Disneyland Freworks; beam lights; night show; sleeping beauty castle
  • On Jul 13, 2026
    Jill from CO Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    My first solo trip in July. My kids bought me an annual pass (empty nest)Nervous & excited! Worried I’ll feel sad/lonely w/out the fam/friends that have helped make DL my happy place last 30+ years. Advice on how to navigation this transition?

    Hello and welcome back to planDisney, Jill. There's something magical about the endless possibilities and different types of visits that you can have at the Disneyland Resort. Whether it's your little one's first visit, a multi-generational family visit, or a girls' trip. There's always one thing that's for certain: there will be magic and memories. 

    I'm so excited to hear that you're getting ready to embark on a new set of adventures and enter your solo era. While (like Han) I often adventure solo to the parks, I remember the first time I took the leap and made my first solo visit. It was just as nervous and excited about a new way of exploring. After several years and countless solo visits under my belt, it's hard to imagine that I ever felt any apprehension, and I'm confident you'll feel the same way. 

    While it's always an amazing feeling to share the magic with others during a visit to Disneyland, there's something to be said about going solo. The entire day is completely up to you. You get to decide exactly what you want to do and when you want to do it. Sometimes I'll just have a little snack for lunch instead of a full meal that others may have wanted if I were traveling with a group. There's even been a time (maybe even two) when I just had beignets for dinner.

    There's also a lot of flexibility if you need to make last-minute changes to your plans. Change your mind about a ride while you're in line? Just hop out of line and head in a different direction. Spontaneity is a huge perk of solo visits. I love going wherever the wind takes me. 

    And the best part? You can easily take advantage of the Single Rider line available for select attractions. A couple of my favorite attractions that offer a Single Rider line include Radiator Springs Racers, Space Mountain and Indiana Jones Adventure. You can find a list of all available attractions in the Disneyland app by navigating to the map and then filtering attractions for "Single Rider Offered." While it's not on the list and never guaranteed, there have been times when they're looking for a single rider at Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT! to fill that last space in the gantry lift.

    If you want to catch the fireworks, a nighttime spectacular or a parade, you only need to find space for one. I often find that this is so much easier than having to find a big space for a large group. 

    On my solo visits, I'll often do a lot of the things that my friends and family usually aren't as interested in. I encourage you to discover things in the park that you've never experienced. You never know, you just might surprise yourself and find something that you never thought you would. And whenever I'm traveling solo, I never feel alone. There are so many memories that I have with others around the park that it fills my heart and keeps me smiling. I'm sure this is the same for you. It's so heartwarming to hear that your kids gifted you with a Magic Key pass and the infinite opportunities that come along with it. I bet they can't wait to hear about all of the adventures that you're about to have. 

    Jill, I hope that I've shared some ideas for this new chapter you're preparing for. Come back to visit us with any other questions that you might have. It's only the beginning, and "it is just another turn of the page, and I for one think what comes next will be wondrous..."

    Michelle
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Meet the Panelist: Michelle, Oregon

Hey everyone! I'm Michelle, a Disney loving adult from the Pacific Northwest who loves to travel. Whether I'm adventuring solo, teaming up with my pals and family or making sure my husband is getting the most of his visit with accessibility; I'm here to answer your questions and share that magical feeling you'll get when visiting the Disneyland Resort. Learn More About Michelle

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