park Bag Ready to Go
Have you ever heard the phrase “A workman is only as good as his tools”? The same rhetoric applies with this tip.
It is important to find the perfect park bag to have with you where you won’t be weighed down by your necessities or feel like it’s a burden to carry everything around with you.
The goal here is to save money by not using the theme park lockers and save you time.
This mainly because it would truly be a pain to realize you forgot something in your bag that’s in a locker and have to go all the way to the front of the park to retrieve it.
There is an article shared on ThemeParkHipster by the fabulous NikkyJ about what you should have in your park bag which aligns perfectly with what I would have in my own bag.
Check out that amazing resource and consider using this bag as your go to park bag.
- [Large Capacity and Organized] Tzowla backpack has one separate laptop compartment that can hold any laptop up to 15.6 inch. It also has one spacious compartment for storing any item like daily necessities, tech related items, accessories, toiletries and many more. The front compartment comprises of many pockets, key hook to store your item in an organized manner and easier to find.
- [USB and Headphone Port] This backpack has external USB port with built-in charging cable offers convenient charging your cellphone by connecting your own power bank. The headphone port outside gives easy access to Earphone usage as well.
- [Anti-Theft Design] This backpack has fixed password lock and sturdy metal zippers. You can rest assured that the items inside are safe and secure without worrying about theft.
- [Multipurpose Design] This backpack is made up of high-quality polyester fabric material and comfortable wide padded shoulder strap design which makes it easy to carry around. It is also unisex design and has various built-in compartments as well which makes it perfect for daily use at office and travel.(This product is suitable for people over 15 years old.)
- [Sturdy] The outer dimensions are 18.5 x 11.8 x 5.9in（47 x 30 x 15cm）and made up of water resistant 300D outer nylon and a protected soft cushioned inside give exceptional sturdiness and longevity. The tough materials will withstand ripping and abrasion, ensuring a long-lasting use. It can also carry your equipment like water bottle, tablets, journal, pen, cellphone, etc.
This one features a charging port and lock so you won’t have to worry about thieves trying to grab your things or worry about carrying a portable charger or buying one from Disney.
This is one the most important Disney World tips to remember for your solo trip.
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Tip # 5 Be Aware of the Park Policies
This tip is a fairly new addition to my many lists of tips that a solo traveler should keep in mind when it comes to traveling solo in our post pandemic world.
It is thoroughly important to understand that Disney has adjusted their policies not only for the safety of their guests, but for the safety of their Cast Members as well.
Remember that when you buy a ticket for the parks, you are signing an agreement to obey the rules of the Disney parks is important.
This one of the most important Disney tips for solo travelers to remember.
Ready to start planning your next Disney World vacation? Listen to the latest podcast episode on Apple or on your non-Apple device now!
New Disney Rules to Be Aware Of for Your Visit
There are a few new things to keep in mind before your solo Disney trip.
No More Temperatures Will Be Checked
You will no longer be required to have your temperature checked upon entry into all of the parks and Disney Springs.
Restrictions With Resort Hopping
Resort hopping will be limited unless you are a resort guest or have a dining reservation at said resort.
To be completely prepared for your park visit and to understand completely the policies, take a peek here.
Preparation and research is always going to be the key to a successful solo trip.
WATCH NEXT: Top 5 BEST Quick Service Restaurants at Epcot!
My Final Thoughts on Your Solo Disney World Trip
These are just a few of the solo Disney World tips I felt were the most important to share for our solo traveler readers for the current timeframe.
Hopefully, you have gained some wisdom, insight and knowledge from these tools.
I look forward to sharing more tips with you regarding solo travel to the other surrounding theme parks with you in the future!
What is your number one solo Disney travel tip? Share with us in our Facebook group!
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
Victoria is a professional solo traveler here to make your solo trips as stress free AND enjoyable as possible for you.
She has over 5 years of Disney and Non-Disney travel experience and was featured by POPSUGAR as one of the Top 50 Black Disney Creators you should follow.
She is a Proud Native to Baltimore, Md but always will call Disney World home.
Planning a trip soon? If so, read the Disney Vacation Planning Guide for your next dream trip!
(Original Article Date: June 2, 2021/Updated on February 3, 2024)