Feeling discriminated against... :(

[Chuckers]

My only observation is that I have never once had a character interact with me at a character meal. For a long time I thought it was only for children. I remember years and years ago when my niece (who was not with me) loved Pluto. I was at a character meal when Pluto was there and I would have loved to have gotten a picture to send to her.

I do the Crystal Palace character breakfast and the Tusker House character breakfast every trip. The characters have ALWAYS come around for pictures and interaction. And they've been just as animated with me as with the kids at the next table.... but then they probably see me a big kid. They do have a set pattern they travel and if you're not at your table when they come by, you will be passed.

 

[bumbershoot]

Saw this come up on that recommended post thing. I have been a solo traveler in the past and will be again. I have also had trips with kid+husband, just kid, extended family, and just my cousin.

Some cast members were wonderful and even remembered my name but the rest I wanted to tell off and sometimes my character interactions were short and rushed.

FWIW my son and husband, who love caharacters, have had shor and rushed interactions sometimes. And my kid was super-cute when little (still cute, just not little-kid cute). With Disney characters, though, THEY just don't know how to extend the interaction. Over at Universal when DH meets Rogue and Storm, they can talk for 5 minutes. But even with DH's fave Captain Hook there's just not way to extend it.

So really, that's not a solo problem.

It could also be that you're just suffering from what I call happy family syndrome. You think everyone is having a better time than you because they are with their loved ones. I have a great cure for that disease-
Plan a Disney trip with no less than 3 generations. Include one hotel snob and one cheapskate. And your sister in law or aunt who is hated by everyone. At least one kid who gets violently motion sick and one kid who wants to ride everything. Your father or grandfather, who hates crowds. That weird cousin who thinks Disney is a foul corporation that brainwashes children to serve the devil. Your mother who just wants to spend the whooole time in fantasyland. Then try to do everything together- lodging, meals, fast passes, bathroom breaks.

Guaranteed cure. You will never want to do Disney with other people

YES YES YES YES YES.

(I was that weird cousin for a long LONG time. Still sort of am. Very conflicted. )

it would be awkward to be seated with a stranger, on BTMRR you would be sliding into them, or Dumbo, teacups, Splash Mtn, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, Pooh

If someone is trying to sit next to you on those (not sure about Splash), the people sent into the line behind you have misunderstood completely.

Interesting note: When I was a daily Disneylander, I questioned why they removed the single rider line form Toy Story Mania (it really irked me.) I was told that many parents complained that their child was seated with a stranger on the ride. So, CM's tried hard to seat singles only with adults. But that didn't work. I guess parents don't mind their kids sitting with strangers on other rides tho.. like California Screamin'.... (maybe because it wasn't a dark ride where 'things could happen')

I've heard that excuse too. I don't believe it. Oh wait, I believe it as much as I believe that Jack Sparrow was fired because of soccer moms.

I'm also disappointed. I was generally not in the SR line, but as the boring mom in a party of 3, I was on the alone side. I *loved* having a SR with me!!!

And it's hardly dark, and you have people all around you, and at any second you're going to swirl around and move to some other area, and there are cameras everywhere...

If i were to guess the difference, it's that Toy Story is more of a social experience than most rides. You're basically playing the game with the person next to you. Even if you never say a word to each other, the game makes it a shared interaction which adds at least a little more awkwardness.

NO, the shared interaction made it AWESOME! Not awkward. "Hi, oh yeah my family is on the other side of the ride vehicle OR I'm having a trip all to myself, so have you ever ridden this before?" It was almost always "no", and so I would give my tips and tricks, and we would laugh and have a GREAT time.

 

[Westcoastwild]

Saw this come up on that recommended post thing. I have been a solo traveler in the past and will be again. I have also had trips with kid+husband, just kid, extended family, and just my cousin.




FWIW my son and husband, who love caharacters, have had shor and rushed interactions sometimes. And my kid was super-cute when little (still cute, just not little-kid cute). With Disney characters, though, THEY just don't know how to extend the interaction. Over at Universal when DH meets Rogue and Storm, they can talk for 5 minutes. But even with DH's fave Captain Hook there's just not way to extend it.

So really, that's not a solo problem.



YES YES YES YES YES.

(I was that weird cousin for a long LONG time. Still sort of am. Very conflicted. )



If someone is trying to sit next to you on those (not sure about Splash), the people sent into the line behind you have misunderstood completely.



