I have no friends but want to go to an amusement park. Would it be weird to go alone?

Go alone. Fuck anyone else. Hell is other people.

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. 🙂

I’ve been to a couple of amusement parks alone

Pro: Single rider lines are faster.

Cons: None

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.

Go at opening time so there will be just a few visitors to witness your shame.

You go and you have a nice time. xo.

No one will be noticing you, especially if they're with people.

Being alone in almost any situation can be bliss.

No one knows you're alone.

For all they know, your friends could be off grabbing a bite while you enjoy a ride. Go.

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.

Wear your sluttiest clothes (think ONJ from Grease) and flirt with all the ride operators.

What’s “elephant ear”, precious? What’s “elephant ear”?

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.

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.

Thank you, R12.

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.

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.

[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.

Go alone, leave with a hot carny.

Touched by a carny!

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!

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

Go! The double decker bus sounds fun too.

I understand having anxiety about doing certain things solo. But I can't imagine worrying about being judged by carnies, of all people.

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! 💪

^Their own. Oy><

Eat a hot dog.

I think Datalounge needs to have a film discussion about Carny starring Jodie Foster.

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."

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!

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.

100% I'd go alone and think nothing of it. Go have fun, OP!

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.

You do what you want. Do not give it a second thought. Have a great time. Report back.

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.

Prelube!

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.

GO! Have fun!

Life is a cabaret OR an amusement park...

If you go alone, it will be easier to masturbate on the rides. So, go!

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 🍗

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.

Op, what's ur opinion on eco terrorists?

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.

Oh, I did the same R4! Universal is even better alone!

Just latch on to some homeless little kid, buy him popcorn and hotdogs, and take him on the ride of his life.

Consider it a date with DL

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!)

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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.

A bit of advice, if I may.

The good news is nobody cares about you.

The bad news is nobody cares about you.

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.

R54, While not whole.

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.

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.

[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.

OP, you're the one making it weird.

Hire an escort to go with you. That's what they're in business for ....along with other stuff.

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.

R60 awww that's actually pretty sweet. Would be a nice refreshing gentle day of work for a rentboy.

Go and have fun. I wish something fun would come to my God forsaken town.

I actually enjoy spending time by myself. You need to get out of your head and you will be fine.

Hire a rent boy for the day!! Make out with him during the rides, as a bonus.

Go. Have fun. No hassles with what to do or ride with someone else.

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.

Say you have social anxiety and you were told by an online support group to GO.

Go and have fun!

r54 - that's great! Now, you'll have to report back after your visit!

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.

R65 I already suggested this.

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!

Owoight OP darlin'?

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?

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.

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.

Cannot think of anything worse than touring D!sney parks with a group of D!sney adults and collectors. Kms.

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.

Did you go to the amusement park on your own or not, OP?

R79 I'll be going in three days.

Good, R80! Enjoy yourself.

Have a blast. I’ve done it myself before because my husband doesn’t like a lot of the rides and I find it a cheap thrill and fun. Brings me back to being a kid. Report back!

It's excellent to go alone because it makes roller coaster suicide is so very much easier.

Not at all.

I go to Knott's Berry farm by myself twice a year. I look forward to it!!

OP, what happened? Are you going/Did you go?

Go, dude. Who gives a fuck how you look? Go and enjoy yourself. You do you. Enjoy that bus ride.

I will be very disappointed if you don't go.

I have been going places alone since I was 14. Started with the movies, because I was a huge movie nerd and it was a pain in the ass to find friends to go with me who wanted to see the movies I did. When I moved to NYC as a teenager, I did nearly everything by myself until I made friends, but even then, why depend on someone else to have a good time? I saw theater, concerts, movies, etc. all by myself. The only thing I felt weird about was eating in a restaurant alone. I still don't like it, but if I have to, I will, usually when I travel because, yes, I travel alone. I've been several places by myself, usually have a great time, and no one ever looks at me twice.

I probably wouldn't go to a baseball game by myself, but that's because part of the fun is having someone along to cheer (or boo) with.

Go. have fun, and enjoy not having to please someone else.

I do have friends, but I go plenty of places alone because there are always scheduling or finance conflict and sometimes if I want to go somewhere, I have to go by myself. So I've been to movie theaters and restaurants alone, going to museums alone is fine, I travel alone, I went to Hawaii alone a couple of months ago and am taking a quick desert trip alone in a couple of days!

Partly because there's so much standing in line alone and that'd be dreary, partly because people might treat a lone man weirdly in a kiddie-oriented place, partly because I'd have to sit next to strangers on all the rides, etc. The only exception might be if I was a Disney nutter who was going to look for the "100 Mickeys", because then I'd be fairly sure I'd meet fellow nutters doing the same thing. Being alone in a crowd of friends-and-family can be depressing, but meeting fellow eccentrics is a delight!

choose the busiest area n start crying out pound in the open fr everyone to see. Live a little. See wt happens

^ pound, not pound

^ loud, i hate ipad keypad

For all the above reasons are, go OP. I’ve moved around in my life, and going somewhere alone doesn’t bother me. Concerts: stand up crowds don’t know who is with who when the music starts. Go to a movie: No one knows who’s who went the lights go down. Nor do they care. Pick a busy restaurant or diner. Others are hungry and not thinking of anyone at all.

The amusement rides etc add to peoples quality of life by willing to let yourself be entertained because you’re worth it.

Take the chances you feel you are at risk for, and seize the day by the short and curlies. It opens your life to escape the doldrums of an ordinary day. Widen your life experiences by participating in life.

I go to amusement parks by myself every year. When I'm traveling for work, or just want to take a trip by myself. Trust me, it's no big deal. NO ONE is going to stare at you or think you're a loser. No one cares!

Did you go, OP? I hope so.

R96 I went but it wasn't much fun. The park had barely any other customers and I honestly felt awkward because most of the rides weren't even moving because there was nobody on them.

I ended up going on the ghost train, the ferris wheel and the octopus ride. I should have gone later in the evening because then there would be more people. It's awkward having a ride start up just for one person. I know I'm insecure but I could feel some of the workers staring at me.

Anyway, I'll try to do something else fun in the future. Not sure what.

^You had the place largely to yourself. Don’t complain.

Think Cartman.