First Solo Trip, Value or Moderate?

[Elizabeth B.]

Hello DISboards community!
I'm looking for some advice. I'm planning my first solo trip to WDW in about a year, and I'm wondering whether I should choose a value resort or moderate? I've been to WDW twice with family (2005 and 2011), and I am now planning my first solo trip next year during winter break from my bachelor's program. In my previous trips I stayed once at the Contemporary and once at an Embassy Suites. I was originally planning on staying in a moderate resort for my upcoming trip (Caribbean or one of the Port Orleans resorts), but after reading an article on the perks of staying in a value resort (still a great Disney experience, saving money that can be spent on other aspects of the trip, you don't spend much time in your room anyway) I'm second-guessing and thinking about staying in a value resort (leaning towards All-Star Movies). I'm thinking a five or six day trip spending most of my time in the parks from open-close, but might spend a little time resort hopping, too.
I've spent some time thinking about this, but could just use some advice from some more seasoned travelers, as this my first time doing the planning for a Disney trip.
Thank you all for your help!

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

We understand your struggle in deciding between a value and a moderate. I actually just made that decision today between Pop Century and Port Orleans - Riverside. We have stayed at both numerous times and enjoy both for different reasons. Every year we stay at the Wilderness Lodge with our whole family in November, but when just the two of us travel to WDW, we usually stay at Pop Century. The difference for 4 to 5 nights is almost 400.00 which pays for a park ticket or most of our food. We are really only in the resort to sleep. We enjoy going to AKL to enjoy that lobby, have a drink and sit by the firepit after dinner, or stroll around the Boardwalk and wander thru their lobby or eat at the Grand Floridian Cafe and enjoy the GF lobby or hop the monorail for the lobbies around the monorail circuit. (We drive so that does make movement easier, so that might be a consideration. ) Unless you are at a Deluxe that has its own lobby that you just walk downstairs to, then really the values and moderates are all about the same in terms of walking to a lobby and sitting --small lobbies with food courts and shopping. I will say, there may be more solo travelers at a moderate than value since there are so many children at the values. So..while we really enjoy Port Orleans- Riverside, saving the money and enjoying all that Disney has to offer outside the room, wins for us! Good luck and let us know what you decide!

 

[mdejesusjr85]

if i was going Solo i would stay in a Value resort. save the money so it could pay for your food and gifts. if you are spending most of your time at the parks then it makes more sense. like PP said the values hotels will have more families and groups you will have to deal with at the value resort but the money you save is a big difference. now if you dont have to worry about money then definitely go mod. i just came back from POFQ and it was worth every penny a lot less people and quieter resort, just great.

 

[lustergirl]

If you are going solo, stay at a value resort and use the extra money for something else.

 

[writerguyfl]

Should you choose to stay at a Disney Value resort, make sure you have proper expectations. They are several steps down in quality from Disney's Contemporary Resort or a typical Embassy Suites. But, if you know that going in, you'll be fine.

 

[bookgirl]

I've done several solo trips in both VALUE and MODERATE. Honestly, I was fine in both but the Value pricing makes it the more appealing to me. When I'm solo, I'm out the door early and may come back for a small mid day break but then I'm out again till late evening. I don't gym or pool at Disney. Solo means a double bed is fine for sleeping. About the only thing I miss in a Value is the coffee pot and I'm not a die hard must have hot coffee to function type of person, so it's easy to work around that. I also may be one of the few Disers to say this, but I actually prefer a food court to TS when I'm solo so having quick and easy dining is another point for the Value.

I'm also a fan of split stays when I'm solo. That way I save some money (more money/more trips) but still get a chance to try out new resorts.

HOWEVER, I will say that one time I did a long Value stay I was kind of over it by day 4. Not sure why exactly but 4 nights 5 days seem to be fine. Maybe because I"ve got Disney down to 4-5 park days and I can do everything I want so after that I'd be more inclined to want a relaxing resort.

POFQ is my favorite resort so far!