I've heard that excuse too. I don't believe it. Oh wait, I believe it as much as I believe that Jack Sparrow was fired because of soccer moms.

I'm also disappointed. I was generally not in the SR line, but as the boring mom in a party of 3, I was on the alone side. I *loved* having a SR with me!!!

And it's hardly dark, and you have people all around you, and at any second you're going to swirl around and move to some other area, and there are cameras everywhere...



NO, the shared interaction made it AWESOME! Not awkward. "Hi, oh yeah my family is on the other side of the ride vehicle OR I'm having a trip all to myself, so have you ever ridden this before?" It was almost always "no", and so I would give my tips and tricks, and we would laugh and have a GREAT time.

I had no idea that once had a single rider line!! That would make that ride so much better. I don't particularly want to sit next to a stranger on the "peaceful" rides because it is kind of awkward just sitting in silence. But I love it on the thrill rides. I don't buy that excuse at all- I mean there's such an obvious response and it's one they use all the time- if you don't find your kid old enough to ride by himself, ma'am, you should not allow him in the single rider line because you won't be seated together.

I bet it's more likely they found that it made the line to long to be practical- single rider works best on the people eaters and it sucks on the slow line rides.

 

[MIGrandma]

I hope to get the chance to do a solo trip in the future. DH and I have gone several times, my Mom and I went together once, our adult DD went with me once, and we went with extended family/in-laws another time as well. All were great trips, unforgettable memories. But. I have wondered what a solo trip would be like, and DH and I have discussed it. Sometime when we vacation in Florida he's going to drop me off at Disney and he will go to Daytona Beach. I would love 3-4 nights by myself at my favorite resort, Port Orleans Riverside. And to be able to do "whatever I want to, whenever I want to" would be awesome, and not having to worry about what anyone else wants to do.

To be able to ride the rides I want to, see the shows I want to, etc. And to spend time in the back part of EPCOT, touring the countries, and going at my own pace. Shopping where and when I want to, spending a lot of time at Downtown Disney, well I guess it's Disney Springs now.

I wouldn't worry about restaurants though, even when we went with extended family the dinner reservations wasn't important to me. We did eat at several restaurants (Crystal Palace, Akershus, Coral Reef, Be My Guest, 50's Prime Time, etc. but I would have been just as happy with counter service. Food isn't the reason I enjoy Disney, I would prefer a quick meal at a counter service place, or even just grab something from one of the kiosks, and get on with my day. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the food court at my resort, and even get "dinner to do" and eat in my room while unwinding after a day in the parks.

As for photos with the characters, if I wanted to do it I wouldn't let anyone put a damper on my enjoyment of it. About the only two characters I might want photos with would be Pooh and Stitch, and I already have them so might not even stand in line for them again. But I've done it, and didn't care what anyone else thought. I'll be 60 this summer and I'm old enough now not to give a hoot what anyone else thinks, especially strangers that I will never see again in my lifetime. As far as getting enough interaction with a character, I don't really care about that. Just a quick photo and hug is enough for me.

OP, sorry you felt discriminated against on your solo trip, but next time don't worry about it. It's their problem, not yours, unless you let them make it yours.

 

[Jamie77]

I am new member of disboards and I am huge Disney World fan and I mainly go for the characters like Goofy, Donald, Mickey Ect. but I recently just came back from a week vacation at Disney World, I am a sliver passholder, and I felt like I was being judged everywhere I went from seeing Pluto at Hollywood Studios to seeing Goofy and even getting on the rides was horrible because it was like no one wanted to sit next to me. Just because a tall black guy wants to get his picture taken with Goofy doesn't mean I am a freak. I always travel solo and I love it but sometimes I hate it because I have to say only 1 when I meet a character or get on a ride and always get strange looks. I'm there like everyone else there, to have a good time and not worry about reality for a few hours. I was dancing with Pluto at Hollywood Studios to the kiddy tune that was playing and cast members were talking among themselves looking at me and strange looks come again. Some cast members were wonderful and even remembered my name but the rest I wanted to tell off and sometimes my character interactions were short and rushed. I go there because I feel happy and the hugs and it's very comforting. I don't care about the other families wanting a turn because I'm not there for them, I'm there for me. I'm just sick of it and making regret ever buying this pass because if i can't be myself there...I'll just go else where, where I feel accepted and not left out.

