I don't always go to the Disneyland Resort alone, but, when I do, it's not awful. While Disneyland may seem like an odd place at first to go alone, it can actually be a great place to spend some alone time. Disneyland was created with the hope that it would be a world away from reality, a place where you could go and escape the real world for a while, and that's exactly what makes it a great place to be alone sometimes. There are so many different things to do by yourself at Disneyland that will still be a lot of fun, and here are five of my favorite things:
1. Attractions, Single-Rider Style
While riding attractions might not seem like the obvious choice for something to do by yourself, it can be a great opportunity to get on some attractions and only having to wait a short period of time.
California Screamin' Single Rider Line. Photo by Megan Walker.
Before I start, however, full disclosure: While you can do single rider on attractions even if you have a party of 10, you'll just be split up. For those of you who don't know, there are certain rides in both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park that offer a “single rider” line that is separate from their Fastpass or Standby lines.
California Screamin' Single Rider Pass. Photo by Megan Walker.
This line (generally) means that you are by yourself, a party of one. The point of the line is to help the cast members fill random empty seats in ride vehicles to make sure a full vehicle goes through as often as they can (a perk is it might help a single person go through fast). The attractions that have a single-rider line are:
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- Matterhorn Bobsleds (on the Fantasyland side)
- Splash Mountain
- Radiator Springs Racers
- California Screamin’
- Goofy’s Sky School
- Grizzly River Run
- Soarin’ Over California
If you're by yourself at Disneyland and desperately want to get on some attractions, utilizing the single-rider line can be of some advantage to you. While it's definitely not an immediate walk-on, it will usually cut down your wait significantly compared to waiting in the standby line.
Indiana Jones Single Rider Entrance. Photo by Megan Walker.
2. Shows
Another great thing to do when you're by yourself at Disneyland is to take in the shows. There are all kinds of shows to see and experience at the Disneyland Resort and, sometimes, when you're trying to get as many attractions done as you can, you can easily skip over these shows without thinking much about it. There are so many shows to experience, including, but not limited to, Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple, Mickey and the Magical Map, the Royal Theatre productions of Tangled or Frozen in Fantasy Faire, any of the various musicians located throughout the resort, or the Red Car Trolley News Boys.
Royal Theatre at Fantasy Faire in Disneyland. Photo by Megan Walker.
3. Food and Drinks
Who doesn't love eating their way around the Disneyland Resort? There are so many delicious different food options and snacks throughout the resort that taking some time out to try a few of them can be a fun way to spend an afternoon. Another great benefit of snacking around the parks when you're by yourself is that you can try whatever you want (this is especially useful if your usual park companion has vastly different tastes in food than you. Even better, you don't have to share.
4. Animation Academy
One of my all-time favorite things to do while at Disney California Adventure is the Animation Academy. Located in the Animation Building in Hollywoodland, the Animation Academy offers you the chance to watch a Disney animator draw some popular Disney characters while you follow along step-by-step with your own paper and pencil. Not only is this a lot of fun, but it's really easy. Even if you have no artistic talent, you will absolutely be able to create something here; the animators are great at laying out the sketch in easy-to-follow steps. Plus, you get a free souvenir of your very own Disney character sketch. While this attraction can be enjoyed with any number of people, I always have fun going in here when I'm by myself to learn something new.
Animation Academy at Disney California Adventure. Photo by Megan Walker.
5. Relaxing
Finally, being at the Disneyland Resort is considered a “vacation.” Even if you're a local, sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself at Disneyland is to relax. Get a nice cold Mint Julep, grab a bench, sit back, and relax. Enjoy the atmosphere, the sights and sounds, and everything else the resort has to offer and, above all, just have fun.
If you find yourself facing a day by yourself at Disneyland – don't fret, you can have just as much fun as if you were with your entire family. Pick what your favorite things are to do in the parks and do them anyway.
