First Solo Trip!

[TBLaube]

I am leaving in four days for my first solo trip. I will be staying at POFQ and POR (Royal Guest Room)...couldn't choose so am doing a split stay.

I am excited to have the freedom to do what I want on my schedule. I am torn however about making some dining reservations or winging it. Looks like I am going to wing it and do mostly CS. I figure that once down there I can try and get in for a TS if I decide. If I can't get in, that's okay too.

I do worry a little bit about missing my kids not being on the trip and seeing all of the families, but am comfortable doing things on my own. In fact, I rarely get alone time so this is much needed!!!!

 

[Southern Voice]

Kick back, relax and enjoy yourself! And make it a point to get a fresh plate of Beignet's as soon as you settle in! There is no doubt you are going to have a wonderful experience!

 

[erincon23]

Have a great trip! I'm doing a solo trip at the end of the month. This is my second -- and I can tell you from experience that you won't miss the kids as much as you think.

 

[Amysita]

It's a side dish choice that comes with meals...the dirty rice at POFQ is yummy! And I second the nomination of having Beignets for breakfast...I'm drooling here just thinking about them. A tip on winging TS places to eat would be, your chances af winging it w/o an ADR are best if you hit them up at odd times...like eating lunch at 11 in the am...or late 2-ish, or eating dinner early 4ish...and your chances are also more likely during the week instead of weekend. LOL...when you get missing your kids too much...focus on some poor Mom that's dealing with a child having a total melt-down and smile to yourself thinking...glad it's not me. Have a great time! I'm sure it won't be your last solo trip...once you experience the freedom, you'll wanna slip away and do it again.

 

[TBLaube]

I am definitely excited about getting some beignets! And thanks for the tip on the dirty rice....delicious. I will also be trying that as well.

Amysita - I love your tip about watching some frazzled parents. I will definitely use that if I start feeling lonely. Plus I am taking my son in late August fo a trip so I shouldn't feel that guilty, right?

I will definitely follow the ADR advice also. I figured it would be off-times if I try it. Plus the places I want to eat are Grand Floridian Cafe and Boatwright's since I never have eaten at either. I also am content eating at the different resort CS places that I have never tried either. I am not very picky and prefer to snack more than sit down for a big meal.

I also have a Landry's card so may make a ressie for T-Rex and RFC, but can also hop a seat at the bar. That is a nice option for a variety of places being solo.

As the trip approaches, I am getting more excited and can't wait. I am retiring after 20 years in the United States Navy and have worked very hard and long hours (and deploying to the Middle East). I am also a single mom raising my two boys and my nephew after my sister died a few years ago of breast cancer. This is the first selfish thing that I have done in a very, very, long time and I am really looking forward to some down time. I am worn out!

 

[NJDiva]

OMG you are SOOOO gonna love it. I'm in one now and it's amazing. Make sure you take pictures before you put things away. It's close to the dining area and the main pool. They show movies every night in the courtyard. Come find me if you have any other questions ....I sol trip all the time

 

[osugal]

I hope you have lots of relaxation, peace, and fun.

 

[tinkerbella16]

Have a wonderful trip! I love POFQ & POR! I am doing my first solo trip in september.. was booked at FQ but with the room discount, I was able to switch to a Royal Room at POR for less than a standard room at FQ, I couldn't believe it! Let us know how it is there!

 

[TBLaube]

Tinkerbella

I am really glad that I started my trip at POFQ and really enjoyed myself. However, I really loved the Royal Guest Room and POR even more. The room was really beautiful! There was a nice balance so the room was not too 'girly', but was amazing. I absolutely loved it so much. It also didn't hurt that I was given a corner room at Oak Manor that was a garden view, but also had a view of the water. I couldn't have had a better experience.

I also liked the option to go to the quiet pool or the main pool. I didn't really think it was that far to walk to the main bldg or bus stops. POr is definitely my new favorite resort outside of DVC. I will be staying there again!

As far as the solo trip, it was amazing! There were only a few moments that I wished my kids were there to share in the magic, but most of the time I was very happy and enjoying myself.

I did get a lot of strange looks and heard "just you?" or "just one?" far too many times, but also got good feedback and had great talks with some new friends!

I will definitely be doing another solo trip in the future and recommend it highly!

 

[tinkerbella16]

Tinkerbella

I am really glad that I started my trip at POFQ and really enjoyed myself. However, I really loved the Royal Guest Room and POR even more. The room was really beautiful! There was a nice balance so the room was not too 'girly', but was amazing. I absolutely loved it so much. It also didn't hurt that I was given a corner room at Oak Manor that was a garden view, but also had a view of the water. I couldn't have had a better experience.

I also liked the option to go to the quiet pool or the main pool. I didn't really think it was that far to walk to the main bldg or bus stops. POr is definitely my new favorite resort outside of DVC. I will be staying there again!

As far as the solo trip, it was amazing! There were only a few moments that I wished my kids were there to share in the magic, but most of the time I was very happy and enjoying myself.

I did get a lot of strange looks and heard "just you?" or "just one?" far too many times, but also got good feedback and had great talks with some new friends!

I will definitely be doing another solo trip in the future and recommend it highly!

