Best Value for Solo Trip

[roselark]

Hi All! I have decided to plan my first Solo trip for either Late Jan, early Feb 2009 or early May 2009. (DH said he has had his fill of WDW for at least 3 years, so solo is my only option). I will probably make it a short trip since it will be my first time solo...maybe 5 days. I don't want to spend a whole lot, so I am thinking about trying a value resort. Also, I have heard that the CS are best at the values, and I am not sure yet if I will really want to do any TS. What would be the best value resort for a mid 30's female solo?

Or...should I just go the little extra and stay at Coronado Springs (which I love).
Thanks for any advice!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

My advice is to "splurge" and stay at CSR. I'd always stayed at POR (Dixie Landings then) on solo trips,only because DH sent me there for my first solo trip,so it was habit. Then came one solo trip when POR was closed,so I booked a value resort. I'm very thrifty (translate-cheap) so I thought it would be great. Hated it! I walked around the resort,shaking my head, saying to myself"Well, this is what you get for being so cheap." IMO, moderate resorts cost a little more,but what you get in theming, overall quality, is ALOT more. Just one person's view.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I hold the same view. If you can swing it, I'd go CSR. I loved doing that resort solo.

 

[chyam]

Have to agree with the others CSR! I always travel solo and most of the time am at either POFQ or WL, this year I was cheap and stayed at POP.......never may I repeat NEVER again! Also have you considered the week in Dec. when Mousefest is held? It brings together alot of like minded mouse people, many are solos, and there are meets and dinners that you can get in on, which makes your solo trip as solo as you want it or groupy as you want. I grew up in Wis. (Door County)

 

[dahirsh]

I always stay Value at WDW. Only use the rooms to sleep and shower generally, so it makes the most sense to me. I've stayed at all of the values except All Star Music. I like Pop and Movies best.

 

[kat3668]

Just back from my second solo trip, I stayed at pop for 2 nights and then CSR for 6 nights... I liked pop but will choose CSR for my solo trips from now on. You do not stick out so much because there are many solos there for conventions etc. The bus situation was awesome! The lines for pop buses were atrociuos and every bus I got on you had to wait forever for all the ECVS to load and unload. The pepper market was fabulous and the food choices were out of this world! So I would stay CSR hands down!

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I stayed solo at a value (POP) and it was perfectly fine for me. But if I could have afforded it that time (read: if this single hadn't just bought a house 2 months before that trip), I would have stayed at a MOD. I agree with a previous poster that it was just a bed and a shower for me. But I would have enjoyed a quieter experience.

The one memory of the hotel (I really can't get behind calling a value a "resort"), is a child running with really loud soled shoes to and fro in front of my door. My experiences in MODs is that it is quieter and more relaxed. And since I'm going from park opening until Jellyrolls' closing, I like to have a "relaxed" resort.

BUT, I reiterate ... going to a value vs. NOT going ... I'll choose a value any day

 

[PirateMel]

I stayed solo at a value (POP) and it was perfectly fine for me. But if I could have afforded it that time (read: if this single hadn't just bought a house 2 months before that trip), I would have stayed at a MOD. I agree with a previous poster that it was just a bed and a shower for me. But I would have enjoyed a quieter experience.

The one memory of the hotel (I really can't get behind calling a value a "resort"), is a child running with really loud soled shoes to and fro in front of my door. My experiences in MODs is that it is quieter and more relaxed. And since I'm going from park opening until Jellyrolls' closing, I like to have a "relaxed" resort.

BUT, I reiterate ... going to a value vs. NOT going ... I'll choose a value any day

I have done several solo trips in the last couple of years and the last one I stayed at the Sports with an AP rate, really noisy and they shoe thing drives me nuts, but it was cheap!
CSR is awesome, so is SSR if you can get the AP rate there for a studio as well, it connects to DTD with the boats or a short walk.

Mousefest was awesome, my first one with singles from Dismates and Disboards, and there is a FEB 8th weekend meet going on, as well as a possible building of a May 9th weekend one as well. The more the merrier, check out the MDKitten single thread.

 

[fakereadhed]

I wouldn't hesitate to stay at POP again. I fondly refer to it as The Disney Housing Projects, because it is really a step down from the grand theming of the other resorts, but I think for the price it's wonderful. I paid about $61 per night with a discount code and for the price it was clean, colorful, and came with free transportation to and from MCO with the Magical Express.

I like POP just fine. The Chicken Penne Pasta in the food court is great. But what I really like is the view of the Epcot fireworks from the 50's lakeview rooms. I prefer the 70's for convenience, but seeing the fireworks at 9:30 on evenings when you're at the resort is a wonderful perk.

Last trip I asked for 60's lakeview and got a first floor room at the far end of building 4. It was a non-connecting room which cuts down on the noise. (I have never had a problem with overhead noise at POP but you do hear kids running by occasionally on every floor.) When I wanted to see the fireworks, I would head up to the 4th floor for the best veiw. While the walk to the bus stops and foodcourt was shorter, you can't see Spaceship Earth from the 60's or hear the Illuminations music like you can in the 50's. I might ask for 50's lakeview next time.

 

[spiceycat]

you should try a DVC resort - you can rent one here (DVC rental/trade) from a member

then you get the deluxe experience for a moderate cost.

AKV, OKW - both have 8 points night - 8 points is generally $80 on this site.
Jan, Sept, most of Dec. These are studios.

BWV standard view - same months is 9 points.

that say I happen to like Pop - it is a value. but if you get a high as possible view of the lake - you won't generally have a problem with bunches of kids.

they seem to like pool view (which cost more)

never except a first floor at any Value resort - then you are asking for tons of people to walk in front of your room.

if you have a problem walking - all values have elevators. (some of the building at OKW -dvc and CBR - moderate do NOT have elevators)

I prefer the steps - very easy steps to walk up and down. Disney does not expect you to be 6' tall (like some steps in b'ham, al) to walk the steps.

 

[dahirsh]

Location can be key for Value resorts. I always request an upper floor which really cuts down on the noise.

 

[fakereadhed]

never except a first floor at any Value resort - then you are asking for tons of people to walk in front of your room.

I have had the opposite experience...tons of foot traffic outside my upper level room, much less on the first floor. Maybe it's because there are other walkways on the ground level, but on upper floors you can only walk past the rooms?

 

[spiceycat]

well I also get near the steps not the elevators. So maybe that is why my room has always been quiet.

 

[Bete]

First, I'm not in the room enough or at the resort enough to care. I like being at the parks from early morn until late. If you are worried about noise levels I would stay away from pool areas or where there are playing areas, etc.

If I'm on a budget, I prefer spending the money on better eating places or souvenirs, etc. You can always visit other resorts for dinner, etc. The transportation gets a little tricky doing it, but it's ok. Go to the monorail resorts when you're at Epcot or MK. Go to Boardwalk when you're in Epcot, as an example.

There's no denying that the value resorts are basic; so, you need to decide what's important to you. Actually, I rather stay deluxe or value; I think the moderate is the least desirable for me.

 

[englishrose47]

I always stay Value at WDW. Only use the rooms to sleep and shower generally, so it makes the most sense to me. I've stayed at all of the values except All Star Music. I like Pop and Movies best.

Totally agree stayed at Pop and loved it The kids loved the pool, the game room . The foodcourt was great. The buses wer great. We had supper at Concourse and checked out the Contemporary Naaa!! to big , posh and not at all us! Given the choice I pick Pop!