Going solo for the first time - a few questions

[loves to dive]

Why not the value? I am trying to decide where to stay on my solo trip so would love your opinion.

I've been staying on property since the only resorts available were the MK monorail resorts and what is now Shades of Green. When the Epcot resorts opened we moved over there. I decided to start doing split stays for my solo trips and started out with two nights at Pop and the rest at BW. Other than the theming, it reminded me of a Motel 6 (which greatly offends a lot of people on the boards). The food court and public areas were loud and busy, the room smelled moldy and the outside walls were concrete. I thought, well maybe it's just time for Pop to get a refurb so next trip I tried one night at ASSp, which was a tad better. The room seemed a little better maintained, it is a smaller resort so the noise level was a little lower but it still had that Motel 6 feel for me. After that I said no more and started doing my split stays with the moderate resorts and even though they have the motel feel with the outside corridors, the rooms are a little bigger and just a tad nicer. I suppose if you didn't plan on spending much time in your room, they might be fine or if they were all your budget would allow, but I spend a lot of time at the resort. I like quiet and peaceful, even some of the common areas at the moderates can be a bit hectic but I tend to not eat at the food courts except to grab a breakfast to take back to my room, all my meals come from the parks, and there are lots of little quiet nooks and crannies at most of the moderates. Had I not spent so many years staying at the deluxe resorts and started at the value resorts, especially when I was a poor single mom and my son was young, I'm sure I would feel differently. I like sitting out on my balcony in the morning with my cup of coffee and watching the resort wake up, even when I'm at the moderates I'll grab a cup of coffee from my room and sit in one of the secluded areas.

 

[a742246]

My two cents worth, which I tell solo travelers all the time.

Buy Disney pins off ebay, and pin trade with the Disney CM's its a great ice breaker to talk to them and gather a lot of cool information.

Treat yourself to a day spa at one of the resorts. My wife sometimes gets great deals thru groupon for the Mandara Spa in the Dolphin.

You will have a great time.

 

[RADOPT]

Had I not spent so many years staying at the deluxe resorts and started at the value resorts, especially when I was a poor single mom and my son was young, I'm sure I would feel differently. I like sitting out on my balcony in the morning with my cup of coffee and watching the resort wake up, even when I'm at the moderates I'll grab a cup of coffee from my room and sit in one of the secluded areas.

Thank you for your opinion. I have only stayed at mod and delux so I think I would be disappointed in the value resorts. Also, since I am solo, I don't really want a lot of kids noise and chaos everywhere (or those huge statues) - No offense to anyone - I spent the last 30 years raising sp needs kids and being caregiver for half of my family - I just despertely need some fun and a little quite on my own time while looking forward to watching all the families/kids enjoying themselves. I am thinking of splitting between a couple of resorts and just hanging out a day or two at the resort.

 

[LKHailey]

I'm planning a solo trip this May, and I am also "older middle age" married grandma (of 10!) I'm so darn excited about it, I'm planning a second solo trip for September! My DD and her DH and DD5 will be there in May also. They're staying at AoA. I opted to stay off-site at the Sheraton Vistana Resort with a Getaway deal via a timeshare exchange program we're members of. I will Uber to the parks, and some days meet up with the kids, other days, do my own thing. I'm also planning to use the new Express service for park hopping.

Now in September, I plan to stay at Pop Century. I am also upgrading my discount ticket to an AP, so if the discounts are really good, I may upgrade, but if not, I will be fine there. I tend to hit the ground running first thing, and stay out and about until I am ready to drop. But, depending on how it goes in May, I might ask a friend or my SIL to come with. It's all very up in the air right now.

ETA: A nice middle ground between the values and Disney moderates might be the Swan and Dolphin. Very nice, very adult, but not much Disney theming. You don't get MDE transport or Dining Plan, but still get 60 day FPP, EMH, and Disney transport. The location is awesome, right in between Epcot and HS, next to the Boardwalk. DH and I stayed there for our trip last December and just loved it.

 

[RADOPT]

A nice middle ground between the values and Disney moderates might be the Swan and Dolphin.

I will look into these. I love Epcot, AK, AKL and WL but really don't want to spend so much money on lodging especially since it is just me.

Have a magical trip.

 

[RADOPT]

I have had this trip in my mind for a couple of years now but i can't quite push the button yet.

So what did you decide and did you book?
I am so on the cliff about where to stay and what to do. I don't want to spend a ton of $ or time and want to do a few sig. meals. We just got back from 17 days in Europe and our fur babies were not too happy, a little too long plus we will probable be moving so while there are things I really want to do, I worry about too much $ and time.

 

[OatsZoo]

I am planning a solo trip in September and am going back and forth between values and Mods. I just don't know, I like the idea of a value since they are not overly large and I won't have far to walk to my room alone in the dark, but like some others said, I am not sure I want to be around all the kids when I am travelling solo. I've been there done that with my own kids lol. I know I can get kids at the mods too but there is just less of them I think. Not sure I would stay at AoA as it seems really themed to children but was considering All Star Music instead.

 

[Bex258]

I was getting worried that everyone was doing solo trips around 4-7 days I'm glad to see some 8-9/ 10days. I'm doing a 14 night trip, second time at WDW and first solo trip. I plan to film a lot an make videos, my family has never been and just photos doesn't capture the atmosphere. I also like drawing so I'm going to take a pencil to doodle in the queues. Most of my dining is quick service, but I do have a few character meals for fun.

I'm staying at All Star Movies (last time I was on I-drive). I really wanted to stay at AoA but the price for just the room (and maybe the Disney ticket) was what I've spent on flights, hotel, park ticket, US 3 day ticket, and most of my spending money - doesn't help that the Pound is so weak against the dollar at the moment. I'm ok with that though because I'm not spending much time in the hotel. I'm doing a day in each US park and one day in Volcano Bay and the rest is going to be at Disney (and from a day to I-drive attractions). One thing I liked about Universal was there are a lot of single rider lines.

I tried the Mears shuttle transportation on the website but all I seem to get for the dates I'm there are $44 journeys to Universal so I may as well get a taxi. I feel like I'm not doing that right. To keep cost down I was looking at Uber but I've never used that before and being a solo female traveller I'm a little bit cautious of it.

 

[Sheldonman14]

I tried the Mears shuttle transportation on the website but all I seem to get for the dates I'm there are $44 journeys to Universal so I may as well get a taxi. I feel like I'm not doing that right. To keep cost down I was looking at Uber but I've never used that before and being a solo female traveller I'm a little bit cautious of it.

Cab or Uber are the best choice. I wouldn't spend more than $30 to get between the parks.