Your views on going to parks solo?

I personally really enjoy solo visits to parks. I love the freedom of choosing what to go on when, and most importantly picking which days to go. I have made 6 trips to parks so far this year (3x CP 2x SFGAm 1x WoF) and only the WoF trip was with some other people. And that trip got a big MEH compared to my solo trips (and not because of the rides at the park). Anyways, what are your views on the subject? *** Edited 6/14/2005 10:43:32 PM UTC by Raging_Bull*** *** Edited 6/15/2005 1:48:51 AM UTC by Raging_Bull***

I'm the exact opposite: I hate going alone. I always prefer to be with friends.

Why does going with friends mean you can't have the freedom to ride what you want when you want? Are you attached at the hip to your friends?

When I go to parks with friends we hang out together if what we want to do is in sync or split up to fulfill our individual wants and meet up again later.

I prefer neither, or is it that I prefer both.

As stated going alone allows you to whatever you want, and you get the park done faster since there is no long drawn out group decision making.

However, when you go with a group you have their company the entire day and standing in lines is much more enjoyable (since you know youre in for a good conversation before you meet your "line mates").

Bottom line: Going to parks is fun regardless :)

I've done a lot of solo trips. There are good and bad points to both. I think being with friends makes a day at a busy park much more enjoyable.

I mostly go alone because not many of my friends are into coasters like me, or have the time to go on a trip. I've taken friends up to my home park, SFGAm, and always have a better time. I got a friend to go with me last year to a few parks and had a great time. I also just got back from a trip up to the dells with my girlfriend and it was a blast!

On the flip side, since I do so many parks by myself, your family will but you in charge at any park. I had to lead 8 people through EPCOT one day, all of them looking at me for what to do next. The pressure!!

Point is, with people is probably better, but alone and rollercoasters is also good.

...unless you come upon single-rider rules. Try going to Kennywood alone! Or sitting in a lot of coaster's back rows when you're at a park solo.

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Mamoosh said:
...unless you come upon single-rider rules. Try going to Kennywood alone! Or sitting in a lot of coaster's back rows when you're at a park solo.

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I agree, when I was at CP I bypassed much of the line at TTD on many occasions due to being a single rider. Once, I had just entered the station, and they called for a single rider and I got a front row ride with no station wait.

I'm usually solo, but I try to meet up with people if at all possible.

I take a lot of solo side-visits when on business trips, and the few events I've attended have been solo, because my kids aren't yet old enough to ride past midnight. Other than that (and the very infrequent "me time" visits to my local park) I'd much rather go with other folks, and usually family.

When I go with my family, I am stuck in "kiddie-land" and I don't have a good time. My wife suffers from severe motion-sickness. Unfortunately, my friends aren't into it and sometimes enjoy teasing me about it. Sadly, I go alone.

My oldest only crested 48" last october, but even before then, my rule of thumb was that I never rode anything without at least one of the kids. All too soon, they'll be too cool to hang out with dad for the day.

At my home parks I rather go with people

When visiting park i've never been or rarely go to...i'd rather go solo

Don't be too sure, Brian. Mine are 21 and 23, and we still manage a trip or two to the park each year with at least one of the kids. Although I do miss the days when it was all new to them at say, 8 and 10.

I've also done my share of solo visits, and I much prefer friends and family. Mostly, it's just me and my wife.

As far as single riders for the front seat, I have jumped ship on those same friends and family. It's worth it to spend the day with all the *****ing for that incredible cheek flap on TTD! :)

I actually made my first solo venture to a park last Friday morning. Kim had to work and I didn't feel like going up to Coaster Madness by myself, so I went to Hersheypark for a couple of hours. It was actually kind of lame not having anyone to hang out with and talk to. I think that will be the last time I do that.

I go solo quite often. My family doesn't like coasters or anything that goes very high so they don't go except once a year or so.

I try to look for other singles when riding to help capacity and sometimes I'll match up with an odd numbered group if they're the friendly sort.

I've met a few other regulars at SFGAm and often let them know if I'm headed for the park and we hook up when it works out for their schedules.

Brian Noble: Ridng coasters with my kids kept me cool much longer than would have been the case otherwise.

I prefer going with friends, but I often go solo, especially when I'm traveling on business. Weekend before last, I went to the Dells by myself instead of sitting around Peoria with nothing to do. Much better. Did bump into and visit with other enthusiasts at Mr. Olympus, so I didn't feel completely alone.

If you are with a group that is willing to split up for at least part of the day to allow people to do different things, then a group can be a good thing.

If you do fine with your own company and your own agenda, then solo is good.

My personal preference is to go with one person who has similar tastes and endurance. More than that involves trying to coordinate seatings or waiting by the exit, neither of which I'm terribly fond of. If there are only the two of you then you're going to be able to get on just about any ride(s) at the same time, and if you like the same things you'll both have a good time without feeling as though the other person is holding you back or that you are abandoning someone to his/her fate.

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Brad G said:
I go solo quite often. My family doesn't like coasters or anything that goes very high so they don't go except once a year or so.

I try to look for other singles when riding to help capacity and sometimes I'll match up with an odd numbered group if they're the friendly sort.

I've met a few other regulars at SFGAm and often let them know if I'm headed for the park and we hook up when it works out for their schedules.

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I'm pretty much a regular at SFGAm as well, I go about once a week usually on Weds or Thurs. I'm going tomorrow actually, should be fun.

I, like Moosh, prefer the company of friends. The reality for me is that if I have to stand in line, I'd prefer to have someone interesting to share the boredom with. Hopefully, we won't talk about coasters, rolling stock, and g-forces the entire time either. I prefer to enjoy parks with people who lean more towards fun/friendship than enthusiast/geeks.

And when all else fails, he goes on a trip with me ;)

Going solo isn't bad if I plan it that way. I had a lot of fun by myself at HP last Halloween. I also did PPP with some friends and their daughter last fall-- we did the afternoon together, and I stayed for the evening on my own. The whole day was fun, and the evening wouldn't have been any fun with a 4-year old in tow.

What bugs me is when I'm with some people at a park and I end up alone because they all wus out after 2 hours or so. (We paid 30 bucks to be here, I want to go on more than 3 rides!!! Take Advil ahead of time if you think you're going to get a headache) But then I usually end up going on many more rides afterwards than I probably would have hemming and hawing over what to go on next and which way to go with a group.