First Solo Trip --- Few Questions!

[rubysparkles]

I've booked 11 nights at Port Orleans Riverside (in a King bed suite) between October 31st to November 11th. I have travelled alone before (and even did two days at Disneyland California last year) and it's becoming a bit of a habit, what with friends being flakey and family not wanting to go to the same places as me.

I am really excited to be going, especially because it's Food and Wine! I'm not sure how to work it with the dining plan though. I'm on the regular plan and have never used the dining plan before. I'm not sure whether to upgrade to the deluxe because I want to use the snack credits and dine at the signature restaurants. On the other hand, that sounds like a lot of food for me. I'm trying to thinking about it economically, if I book Signatures should I double up on DP credits or pay out of pocket for what I want on the night. And if I'm doing that won't I end up paying out of pocket for the F&W on top of that as well?

I keep trying to work all that out, every which way!!! Also, I'm not sure about making reservations as I'll be dining alone. I've read bits and pieces about eating at the bars of places like Narcoosee's, California Grill and Flying Fish but are they often really busy? I've made a few reservations already but not sure what would be best. Can you use dining plan at the bars as well (probably a newbie question), I know you can't for alcohol but for the meal?

Another thing, as I'm on my own I am going to want to contact home. What's the best way to do this? What with fees for internet access and astronomical fees for using the hotel telephones, does anyone have any ideas?

I probably have lots more questions that I've forgotten. Any advice would be amazing, even if it's not related to the questions I asked!

 

[FBDM66]

I just use my cell phone to avoid the charges on the room phone.

I stayed at POR solo last year during Food & Wine while attending a conference in Orlando. Loved it! Sorry I can't help w/ your dinning plan question - i' haven't used it. I'm sure you'll have a great time!

Enjoy!

 

[Cafeen]

I've booked 11 nights at Port Orleans Riverside (in a King bed suite) between October 31st to November 11th. I have travelled alone before (and even did two days at Disneyland California last year) and it's becoming a bit of a habit, what with friends being flakey and family not wanting to go to the same places as me.

I am really excited to be going, especially because it's Food and Wine! I'm not sure how to work it with the dining plan though. I'm on the regular plan and have never used the dining plan before. I'm not sure whether to upgrade to the deluxe because I want to use the snack credits and dine at the signature restaurants. On the other hand, that sounds like a lot of food for me. I'm trying to thinking about it economically, if I book Signatures should I double up on DP credits or pay out of pocket for what I want on the night. And if I'm doing that won't I end up paying out of pocket for the F&W on top of that as well?

The normal DDP at signatures is not a good use of the plan. One or two for a lengthy trip like yours isn't bad, but more than that and you'd certainly be better off OOP. (There's a lot of math behind this, but it basically boils down to 1 TS credit costing roughly $30 on the DDP (for 2011) and rarely being able to get an Entree + Dessert + Drink to reach anywhere near $60 at a signature). So, if you plan on doing mostly Sigs, either OOP or DxDDP would work best for you.

Now, figuring it out, this is a whole topic in and of itself .

For starters, do you think you'd be spending at least 2/3 of your credits at TS locations (focusing mostly on lunch and dinner) and are you going to want all 3 courses with most of those (and all of the sigs)?

With F&W available, using the snack credits offered with the plan should be easy , but do you think you'd be spending most of those credits? Or only a portion of them?

Are you going to be OK with the time and money investments that coincide with DxDDP? Time from both a preplanning standpoint (which will be a bit less, since you are solo) and from an actual eating standpoint (each meal can take 60-90 minutes). Also, there is a large front-end cash load to purchase the plan.

If you think you'd use the plan as suggested above (2/3 credits at TS, entitlements used (mostly), most snack credits used, and being OK with investment (time and money)), the DxDDP may be the way to go. If not, then stop right here and get that Credit Card warmed up (or whatever you end up using to pay).

If DxDDP seems the way to go, then go ahead and try and plot everything out if you wish. I tend to do this to see how much I am saving on my own. It's not necessary, as if you follow the general guidelines, you're much more likely to come out ahead, but I like numbers

As a note, if making ADRs and there doesn't seem to be anything available for 1, check for 2. There's a bug in the system where parties of 1 don't always show all available options. (CM confirmed). Beware if making CC held reservations though, as they're likely to charge for the missing person, but that only comes into play at CRT, the Dinner Shows (all pre-paid and not CC held), Akershus, and California Grill.

I keep trying to work all that out, every which way!!! Also, I'm not sure about making reservations as I'll be dining alone. I've read bits and pieces about eating at the bars of places like Narcoosee's, California Grill and Flying Fish but are they often really busy? I've made a few reservations already but not sure what would be best. Can you use dining plan at the bars as well (probably a newbie question), I know you can't for alcohol but for the meal?

For the most part, I think no, unless they are tied to a full service restaurant and you're getting full service restaurant food. However, I have 0 personal experience and no anecdotal either, so I'm just guessing.

Another thing, as I'm on my own I am going to want to contact home. What's the best way to do this? What with fees for internet access and astronomical fees for using the hotel telephones, does anyone have any ideas?

I probably have lots more questions that I've forgotten. Any advice would be amazing, even if it's not related to the questions I asked!

If you have a cell phone, use that (assuming you're in the states, if international, that's a whole different story).

For internet, it's sold in 24hour blocks, so try picking it up late one night, and then using it until the same time the next day. Skip a day, then repeat. This should allow you to technically get 2 days in 1 24 hour period, lowering the cost by, well, half.

If you have a smartphone, especially with unlimited data, look into PDANet and see about tethering (allowing a computer to access the internet via the phone's data signal). The free version of PDANet works just fine. Note that if you do NOT have unlimited data, this will take data from the plan, so it can be risky. You may also want to look into an AirCard or something similar. I don't have one, nor have I ever used one, but some do and they seem to work just fine. No idea of the cost associated with them though.

 

[rubysparkles]

Thanks for your help. I've upgraded to Deluxe, I think it makes sense.

I'm from the uk, so I've looked up service charges by calling home from my mobile, but will probably look into buying a phone card.