So you’re thinking about going to Disney World alone. Maybe your friends bailed. Maybe your partner doesn’t “get” your obsession with tequila and talking mice.
I’ve taken more than a dozen solo trips to Disney World over the last few years. What started as a backup plan has turned into one of my favorite ways to do the parks.
Solo Disney isn’t sad. It’s elite. You get to drink what you want, ride what you want, leave when you want, and you don’t have to wait for anyone’s bathroom break. It’s freedom in theme park form.
Why Go to Disney World Alone?
Let’s be honest. Group Disney trips can feel like herding caffeinated cats. Someone’s always hungry, someone always needs the bathroom, and someone always insists that “Lightning Lanes are a scam.”
Enter solo travel. A magical land where no one questions why you’re paying $19 for a plastic-cup cocktail or rope dropping the PeopleMover.
Going to Disney alone means:
- You set the pace. Yes, that pace can include three lounge stops before noon.
- You can change plans mid-walk. Ride Everest twice. Skip the parade. Spend 45 minutes sniffing perfumes in France. No explanations needed.
- You do what feels good. That’s the whole reason.
This isn’t just a vacation. It’s a full-on main character moment, starring you and a rotating cast of themed cocktails.
Why Disney World is Perfect for Solo Adults
Disney gets a lot of attention for being “for kids,” but solo adult trips are where the magic gets real.
Here’s why Disney World is low-key one of the best solo travel destinations out there:
- Bar seating is your secret weapon. Walk into Trader Sam’s, Nomad Lounge, or Tambu Lounge while families of five cry over the Mobile Dine Walk-Up list.
- EPCOT is basically built for this. Grab a drink in Mexico and stroll the World Showcase like the international icon you are.
- Skip the fluff. You don’t need to ride Dumbo or wait 30 minutes for a photo with Olaf unless you want to. And if you do? No judgment.
- Transportation turns into a whole vibe. Monorail crawl? Skyliner loop? Friendship boats just because it’s breezy? Do it. No one’s asking when it’s their turn.
- You’re in stealth mode. Blend in, soak up the weird, and fully absorb the details you miss when you’re coordinating five other people.
Disney solo is part indulgence, part personal research mission, part excellent bar crawl. You’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
Unfamiliar with the Disney alcohol scene? Here’s how drinking works at Disney World if you’re new to it. Still choosing which park fits your solo trip vibe best? Here’s our full ranking of the best Disney World parks for adults, based on drinks, atmosphere, and solo-friendly perks.
Tips to Make the Most of It
You’re flying solo, which means you’re the CEO of your own Disney day. But even the most confident main characters need a solid strategy.
Here’s how to make the most of it:
- Use single rider lines. Test Track, Expedition Everest, and Smugglers Run are basically made for solo pros. You’ll be off the ride before a group of four even hits the pre-show.
- Mobile order everything. Skip the lines. Order your Ronto Wrap from your phone like the efficient adult you are.
- Sit at the bar. Bar seating gets you great food, strong drinks, and the kind of people watching that deserves its own docuseries.
- Talk to Cast Members. They’ve got jokes, stories, and strong opinions on the best drinks in EPCOT.
- Bring entertainment. Podcasts, audiobooks, TikTok, your Disney playlist, just don’t forget earphones.
- Take the long way. Ride the Friendship boats. Loop the Skyliner. Wander the BoardWalk. You’re not rushing. You’re vibing.
Your solo trip doesn’t have to be “productive.” It just has to be fun. And if that means sitting in Nomad Lounge for two hours with a Lamu Libation and a good book? You’re doing it right.
Plus, solo travel earns you automatic day drinker status. Join the club.
Best Bars and Lounges for Solo Travelers at Disney World
Some places just hit different when you’re alone. Here’s where to go for solo-friendly drinks, great atmosphere, and zero pressure to ride Dumbo with someone’s toddler.
Best Solo Spots in EPCOT
The World Showcase was practically built for solo wanderers. You can sip, snack, and judge other people’s drink choices in peace.
Top picks:
- La Cava del Tequila for a margarita and a victory lap on Gran Fiesta Tour
- Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar for a cozy Italian wine moment
- The koi pond in Japan with a Violet Sake in hand – pure bliss
- Shops in Japan and Morocco for solo exploration gold
- Stay for the nighttime show or dip out whenever you want
Check out our full EPCOT Drinking Around the World guide for even more drink picks and pro tips.
