Best moderate for a solo trip

PlutoFan76 · Jul 2, 2015

I saw a post for the best deluxe for a solo trip, but what is the best moderate and why?

ConnecticutNonna · Jul 2, 2015

PlutoFan76 said:
I saw a post for the best deluxe for a solo trip, but what is the best moderate and why?

Hi Plutofan! I think a part of the answer will depend upon where you want to spend most of your time? POR/POFQ are wonderful if you want to spend a lot of time in DTD, CBR is great if you want to hang at EPCOT or BW at night. CSR is the only mod with a gym onsite. So tell us your plans for WDW and I'm sure you'll get many opinions upon which to base your final choice on! Sparkle on!

PlutoFan76 · Jul 2, 2015

I'm not a fan of DTD. I would imagine most of my evenings will be spent at EPCOT or MK. My last trip I stayed at POP and was feeling run down because I couldn't relax at the hotel. I realized that I need more of a resort vibe to unwind from the time spent in the parks. The deluxes are out due to cost. I've stayed at the Poly and loved it. I love the feel of WL. I've also stayed at BWI. I loved the location, but it just seemed like a nice hotel, nothing special. I think I need greenery. That being said, being on my own means location and convenience are important. I think I will be loneliest during travel times. This will be my first solo trip. My mother recently past away and my daughter is a new high school graduate. All my past trips were with the two of them.

ConnecticutNonna · Jul 2, 2015

OK, here's my opinion. I love CBR because of the beautiful mature plantings, the hammocks, and the walk way. The rooms are quiet and I also found the quiet pools to be a wonderful way to relax after dark coming back from the parks. It is considered an EPCOT resort and is indeed a very short bus ride to there or HS. There is also a beautiful walking path that leads itself to quiet early morning reflection and meditation. I can't speak much about CSR, it was more upscale but for me not as Disney like. Also farther away from everything IMHO. The 2 Ports (Riverside and FQ) were also lovely. There is a very enjoyable boat ride to and from DTD. But my money for you would be CBR in Aruba. Close to bus stop, close to quiet pool, and just across bridge to main pool, bar, and Shutters (TS restaurant ). Hope all this info helps. There is, of course, no MK moderate on the monorail. That would be slammin . Sparkle on!

ConnecticutNonna · Jul 2, 2015

Also, please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of your mother. I hope you feel her with you on your upcoming trip! And congrats on your daughter's graduation!

Accident · Jul 2, 2015

No matter where you stay, some of WDW is going to be a travel. I don't call it a moderate but POP Century I run into more solo travelers and people who are open to meeting and talking to anyone than any other hotel. I'm a smoker but that main smoking section is setup so anyone can just sit down and you will meet others. Most people won't be smokers in it and doing this little run between food, pool bar and that section. If your trying to not be alone, this might be the better choice.. Also everyone there is just having a good time.

With that said, I like port orleans french quarter a lot, it's small, quiet, usually the families are at riverside so very little in the way of kids running around. The small bar with live music most evenings you will find people around even if you just stop in for a quick bar style snack and not a drinker. However, unlike pop, most people just want to keep to themselves and that might not be what your looking for. It's also a really nice river boat ride over to downtown if your looking to enjoy those spots and need a break from the buses (bus also an option)

This next trip I'm trying out CBR myself, never been but from the above suggestion, it sounds promising for you as well.

My condolences on your loss, that's always rough.

loves to dive · Jul 2, 2015

I did a solo split stay with POR and OKW and loved POR. I was in the Magnolia Mansion, bus stop was right behind the building and the walk to the main stop and lobby/restaurant/gift shop was short. I got up every morning bright and early around 5 am and did my brisk walk around the entire resort, over to POFQ and back. So peaceful and a pretty walk. I would walk over to the main stop to get on the bus since it was the last stop then at the end of the day, get off on my stop. It is a pretty resort, loads of things to do, the bus rides weren't horrible (I'm a deluxe Epcot sort of gal but going solo I wanted to try the split stay).

