I have no friends but want to go to an amusement park. Would it be weird to go alone?
A travelling carnival/amusement park is coming to my town next month. My life is seriously boring. I'm middle aged with social anxiety. I haven't had any kind of fun outing for the past 15 years or so. No vacations, no trips to the beach, no cafes, no nothing--just work and chores. I'm in a rut and have nothing to look forward to, and no good memories to look back on.
I want to go to this amusement park, but I literally have nobody to go with. I know people joke about having no friends, but I actually have ZERO contacts in my phone aside from customer service numbers. The thought of going alone makes me feel embarrassed. Most of the people there will be in groups or families; teenagers will probably laugh at me. I know you'll tell me the other people won't notice or care, that they're only interested in their own fun, but I'm still insecure and know I'll look like a loser. Like I said, I'm middle-aged. Would I look like a sex offender if I walk around the park alone? Every other man there my age will have kids with them.
What happens on the rides? Take this octopus ride for example. Would I be able to have an entire car for myself or would I have to sit next to strangers (assuming there's a busy queue)? Would the carnival works let me sit in the car alone even though two seats are being wasted?
You want to hear something pathetic? I don't drive and walk everywhere (my job is within walking distance) For my trip to the amusement park, I plan on taking the double-decker city bus and I'm actually excited about taking the bus.
if you were me, would you go alone?
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 78 | March 19, 2023 7:29 PM
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Go alone. Fuck anyone else. Hell is other people.
by Anonymous | reply 1 | March 16, 2023 11:10 PM
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Go, OP. Life is worth living. I just went to the movies alone this week to see Cocaine Bear. More people are in your boat than you think.
If you do go, please come back to this thread and tell us about your day. 🙂
by Anonymous | reply 2 | March 16, 2023 11:12 PM
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I’ve been to a couple of amusement parks alone
Pro: Single rider lines are faster.
Cons: None
by Anonymous | reply 3 | March 16, 2023 11:13 PM
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Have to preface saying I am a giant nerd.
On a business trip to Florida, I went to Universal/Harry Potter (HP was the reason) and I had a great time. I didn't notice a lot of single people (hard to really tell), but I did notice a lot of childless adults, so go for it.
by Anonymous | reply 4 | March 16, 2023 11:14 PM
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Go at opening time so there will be just a few visitors to witness your shame.
by Anonymous | reply 5 | March 16, 2023 11:15 PM
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You go and you have a nice time. xo.
by Anonymous | reply 6 | March 16, 2023 11:20 PM
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No one will be noticing you, especially if they're with people.
Being alone in almost any situation can be bliss.
by Anonymous | reply 7 | March 16, 2023 11:22 PM
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No one knows you're alone.
For all they know, your friends could be off grabbing a bite while you enjoy a ride. Go.
by Anonymous | reply 8 | March 16, 2023 11:23 PM
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I go to these things with my siblings and their kids. I tend to drift off, people watching, riding rides if I feel like it. Have a big lemonade or an elephant ear.
I don’t feel noticed or mocked.
You can have fun.
by Anonymous | reply 9 | March 16, 2023 11:29 PM
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Wear your sluttiest clothes (think ONJ from Grease) and flirt with all the ride operators.
by Anonymous | reply 10 | March 16, 2023 11:30 PM
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What’s “elephant ear”, precious? What’s “elephant ear”?
by Anonymous | reply 11 | March 16, 2023 11:31 PM
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For R11. I've never heard it called that (must be a regional thing), but the food itself it common, and I've had it.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 12 | March 16, 2023 11:45 PM
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I live in a town with an amusement park and walk through it almost daily during the season to get my steps in. Nobody cares.
by Anonymous | reply 13 | March 16, 2023 11:46 PM
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OP, I could have made this exact post last summer. I really wanted to ride the big merry-go-round and feel like I was a kid again.
I didn't go.
