7 Easy Ways to Plan an Amazing Day at a Theme Park Alone (Solo Travel Guide)

Now that you’ve decided to take the leap and live out your theme park adventures alone, it’s time to make the most of your trip.

Everyone has tips out there for the average theme park goer, but what about you, the solo theme park hopper?

Let’s look at ways to plan the most amazing solo trip to an amusement park.

Universal Orlando Resort Globe in front of Universal Studios Arches and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit with NikkyJ. Keep reading to learn how to go to a theme park alone.

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Solo Travel for Introverts

You may notice when you’re with your friends you’re more involved in the conversation, but when you’re alone you’re pleasantly nudged to spark up a conversation with someone waiting in an attraction line with you.

Disney Wilderness Lodge Resort NikkyJ performing on stage at Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue. Keep reading to learn how to go to a theme park alone.
Me getting pulled on the stage at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Fort Wilderness Campgrounds.

Sometimes I want to talk and sometimes I don’t.

Theme parks are my refuge…

My peace…

…my Theme Park Therapy.

NikkyJ The Solo Theme Park Traveler's Guide Quote: The Freedom of Wandering throughout the magical parks alone, allows you to create the story you want to have!

It goes without saying that my solo trips to parks like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld, and more are quite refreshing.

However, there are moments when I want to reach out to others in the park, but the introvert inside of me has to push through my own self-limiting thoughts and strike up a conversation.

Read NEXT: How to talk to people when traveling by yourself here!

How Do You Plan Your Day at a Theme Park Alone?

Now that you know how to push past the fear of traveling alone, let me give you a few tips on how to plan the best solo trip to a theme park!

1. Decide When You Want to Go

The slow season, mid-January to late February, for theme park hopping in central Florida is a rather quick one in my opinion.

Regardless of the short time frame, it is quite a wonderful time for solo travelers to come to the parks.

You’re more likely to find other theme park solo travelers or smaller groups of travelers looking to meet other similar enthusiasts too.

Recommended: The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide

2. Decide What Type of Day You Want to Have

Decide if you’re going to do a half-day, whole day, or complete vacation (three days or more).

Since you may be scared to travel solo, you’ll want to ease your way into this type of travel.

Try arriving to your favorite theme park prior to your party, then do a couple of hours alone to see if you like traveling by yourself.

This may just convince you to try a whole day at another theme park alone!

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3. Meet Other Solo Travelers

You can join our Solo Theme Park Traveler’s group to connect with other traveling alone to theme parks.

You should also check online resources for any theme park groups who may have an event schedule during your trip.

ThemeParkHipsters with NikkyJ at Disney Magic Kingdom it's a small world ride.
New friendships formed from MeetUp.com

MeetUp groups are a perfect way to find others who truly enjoy some of the things you may be into.

Join the Conversation on the Solo Disney Traveler Community on Facebook!

4. Set a Budget for Your Solo Theme Park Trip

Before you even walk through those park gates, rather for one day or one week, you should have a budget set on how much you plan to spend. 

For example, what percentage of your total vacation budget will go to:

WATCH NEXT: How to afford a Solo Disney Trip (even if you’re broke)!

5. Map Out Your Day at the Park

If you’re planning to have to total fun-filled day, then have an ideal of what attractions you want to experience and in what order.

Universal Orlando Resort Lagoon with park map overlooking velocicoaster at Islands of Adventure

Also set a time that you’d like to get to the park by.

Going to a park on your own really can be a great experience, especially for locals. I recommend starting with your favorite park and plan to go for only a short amount of time. It feels like a short escape from reality and it’s delightful to wrap yourself in the magic of the parks.

Anne, Winter Park, Florida

Be sure route your path around the park in advance by downloading a map online or on your phone.

WATCH NEXT: Top 5 BEST Quick Service Restaurants at Epcot!

6. Decide What Kind of Day You Want to Have

Do you want to have a coaster filled day or do you want to have a day dedicated to watching shows.

You can even do a day of tasting a dish at each food kiosk inside of the park.

7. Book Your Reservations Prior to Your Trip

Many special tours, restaurants, character dining experiences, and adventure-based attractions (such as the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line at Gatorland) recommend or require reservations.

Doing a special tour is also a great way to not be distracted at the fact that you’re traveling alone.

Universal Studios VIP Experience

A great solo tour for any theme park goer is the Keys to the Kingdom tour. It takes you on a thorough behind-the-scenes tour of the Magic Kingdom.

NikkyJ in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom. Keep reading to learn how to go to a theme park alone.

The VIP Experience is also an option and gives you an in-depth guided tour throughout Universal Studios.

Disney one-day game plan itinerary
Download your Disney one-day game plan itinerary by clicking image!

Busch Gardens Tampa offers so many tours that a lot of people are not aware of, including a Keeper for the Day tour.

You can check out the Complete Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Guide for a list of each tour.

Recommended: The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide

My Final Thoughts on Going to a Theme Park Alone

Having a positive outlook on the explorations ahead will make the anticipation much greater.

This will result in a memorable trip filled with small, multiple victories conquered within you. 

The excitement of your theme park vacation should lead you on a path into discovering what solo travel can do for your inner spirit.

For you, I now have The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide for theme park hopping alone.

In this handbook I wanted to share with you all how to confidently travel by yourself to any theme park in the world!

Get the Solo Guide Below!

Solo Theme Park Traveler's Guide. Keep reading to learn how to go to a theme park alone.
Click image to grab your copy today!

Going to theme parks alone improves your inner self because you have to:

  • figure out what to do
  • how to do it
  • how to enjoy it pushing pass the anxiety or fear

I hope this post has given you some tips and a brand-new light on how to go to theme parks alone.

Travel Guide to How to Plan a Day at a Theme Park Alone with Red Roller Coaster in the background of an amusement park.
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Now go enjoy Disney, Universal, Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, Cedar Point, or any park in the world ALONE!

Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

Hoop Dee Doo Revue NikkyJ Dinner Show Disney World. Author bio of theme park expert Nikida Metellus.

About the Author

My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!

Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.

Connect with me on Instagram!

(Original Article March 8, 2017/Updated February 3, 2024)

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