 

[mickey2minnie1]

Resort is most important to me. I want Disney and feel at home and safe. I would not feel comfortable at a value. Too big and spread out. I like intimate, especially if traveling solo. If I was traveling solo and could not stay deluxe, I would do POFQ. Soooo pretty and boat ride to DS! Can use POR pool too and food options are really good there.
POR mansions are very nice, but that is only request unless you do a royal room.

Good luck deciding.

 

[bksomody]

The biggest difference I noticed was the landscaping. I missed it when staying at a value but I like to sit outside on the benches and enjoy the atmosphere. If that's not important to you then I would go with value.

 

[2kidsForMe]

For a solo trip I would stay in a Value resort. I like the energy and vibe of the values, and room size is not an issue for one person. Save the money and treat yourself to some wonderful meals or treats. Have a great time.

 

[Bree]

When I took my solo trip I stayed at Pop Century. I took that savings and booked a tour and a nice sit down meal.

 

[bookgirl]

When I took my solo trip I stayed at Pop Century. I took that savings and booked a tour and a nice sit down meal.

Same here. I have Dine with an Imagineer and thinking about doing the Undiscovered Future World Tour and a meal at Homecoming in Disney Springs as well . If I was doing an all MOD stay I'd probably just do parks and maybe 1 TS.

 

[Cdjax]

I would also go with the Value resort. You really will not be spending that much time there aside from sleeping

 

[Elizabeth B.]

Thank you guys, this is helping a lot! I think I'm leaning towards doing value this time, and going for something fancier sometime in the future.

 

[goopysolelady]

My DD's and DH surprised me with a solo retirement/DisMeet trip in 2013 and they booked me at Art of Animation. The theming is awesome; bus service was good; room was adequate size and while the food court was always "crazy " busy, the food was great. My only complaint was the long walk to my room in the evenings when I returned from the parks...and, I might add, a little "spooky" for a solo traveler. I always made it a point to take that walk with the nearest family that walked by just for my own well-being. I always feel safe at the resorts and, as a smoker, do make trips to DSA's alone, but for some reason I always felt safer walking with someone. That trip was one of my favorites. I LOVED being able to go "where I want, when I wanted" . I'm a "shop-a-holic" at DW and got to spend as much time as I wanted at then DTD and the park shops. No matter what you choose, you'll have the time of your life! If you have a favorite moderate and money is no concern, I'd go with a moderate; if you're adventurous and want to try something new~go value. DH and I are making a "couples trip" (WITHOUT KIDS OR GRANDKIDS ) this December and we'll be staying at All Star Music. I used the "savings" over our normal deluxe resorts to pay for dining and Christmas party tickets plus a couple of tours. We also use the resort rooms for sleep only; just couldn't justify the extra expense to stay elsewhere.

 

[SPAM]

I would stay at a value, I love the values and would want to save the extra money for other things. Have fun!

 

[Disneylover99]

Stay at Pop

 

[Babsy]

I would stay at a value resort, probably either POP or ASMo. For a solo trip there is plenty of room and the money saved would be nice to have. Also, you already stated your plans to spend most waking moments in a theme park, so why pay money for resort frills that you do not plan to use?

I would request a room in a well lit area of the resort in order to avoid "spooky" walks back to the room alone at night. Perhaps facing a pool? AND possibly book preferred with a small bit of the savings so that your room will be relatively close to the food court and buses.

Enjoy your solo trip!

 

[Elizabeth B.]

Thank you all for your advice and the extra tips! This has helped me a lot!

 

[hamilkm]

I just got back from a solo trip. I stayed at the Swan because I wanted inside hallways. For some reason it made me feel safer coming and going late at night. That said, I would also probably feel comfortable at POFQ solo, but a standard room at any of the other moderates can put you kind of far away and all that landscaping can look pretty creepy at night! I would either do POFQ or a preferred room at a value so you are close to the main building and activity. Also look at the Swan and dolphin. I got it for the same price as a moderate for my trip and I got inside hall ways!

 

[spinandmarty]

going solo, I would choose a value... basically you or going to be sleeping in your room.. pools might be a little better at mods, but not a whole lot.... but I have had better bus service at Pop than other values...