Go.
by Anonymous | reply 15 | March 16, 2023 11:50 PM
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Go. Enjoy the day. I go plenty of places alone. My partner of decades has high social anxiety. Sometimes I insist he comes along. Usually I don’t press it.
by Anonymous | reply 16 | March 16, 2023 11:53 PM
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[quote}What happens on the rides? Take this octopus ride for example. Would I be able to have an entire car for myself or would I have to sit next to strangers (assuming there's a busy queue)? Would the carnival works let me sit in the car alone even though two seats are being wasted?
To answer this, they will seat total strangers with you, but it will be fine. Say "hi" and ignore them the rest of the ride. They are usually 5-7 minutes tops. it will be fine.
by Anonymous | reply 17 | March 16, 2023 11:56 PM
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Go alone, leave with a hot carny.
by Anonymous | reply 18 | March 16, 2023 11:57 PM
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First, sorry for your social anxiety but you’ve got us DL bitches. I was on a work trip to Orlando and took two extra days at Disney by myself. Had a blast!
While in line chatting with other people, made up outrageous lies about imaginary kids on different rides which was why I was riding alone.
It was like skipping thru a surreal dream. Do it!
by Anonymous | reply 20 | March 16, 2023 11:58 PM
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Some of the most fun nights I’ve had were solo dates by myself. I went to a concert by myself and ended up sitting next to the L.A. Times critic who gave me some great celeb gossip. My point is, go! It might be more fun to go solo
by Anonymous | reply 21 | March 17, 2023 12:00 AM
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Go! The double decker bus sounds fun too.
by Anonymous | reply 22 | March 17, 2023 12:02 AM
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I understand having anxiety about doing certain things solo. But I can't imagine worrying about being judged by carnies, of all people.
by Anonymous | reply 23 | March 17, 2023 12:03 AM
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Don’t overthink ride logistics. People split up and ride different things on theirs own all the time. The ride operators deal with different sized groups too. Enjoy yourself and own it. No one will be judging or interrogating you. At most they’ll whine about the length of the lines/queues. It’s your fucking world too. Have fun! 💪
by Anonymous | reply 24 | March 17, 2023 12:07 AM
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I think Datalounge needs to have a film discussion about Carny starring Jodie Foster.
by Anonymous | reply 27 | March 17, 2023 12:10 AM
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I used to live near Disneyworld and often went with family and friends, BUT there were rides I loved and other stuff I hated (roller coaster crap) or was bored of (parts of Epcot). Anyway, I would separate on purpose and ride the things I wanted and agree to meet up at the end. I think it's really common for even families to split up - so no one will know you're alone but even if they did, it really is ok. (I would even ride the same ride several times in a row - uh, it was "It's a Small World" -- and yeah, maybe the workers would laugh - but I didn't mind. Life's too short to surrender your life to other people.
Lao Tzu (Taoism guy): "Care about what others think and you will always be their prisoner."
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 28 | March 17, 2023 12:14 AM
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I love pointless bitchery as much as the next gay, but I'm kind of touched by the sincere and helpful responses to OP on here. OP, while I may not have, literally, no friends as you claim, I went through three layoffs in my mid 30s that left me with zero social life and moving back in with my parents (which I know I'm lucky to have had as an option.) By the time I was financially recovered, my social networks had kind of drifted away. Then, I moved from the West Coast to the East Coast for the first time for a new job and it's been tougher making new friends. I'm now in my early 40s and while I genuinely like some of my colleagues, I can count my local friends on one hand. As such, I've learned to do plenty of stuff alone, too. I get the anxiety, but 99% of the time when you think people are staring, they're actually not even noticing you.
Also, I think R8 nailed it. People have no way of knowing if you were there with a larger group and just split off -- as people are want to do when they have different interests at an amusement park.
I hope you do go! Please come back to the thread if you do!
by Anonymous | reply 29 | March 17, 2023 12:24 AM
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I much prefer going to certain things alone - amusement parks, museums, botanical gardens -- it's almost too much stimulation to try to do so many things at once -- carry on conversations, discuss and decide which ride/exhibit or whatever to spend the most time on, when to stop and eat/drink. When you're alone you're free to take it all in and enjoy or skip whatever parts you want to.
