Disney Spring Break First Solo Trip

[BelleGirl410]

So I just got given a trip to WDW by my dear parents for spring break which starts on March 9th.

They used DVC points to get me a room for the week and I had delta miles that got me the flight but that's all they're sponsoring so I'm on my own for food etc. We do have annual passes so I'm not concerned about that but I am going to be on a students budget and it is my first solo trip so I was wondering if anybody had any cheap ideas for unique things to do, budget suggestions, that kind of thing.

I don't plan on doing much shopping this time around because I'm going with my parents for our annual vacation in the summer so that will happen then but other than that my mind is not set on anything in particular.

Also, would it be cheaper as a solo to fork out the money for a quick service dining plan for the seven nights I'm there or just go with the flow food wise?

 

[spiceycat]

take it you are using DME and not getting a rental car.

so depending upon your eating habits - it might be cheaper to have groceries delivered

either
www.wegoshop.com
or
www.gardengrocer.com

like we go shop because you can do your own list (have food allergies - so preplanned list generally do not work for me)

where are you staying? in SSR or BWV - there is a Hess gas station close enough to walk to it. So you could get some things there

 

[BelleGirl410]

Yeah, I'm doing the DME, it just didn't make sense to spend the money on a rental car. I have food allergies too, so I can understand that.

I'm staying at CBR. We exchanged in because this all happened yesterday, literally. So it's all very last minute.

Thanks for your help!

 

[spiceycat]

you don't get a kitchenette at CBR. the refrigerator is about half the size compared to the DVC studios.

 

[BelleGirl410]

I figured as much. It's just a little mini fridge then? The size college students usually have or even smaller? We tried to get a DVC studio but because it was 11 days before the arrival date there weren't openings so this was the best bet at that point

 

[undchefreak]

My non-cooking tips: I brought shelf stable coconut-almond milk and a box of cereal in my checked bag, which covered breakfast. It didn't need to be refrigerated, but I prefer it that was. Cereal bars, fruit snacks/dried fruit, and granola travel well for snacks. Bring an empty bottle for water, and order a cup at any quick service; it is free. I also did sit down restaurants, because my budget was pretty loose, but 2 quick services a day would have worked out to $17-$22 a day (with Earl of Sandwich, the Morocco quick service, and the Broccoli chicken salad being my favorite stops).

The quick service dining plan is only a good deal if you max out at every meal, which can get old.

 

[BelleGirl410]

I definitely like those ideas for snacks thank you! I think i'm going to end up eating a bunch of snacks like that through the day and not actually getting 2 quick service meals a day. My parents and I did the empty water bottle thing last summer and it really helped, I didn't realize water at the quick services would be free though, so thank you for that advice.

Yeah, I don't want to max out at every meal given that will be eating a lot. Thank you so much for your advice!

Any other advice for things to do on a solo trip?

 

[rachdawn26]

I took a solo trip during this time last year. For food I did a few table service but mostly counter service. If you are not a big eater, most counter service places you can request to not have the side option (for example, fries) and it makes the meal cheaper. Also this year the Flower and Garden Festival is having food booths so you might want to try snacking similar to Food and Wine Festival. It's definitely a go with the flow type of trip, do what you want when you want. I also found that I was able to go to a lot of resorts I've never been to just to sight see and do a lot of things I wanted to do that maybe my traveling companions would not have wanted to.

 

[Dave McCullough]

Well, the night of the 15th is Epcot Friday night extra magic hours - if you are of drinking age you can usually meet people as you drink around the world - I do it every time I am down (and conveniently will on the 15th).
Also, on the patio of Raglan Road in Downtown Disney (the Irish Pub on Pleasure Island) they usually have one or two Irish guys playing music until 1am each night - I enjoy them better than the full band inside the pub - and they do take requests, as long as they know the song.
And if in the amusement parks on the 15th and 16th you see a graying long haired guy trading pins, come and say hello - there is a very good chance it will be me.