First ever trip to wdw May 8th-16th and goin solo :)

[DisneylandGuy22]

Ok i thought i would post about my upcoming first ever trip to wdw. I'm going May 8th-16th and staying at Saratoga Springs in a DTD/lake view. Im very nervous yet excited to see the world. Ive been to Disneyland like 7 times and on my trip in September i purchased into DVC (best purchase i have made yet).

So my questions for everyone are.....

Is 8 days good for first trip?
What can i expect for weather?
What kind of pass should i get?
Anything i should avoid?
What are the must attractions to see?
How do i get from my resort to the different parks?

Ok i think thats enough to start for now, lol

55 days and counting........

Thanks for your help, if anyone wants to chat feel free to message me

 

[DisneylandGuy22]

Anyone?

 

[alite]

I've never stayed at that resort, but there are many options for transportation. You can use the buses, boats, monorails(you're resort may only have buses??, but once you're at the parks, you have many options) and while most people are to tired to do it, you can walk from some parks to the resorts and pick up different transportation that way. We always use the buses to get everywhere. If there isn't a direct route to where we are going, we'll take a bus to one point and then hop on another bus to get to our destination. As far as attractions, everyone has there own tastes. We always make sure we see Wishes/Illuminations though, that is a must for us.

 

[ReginaBelle]

Is 8 days good for first trip?
What can i expect for weather?
What kind of pass should i get?
Anything i should avoid?
What are the must attractions to see?
How do i get from my resort to the different parks?

1) 8 Days is great for a first trip. It gives you a chance to get a feel for all the different areas of WDW without getting too warn out park hopping like crazy trying to get everything in.

2) I've never been in May, so I can't comment on the weather then

3) I would look at either getting a 7 day pass with the ablility to park hop. If you're looking to do Pleasure Island and the water parks a lot I would add that feature in as well. I see you're a DVC member though, so you may want to look into a season's pass as I believe you get a discount on Season's passes, which are in turn good for discounts on dining, etc.

4) I wouldn't avoid anything! It never hurts to try anything once, you never know what you might like!

5) I love everything EPCOT!!! It's great to see all the different pavillions, and I also like Test Track and Mission Space. Soarin' is not to be missed! I also love Rockin' Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. I can't wait to do Everest as well.

6)Disney has a great transportation system. And if you're in doubt on how to get somewhere, just ask a bus driver! They're usually more than willing to help you out!

Have a great trip!

 

[DisneyMarathon]

8 days should be enough for your trip. Weather will be warm by then. It is easy to get around with Disney transportation. You will have a great time! In addition to the rides, I always enjoy the shows at MGM and Animal Kingdom. Do something different too - rent a waverunner and zip around the lake, biking around the Boardwalk area, diving at the Living seas at Epcot, segway tour, snorkelling at Typhoon Lagoon, etc. I am a single female and may be going on a solo trip in May too. Maybe I will see you there. Friends always wonder why I go there so often because I was just there in January.

 

[dwmlaf]

Don't forget the Flower Festival - There looks like there is a TON of stuff to do

 

[Vivianne]

May can be from pleasantly warm to hot. Varies from year to year. Expect more crowds on Mother's Day.

 

[spiceycat]

are you still going?

I have been to SSR. love it - beautifully resort.

bus transportation to the parks. there is a boat to dd if you want to take it - or you can walk over.

 

[justlikeeyore]

Dont froget to try Adventure Club at Pleasure Island and Jellyrolls at the Broadwalk. Also go to one of the Flower Power concerts at EPCOT

 

[Terk-1]

Is 8 days good for first trip?
What can i expect for weather?
What kind of pass should i get?
Anything i should avoid?
What are the must attractions to see?
How do i get from my resort to the different parks?

1. 8 days is good. It will give you enough time to see & do what you really want to, especially since you are going solo.

2. May is a nice time to go, but expect it to be warm and chances of rain. Throw a poncho in your bag when you go to the parks (just in case). It's not unusual for a quick rain to come through. Also, bring a light jacket and/or a sweatshirt just in case it gets cool at night.

3. I would recommend getting a park hopper pass. This way you can hit one park in the morning, take a break in the afternoon, then head for another park at night. It's great flexibility.

4. I would avoid Chef Mickey's for dinner, as well as the Rainforest Cafe @ DTD. Both have awful food and service. Some of my favorite places to dine solo are:

Crystal Palace
Whispering Canyon Cafe
Le Cellier
Rose & Crown
50's Primetime Cafe
Tusker House

Found great food and service at all of these.