Best Solo Spots in Hollywood Studios
This is my favorite park for bar hopping and riding thrill rides without the wait.
Top picks:
- Galaxy’s Edge after dark when the crowds clear out
- BaseLine Tap House for beer flights and judgment-free solo snacking
- Single ride Smugglers Run and pretend you’re Han Solo (because you are)
- Oga’s Cantina at the bar, which is weirdly better when you’re by yourself
- Ride Tower of Terror solo and commit to the drama for the ride photo
Want a full bar crawl breakdown? Hit up our Hollywood Studios drinking guide next.
Best Solo Spots in Animal Kingdom
This park practically begs you to slow down, listen to the music, and vibe solo.
Top picks:
- Camp out at Nomad Lounge with sliders and a cocktail
- Ride Everest single rider as many times as your stomach allows
- Wander the walking trails at your own pace and actually read the signs
- People watch near Flame Tree BBQ with a cold Safari Amber
- Try the animation experience at Rafiki’s Planet Watch if you’re feeling artsy
This park’s bar game is strong. See our full Animal Kingdom bars guide for the full lineup.
Best Solo Spots in Magic Kingdom
Yes, you can drink here. Yes, you should still go. No, you don’t have to ride Small World.
Top picks:
- Sit-down solo meals at Skipper Canteen or Liberty Tree Tavern
- Sip a boozy cold brew at The Plaza while everyone else argues about Lightning Lane
- Ride the PeopleMover on loop for your own personal therapy session
- Sneak into Carousel of Progress with popcorn and good vibes
- Rope drop Space Mountain or TRON and leave before the stroller army invades
Yes, there’s alcohol in Magic Kingdom. Here’s where to find it.
Monorail Resort Crawl
No park ticket. No schedule. Just you, some excellent drinks, and air conditioning that hits like a gift from the gods.
Best solo stops:
- Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto (Polynesian)
Get on the waitlist at 2 PM sharp. It fills fast for a reason. The bar is small, weird, and perfect for solo sipping and people watching. - Enchanted Rose (Grand Floridian)
Sit at the bar, order something with bubbles, and pretend you’re the rich aunt everyone loves but no one really knows what she does. - Steakhouse 71 Lounge (Contemporary)
Cozy, chill, and full of grown-up cocktails. No reservation needed. No nonsense served. - Pineapple Lanai (Polynesian)
Grab a Dole Whip and enjoy it solo by the marina. Bonus points if you catch a sunset. - Fireworks view from the Poly beach or Contemporary’s fourth floor
No crowds. No chaos. Just you, the music, and whatever drink you snuck out of the lounge.
Want the full crawl itinerary? Here’s our complete Monorail Bar Crawl guide with all the best lounges, drinks, and timing tips.
Skyliner and BoardWalk Crawl for Solo Travelers
This is peak solo trip energy. Use Disney’s transportation system as your designated driver and vibe curator.
Best solo stops:
- Belle Vue Lounge (BoardWalk Inn)
Quiet. Vintage. Feels like a speakeasy that forgot to get trendy. Order a whiskey and stay a while. - AbracadaBar (BoardWalk)
A magician-themed cocktail bar with mysterious vibes and even better drinks. Go solo and soak in the weird. - Bar Riva (Riviera Resort)
Modern, open-air, and frosé-friendly. Great spot for a solo midday pause with a touch of luxury. - Banana Cabana (Caribbean Beach)
Chill, colorful, and always feels like a vacation within your vacation. Great way to end the loop if you’re keeping it casual.
Best Resorts for Solo Disney Travelers
Booking a solo trip means no debates about bunk beds or toddler tantrums. You can pick the vibe that fits your mood, your budget, and your need to be steps from tequila at all times.
Here’s where I actually stay when I go solo, and why each one slaps in its own way:
Pop Century
Solo vibe: Efficient, bright, and zero drama
Great if you want to save money without feeling like you’re trapped inside a cartoon. The rooms are small but perfect for one. The Skyliner makes it easy to hit EPCOT and Hollywood Studios fast, and the grab-and-go setup is solid when you don’t want to speak to a single human before coffee.
Bonus: Petals Pool Bar is underrated. So is the fact that no one here will ever ask you to share your fries.
Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs
Solo vibe: Chic, peaceful, and grown-up
This one feels like an actual adult vacation. The tower is sleek, the lobby is stunning, and you can get great cocktails with fireworks views from Dahlia Lounge. You also get all the perks of a full resort without having to trek around in the heat. If the weather’s gross, you can stay inside and still eat, drink, and shop like royalty.
BoardWalk Inn
Solo vibe: Fancy but not fussy
If your trip is EPCOT-heavy (and let’s be honest, it probably is), this location is clutch. You’re five minutes from International Gateway, with direct access to Skyliner resorts and all the BoardWalk bars. It’s a splurge, but when you can roll back to your room after AbracadaBar, it kind of justifies itself.
The Polynesian Village Resort
Solo vibe: Luxurious escapism with Dole Whip
If you’re in treat-yourself mode, this is the move. You’re steps from Trader Sam’s, minutes from Magic Kingdom, and surrounded by tropical chill. You can watch fireworks from the beach, monorail to other lounges, and pretend you’re on a solo honeymoon with zero emotional baggage.
Looking for more info on where to stay at Disney World? Full Disney Resort Guide for Adults here.
Embrace the Solo Vibe
The secret to a great solo trip? Lean in, hard. You’re not tagging along. You’re not missing out. You’re starring in your own theme park documentary, and the lighting is perfect.
Here’s how to own it:
- Get in the picture. Ask a Cast Member, flag down a PhotoPass photographer, or prop your phone on a trash can and use self-timer. Your future self will be glad you did.
- Do the stuff you usually skip. Spend 2 hours sipping a cold brew from Starbucks while people watching. Wander the Morocco art gallery. Watch the koi in Japan. Sit through Voices of Liberty without checking your phone every 10 seconds.
- Treat yourself. That $21 cocktail at Enchanted Rose? The solo steak at Jiko? You earned it. And you didn’t have to split it with four people who forgot to Venmo you.
- Talk to strangers, if you want. Chat with a bartender. Compliment someone’s ears. Or keep your headphones in and enjoy the silence.
- Take breaks for no reason. Ride the Skyliner in a loop. Float on the Friendship Boat just for the breeze. You don’t owe anyone your time or energy.
The vibe isn’t “alone at Disney.” The vibe is “unbothered adult living their best life with a frozen drink and no itinerary.”
What Might Feel Weird (and Why You Should Do It Anyway)
Yes, you might feel awkward for a minute. You’ll see matching shirts, proposal photos, and toddlers in Buzz Lightyear suits. But here’s the truth:
No one cares that you’re alone.
Most people are too busy melting in the sun and trying to Mobile Order nuggets to notice that you’re living your best life.
Still, here’s what might feel weird — and why you should do it anyway:
- Dining solo at table service restaurants
You deserve more than popcorn and pretzels. Sit at the bar or book a lounge. Bonus: no one’s eating your bread basket. - Character meet-and-greets
You’re an adult. You’re allowed. Mickey won’t ask where your friends are. - Watching fireworks alone
It’s peaceful and kind of perfect. No one bumping into you. No one holding up an iPad. - Riding “kid” rides
If you want to ride Dumbo, ride Dumbo. You’re surrounded by grown adults in mouse ears. You’ll be fine. - Not “doing enough”
You don’t have to rope drop and close the park. You can grab a cocktail, ride the Skyliner, and call that a day. It counts.
Solo Disney might feel weird for 10 minutes. Then it feels like magic.
Final Thoughts: You’re Gonna Crush This
A solo Disney trip isn’t weird. It’s genius.
You get to eat what you want, drink what you want, ride what you want, and leave whenever you feel like it. No group texts. No dinner debates. No splitting the check five ways because someone “only had a salad.”
Whether you’re drinking around the world in EPCOT or park-hopping with a dream and a fully charged phone, you’re about to experience Disney in a whole new way. And honestly? It might ruin group trips forever.
So pack the park bag, charge your battery pack, and head out like the confident adult you are. Disney’s waiting. Your drink is already on the bar.
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Planning your solo Disney trip?
Check out our Ultimate EPCOT Drinking Guide and Best Bars at Disney World to start mapping out your itinerary. Need more solo trip inspo? Our Disney World bucket list for adults is packed with ideas. You’ve got this.