Ask most parents running after little kids, dealing with their tantrums and fights -- and I bet most would tell you they envy those who can just do what the hell they want to.
by Anonymous | reply 30 | March 17, 2023 12:37 AM
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100% I'd go alone and think nothing of it. Go have fun, OP!
by Anonymous | reply 31 | March 17, 2023 12:41 AM
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Sweet thread.
OP, go and have fun. Maybe this will break down some of your social anxiety and once you see that you can manage fun by yourself, you'll begin a new pattern.
by Anonymous | reply 32 | March 17, 2023 12:45 AM
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You do what you want. Do not give it a second thought. Have a great time. Report back.
by Anonymous | reply 33 | March 17, 2023 1:00 AM
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You and I have quite a bit in common, OP. I really do hope that you'll go, and that you have a great time.
by Anonymous | reply 34 | March 17, 2023 1:01 AM
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Just introduce yourself to everyone on the bus one by one and say that you're meeting your wife at the event - hand them a photoshopped picture of the two of you on the beach. Then nobody will think you're going alone.
by Anonymous | reply 36 | March 17, 2023 1:04 AM
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Life is a cabaret OR an amusement park...
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 38 | March 17, 2023 1:35 AM
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If you go alone, it will be easier to masturbate on the rides. So, go!
by Anonymous | reply 39 | March 17, 2023 1:38 AM
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I hope with all this encouragement you’ve decided to go - I just want to add that you should get one of those big turkey legs 🍗
by Anonymous | reply 40 | March 17, 2023 1:53 AM
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OP, go and have a blast (and don't overthink things). I've been going solo to amusement/theme parks for more than 20 years. I felt slightly self-conscious the first time, but got over it when I realized that I was having a great time.
You probably won't be paired up with a stranger on rides with separate cars designed for 2 or 3. Some popular rides like roller coasters might have single-rider lines where you will be seated with others, but that is not the case with most traveling carnival rides. I have seen a few rides that do not allow single riders, but it's uncommon. You'll be fine.
by Anonymous | reply 41 | March 17, 2023 2:05 AM
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Op, what's ur opinion on eco terrorists?
by Anonymous | reply 42 | March 17, 2023 2:10 AM
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I have done things alone (vacations, amusement parks, concerts, movies) and with others (partner, family, friends). I see benefits to both. While there is the social benefit - being with other people requires coordination, effort etc! Solo - you just go and do what you want, when you want, how you want without worrying about any one else! The only thing I could never do alone, without help, was dinner at a restaurant. I guess that is because I am used to dinner conversation and just looking at other tables felt uncomfortable. I used to watch a show on my iPad during my solo meals. I probably looked odd, but did not care! It made me happy and comfortable.
by Anonymous | reply 43 | March 17, 2023 2:31 AM
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Oh, I did the same R4! Universal is even better alone!
by Anonymous | reply 44 | March 17, 2023 2:34 AM
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Just latch on to some homeless little kid, buy him popcorn and hotdogs, and take him on the ride of his life.
by Anonymous | reply 45 | March 17, 2023 2:44 AM
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Consider it a date with DL
by Anonymous | reply 46 | March 17, 2023 2:44 AM
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Where do you live? Maybe will all show up at the park as well. Align full of single homos! Have a blast! scream loudly! Eat lots of junk food, and then throw up on the really fast ride and hear the exclaims of disgust in the dark (I am recalling a magic mountain experience!)
by Anonymous | reply 47 | March 17, 2023 2:57 AM
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Going to an amusement park by yourself sounds fun. You don't have to ride anything you don't want to, you can arrive and leave when you want to, regardless of anyone else being tired, you can ride the things you want to ride as many times as you want to ride them, etc. I go to the casino to play cards by myself all of the time.
by Anonymous | reply 48 | March 17, 2023 3:15 AM
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OP a couple of weeks ago I went to watch my first live football (soccer) match by myself. It was the most fun I’ve had in well over a year. Everyone there was just there to have a good time and support the boys playing, not to impress or be seen or social climb. Even the drunk old men were jocular and funny and no problem at all. By the end I felt completely at home in my stadium section, though to start with and for days before I was wracked with anxiety and shame and nerves and self-consciousness. It’s so stupid how much time we waste fretting about looking pathetic or about something bad happening.