I'm a black woman who has been going to WDW solo for 13 years. In fact, I'm going in July for 8 days of fun in the sun (and some rainy days, too!). I've never felt discriminated against. I get to talk with people in line and sometimes it works out that I will see them some other time during the week, too. On one trip, a 14 year old blonde girl needed another single rider to be with her at the front car of Rock 'n Rollercoaster. After that ride, she stuck to me like glue. She didn't know me from Eve! After that, she called her mom and said, "I'm with this really nice lady and we're about to ride the Terror of Terror together." We rode ToT twice on the very front row. If I had not met her, I would have never had those experiences because I never get assigned to anywhere near the front of these rides. I have met a rude CM or two along the way, but I never felt it was because they thought I was a freak for being solo. I'm a lone duck most of the time and feel more comfortable being with myself than others anyway, so there's that.

 

[Jamie77]

It could also be that you're just suffering from what I call happy family syndrome. You think everyone is having a better time than you because they are with their loved ones. I have a great cure for that disease-
Plan a Disney trip with no less than 3 generations. Include one hotel snob and one cheapskate. And your sister in law or aunt who is hated by everyone. At least one kid who gets violently motion sick and one kid who wants to ride everything. Your father or grandfather, who hates crowds. That weird cousin who thinks Disney is a foul corporation that brainwashes children to serve the devil. Your mother who just wants to spend the whooole time in fantasyland. Then try to do everything together- lodging, meals, fast passes, bathroom breaks.

Guaranteed cure. You will never want to do Disney with other people again

I got a good dose of that in 2002 when I went with my family to WDW for the first time. That was the straw that broke the camel's back and I have been going solo ever since. No matter how many times I try to go to WDW with anyone I miss out on a lot of experiences because these folks come with a bag of issues.

 

[Jamie77]

Lol! Well...I have family like that, but I quietly vacation by myself for that reason. My mother is the kind of person who would plan a trip like that- she's big on family togetherness. Before college it would have bothered me to travel solo, because I assumed other families were more...normal, shall we say. But no. The people who do those multigenerational trips are crazy and a lot more miserable then solo travelers like me. (Although admittedly, the only reason I get out of taking them along, is that they know I stay in cheap hotels or camp, and spend a disproportionate amount of time in museums or outside. My entire family is the hotel snob. I've stayed at luxury hotels, and I appreciate them, but I'd rather go somewhere for 2 weeks than 4 days).

I'm a hotel snob, but only at WDW. It's mainly because on my solo trips, it's the one time I can do everything I want to do without having to wait on other people to get their act together. I want everything under one roof with as many amenities as possible. I can afford deluxe when I'm by myself because I'm not paying for everyone else. Wilderness Lodge is my hotel of choice but this year I'm giving the WDW Dolphin a try. I'm trying to not have to wait on so many busses this trip. I may even do that Express Bus thing. It's also kind of my solo tradition to walk to/from Epcot and the Studios so this will be right in my wheelhouse.

 

[Jamie77]

As a solo visitor I generally prefer not to be seated on a ride with a stranger - I will do the few single rider lines when they are available, and expect to get put with someone on 7DMT, but other than that it would be awkward to be seated with a stranger, on BTMRR you would be sliding into them, or Dumbo, teacups, Splash Mtn, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, Pooh, etc - give me my own space! Sometimes they do go overboard - like Pirates or Small World could fit more than one in a row, but that is the way they seat people.

Other than 7DMT, I have never been seated with anyone on these rides in my 13 year solo history. Does this happen?

 

[Jamie77]

My only observation is that I have never once had a character interact with me at a character meal.

I wish that could be the case for me. I booked a Tusker House lunch when it was a character-free lunch. Sometime in the months after I booked it, the lunch hours were changed to a character meal. I was disappointed to see that but I had waited over an hour in the pouring rain to be let inside. It never occurred to me that this may have been the reason why I had to wait so long. That was a new experience for me. Once inside, I told a few CMs that I did NOT want characters coming to my table. They said they would let the characters know. EVERY CHARACTER CAME TO MY TABLE. A few came over more than once. Donald and Daisy made a point of kissing me (kissing sounds). I'm thinking the CMs played a joke on me.

