Seeking inaugural solo trip advice

LizardQueen8

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 7, 2015

• May 16, 2015

• #1

So I am planning on my booking my first ever solo WDW trip (although I have traveled solo to other locales). This will also be my first trip since the advent of Fast Pass+ and Magic Bands. I'm looking at dates from mid April to mid May. Any thoughts on the best dates within that time frame? Keep in mind I don't care at all about ADRs, but I do care about avoiding the busiest times. Also interested in hotel opinions - I'm really not interested in a value resort, but have stayed at CBR and the Beach Club in the last five years. Any advice at all is appreciated!

 

Lucius Best

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 25, 2015

• May 16, 2015

• #2

Check out http://www.easywdw.com/category/calendar/04-april-2015-crowd-calendar/ if you want an idea of expected crowd levels. If going in April, you will want to be as far away from Easter as possible. 3rd week in April is also New England's school vacation week, but crowds weren't that bad when I was there this year. Based on what people have been posting recently, early May is a good time to go as far as crowds are concerned.

As far as resorts go, our favorite "moderate" resort is Port Orleans Riverside. It's quiet, pretty, and has a decent pool and a very nice food court. Next step up, we have stayed at and enjoyed Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge. Both a step up from moderates in price, but not as expensive as the monorail resorts.

 

karly05

DIS Veteran - "I found the Snipe!"

Joined

Mar 7, 2009

• May 16, 2015

• #3

POFQ! I have stayed there solo 3 times now and love it (and I'm a BC fan when splurging on Deluxes). Small and charming and easy to get around.

I second the PP's advice to check EasyWDW's crowd calendars. I went during MA spring break this year and it wasn't nearly as crowded as I expected. Easter is super early in 2016 (last Sunday in March), so I'm looking at 4/9 - 4/15 for next year, which is looking like one of the less busy April weeks (fingers crossed).

 

I M Fearless

WDW Enthusiast

Joined

Feb 5, 2014

• May 16, 2015

• #4

Looking at the same week!

 

I M Fearless

WDW Enthusiast

Joined

Feb 5, 2014

• May 16, 2015

• #5

Can't decide between 4/6 - 4/20 or 5/4 - 5/18

I need to be in the UK in between so it is one set of dates or the other. Decisions.

 

spiceycat

dvc-blt

Joined

Oct 26, 2000

• May 16, 2015

• #6

if you have limited budget don't eliminate the value resorts - really love Pop
since you are planning in advance you might consider renting a DVC resort - they would allow you to stay in at least a studio for less than WDW does.

there is a dvc rental site on this board - just PLEASE make sure you read all the tips at the top before you decide.

studios are great for solo travel - they all have a kitchenette - so those days when you don't want to go out - you don't have too....

in the moderates might try CSR or POR. the deluxes - YC, Polyn, OKW
that is if you liked BC and CBR?

if you did not - have another list.

if you decide to try a DVC resort - then would recommend you buying your tickets from a discount site.

go join mousesavers.com =- she will send you emails

 

LizardQueen8

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 7, 2015

• May 16, 2015

• #7

Not sure about renting DVC points as a kitchenette would be utterly wasted on me, but still something to think about. I am very tempted by POFQ, as I wanted to stay there all throughout college and never managed to book it . Thank you for the tip on the crowd calendar site!

 

LizardQueen8

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 7, 2015

• May 25, 2015

• #8

Bumping this up just in case anyone else has any thoughts .

 

I M Fearless

WDW Enthusiast

Joined

Feb 5, 2014

• May 25, 2015

• #9

There's some good flights showing with BA. £530 return in April. LGW to MCO.

 

aVASTGrl

DIS Veteran

Joined

Apr 27, 2012

• May 25, 2015

• #10

I'll echo the recommendations for POFQ... It's my favourite Moderate (I too have no interest in the Values). If you can/want to splurge on yourself, I would normally recommend WL, but by next spring, construction will be in full swing, so take a look at AKL and YC...my other two fav Deluxes