Cheapest solo getaway?

[heart4dis]

What would be the cheapest way to go solo for a quick WDW getaway? I realize the answer is "it depends..." so let's say...

1. stay on-site, no car rental
2. flying from Texas
3. stay Friday - Monday (I said a quick getaway--I guess I mean a short one!)

 

[spiceycat]

stay at Pop century.

can't help on the plane - I fly Southwest - but I don't think they are the cheap airline in Texas that they are elsewhere....

 

[Simba's Mom]

stay at Pop century.

can't help on the plane - I fly Southwest - but I don't think they are the cheap airline in Texas that they are elsewhere....

Actually, in the part of Texas I live in, Continental is actually cheaper than Southwest, most of the time. However, if you watch Southwest's fares, you may be able to get a real cheap fare on fairly short notice (that's how I got my bonus August trip last year-couldn't resist that SOuthwest special!)

 

[LUV4TINK]

I go quite frequently for long weekends.
I have an AP, so I find it much more affordable if I...

stay off property
get a rental car

I usually can get a room for around $35.
I also like the freedom the car give me to move from park to park and to the resorts.

I have most the fun trying to go with spending the LEAST as possible when I go alone. If it allows me to go more often, I don't NEED all the frills. I really am not in the room that much anyways.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I just returned from my cheapest solo trip ever! I got seven nights at POP for under $400 (love those value-season AP discounts!). I drove both ways so only had to pay gas money (which was $85 in each direction, but still cheaper than the AutoTrain since I don't fly). And I eat breakfast in my room (just need milk), and only eat at places that use my DDE card! With my refillable mug and DDE, I can eat at the POP food court for dinner for less than $8.00. And wear and tear on my car is a moot point since it is 11 years old and has almost 200,000 miles on it - might as well use it till it falls to pieces!

So there are ways to do a nice trip quite cheaply! People don't believe me when I tell them that I go to Disney often since it's a great deal!

 

[heart4dis]

I checked mapquest and I am only 50 more miles from WDW than Mendham, NJ. Did you drive straight through? I would have to stop overnight somewhere which would add another night hotel fee...How did you stay awake all by yourself? I'm having fun toying with this idea, but I had ruled out driving by myself. You got me thinking...(although we may have enough frequent flyer points for me to fly free...but we were hoping to use those to fly my mom here for a visit...)

Did you write a trip report?

 

[brandip22]

I'd love to go solo. I could use some DVC points, so no cost there and I'm buying an AP for my trip in Dec, so I could count that there. I guess it'd be just food and a flight for me. Oh, I'm planning now! Wonder when I can convince Dh to "let" me go!!

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I checked mapquest and I am only 50 more miles from WDW than Mendham, NJ. Did you drive straight through? I would have to stop overnight somewhere which would add another night hotel fee...How did you stay awake all by yourself? I'm having fun toying with this idea, but I had ruled out driving by myself. You got me thinking...(although we may have enough frequent flyer points for me to fly free...but we were hoping to use those to fly my mom here for a visit...)
Did you write a trip report?

I never wrote a trip report - it would be all about me chasing characters!

Oops, there was one other hotel night on my trip! For my solo trip driving down from NJ, I did stay overnight in Fredericksburg VA, which was $78 a night. I cringed paying that much, since POP was only $50! It was about 5 hours from my house. The next day I drove the other 14 or so to Orlando (turned out to be over 16 since there was a horrible tanker accident on I95!).

The way home, I drove STRAIGHT through!!!!!! I was 19 hours in the car, but I wanted to save money on a hotel room, and I just wanted to get the drive "over with". People think I am nuts to drive alone for 19 hours, but it wasn't bad at all, since I was mentally prepared to do it. My car is old but reliable (a Honda Accord), and I just had it serviced, so I felt comfortable driving it both ways. I left Orlando at about 9:45 and arrived at home at exactly 5:00 in the morning!

I actually enjoy long car rides, and I love putting on some tunes on my MP3 player (best thing I ever bought for my car!) and just watch the country go by. I done the drive many times, so I know the route well.

I do worry abit about being a lone female on a long drive, and unfortunately I was approached by a strange woman trying to beg me of $20.00 at a rest stop in North Carolina - I got out of there real fast!!! And sometimes finding good places to get gas where I feel safe can be a challenge late at night, but I manage.

I never fly, so it's drive or the AutoTrain (which is expensive both ways), so I had no choice but get used to those long drives! Hope this helps!

 

[DisneyAunt]

I'd love to go solo. I could use some DVC points, so no cost there and I'm buying an AP for my trip in Dec, so I could count that there. I guess it'd be just food and a flight for me. Oh, I'm planning now! Wonder when I can convince Dh to "let" me go!!

I'm with you!! I have a bunch of DVC points to use, I have an annual pass, I have a DDE card. I am just looking for decent airfare and maybe a car rental. What more can a person ask for.

I had planned on going in January but I am taking care of my ill father. I am hoping to maybe escape in March and then go back in May for the FLower and Garden show.

 

[Taja]

On site least expensive lodging: value resort with AP discount (if you have one) or AAA discount (about 10% to 15%).

DME transport to/from MCO (not sure if there is a fee for it now).

Take a few snack food items in your carry-on to minimize impulse buying when you're in your room.

Purchase your park tickets in advance from TicketMania or Maple Leaf (or other reputable discount broker) if you don't have an AP.