DH gave me a solo trip ... When to go?

[LaurenT]

my DH gave me a one week trip to any resort of my choosing any time in 2016.
I thought about DL - since I haven't been in decades, but DW will be a lot cheaper for me. I have an AP that doesn't expire until August and I also have 7 days left on a non exp. Ticket .... I found round trip airfare for $200 in May that I can cover with points, so if I go then, the only real cost will be the hotel.
May will also be reasonable crowds ... Probably decent weather, and the flower and garden fest will Be running.
On the other hand - I'd love to go in October for F&W and Halloween. And some of the new stuff may be up and running? The new Soarin and frozen .... Not sure what airfare will cost since SW doesn't release dates that far in advance.
Any thoughts?

 

[patty57]

Lauren, I want to be you. With that said, I love F&G and the weather in May. It's probably my favorite time to go...especially early May.

 

[LaurenT]

Lauren, I want to be you. With that said, I love F&G and the weather in May. It's probably my favorite time to go...especially early May.

I'm definitely leaning toward it. It would be May 15-22 I think, I'm taking DD on a road trip end of April, so that's a lot of vacation - but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
I was wondering if River of Light would be running by then. It's supposed to start in the spring, but AK is still saying it's only open until 5 pm ... Won't they stay open later once that show starts?

 

[ArielRae]

I went solo last May during the 24hr event and had a blast!

 

[patty57]

I think it will have to stay open later. It will have to be shown after dark.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

I live in the Northeast, so I would go in March when I am sick of the winter weather.

 

[DizzneyDi]

I'm definitely leaning toward it. It would be May 15-22 I think, I'm taking DD on a road trip end of April, so that's a lot of vacation - but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
I was wondering if River of Light would be running by then. It's supposed to start in the spring, but AK is still saying it's only open until 5 pm ... Won't they stay open later once that show starts?

Disney is constantly adjusting and adding hours as dates get closer, so what you're seeing now on the calendars will undoubtedly be changed, possibly more than once, by May. There's been talk that RoL will debut sometime around Earth Day (April 22) and I've heard May 1 for Frozen Ever After, but at this point it's all rumors. Even if you don't get to experience any new attractions May is a great time to go. I've done 2 solo trips and enjoyed both because I could spend as much time as I wanted to browsing through shops etc. without feeling guilty! I also found that CMs and even other guests were much more likely to strike up a conversation if I was alone in a line or having a meal.

 

[Canuck16]

NICE!!!

Anytime

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would go during food and wine!

 

[Accident]

You're not there yet???? If someone handed me a take it when you want trip I'd be packing with 1 hand while trying to book a room and flight with the other.. I'll deal with work once I get there

 

[HopperFan]

I find F&W is only fun with others (yes I've done solo).

I would be all over Flower and Garden. Solo trip means I could explore every nook of Epcot and the other parks and not be pressed to do attractions - so attraction closures I wouldn't care. I also would not waste the NE tickets and use my AP instead. Add some great weather too.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I would go in May

 

[Mambo Junkie]

May also. I am going in May myself; never been in early May. Went once for a week preceding Memorial Day, and never doing that again.

 

[drp4video]

I was solo last May from the 13th-18th. (not by choice, was meeting my mom who was coming from a different State and as I was boarding the plane, my brother called to say she didn't feel well and was not coming. She ended up being fine thank goodness). That was the perfect time to go. Schools are still in session so less crowded than I am used to. Maybe because I had not planned a solo trip, I found it a little lonely. I did talk to people in line, not always but a lot. Many were so surprised I was there alone. I did do some things that I don't always get to do when I am with my daughter, and I did enjoy the Flower and Garden Festival. waiting for MK fireworks was different without someone to talk to, but I also people watched. I stayed at the AKL so there was always a lot to do at the resort itself. Good place to stay if you are solo. A little far out from the parks, other than AK but fine. I took the buses for the first time as I didn't really want to drive back from the parks in my rental car alone late at night as it can be confusing sometimes. I did have fun it was just different. I think I would go back solo again as a PLANNED solo trip. I think I was disappointed and my trip was affected that my mom (age 82) wasn't coming and I of course was worried about her. I also did like that I could eat where and whenever I wanted to eat, and I watched the parades, which my daughter 27, doesn't get that excited about anymore.

Ok, that was long and not really that relevant to the OP.

I have been in September when the Halloween decorations are up and they are fun to see, but never in October. Wondering if the crowds are heavier because of Halloween. Having experienced WDW in pretty much every month and time of year, I really did love May. The weather was perfect, the crowds were smaller, and therefore, I would recommend May over October.

 

[cgattis]

Wow, I was going to say May also! We're there once for Mothers Day and it was gorgeous. I think F&G would be great solo, but F&W would seem lonely to me (nobody to try the "other" dish from each kiosk) and I'd just miss dressing up in a theme with my kids too much if I went in October.

 

[csmith041177]

First off, and as others have echoed, congratulations! I am so jealous. I have only done a solo trip once, but it was really one of the most enjoyable experiences I have had. I did miss the family experience, but not having to hurry or cater to the schedule of others was a lot of fun. I strolled around and enjoyed the many details that I often miss out on. Having said that, I would also say May. October, with Food and Garden and Halloween really is catered more towards non-solo trips. We did Flower and Garden this past year, and I could have really taken more advantage of seeing all the cool things offered if it was a solo trip. Hope you have a ton of fun!

 

[LaurenT]

Thanks everyone! I checked the flights again and the price had already gone up $20, so I bought them before they go higher .... So May it is! Now to pick a resort! I'm thinking either POFQ or POP. There's probably about a $500 difference so I just have to decid if it's worth it. Does anyone know - if I book now and then they offer an AP discount for my dates, can I apply the discount after the fact?