Money and time permitting, I want to go one more time before the season ends in a few months. Wish I’d been doing it all year tbh.
by Anonymous | reply 49 | March 17, 2023 3:20 AM
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Go. I have enjoyed things together and alone, but wish I did this much more. I had many friends but not everyone's there who shares the same interests with me at the same free time.
When I went to amusement parks with family and friends, we were busy sharing excitement to go inspect others who look alone. Then, there are things that only one person can or wants to ride; this person does own thing and meets up with others afterwards. Other times I went with colleagues or light acquaintances I'm no longer in contact with. In this case, it's a bit like enjoying things I like alone, less about sharing fun time with friends. In any case, people don't look at and judge others that much. Esp. in this age of phone addicts.
by Anonymous | reply 50 | March 17, 2023 3:58 AM
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If people have a thought about you being alone, it will last in their mind for seconds....and that is the worst case. Go, focus on your own enjoyment and have fun.
You will only begin to live life and experience all the joys when you get out of your comfort zone. Do it for you!!
by Anonymous | reply 51 | March 17, 2023 4:03 AM
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Long time ago, when I worked at a nice restaurant serving drinks, there was a single diner in my section. I was new, so they gave me the "Siberia" section of the restaurant (far from the windows / views). Because this guy was a single diner, the host seated him in my Siberia section.
Anyway, he ordered a pretty expensive bottle of wine, "just" for himself. So, he was piquing my interest. Then, he took out a copy of the National Enquirer (not joking) and I told him that I liked the Enquirer, also, and so did my mom.
It was an expensive restaurant, he was probably a business traveler. My takeaway: he was just enjoying himself and not giving a fuck about what anyone thought about him.
by Anonymous | reply 52 | March 17, 2023 4:06 AM
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A bit of advice, if I may.
The good news is nobody cares about you.
The bad news is nobody cares about you.
by Anonymous | reply 53 | March 17, 2023 4:19 AM
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This is OP. Thanks everyone for the advice and kind words. I've decided that I will go. I guess there's no point holding myself back from having fun. For what, so strangers won't laugh at me? It's not like strangers at the amusement park would care if I dropped dead, bored and alone in my apartment, whole they're out having fun.
Again, thanks for the advice. It really helped me make up my mind.
by Anonymous | reply 54 | March 17, 2023 12:29 PM
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Just don't strike up conversations with other people's children and you'll be fine, OP.
If you start chatting to an adult and they ask you if you're alone, you can just say your friends all had clashing timetables and you didn't want to miss it.
by Anonymous | reply 56 | March 17, 2023 2:00 PM
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I worked as a ride operator for 4 seasons & don’t remember ever thinking a negative thought about single riders.
I e gone to the movies by myself a few times & it was fine, though I know I couldn’t eat in a sit-down restaurant by myself, I’d be too self-conscious. I’ve eaten alone at fast food places & felt really weird about it.
by Anonymous | reply 57 | March 17, 2023 4:05 PM
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[quote] Just don't strike up conversations with other people's children and you'll be fine, OP.
Why not? As long as you're not being a creepy uncle, I don't see a problem.
by Anonymous | reply 58 | March 17, 2023 4:11 PM
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OP, you're the one making it weird.
by Anonymous | reply 59 | March 17, 2023 4:13 PM
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Hire an escort to go with you. That's what they're in business for ....along with other stuff.
by Anonymous | reply 60 | March 17, 2023 4:15 PM
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I chase storms a week each year alone and one of the perks is I don’t have to be “myself” in unknown towns. Go alone, have a great time, and enjoy your fun.
by Anonymous | reply 61 | March 17, 2023 4:16 PM
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R60 awww that's actually pretty sweet. Would be a nice refreshing gentle day of work for a rentboy.
by Anonymous | reply 62 | March 17, 2023 4:31 PM
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Go and have fun. I wish something fun would come to my God forsaken town.
by Anonymous | reply 63 | March 17, 2023 6:02 PM
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I actually enjoy spending time by myself. You need to get out of your head and you will be fine.