5. Some of my musts are:

Magic Kingdom:
Haunted Mansion (this is different from the one in CA)
Buzz Lightyear
Carousel of Progress
Peter Pan
Pirates of the Caribbean (this is different from the one in CA)
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
SpectroMagic
Wishes

EPCOT:
Soarin'
Test Track (there is a singles line at this attraction)
Spaceship Earth
Universe of Energy
Body Wars
Cranium Command
Honey I Shrunk the Audience
Living with the Land (this one is kinda neat)
Most of the World Showcase pavilions (I'd skip the boat ride at Mexico)
Illuminations
Flower & Garden Show (topiaries of various Disney characters can be found all over this park)

MGM:
Star Tours
Muppet Vision 3D
Fantasmic

Animal Kingdom:
Kilamanjaro
Kali River Rapids
Dinosaur
Lion King Show
Tree of Life (take some time and walk all the way around this)

6. Your resort should have buses to all of the parks.

Hope this helps. If you need (or want) any more suggestions on doing WDW solo, just let me know.

 

[taswira]

Is 8 days good for first trip?
What can i expect for weather?
What kind of pass should i get?
Anything i should avoid?
What are the must attractions to see?
How do i get from my resort to the different parks?

1 - 8 days is plenty for a complete, relaxing WDW vacation.

2 - Warm, humid, maybe some windy days, almost definitely occasional rain or thunderstorms (which hopefully won't last long).

3 - Any kind of Park Hopper. Decide if you need to include the water parks, PI and Disney Quest.

4 - Only avoid the things you are positive you won't like. Otherwise, soak it all in. I wouldn't rely too much on trip reports or recommendations, only because I have found both quality and service to vary (sometimes even day to day) at most locations. I am generally at WDW a couple of times per week for the attractions and dining and find that unfortunately things are not always consistent. So just try whatever looks appealing to you and hope for the best.

5 - If you like it all as I do (coasters, thrill rides, scenic attractions, classics, the characters, shows, etc.), then try it all because in 8 days you should have time for that if you learn your way around.

6 - Transportation between SSR and the parks is by bus. I think your best bet would be to take the bus from SSR to Epcot. From there you will be able to ride the monorail between Epcot and MK, and take the boat from Epcot to the D-MGM Studios and back. Those options also get you to several resorts and the Boardwalk area. From any of those, you can get a bus to Animal Kingdom. Keep in mind that, unless something has just changed, you can not get a bus directly to or from the parks and DTD. You have to go to a resort hotel first. Of course SSR is in the vicinity anyway.

Have fun!

 

[taswira]

Uh . . . I didn't mean to be a thread killer here, so I'm just bumping this up for you!

 

[SandraVB79]

I'll be on my first trip to WDW as a single female from May 4-11, and looking forward to it!!

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

SSR is a great resort, we own as well. 8-days! thats a good start, remember u can't do it all in 8days, but u can die happy trying . Our 1st trip we ran around like crazy. I would stick to just the theme parks for 1st trip and skip the water parks. hit each park twice. 1st time map out all the rides u "must see" and then take it slow on the 2nd trip and enjoy everything, ur bound to walk right past alot of great stuff with out noticing just because it is so overwhelming the 1st trip. Take advantage of the extra magic hours. and when u r at epcot use the international gateway to go to boardwalk then take a boat to MGM. good way to rest and best way (IMHO) to get to these 2 locations without messing with the buses. Have fun

 

[1-AlterEgo]

I wish I could go solo, some day

 

[DisneylandGuy22]

Well im going from May8th-23rd now. So 16 days total instead of 8. It's now 14 days and counting till im there I cant wait.......

 

[JohnathanS]

Well im going from May8th-23rd now. So 16 days total instead of 8. It's now 14 days and counting till im there I cant wait.......

If you are going for that long, then I would *definitely* go for an Annual Pass and, as a DVC member, I would get the discounted Premium Pass that allows you into Pleasure Island and the Water Parks. With that much time you will certainly be able to fit those in without rushing. May is a terrific time of year to go! I myself am leaving in 4 days for the BWI (I'm also a DVC member, but I have used all my points for the year...time for an add-on, lol!!)

Also, I have done a couple of solo trips and loved it...one was even during Hurricane Jeanne! Nothing to be nervous about.

Have Fun!

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

If you are going for that long, then I would *definitely* go for an Annual Pass and, as a DVC member, I would get the discounted Premium Pass that allows you into Pleasure Island and the Water Parks. With that much time you will certainly be able to fit those in without rushing. May is a terrific time of year to go! I myself am leaving in 4 days for the BWI (I'm also a DVC member, but I have used all my points for the year...time for an add-on, lol!!)

Also, I have done a couple of solo trips and loved it...one was even during Hurricane Jeanne! Nothing to be nervous about.

Have Fun!

The annual pass would make it easier to do another trip a week or two earlier next year.

Did you decide which kind of pass you are going to get?

I am starting to get excited now. I can only imagine how excited you are right now since it is your first trip

 

[jenelope]

The AP also makes it easier to justify shorter park days. For instance, if you want to go to Epcot for dinner and Illuminations after an oh-so-strenuous day of relaxing by the pool, you don't feel like you've "wasted" a ticket day by not spending the whole day in a park.

I have to say, I've never actually bought a Park Hopper (though my parents bought them for me as a kid). All of my adult tickets have been APs. My May trip is the second I've taken on my current AP.