I'm so glad you had a great time! The room you described at POR is exactly what I'm hoping for.. Oak Manor, corner room ( I don't know why but I love having two windows!) and garden view but also a water view.. I'm booked in a garden view. So the walk wasn't too bad to the main area? Last time I stayed at Riverside we were in Alligator Bayou bldg 24 and it was the furthest room possible but I never really mind that.. just curious because it would be a little convenient since I'm by myself to be a little closer this time.

 

[TBLaube]

I was in Oak Manor and also booked a GV. I really think I received an upgrade at check-in due to Disney Magic

When I was checking in at around 1045 and fully expected to not be able to get in my room as it was a Sunday. However, when I was checking in, the woman next to me was being very unpleasant. I was takling with the gentleman checking me in and was telling him how much I appreciate the hard work they do and how it must be very hard to deal with unpleasant customers and keep a smile. We had a very lovely talk and next thing you know he was thanking me so much and informed me that my room was ready for me. When I walked over to it and saw that it was a corner and I had probably one of the best views on the property, I was pleasantly surprised!

Now, I know that many people get what they want by ranting and raving and behaving terribly. I would never do that, not do I act super nice to get anything in return. With that said, I have found that treating people with respect and expressing gratitude for their hard work does end up with a nice surprise at times. It is an added bonus!

I did not find the walk to be bad at all. It really took only five minutes and I wasn't race walking by any means! Depending on where you are in Oak Manor it could be a little closer. I was on the far end so was in the middle of the two bridges. I opted to take the route not via the main pool most times and found it better, but they really are pretty equal. I never felt uncomfortable or scared. I even got off at the back bus stop (Oak/Magnolia) late at night and felt very safe. It did require walking through the parking lots so the main bus stop would probably be the safest. Luckily others got off the stop with me and we chatted while walking.

 

[WaltsMartini]

Congrats on your trip! You'll have a blast

I went solo to DLR last year for the Expo, and I didn't have any issues being there solo, though they only time I felt a little awkward was at meal times. I discovered I was most comfortable at outdoor places with a book, or sitting on benches to eat while people watching.

You'll be surprised at how many people you find to chat with in lines, talking to CMs, etc... I also volunteered to take pictures of families a lot - usually mom or dad is out of the pic, so most people were very grateful when I offered up my services.

 

[NJDiva]

I was in Oak Manor and also booked a GV. I really think I received an upgrade at check-in due to Disney Magic

When I was checking in at around 1045 and fully expected to not be able to get in my room as it was a Sunday. However, when I was checking in, the woman next to me was being very unpleasant. I was takling with the gentleman checking me in and was telling him how much I appreciate the hard work they do and how it must be very hard to deal with unpleasant customers and keep a smile. We had a very lovely talk and next thing you know he was thanking me so much and informed me that my room was ready for me. When I walked over to it and saw that it was a corner and I had probably one of the best views on the property, I was pleasantly surprised!

Now, I know that many people get what they want by ranting and raving and behaving terribly. I would never do that, not do I act super nice to get anything in return. With that said, I have found that treating people with respect and expressing gratitude for their hard work does end up with a nice surprise at times. It is an added bonus!

I did not find the walk to be bad at all. It really took only five minutes and I wasn't race walking by any means! Depending on where you are in Oak Manor it could be a little closer. I was on the far end so was in the middle of the two bridges. I opted to take the route not via the main pool most times and found it better, but they really are pretty equal. I never felt uncomfortable or scared. I even got off at the back bus stop (Oak/Magnolia) late at night and felt very safe. It did require walking through the parking lots so the main bus stop would probably be the safest. Luckily others got off the stop with me and we chatted while walking.

I knew you would like it...did you get a chance to watch the movie in the courtyard? how many times did you turn on the fireworks? you're right it's not a far walk and if you are at the waterwheel you look right at Oak Manor....so glad you had a fun time going solo!

 

[TBLaube]

I knew you would like it...did you get a chance to watch the movie in the courtyard? how many times did you turn on the fireworks? you're right it's not a far walk and if you are at the waterwheel you look right at Oak Manor....so glad you had a fun time going solo!



I didn't get a chance to catch a movie in the courtyard because it rained all four nights and was cancelled. BUMMER

 

[WDW Fan since 1975]

I am leaving in four days for my first solo trip. I will be staying at POFQ and POR (Royal Guest Room)...couldn't choose so am doing a split stay.

I am excited to have the freedom to do what I want on my schedule. I am torn however about making some dining reservations or winging it. Looks like I am going to wing it and do mostly CS. I figure that once down there I can try and get in for a TS if I decide. If I can't get in, that's okay too.

I do worry a little bit about missing my kids not being on the trip and seeing all of the families, but am comfortable doing things on my own. In fact, I rarely get alone time so this is much needed!!!!

I'm less than 2 weeks away from my 2nd solo trip - I'm very excited. (Although, technically it's NOT 100% solo. I'll be seeing friends during part of my trip.)

But I really enjoy the solo time - it's all YOUR pace, YOUR choices, YOUR schedule... it really is a blast. I never thought that WDW would be a good place to go solo, but it is.

Regarding dining, I've avoided TS dining while solo for now, but I may do it sometime in the future. CS dining works out fine, as I'm usually just in for a bite and then on to my next adventure!

Enjoy yourself!