1st day recommendations for a solo?

[msr709]

Anyone have any ideas on what I could do on my first day? First time I am going alone and should be arriving at my resort (CBR) at about 1pm (my plane lands at 11:30am, planning on taking Mears, so I'm giving lots of time to get to the resort). I really don't want to go to the parks, or I might once I'm there but how have you done it? Any experiences or suggestions are welcome.

 

[Grinning Ghost]

I just returned recently from a solo trip to PO Riverside. Here's what I did on the first day: I arrived at the resort around 1:00 but found a long wait for check in (this was on a Sunday). I decided to have lunch at the food court and then returned back to the front desk. When I got to my room, I unpacked and enjoyed the room for awhile. Then I headed to the nearby quiet pool and just relaxed. Ahhhhhh, so relaxing..... Anyway, afterwards I went over to Downtown Disney and walked through the different shops at the Marketplace and Virgin Megastore at the Westside.

As an alternative, you may want to consider going to Pleasure Island. I did this on my second day. While I'm not into the dance scene, I enjoyed laughing out at the Comedy Warehouse.

 

[spiceycat]

definitely the swimming pool - Florida - yes - I also like to explore the resort - see what new or revisit my favorite places - see if the lounge has any live entertainment - and just enjoy the surrounding - hey you are WDW the best place in the world!!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

On one of my solo trips, when I got in about that time, I did something I've never done when DH was with me-I went out to the bus stop and just got on the first bus that came along! DH had bet me that I couldn't do it, because I'm such a planner when we go to WDW. This was so great, partly because it really reminded me that I was on "MY" vacation-free to do
whatever on a whim.

 

[msr709]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I will do what Simba's Mom did, that sounds very adventurous for me, I'm also the planner of the house!

 

[zoey452]

I wouldn't have thought of it!

 

[Disneyfan63]

Hello,
I registered for these boards today after seeing a link to them off the AOL Disney Resorts message boards. I've been to Disney World once as a solo traveler, from October 13-20, 2000. I stayed at All Star Sports. My first day there, after arriving in the morning and taking the Mears shuttle to ASSports, was to explore the resort; set up priority dinner seating at Rainforest Cafe, Animal Kingdom for Wednesday, October 18, 2000; eat lunch at the Endzone food court; take a two-hour nap; go to Hoop De Doo, which was outstanding; and then after that dinner show, took the boat to the Magic Kingdom and then another boat to World Showcase and the Tapestry of Nations at Epcot. It was an unforgettable trip, and I would love to return. I posted a trip report on AOL's Disney Trip Reports board.

Just wanted to say hi.

Disneyfan63
jtownsend1047@comcast.net

 

[cassie]

I've been solo twice and after checking in I head for DTD for a look around and a bite to eat. Then I return to the resort and check it out. To me that can be a relaxing way to spend the first day.

 

[ballgame]

Epcot can be a good park to visit in the afternoons (your resort isn't that far from Epcot) and then go to Illuminations. You could also explore the Boardwalk or any of the other suggestions mentioned here. I would not plan on doing anything at Animal Kingdom, as it closes relatively early.

 

[DaveH]

I have traveled several times solo. I am not the swimming pool kind of person. That is one thing. Another would be expploring your resort or others. Going to the Marketplace for shopping, window or buying. Just have a agreat time.

 

[bearzabout]

I love my non-park days. I have a few more suggestions. For an adventure, take the bus to TTC, boat to MK, and hop on another boat to Fort Wilderness. Eat lunch at Trails End (lunch is served until 2:30), check out the free petting zoo then walk on the bike trail to Wilderness Lodge. Stay for old faithful before catching another boat to the Contemporary. From there, take the monorail anywhere you wish (I love resting on the hammocks at the Polynesian).

I also recommend an evening at AKL. Arrive from 4 to 4:30 to see the giraffe munching from a feed box near the hot tub area. Enjoy a wonderful dinner at Boma. Stay for storytelling and sit around the fireplace for the evening or enjoy the talk on Africa in the lounge. The resort is magnificent and will transport you to another world.

 

[msr709]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Bearzabout, awesome suggestion (I'm going to print this out), now I have so many choices I might have to have 2 non-park days (which wouldn't be a bad thing)! LOL! Thank again.