2021 trip planning (potentially solo)

[KellO]

Hi all,

I'm currently planning for a WDW & US holiday around Halloween in 2021. Whilst I have invited a friend, she's not said she's definitely coming yet so I'm looking at options for if she is and if I'm going alone. NB. I'm travelling from the UK and won't be hiring a car.

I'm trying to plan the most budget-friendly option possible but without missing out on the really cool stuff. Provisionally, it's looking like taking advantage of the 7-day hotel & park package at WDW for the Halloween celebrations (though I'm open to staying longer) and then transferring to US for the Harry Potter 3-day hotel & park package. I know that there's a free shuttle for WDW from the airport but US you have to pay for it. I'm assuming it'll be an Uber between WDW & US.

Has anyone done a similar trip before solo? Is there anything you think I should be considering? I'm confident I'll be fine at WDW but I'm wondering if the US/Harry Potter experience is solo-friendly.

 

[OrlandoGirl357]

I've done Universal Studios solo and in groups. If you aren't going water parks you'll be fine.

 

[KellO]

Yeah I definitely think the water parks would be weird alone. The resorts usually have pools so that’s all good.

 

[schumigirl]

Kelly, you`ll be fine solo at Universal.

There are many ladies that have gone to universal solo over many years and all enjoy it and feel safe.

We see plenty of solo folks in the parks and hotel regularly......don`t worry about it, you`ll be just fine.

 

[KellO]

Kelly, you`ll be fine solo at Universal.

There are many ladies that have gone to universal solo over many years and all enjoy it and feel safe.

We see plenty of solo folks in the parks and hotel regularly......don`t worry about it, you`ll be just fine.

Fab, thanks for the reassurance! I've been plenty of places on my own so I'm sure I'll adapt (or find someone to adopt me).

 

[donnishobson]

I do Volcano Bay alone. I'm 71 and love all the drop slides and thrill rides, but none of my friends do and neither does my husband. I am going Dec 2-6 so I won't be able to ride the rafts since they require more than one person to ride but the other rides are really fun.

 

[KellO]

I do Volcano Bay alone. I'm 71 and love all the drop slides and thrill rides, but none of my friends do and neither does my husband. I am going Dec 2-6 so I won't be able to ride the rafts since they require more than one person to ride but the other rides are really fun.

That's amazing! I'm definitely of the mind that it's best to do something alone than not at all.

 

[schumigirl]

That's amazing! I'm definitely of the mind that it's best to do something alone than not at all.

I would agree...no reason not to do the water parks solo either.....don`t miss anything out....

 

[J'aime Paris]

Hi KellO!
I took a solo trip to Universal Orlando last December. It was amazing!
Having the freedom to do whatever I wanted, when I wanted, and how I wanted was incredible!

I lounged by the pool for hours at RPR with my Kindle, sipping on a tropical cocktail...no interruptions.
I took in all the Christmas decorations in the parks and at the hotels, at a very slowwwww pace.
Since I stayed at RPR, I had EP for the rides. I was able to ride everything with little wait and multiple times when I wanted.
The TMs are always engaging, and I had numerous fun interactions and great conversation!

For transportation, I used a well known gentleman named Tony Hinds. He will pick you up at the airport, stop at the grocery store (no extra fee) for essentials on the way to your resort, and deliver you back to the airport. I've used him at least 10 times over the years, and he's a complete professional.

I also had a meet up with @schumigirl and her DH, which was wonderful. They are crazy knowledgable about Universal and just generally very cool people!!

 

[KellO]

I would agree...no reason not to do the water parks solo either.....don`t miss anything out....

I hear what you're saying. I'm not a particularly strong swimmer though and had a bad water experience as a kid. I can laugh through the fear with peeps but I'm not sure I'd enjoy it solo. I think I'd likely prefer to spend extra time in the other parks but I'll be packing my swimsuit, just in case.

 

[KellO]

Hi KellO!
I took a solo trip to Universal Orlando last December. It was amazing!
Having the freedom to do whatever I wanted, when I wanted, and how I wanted was incredible!

I lounged by the pool for hours at RPR with my Kindle, sipping on a tropical cocktail...no interruptions.
I took in all the Christmas decorations in the parks and at the hotels, at a very slowwwww pace.
Since I stayed at RPR, I had EP for the rides. I was able to ride everything with little wait and multiple times when I wanted.
The TMs are always engaging, and I had numerous fun interactions and great conversation!

For transportation, I used a well known gentleman named Tony Hinds. He will pick you up at the airport, stop at the grocery store (no extra fee) for essentials on the way to your resort, and deliver you back to the airport. I've used him at least 10 times over the years, and he's a complete professional.

I also had a meet up with @schumigirl and her DH, which was wonderful. They are crazy knowledgable about Universal and just generally very cool people!!

Amazing! You guys are really making me excited for going, whether my friend goes or not. In actual fact, I've sent her a message saying that, as soon as the WDW dates are released for when I want to go, I'll be reserving my spot, so she needs to let me know by then.

I'm sorry, I don't know a Tony Hinds though...

 

[KellO]

I was looking at the Mousesaver site that someone recommended in the budget forum. It mentions a travel agent called Small World Vacations that work with UK clients and covers both Disney & Universal. I'm considering contacting them since they're discount hunters at no extra charge and prob have a much better idea than I do about the best times to go and such.

