Going Solo

Over the course of the past year and a half of intense coastering I've found several days when I've had to go to parks alone (missed friend, cancellation, or nobody available to go).

As a single person, I've found going to a restaurant, theater or film is relatively easy alone, but theme parks are not. I've been pitied ("poor guy is all alone"), ridiculed ("who would go to a theme park alone???"), and even blocked from entering in one instance ("we don't allow single adults in without children").

My question is, HOW many you have done or would do parks solo if you had no other option?

My desire to ride overrides any other feelings or snide looks/comments, but I have friends who think going alone to a theme park is awful.

I understand their view, but the thought of NOT experiencing it is worse than having to ride solo.

Any opinions or stories to add on this topic?
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"You have to scale a lot of lift hills to coast easily..."

Jason

I went to Hershey and Knoebels a few times without my girlfriend this year. Sure it isn't the same as if your with a group or friend but there is always that empty seat in the front of that B&M that needs to be filled. Usually I seem to find traveling ACErs someone to hangout with. At Knoebels I usually talk to the ride ops while waiting. Somtimes letting people go in front of me to keep chatting. I found you can usually find someone to hand out with.

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Parks Hit For 2000! PKD, BGW,DP,HP,PKI,HW,SFKK,SFA,GAdv,SFNE,LC,GE,QP,CDP,LP,KG,SFO,WG,GE,KW,IW,WL,CI

Well having only been out in DC for about a year, I dont know many people out here who are coaster fans. At the beginning of the season, I bought season passes to SFA for myself and my cousins. However, my cousins kept faking everytime we were supposed to go. After about 4 cancellations I just said "Forget it!" and went by myself. I've been up to SFA alone about 6-7 times this year. I'm kinda shy, so I dont usually make in depth conversations with the ops. Whenever, I feel lonely, I just think about the other things that I would be doing besides coaster riding....The alternative often pales in comparison. BTW: I also went to SFGAm alone once this year.
jeremy
funny though, I still dont like going to the movies alone

I've done the single thing several times and had a blast every time. I've done it at Disney parks, IOA, USF, and Seaworld (season passes and ID's help). Almost every ride anymore ends up having a singles line [or you find a group of 3 college girls and they need one more to fill the row, oops hope my wife isn't reading :-)].

I also like to go to theme parks just to watch people, at least when I have an annual pass. The overall atmosphere at a park is just the escape I need sometimes. You also don't have to try to please everyone you're with and go where they want to go next. It's all about you and how many times you want to ride each coaster!

-Shady

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Remember, no matter where you go...there you are. *** This post was edited by Shady Z on 10/10/2000. ***

I've gone alone and usually have a great time. It is really nice not having to compromise with anybody else and go on what I want, when I want, and as much as I want. Sometimes I just like to wander around and people watch or poke around areas that others may not be interested in going to. Not everybody has as keen an interest in amusement parks and it is hard make people understand the thrill of trying to peak behind the fence or go check out the new paint job on whatever ride. That having been said, I've also experienced the "look at that weirdo going to a park alone" kind of attitude and it does make me feel weird sometimes. I find that I avoid a lot of the rides where it is very obvious that you're alone. A lot of flat rides fit this category but roller coasters aren't a problem. People don't know if your alone or if your companions just aren't riding or your group just can't all sit together or what. I'm not the most outgoing person so I've never really tried hooking up with other "loners" out there or making chit chat with the ride ops.

I went to several parks by myself this year (and will again on Saturday -- SFO ACE thing). You pretty much always find someone to hook up with, and even if you don't, it's not a big deal.

Yes, sometimes you feel a bit weird. But usually I'm having so much fun, that it just doesn't get to me.

In at least one way it's BETTER -- you can drive your own pace, with nobody to slow you down :) When your normal riding partner can't handle any of the spin-n-spews, gets headaches, and gets tired, sometimes you end up riding alone ANYWAY ;)



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--Greg

http://www.pobox.com/~gregleg/

I know this topic has been brought up before... But my opinion, I agree with millrace and Shady. I usually make a point every year to go to my favorite parks by myself (KW & CP) at least once every season. I use this time wisely to capture some really fantastic photos and browse the gift shops, which I never seem to have time to do when I go with others, as they grow impatient. I also utilize this time to up my coaster counts!

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Neil
Pittsburgh, PA
www.geocities.com/neildeweese

I went to PKI, CP, HW, and MA this summer alone. Had a real good time. Like others have said, I was able to do multiple rides of whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. I would have most likely heard "Again? But we just went on Raven 3 times in a row." Also by chance, met up with 2 ACEr's at MA in line for Shivering Timbers. At the other parks, it was easy enough to strike up a conversation with whoever was in line near me. I would simply ask what thay thought of the coaster we were in line for and would tell them that I was here from California, just to ride coasters. If they thought I was a freak, at least they did not say it to my face!

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Gotta ride 'em all!

My father lives in Indiana and refuses to got to the parks by himself , he likes to have somebody there that he cares about or something with him , says it enhaces the ride and helps him to get scared a little .

I frequetly end up going to SFA by myself, though, 2Hostyl, if you ever want to hook
up just drop me line. I really dosen't bother me to much, as I am having too much fun to care, and I usually chat a the ride ops or someone in line, if there is a line:).
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Six Flags America IS a Six Flags park!

I go to every park I visit by myself, none of my companions like roller coasters.

I always love company(esp. first time riders ;),
but it's worst a Kennywood not to have a buddy.
"Any single riders? Any? Come on... Singles? This guy needs a partner..."

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Fear the Wrath of the Phantom!

Thanks guys, for your replies.

If I sounded maudlin in my post I didn't mean to. I always have fun by myself because of the joy of riding, but I was indeed curious to see other's reactions and experiences.


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"You have to scale a lot of lift hills to coast easily..."

Jason

I went to florida for a week for my vacation last year. I had the time of my life. Got to do what I wanted when I wanted and got to ride everything over and over and over again without anyone telling me they wanted to do something else.

I LOVE going alone. Mind you, not every time, but a few times a year, its great doing every little thing your way at the park the whole day.

A ride is a ride, alone or with someone.If somebody won't go with you thet are the one who is missing out!!!!!!!!




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There's no speed limit on the highway to hell.

I live in Orlando and have annuals to all of the local parks. While it is nice to go with others it I am going to make a day of it, many times I will just stop by Sea World or IOA on my way to another place (or even on my way to work) and get a few rides in.

I like doing it as I can get through the lines faster as a single rider and I can spend my time going on the rides that I want to ride.

-brad

I, too, am a shy person by nature, and don't like going to movies alone or things like that. But none of my friends like coasters like I do. My boyfriend usually goes with me, but he complains the whole time. So this year, for the first time, I went to Darien Lake by myself a few times. I felt a little akward standing in line for s:ros, but I got over it and had a great time. Also, I just moved to Orlando, and I can't wait to visit all the parks here. My bf is already rolling his eyes and balking at the idea. I'll probably end up going anyway, with or without him... :)

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Intamin all the way!

Everytime I go to a park I end up riding all the coasters by myself because my family is to scared. They claim they just don't think coasters are fun but I know they are really afraid.
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"Fear the Four!"

At Cedar Point, it's not very uncommon to see a lone rider. It's cool too, because if you are by yourself, sometimes the ride ops will let you skip waiting in line, and even get up front without a wait.