Condolences on your loss, both my mother and my father are gone and I know how hard it is.

georgina · Jul 2, 2015

I haven't been to all the mods; my solo trip last May I stayed at CSR and had a great time. There was a convention going on, so there were many adults walking around, which made me feel more like I belonged. The resort is beautiful, the buses were great (normally we drive but when solo I use Disney transportation). I did not use the gym although I was very close to it. I spent most of my time in the parks, so next solo trip I am staying at Pop. I stayed in POFQ with DD once and liked it, I'm sure I would like all of them!

DaisyDuck001 · Jul 3, 2015

If you wish to minimize walking, POFQ would be a good choice because it is the most compact. If you enjoy walking because you like the scenery, exercise, whatever, then any of the other three would be a better choice, as they are more spread out. I don't think any one of the moderates is an overall "best" for everyone, as different people will prefer different themes. A split stay between CBR and POR would be fun.

raddisneyfan · Jul 3, 2015

I stayed solo at CSR and loved it. I am a big time walker, so distances between things were not an issue--I was in the Ranchos section furthest from the main building and never minded the walk to the main building/restaurants. I liked the vibe of the place and the nice quiet walks at night on the paths. This December, I go to POR solo for a few nights before heading to a villa at AKL. I have a garden view at POR and will request a room in the Bayou--can't wait! I haven't been to CBR, but others seem to say it's the best if you want to spend lots of time at EPCOT. I like to spend lots of time at EPCOT too, but I don't mind the bus rides--or may end up renting a car.

karly05 · Jul 3, 2015

I'm going to make my usual pitch here for POFQ: I've done 3 solo stays here and am counting down to next year's return. I wanted a moderate to save some $, and I wanted a place I felt comfortable coming and going from as a solo. Unlike you, I am not a "greenery" person - I didn't want to end up walking around some twisty paths through the woods after dark.

What I like about POFQ: It's very compact and easy to get around; no room/building is really inconvenient or a long walk from the food and transportation. It is pretty and quaint and charming; the greenery is more manicured (fountains and gardens) than at POR, but still plenty of trees and flowers. The open wrought iron staircases and walkways give good sightlines and I feel like the lighting is good, if you are at all uneasy about coming home solo.Maybe this is just me, but POFQ feels like a nice little neighborhood. I've generally found it quiet and peaceful, and it doesn't seem to get the tour groups that the values and some other mods get. (One exception: there was a high school marching band there during my trip this year - I saw them heading out one morning with their instruments, and one evening I was aware of what sounded like them having a rambunctious pool party, but I wasn't really disturbed by them.)

Any mod, you're going to have to take the bus to the parks. I do like the single bus stop at POFQ, and it does seem to be fairly centrally located (which I think all/most? of the mods are).

POR has a lot more of the greenery, and is an attractive place, too, if you find that more appealing. I would go online and look at all the photos/videos you can find of the various mods, and that should give you an idea of what you find appealing.

ConnecticutNonna · Jul 4, 2015

Whatever your choice, let us know what you decide!

Lorettainny · Jul 6, 2015

I'm trying to decide on the same thing for next year. It will be my first solo trip. I've stayed at POFQ, POR and CBR before with people. I'm thinking of picking POFQ because of the size of the resort. I do like the boat option to DTD even if I only go once or twice on my trip. Good luck deciding.

winthropf · Jul 6, 2015

I've done solo at POR, POFQ, and CSR. I prefer POFQ due to the compact size and only one bus stop. But I usually wind up at POR since there are rarely discounts at FQ. Having said that, I now usually stay at POP unless I'm there for F&W, then stay YC/BC/BW.

PlutoFan76 · Jul 6, 2015

Thank you everyone!!! I'm trying to understand the ambiance of each resort which is hard to get form photos. CSR is out for me. I've gone back to college and the school's winter commencement is at CSR every year. Needless to say I will be graduating in winter. I'm going to save CSR for that trip. Right now I'm leaning towards a split stay between CBR and POR.

spiceycat · Jul 6, 2015

love pOR - that say if you want deluxe have you looked at renting a reservation from a DVC member - OKW or AKV (value) are probably the most inexpensive - then standard view BWV, ssr,rest of akv, bcv, rest of bwv, vwl, blt, gfv, pbv

so you can stay in VWL or PBV - that say - you realize that at night both of the places are rather dark - so not always a good choice for a solo visitor.

