Help me plan my first ever WDW 30th BDay trip please in 2020!

[plusestenvous]

How should I celebrate turning 30? By going to WDW for the very first time, obviously!
I'm a school teacher so my 2020 holiday dates are limited, either for the 2 weeks around Easter, or the 6 weeks in the summer (late July to end of August.)
It'll probably be a solo trip as I'm combining it with a trip to Seattle and Austin to visit friends, but I may have some friends flying down from NYC to join me at the parks, or my mother might be coming with me if she can get time off work, and this will probably be a once-in-a-lifetime trip for us both.
Currently I can get free dining if I book from the UK site
SO, QUESTIONS (please be patient, there's a LOT as I'm a total control freak and overthink everything!)

Is it better to go for a value resort w/QS and upgrade to a better dining plan? Or should I go for a moderate resort as this may be my only visit?
I know the weather will be horrific in August (I've spent summers in Texas, but still, yikes!) but is Easter super busy? Which visiting dates would you recommend?
How long would you recommend I stay? I'm not fussed about the water parks, don't like roller coasters so would only visit the Harry Potter stuff elsewhere and am an extremely chipper early bird, used to getting up 7 days in a row for EMH at DLP and packing a million and one things into our day, as you can without kids!

Thank you for any suggestions, it's a bit overwhelming just thinking about where to start!

 

[roselark]

1. This is hard to answer. It really depends on how much time you think you will spend at the resort. If you plan to spend all day, every day in the parks, then Value is probably the way to go. If you want some down time at the resort and pool, then moderate may be best. Take a look at room and pool pics and decide which you would like best.
2. Easter can be insane as that is generally when Spring Break is. August is hot, but certainly manageable if you have some experience with it, which it sounds like you do. Also, if you go towards the end of August, the crowds are generally quite low. Also, August will be much cheaper than Easter.
3. It sounds like you are coming from the UK? That is quite the trip, so I would plan on spending as much time as you can. Again, it really depends on your circumstances, but if this is possible your one trip, then I would plan for at least a week. You will have a great time even if you could only plan for a couple of days, but more days allows for more flexibility. (also, just making sure you realize that Harry Potter is at Universal, not WDW...I may have misunderstood your comment, but wanted to point that out just in case)

 

[Shock13]

I don't have much to add but just some stuff that I've experienced as a solo traveler at WDW. First, I always do a value resort because it's just cheaper. If the cost is not an issue then for sure upgrade to a moderate. But I find the value resorts to have the basic stuff I need, pool, clean room (most are updated I believe), great food court and fun things to photo with. Food is also part of the experience so I would do a value and upgrade to a better dining plan. Eating at a sit-down restaurant is always a nice break each day.

I'm from Arizona so I absolutely avoid the summers and most of Fall. I'd rather deal with crowds than hot weather. As a solo, you will get around much faster than if you were with a group. Take advantage of single rider lines. Even when crowded I still always managed to find a FP for something after using the initial 3. Always 'refresh' and something will pop up.

My usual routine when I go is to get a Park Hopper ticket. I use EMH in the mornings then when things get crowded I move to another park where I reserved my FP's. For me 7-9 days is what I prefer but I put in at least 2 days of just hanging out at the resort, sleeping in, eat a big brunch at another resort and/or visit Disney Springs.

I think whatever you decide you are going to have a fabulous time!

 

[plusestenvous]

Thank you both for the replies! I'm leaning towards the end of August as I'll be in Seattle and Austin visiting friends throughout the summer, and it'll be a nice end to my trip.
I was all set to book a value room (ASM), but then spotted the Swan/Dolphin which are about the same price (I'm a vegetarian who doesn't eat much so the DDP wouldn't work for me) and now I'm wondering if I should hold off booking until I can see how much a Swolphin room would be, as I'm being swayed by how much closer to the parks and Boardwalk they are. Choices, choices!