 

[CharliK]

Exciting!! I'm planning on the exact same kind of trip solo! I'm looking at mid november, possibly 3 nights/4 days at Universal then 10-14 days at Disney depending on well, a bunch of stuff. I've done Disney solo before but have never done Universal so I'm looking forward to it. Started doing my research into Universal tonight. I thought it was going to be cheaper than Disney but adding the ultimate express passes kind of levels it out from what I've seen. Xx

 

[CharliK]

Oh also, I did the Disney water parks solo when I was there in 2018 and I felt fine about it... I do love a lazy river! From what I've looked at as I am planning on staying at the surf side inn and suites it's cheaper to get the bundle ticket which covers all 3 parks anyway, so I'll have the option whether to do Volcano Bay... if I have time, I definitely will but it's your holiday, and your choice. Don't forget Dreams Unlimited Travel also works with UK clients I believe so they are another option for research and pricing xxx

 

[CharliK]

My first stage of theme park planning is always to figure out my must-do's... I'm hoping that with an ultimate fast pass for each park I can do these rides in a day? With the extra hours for on site guests, is it do-able? (Meaning a day at each park, not necessarily both in one day. I'm thinking 1 day at each, then 1 day park hop, and hopefully 1 at Volcano Bay)

 

[KellO]

Oh also, I did the Disney water parks solo when I was there in 2018 and I felt fine about it... I do love a lazy river! From what I've looked at as I am planning on staying at the surf side inn and suites it's cheaper to get the bundle ticket which covers all 3 parks anyway, so I'll have the option whether to do Volcano Bay... if I have time, I definitely will but it's your holiday, and your choice. Don't forget Dreams Unlimited Travel also works with UK clients I believe so they are another option for research and pricing xxx

Thanks for the info! If I end up alone, I guess I can always try the water park and if I don't dig it, leave and do something else.

And I came across DU shortly after contacting SWV too (I didn't realise they owned this board). SWV came back saying that they're not covering international at this time so there's a future booking request with DU, so hopefully they'll get in touch when the dates are released for the whole period.

 

[KellO]

My first stage of theme park planning is always to figure out my must-do's... I'm hoping that with an ultimate fast pass for each park I can do these rides in a day? With the extra hours for on site guests, is it do-able? (Meaning a day at each park, not necessarily both in one day. I'm thinking 1 day at each, then 1 day park hop, and hopefully 1 at Volcano Bay)

Because I'm planning the for around 7 days in Disney and 3 days at Universal (Harry Potter package), I'm not too worried at this stage about musts. It'll just mean I have to go back if I miss anything. What a shame!

 

[CharliK]

Because I'm planning the for around 7 days in Disney and 3 days at Universal (Harry Potter package), I'm not too worried at this stage about musts. It'll just mean I have to go back if I miss anything. What a shame!

Personally I would advise, because you are there for a short time, knowing what is most important to do is a really good idea. 100% you will need to go back, but at least if you have an idea of "this trip I really want to do x, y, and z, but I'm happy to skip a, b and c this time" then you will have an idea of how to work your trip and realistic expectations of each park. My first trip I really wanted to do everything but from advice I got I knew that wasn't going to be possible, so having those realistic goals for me was helpful at managing that. I am considering forking out for the VIP tour at universal because it seems you can get on a lot of rides without having to queue while on the tour. One person said in her blog as her family were only at universal for 1 day they did VIP, and they managed to ride 17 rides in one day across both parks and saved around 9 hours of wait time.... I know it's a fair amount of money but for me personally, I love the idea of 1 chaotic day and getting to do all my musts. I'm going to research it a little more but I think it's a good option when you're there for a short time xxx

 

[KellO]

Personally I would advise, because you are there for a short time, knowing what is most important to do is a really good idea. 100% you will need to go back, but at least if you have an idea of "this trip I really want to do x, y, and z, but I'm happy to skip a, b and c this time" then you will have an idea of how to work your trip and realistic expectations of each park. My first trip I really wanted to do everything but from advice I got I knew that wasn't going to be possible, so having those realistic goals for me was helpful at managing that. I am considering forking out for the VIP tour at universal because it seems you can get on a lot of rides without having to queue while on the tour. One person said in her blog as her family were only at universal for 1 day they did VIP, and they managed to ride 17 rides in one day across both parks and saved around 9 hours of wait time.... I know it's a fair amount of money but for me personally, I love the idea of 1 chaotic day and getting to do all my musts. I'm going to research it a little more but I think it's a good option when you're there for a short time xxx

You'll need a holiday to rest after your holiday! lol. I'm sure, nearer the time, I'll whittle down some things I'd love to do. I'm really hoping the Halloween party is on and to do as many of the Harry Potter rides but I'll work it out nearer the time. I'll definitely be making use of Magic Hours & FastPasses.

 

[Linkura]

Went solo to Universal for HHN the past two years. Always felt welcome alone there unlike at WDW (got looks going into Enchanted Tales with Belle and was basically ignored by a couple CMs at CRT until I spoke up for myself). Felt totally safe as a young-looking solo woman at both. Definitely do it!