Going Alone (1'st Time)

[Shane]

Hey Everyone

Due to various circumstances, I will be going to Orlando solo next year. Hopefully Mid-August or Late-August. This will be the first time I've been on holiday on my own, and more importantly, to Orlando. Although I dont have any specific questions at the moment I would like as much advice and support that you can give. Including money savings, places to stay etc. Your general thoughts on going alone would also be great.

Many Thanks

 

[fizz13]

Hi Shane
You might have seen my thread on community board about deciding to go alone, scary isn't it? A bit more information might be useful, are you happy to drive a car in Orlando? Do you want to do just disney or explore more than that? these will help decide if you want to stay at disney, or at an offsite hotel, let me know,
Claire xx

 

[Shane]

Hiya Fizz13

Well, I'd prefer to get the buses to the parks, this includes the Disney World Parks and the Universal Parks. Although I'm not sure if there is a bus for Discovery Cove but I will hopefully be attending so better cross my fingers. I dont mind where I stay, I'd prefer to stay at a disney resort but I'm guessing they dont offer buses to other parks, only there own. Other than that I'm not really fussy about anything else, I do have a tight budget.

 

[happytraveller]

Hi Shane, i've been going alone for years with my 3 kids and have loved it!!!!First off i always take buses everywhere and i don't stick to the tourist trail.Your best bet is to base yourself on i-drive for a while then spend a few days at a disney resort ,so you don't have to worry about transport to WDW.You can get the trolley to seaworld and the lynx 21 bus to universal studios.This year i'm going away with friends,but i've happily gone alone and would never hesitate,enjoy your planning!

 

[pigby]

Shane - if you prefer to stay on-site at WDW (which we always do and heartily recommend), then you have the free buses to the Disney parks and also you can pick up the Lynx shuttle buses direct to both Seaworld (service 50) and also Kissimmee Old Town (if you like) for just over $1 per trip - you catch the Lynx buses from the TTC near Magic Kingdom. www.golynx.com\routes.cfm

Universal from WDW is a little more difficult - I think 3 buses if you go by Lynx. You can catch the Lynx Seaworld service to the bottom end of International Drive and pick up the I-Ride trolley and go up and down International Drive for cheap places to eat. www.iridetrolley.com

For accommodation, I would recommend Pop Century in WDW, however, this year mid to end of August (when we are going, there are some great deals - the free dining offer with package deals direct with Disney - the Swan and Dolphin at $129 or you may wish to rent points from a DVC member on these boards. If you want to visit Universal, the on-site hotels there are expensive for 1 person - you may wish to stay a couple of nights or so in a hotel on International Drive (maybe near Seaworld) so you're closer to Universal.

You can also buy a book with lots of good deals (the vast majority are useful if you're staying offsite) - it's called the Entertainment Book and usually costs $30 and runs to the beginning of November each year - if you buy it in early summer though it is available at a greatly reduced price - they're offering it at $12 at the moment plus $5 postage to the UK. They used to offer a coupon which gave big discounts on Universal on-site hotels, but they don't anymore - this is why I bought the book last time. There is a good meal and movies deal coupon, according to the US boards a meal on and movie at Universal's Citywalk is free - I need to check this one out!
www.entertainment.com/discount/home.shtml

The first time I went to Orlando, I went alone - we have been several times since with family, but I had a great time as a free spirit doing my own thing - enjoy.

 

[florida sun]

Shane

We have always stayed on site,at the All Stars and Pop and you can easily book the Mears bus to Universal, Seaworld and Discovery Cove and The Shopping Malls, you phone them the night before and arrange a pick up time for the following day, they will pick you up directly from the front door of your chosen resort and drop you back there after you are done(you phone them 2 hours before you want to come home), I think the price is around $14 return, which is not bad for door to door service.

We have used them quite a few times and they have been fine.

 

[Shane]

Hi Again

Thanks for the latest Information. After reading the previous posts, I think I will now actually try and stay at a Disney Resort and get public transport to the various Theme Parks. The Mears Bus is a big bonus as I was unaware of such service, do you know if they run all night? Although staying on International Drive or any hotel nearer the other parks (Universal/Seaworld Etc) is also a good idea. I've been reading about the Swan and Dolphin disney hotels, what are you thoughts on these, are they exspensive?

Thanks

 

[florida sun]

Hi Shane

Im staying at The Dolphin this October, so I can give you more info on it when I get back. They are a more expensive than the budget Disney hotels, but I dont think they are as expensive as the more Deluxe Disney hotels,such as the Poly and The Grand Floridian, although they are graded as 5 star and do fall under the Disney Deluxe Banner, they are not true Disney hotels,as they are owned by a different company, but you do get most of the perks as other Disney owned hotels, such as EMH,Refillable mugs, free use of the Disney transport, I believe the only perk they dont offer is the charging to your room card perk.

Saying that they are in a great location, right at the Boardwalk within walking distance to Epcot and MGM, should you want to walk and all the delights of dining, drinking and evening entertainment at the Boardwalk right on your doorstep,I am really looking forward to staying there.

Im not sure how late into the night the Mears transport runs, but if you give them a call when your there, Im sure they can help you out. If you want to be out late nights away from the resorts, it may be worth you considering the odd taxi.

Hope this helps.