 

[stink]

I am new member of disboards and I am huge Disney World fan and I mainly go for the characters like Goofy, Donald, Mickey Ect. but I recently just came back from a week vacation at Disney World, I am a sliver passholder, and I felt like I was being judged everywhere I went from seeing Pluto at Hollywood Studios to seeing Goofy and even getting on the rides was horrible because it was like no one wanted to sit next to me. Just because a tall black guy wants to get his picture taken with Goofy doesn't mean I am a freak. I always travel solo and I love it but sometimes I hate it because I have to say only 1 when I meet a character or get on a ride and always get strange looks. I'm there like everyone else there, to have a good time and not worry about reality for a few hours. I was dancing with Pluto at Hollywood Studios to the kiddy tune that was playing and cast members were talking among themselves looking at me and strange looks come again. Some cast members were wonderful and even remembered my name but the rest I wanted to tell off and sometimes my character interactions were short and rushed. I go there because I feel happy and the hugs and it's very comforting. I don't care about the other families wanting a turn because I'm not there for them, I'm there for me. I'm just sick of it and making regret ever buying this pass because if i can't be myself there...I'll just go else where, where I feel accepted and not left out.

I have felt rushed at character meet and greets going solo and with another adult. The interaction when I have taken my nephews is much longer and more in depth than solo or just adults. I have gotten strange looks when I get on Dumbo by myself. But I just smile.

What I have done to improve the character meet and greets as a solo or with only adults is to start a conversation revolving around the character. Kenny the pirate has a boat load of suggestions found here http://www.kennythepirate.com/disney-world-character-schedules/character-interaction-ideas/

The characters have always responded really well when using those lines or similar lines and they do not seem to rush the interaction. I have had great conversation with Alice and Mary Poppins, Jasmine and Aladdin in EPCOT.

 

[Westcoastwild]

Other than 7DMT, I have never been seated with anyone on these rides in my 13 year solo history. Does this happen?

Last time I was seated with someone on either BTMR or splash. Pretty sure it was BTMR, though.

In Paris I was seated with someone in one of the kiddie rides. That was awkward. But that's Paris, and it's never happens in the US parks.

 

[BudgieMama]

I relate to the experience of waiting in line to meet characters and then being rushed through as a solo (adult female in my case), even though I waited my turn in line like everyone else, and waited as families or kids received much longer interactions. But the cast members may not realize that you want a longer interaction or more pictures with the characters, unless you tell them. So now when this is the case, I may say something like, "I really like Character X. Would you please take a whole bunch of pictures?" I don't always end up with as much time as I want, but letting them know what I'm looking for, helps in most instances.

That is so helpful. I've often meet characters solo (DH doesn't want to, so he rides whilst I meet) and I had a few that were rushed when I didn't want them to be... and some that were awesome. Thinking back, my most awesome ones were all my Donald meets (I made a point of meeting him in all four parks last time) and probably because I was SO excited to see him, because he's my favourite, that they got not to rush me. Genuinely got some fantastic pictures... I did the meet with Daisy and Donald at DHS and (politely) asked Daisy to step out of the a photo once we'd had some all together so I could have one just with Donald, and she was so funny about it (in a good way). I do wish the photographer had done a wider shot too, as I know off camera is Daisy with her hands on her hips looking most disapprovingly at us!

 

[quandrea]

I'll sit with you! I always ride alone too because we do baby swap in our family. I'm always thrilled to chat with whomever I'm seated with. Keep at it. Don't let anyone get you down. Next time you're at the parks, look for the crazy, tall, curly haired mom with glasses. I'll be happy to share a ride and some conversation!

 

[arminnie]

Decades and decades ago I went to Disneyland for an afternoon with a business associate. He and I were seated in tandem on the Matterhorn. It was embarrassing for both of us. He was a married man that I barely knew. And there we were with me sitting between his legs.

 

[Chuckers]

I was NEVER seated with anyone on Big Thunder. Plus, if they ever tried to sit someone with me, I would tell them no. I did Disneyland alone for over 4 years and was never seated with a stranger on any ride where there was not a divider in the seat. Toy Story being the exception, but the restraints are individual, so I don't count that.

 

[Chuckers]

I've heard that excuse too. I don't believe it. Oh wait, I believe it as much as I believe that Jack Sparrow was fired because of soccer moms.

