Favorite DVC resort to stay for solo traveler

[maospt2]

For those that have gone on a solo trip or want to, what DVC resort would you say is best to stay for a solo traveler. Things I am considering food options, internal transportation, and it not being a park heavy trip.

 

[Lsdolphin]

Riviera

 

[RanDIZ]

For those that have gone on a solo trip or want to, what DVC resort would you say is best to stay for a solo traveler. Things I am considering food options, internal transportation, and it not being a park heavy trip.

Never done a solo trip, but I would suggest AKV for the food options and a more of a resort stay. Transportation is manageable.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Riviera

Seconding Riviera. Haven’t done it solo yet but it’s where I would pick.

 

[jcolvin5]

Don't tell my wife and kids, but this is a dream of mine. To plan a solo trip. I actually want to do a split stay and stay in every resort for at least a night.

Enough about me...the options are endless based on what information you have shared. What resorts do you love? Is DVC point conservation as issue or no? Which parks are you focusing on?

Limited experience (maybe 8 resorts or so), but I've never walked away from a Disney resort and been unhappy having stayed there. To me, Disney is such a small footprint. I see people talking about things being "out of the way". I mean, 20 minutes anywhere you want to go? I don't consider anything out of the way...especially going solo. So sky is the limit!

My favorite...BCV for the quick access to EP and skyliner to HS, plus a lot of food options at EP. Hell, if I'm by myself then I may even walk to HS. Favorite resort for food...AKL.

 

[Mommb]

Boardwalk and Beach Club provide a wide array of food options, with easy access to the Swan and Dolphin. They are also walking distance to 2 parks.

If parks are truly not important, you could also consider Saratoga Springs and Old Key West, which are close to Disney Springs.

 

[Steelers0854]

I second AKL. snag a Savanah view room, enjoy the balcony, and relax. While Jiko isnt my fav restaurant Sanaa is amazing and Boma breakfast is probably the best on property.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm DVC and have taken many solo trips. I've stayed at AKV (both Kidani and Jambo), VGF, Poly, BCV, BWV, and BRV. My favorite for a solo trip is BCV, followed closely by either of the AKLs. There's nothing like mobile ordering from Sanaa and then taking it back to your room to watch the animals.

 

[zavandor]

SSR, not only you get 4 pools (2 featured) and all the dining and shopping options at DS, but you can also walk to that bus stop and hop on a bus to any other resort.

 

[sndral]

The only resort I’ve stayed solo at was the GF in a cash room - I just love the relaxed vibe, so that’s where I’d stay .

 

[matt and beth]

BWV

Internal transportation: walk to Epcot or HS. Skyliner access

Food options: You have BWV, BCV, Dolphin, Yatch, and Swan all around you. Then, all the Skyliner resorts for quick access. And finally, a short walk to Epcot for tons of foodie options.

Random roll: BWV has major nightlife. Random artistic and magic shows. Jelly rolls or Atlantic Dance hall. Not to mention a couple of bars on the strip include the new CB.

Honorable mention: Maybe just a SSR with one of the building close to DS with lots of restaurants, shopping, and bars all within walking distance

 

[Sandisw]

Riviera is my go to resort!

 

[TCRAIG]

I’m DVC and travel solo - my favorites are Beach Club Villas and Grand Floridian. BCV because I have an AP so I can just buzz over to Epcot for food and VGF because it’s so lovely and peaceful there. And I guess I’m the odd one based on others responses - but I did not care for RIV at all! Too busy and too many kids…

 

[Best Aunt]

OP, you said it will not be a park-heavy trip, but I think two key details are missing:

a) how will you be spending your time if not at a park?

b) will you have a car?

Without a car, I like Boardwalk or Beach Club because there are a lot of restaurant and shopping options at nearby hotels within walking distance.

Another option would be BLT/Grand Floridian/Poly because there are a lot of restaurant and shopping options at nearby hotels via monorail.

At AKV, getting from the hotel to another hotel requires taking a bus to a theme park and then transferring. Same for Wilderness Lodge unless you take the boat to the Contemporary.

If you plan on mostly hanging around at your own hotel, AKV has a lot to do -- but have you looked at the menus for the hotel restaurants? If you don't want to spend the money for Jiko or Boma, you're limited to Sanaa and the Mara. Some people love them, but some people don't.