Pop Century is really bright at night - so it might work for you - you will feel safe.

now if you really want safe BLT at one time you had to be staying there to even get in the building. they have loosen the controls a little because of allowing other DVC member to have access to TOWL at night. but it is still a little too security for me - I like to get out an walk at night - would you believe they locked all the doors and even my magic band could not get in - now to me that silly.

now I love BLT - you can walk to the MK!!! and take the monorail to Epcot.

agree with the poster above POR building 85 magnolia terrace - here a map = pofq is in the bottom par

http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/port-riverside.htm

building 85 is between the restuarant/quick service in the front and the buses in the back - very good location. It is actually closer to the entrance to Epcot than CBR (but cbr is definitely closer to Studios) and distance wise to EPcot.

LizardQueen8 · Jul 6, 2015

I booked POFQ for my solo trip partly because I've never stayed there and partly because of the compactness, but I really enjoyed my last stay at CBR. I loved the beach.

goofyintoronto · Jul 7, 2015

I find value resorts better for solo travellers cause there seems to be more people around. Moderate resorts are wonderful but a lot quieter...which isnt always what a solo traveler wants if one is trying to meet new people. The pools are far far quieter at moderates than they are at pop (where we usually stay). And i've stayed at all of the moderate and value hotels!

Although OP, since youre specifically asking about moderate resorts due to the theme, i'd recommend....oh heck, i love them all! CBR, POR, and CSR are all wonderful and absolutely gorgeous. I'd pick based on the location you want to be in.

ConnecticutNonna · Jul 7, 2015

spiceycat said:
love pOR - that say if you want deluxe have you looked at renting a reservation from a DVC member - OKW or AKV (value) are probably the most inexpensive - then standard view BWV, ssr,rest of akv, bcv, rest of bwv, vwl, blt, gfv, pbv

so you can stay in VWL or PBV - that say - you realize that at night both of the places are rather dark - so not always a good choice for a solo visitor.

Pop Century is really bright at night - so it might work for you - you will feel safe.

now if you really want safe BLT at one time you had to be staying there to even get in the building. they have loosen the controls a little because of allowing other DVC member to have access to TOWL at night. but it is still a little too security for me - I like to get out an walk at night - would you believe they locked all the doors and even my magic band could not get in - now to me that silly.

now I love BLT - you can walk to the MK!!! and take the monorail to Epcot.

agree with the poster above POR building 85 magnolia terrace - here a map = pofq is in the bottom par

http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/port-riverside.htm

building 85 is between the restuarant/quick service in the front and the buses in the back - very good location. It is actually closer to the entrance to Epcot than CBR (but cbr is definitely closer to Studios) and distance wise to EPcot.

Interesting that you say that... I used to work 7p to 7a so my schedule was pretty messed up, so one night at oh dark thirty (probably 2am ish) I was wide awake at CBR and decided to take a walk around the property. A security guard caught up with me and was pretty horrified that a lol (little old lady) was out walking at this unGodly hour. Long story short, I was looking for a vending machine, no snacks in room. (I know, I know, crazy huh?) . 2am has always been my dinner hour and I was actually hungry. Long story short he escorted me back to my room to make sure I was safe, and less than 5 minutes later he knocked on my door with a TON of Mickey snacks. Refused to take a nickel, and believe me I tried to force money on him. This is the same trip I got a thank you note from our Mousekeeper thanking me for her tip! Gotta love it!

QuackMe! · Jul 26, 2015

I just booked my 1st Moderate Resort solo stay today at POFQ , for my birthday at the end of August. In the past, I've usually stayed at the POP - my favorite of the value resorts. I've tried a few others off Disney property, as well, but having access to WDW transportation (mainly the buses) is well worth it. I haven't been able to make it over to Disney as often as I wanted to, these last several years, so I have decided to treat myself to a fancier hotel. By the looks of it, I think I've made the right choice. Thanks for all of the positive comments about the POFQ!

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