I'm also disappointed. I was generally not in the SR line, but as the boring mom in a party of 3, I was on the alone side. I *loved* having a SR with me!!!

And it's hardly dark, and you have people all around you, and at any second you're going to swirl around and move to some other area, and there are cameras everywhere...

NO, the shared interaction made it AWESOME! Not awkward. "Hi, oh yeah my family is on the other side of the ride vehicle OR I'm having a trip all to myself, so have you ever ridden this before?" It was almost always "no", and so I would give my tips and tricks, and we would laugh and have a GREAT time.

Totally different situation.. A) you're not technically a single rider, you're a party of 3 and B) you're an adult woman. Think of me.. a single 50 year old man (that often had his gay pride tattoos showing) going on a family/kids ride, assigned a seat with a 10 year old boy.. You think that wouldn't raise eyebrows with some over protective parents who, on this ride, can not see their child once in the car? If they wanted a made up excuse, they could have easily said the line was being abused by large groups deciding to skip the regular line and all go single, because the line was always shorter, then demanding to be put in the same car. (Which happened frequently)

 

[KittyKitty]

I've been on many solo trips as well as with family/friends. Now I am one to talk to strangers in line. I've had families shy away from me sometimes.I just think it's their issue not mine(Ha). But many more times families have been great. Talking to the adults 1st may make the difference. And now that I'm over 60, I look like a grandma.

 

[SimonSez]

If i were to guess the difference, it's that Toy Story is more of a social experience than most rides. You're basically playing the game with the person next to you. Even if you never say a word to each other, the game makes it a shared interaction which adds at least a little more awkwardness.

This happened to me once. The guy got confused and ended up with me in my car lol. It was kinda awkward at first, but we soon got into the game part and it wasn't a problem. To add, I was in a party of 3 so one of us would end up sitting alone, or in my case with an accidental stranger

 

[StageTek]

What I take from this thread is it all comes down to the person. I am a frequent solo traveler
yet I have never noticed what some people say here.

I am asked if I'd like to sit at the bar; some feel this is being pushed on them, some feel
coerced. I don't. I know the host is thinking about me – often sitting at the bar with other
solo diners allows conversation – and not trying to save a table. I've been asked by the CM
seating me about the rest of my party. I don't see this as a slight – I see it as caring about
me as a guest.

I have never felt others were watching me or judging me or even noticing me. When I go
with my family or my friends we don't notice solo travelers so I assume no one is paying
any attention to me. THEY are the center of their visit – not me.

I'm with “Chuckers”. The times I have been asked (usually while in lines and usually because
I initiate a conversation) about being there alone I say what he says. It's personality. I LOVE
going alone.

And I have had the same experience as Jamie77 – I stopped going to character meals because
EVERY CHARACTER COMES TO MY TABLE. Now I love the characters (I was on when I was a
young man) but it was too much attention while I was eating.

My personal issue are the characters who I really love; I'm a huge fan of Ariel, Belle and Mary
Poppins. But I'm a older man and I feel a little “creepy” getting a picture with them. Not their
fault, not Disney's fault; it's my issue. And I'm certain that none of the performers playing
those characters would think of me as creepy. It comes down to the person.

I'm glad you've reconsidered, TripleB909. As you said, you're there for you. Enjoy yourself.

 

[amberpi]

I've been solo, most commonly with a romantic partner, but also girls trips, family trips, and twice even with children (that was weird, lol). I hate you felt left out. I travel for work A LOT, I'm on the road more than I'm at home. But please don't be offended if people don't talk to you in line, etc. I don't. I don't care to speak to anyone at WDW more than the CMs in the capacities they serve to enjoy the parks. I'll talk to travel companions, but I'm completely happy on my own. When people randomly talk to me in public I say the bare minimum to be polite and I'm done. If someone asks for directions - I'll help, but people trying to chat in the lines just get a big bunch of nope. You can't expect anyone to want to engage with you. I mean, we have smart phones, even us solo travels can engage with all our friends and loved ones not on the trip at the tip of fingers. I'd rather play a heated game of words with friends while in a rat maze line, than swap chit chat with a random stranger (s)- yuck So, just know, people are just doing their own thing, having their own experience and hopefully you'll keep going solo or with companions, and can enjoy your own thing too! The Dis is super fun for Disney lovers, so welcome!!!