I went to Riviera for lunch one day so that I could look around and decide if I would like to stay there. Apparently I'm in the minority because I did not care for it. The gift shop is tiny, and there weren't a lot of things that I personally liked on the menu of the quick service restaurant. If you're happy on the Skyliner, that can get you to other hotels. I'm claustrophobic and get motion sick very easily, so I'm not a Skyliner person.

 

[zackiedawg]

Boardwalk and Saratoga, both easily above all other choices for me. I've stayed solo at other resorts too - I mean, I'm at Disney, so it's never a bad time. But Boardwalk's access to 9 other resorts via walking, boat, or Skyliner, plus walking access to Epcot and DHS, make it a definite favorite - plenty of restaurants, bars, and easy park access. Saratoga is a close second - specifically if I stay in Congress Park. Walking access to Disney Springs provides dozens of restaurants and bars, and walking to the Disney Springs bus stop provides easy one-stop access to EVERY other resort in Disney World. Plus the lovely boat rides to OKW or Port Orleans.

My next solo trip is the first week of February at the Fort Wilderness Cabins - I know access will not be as convenient to parks and other resorts, but I will have a golf cart making it easier to get around, and down to the boat launch, where I can get to Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary, MK, and the MK resort area easily. I have soloed at OKW, Boulder Ridge, AK Jambo, BLT, and Beach - all were fine stays and some like Beach share the same advantages of Boardwalk...OKW has boat acess to Disney Springs which isn't quite as convenient as Saratoga, but works in a pinch. Probably my least favorite for solo was AKL, just because there's no walking access to any park or other resort, and all transportation is bus-only - my least favorite method of transport.

I may be an exception because things like pools or spas don't matter to me - I never use resort pools (living in S. Florida, in a beach town, with a big pool in my backyard, means I just don't have any draw to pools when on vacation). So for me, it's all about access to food and drink, entertainment, parks, and good walking access.

 

[mort1331]

SSR, not only you get 4 pools (2 featured) and all the dining and shopping options at DS, but you can also walk to that bus stop and hop on a bus to any other resort.

Shhhhh....I dont need my number 1 resort starting to get busy...lol....My goto resort for solo travel. Never had a request not fulfilled. Walk to the golf clubhouse in the am,,,dinner at night at the Springs. If I goto a park multiple buses home I can take. Sometimes take POR and then take the boat from there. Lots of options. I actually like that room access is outside,,no hallway that can gather noise in.
Best part of DVC,,,lots of choice for all.

 

[KPeterso]

I have stayed several places on solo trips. I have found them all to be great for different reasons. I love AKV because it is so quiet and away from things and I can look at the animals. I like BCV or BWV for an epcot heavy trip (with some Hollywood Studios too). I like the convenience of walking to 2 parks. Next solo trip is actually a split stay - AKV Jambo for 3 nights and then Riviera for 4 nights (friend I am meeting wants to stay there and I did not have enough unrestricted points to use there the whole time).

Edited to add one thing - when I am solo, I do prefer staying at resorts with inside hallways (although I have stayed at Pop Century solo a couple times).

 

[maospt2]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their responses. Sorry the delay in reading all these between Thanksgiving and a stomach bug that hit my house. I own at SSR and have it booked for now, and still exploring for the 7th month mark. I am really considering Boulder Ridge and BWV as options. I usually do not have a car, but am considering renting one this trip.

 

[BaybeeYoda]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their responses. Sorry the delay in reading all these between Thanksgiving and a stomach bug that hit my house. I own at SSR and have it booked for now, and still exploring for the 7th month mark. I am really considering Boulder Ridge and BWV as options. I usually do not have a car, but am considering renting one this trip.

As a solo trip person I would do BWV. I just love wandering around the area, going to swan/dolphin, epcot, hollywood, or just sitting on the bench watching the boats or entertainers at night.

 

[samsp99]

This is my last day of a solo trip split between BWV and CCV. They are so very different- BVW has good access to everything, but doesn’t really have a core lobby/hang out area. CCV/BRV are so very relaxed in comparison- there are families, but nobody seems to be in a hurry. The BRV pool is a very relaxing place to hang out, as is the lake side seating by Geyser Peak.