considering first solo trip - ??

[rmom]

I have been to WDW 3 times with my mom and sn daughter. I am thinking of going alone because I doubt my mother want to go again and it would be nice to see WDW without having to spend the whole time meeting my daughter's need - ok & my elderly mother's need also.

I am trying to decide where to stay. Been to WL, AKL, POR, FWC (LOVED the cabin but too expensive for just me). I am thinking of staying at one of the value or moderates. Which do you perfer and why? How is the transportation from the value resorts and what about the noise? Since I am coming from Calif. and the airfare will be about $300 or so, I am leaning toward the value because of cost. I'd like to keep it down unless my mom goes then we would stay at a moderate or above for her comfort. Do the values have fridges in them?

What transportation do you use to and from the resort to the airport? We used the town car services because of my daughter on 2 trips and had a car for the one trip.

Since the parks close early (dec 1-7), is there a lot of activity around the resort? I am worried about safety issues. I'd like to spend some of the evening at a different resorts after the parks close. I am thinking of skipping the hopper pass and just picking one park per day - thought I do love Epcot.

Can you get a meal to go at any of the restaurants that are not buffets to take back to your hotel instead of eating there?

Thanks for your help.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I stayed at Pop with just my DD9 and would stay there again if I had to do a value resort and it was just me. I loved the store there. The food court had a nice selection as well but it always seemed crowded to me and had kids running wild everywhere when we were in there.

I stayed at POR for my solo trip. I really liked it and having a hot tub to relax in at night was very nice. I also liked the store and food court. I relaxed in the lounge 2 nights and had a couple of drinks. The boat to and from DTD was extremely relaxing as well. I tried to get POFQ but they didn't have any discount rooms left and I'm all about saving money when I can.

I think my first choice would be a moderate and it would be POFQ because of it's smaller size. I also really liked the DTD boat, a hot tub and lounge. For my 2nd moderate choice if I couldn't get POFQ, I think would be CBR. I really, really liked the food court there for some reason and I enjoyed the beachy feel of it.

If I have to do a value, Pop would be the way to go for me because Disney doesn't put sports teams at Pop. I like to sleep at night.

I used Magical Express to and from the Airport. I had no problems with it and am planning on using it on any future solo trips. I also used Disney Transporation the whole time and didn't mind it at all.

Value resorts don't have fridges in them. You can rent them for 10.00 a day.

I didn't get any meals to go. I only ate a couple of TS meals (Boma, Teppan Edo and Le Cellier). I loved Boma and Teppan Edo as a solo diner. Le Cellier felt strange to me but maybe that's because I've eaten there with the family so I was used to that.

As far as stuff to do in the evenings, I did DTD and the bar at the resort. The rest of the time, I was in the parks or sleeping in my room because I wore myself out. You could tour the monorail resorts one evening too. I'm thinking of doing that on my maybe Dec 2010 solo trip. There's also MVMCP at MK during the time you are going.

Have fun!

 

[wdwkimberlee]

Hi rmom.

I'm also going on my first solo trip Dec 1-7!!Can't wait! I've chosen ASMu because of the great price (I also got 40% off from a pin code) and because I haven't stayed there before.

I stayed at POFQ Jan '07 when I went with my mom. It was really a nice, quiet resort. It was small and easy to find our way around, the buses were timely. I also agree with you about the FW cabins. We stayed there in 2000 when our kids were 7, 9, 11. It was great for a family with young children. I also stayed at POP last Sept with a friend. It was nice, but definitely noisy and crowded with kids. Buses worked out fine, just crowded.

I've used DME several times now and haven't had any problems with it. It's free and, in my experience, timely.

As far as after hours activity, I don't know how much there is around the value resorts, but I think I'll feel safe visiting the other resorts. If I have the energy this is something I would like to do in order to see all the Christmas decorations.

Have fun with your planning!

Kim

 

[Missytara]

Going by yourself; hands down for me - POR......

 

[LiteninPrincessa42]

I am going on my third solo trip in 3 1/2 weeks and staying at BCV this time. I have stayed at Pop, which was great, and CSR which was great also. Mod had more things to do at the resort than value, and the hot tub was great! I did the POP in Sept with free dining in 2007 and it was a great value, literally!