by Anonymous | reply 64 | March 17, 2023 7:12 PM
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Hire a rent boy for the day!! Make out with him during the rides, as a bonus.
by Anonymous | reply 65 | March 17, 2023 7:17 PM
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Go. Have fun. No hassles with what to do or ride with someone else.
by Anonymous | reply 66 | March 17, 2023 7:34 PM
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OP, please don’t make up lies about friends elsewhere there or there is a spouse you are to meet there later. You don’t have to tell lies to strangers or pretend to others you are being accompanied by relatives or friends. Have positive self-esteem. If this is a small town, there likely may be people attending you already know. Say “hi” if they pass you, and if someone gets nosy, say you are checking the carnival out, and explain nothing further unless you want to comment on the carnival itself, the weather, or whatever.
by Anonymous | reply 67 | March 17, 2023 7:38 PM
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Say you have social anxiety and you were told by an online support group to GO.
Go and have fun!
by Anonymous | reply 68 | March 17, 2023 10:02 PM
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r54 - that's great! Now, you'll have to report back after your visit!
by Anonymous | reply 69 | March 18, 2023 12:18 AM
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I've gone to MANY amusement parks on my I own. One time I did five amusement parks in six days (in Fla.) I had annual passes to Disneyland/California Adventure and would go all the time. The only one I hesitated about was Legoland ... I thought it might look strange since that place is geared toward younger kids. But I eventually got to go with a friend and his nephew.
by Anonymous | reply 70 | March 18, 2023 12:37 AM
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R65 I already suggested this.
by Anonymous | reply 71 | March 18, 2023 12:51 AM
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OP, it wouldn’t be honest for me to say I have no friends. But sometimes (i.e., often) trying to plan outings with them seems to require superhuman effort. The constant back and forth, finding mutually agreeable dates and so on, just wears me down.
I’ve spent much of my life doing everything alone. Eating out, traveling abroad, getting a colonoscopy (oops! wrong thread). And I almost never regret being on my own.
The crazy thing is, old as I am, I have never been to Disneyland or anyplace remotely like it. Never been interested. But after reading your post, I suddenly have the urge.
I do remember going to a small amusement park as a little kid, riding the carousel, grabbing for the brass ring but almost never being able to reach it.
Does Disneyland have a carousel? (My arms are longer now.)
OP, I hope you go and have a blast!
by Anonymous | reply 72 | March 18, 2023 1:10 AM
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So is OP looking for friends or to change his lonely state?
If so then I get it, am in the same boat. Having not had any friends for years, it’s hard to remember how to socialise or how to go about keeping people around. Also, speaking only for myself, I tend to fuck friendships up or give/take in an unbalanced way, so I’m gunshy over the whole thing.
Fortunately, I like alone time and entertaining myself just fine, and I fet my chat needs met from DL and other forums, so it’s not exactly hardship..but sometimes you just want a human voice or touch or smile within reach to confirm reality, you know?
by Anonymous | reply 74 | March 19, 2023 12:39 PM
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R74 Making friends is insanely difficult as an adult. It was even difficult in school/college when everyone was the same age, now as an adult, everyone's married with kids or busy with careers/already have their social circle.
People say "join groups" but I don't know if that would work. I feel like I don't relate to people my own age, but I'm too old to hang out with younger people.
by Anonymous | reply 75 | March 19, 2023 12:49 PM
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Years ago I had to attend a professional conference in Anaheim. I only needed to be at a few events and took almost a whole day off to visit Disneyland by myself. I would never have done it otherwise and enjoyed it well enough. It was very sweet and sort of local if you know what I mean. Glad I did it.
by Anonymous | reply 76 | March 19, 2023 1:00 PM
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Cannot think of anything worse than touring D!sney parks with a group of D!sney adults and collectors. Kms.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 77 | March 19, 2023 1:04 PM
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Only one question. Will the food be good with lots of options? If not, the attractions need to be excellent, and not just referencing the silly rides.
by Anonymous | reply 78 | March 19, 2023 7:29 PM
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