Help me plan this trip!!....

[tinala]

O.K., I am going solo as my hubby has been sent to Korea for a year and this time it will be just little ole me and a week in Mickeyland!
I am planning on going during October for the Epcot Food and Wine festival.

Resort: Animal Kingdom or Dolphin/Swan?

Dining at resorts? I need quiet restaurants as I will be dining by myself, I like things unusual also.

Dining at parks? I am going to do Epcot, MK, and AK, need nice, l places to sit awhile and enjoy lunch and dinner.

Downtown Disney? Is there a movie theater there? Any place a solo could go and not feel weird? I don't do bars.

How are the crowds during this festival?

Thankyou.

 

[Terk-1]

First of all, Welcome to the Boards!!

You can find some great information over at the Solo boards too. Since I've been solo 4 times (and am planning the next one), I think I can help you with this.

Resort: Wilderness Lodge -- This costs the same as AKL, but I think you'd enjoy it much better. You can rent water mice, the pool is great, 2 hot tubs, water boats to the Magic Kingdom & Contemporary, Electrical Water Parade, and it's smaller in size, so you won't feel you're walking great distances to get anywhere. Ask for room #5032. You'll get a great view of Cindy's castle and the upper floors of the Contemporary, as well as parts of the lagoon.

Dining: Since I love to read, I bring a book with me everywhere, so this helps with any awkwardness regarding dining solo. Some of my favorite places to dine are:

Magic Kingdom:
Cindy's
Crystal Palace

EPCOT:
Rose & Crown
Le Cellier

Animal Kingdom:
Tusker House

DTD:
Ghiradelli's
House of Blues

Resorts:
California Grill
O'Hana's
Concourse Steakhouse
Yachtsman Steakhouse
Spoodle's
Beaches & Cream

DTD: Yes there is a large movie theather down there. I love strolling around DTD, checking out the shops (and of course shopping), and grabbing a delicious sundae at Ghiradelli's.

 

[tinala]

Thank you so much for the advice! I am so nervous about this trip. I have never gone anywhere by myself. It sounds too exciting!!! I will for once be able to do what I want, when I want. Hubby is quite jealous though stuck in Korea, but he gave me all thumbs up and said go for it.

 

[SuperDuperBounce]

If quiet is what you're looking for, then go AKL. There nothing quite like sitting on your own balcony sipping tea or wine and watching the zebras graze and giraffes reach for foliage. Since the animals are in the savanahs 23 hours a day, you can sit out there just about any time a see them.

One really nice thing about AKL is that after a day in the parks, you retreat to the lodge and don't feel like you're in Disney anymore. It's like a vacation from your vacation.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

I haven't gone solo to Disney yet but have had to travel alone on business in the past and know the feeling. I would stay at the Dolphin. Since you are going to the Epcot wine and food festival it would be more convenient to be able to walk in to Epcot or take the boat whenever you want to go. I have been there for this event and you probably will want to go to Epcot several times Also the Dolphin always has its share of solo travelers so you won't feel out of place. Dolphin has a great large pool area too with plenty of places to be alone and read if you want to. It is close to the Boardwalk too. You can go to the Boardwalk at night and see the entertainment there.

For dining, I would also recommend Spoodles on the Boardwalk (or Flying Fish if you are looking more upscale), The Yachtsman at Yacht Club, Narcoossee's at the GF, Chef de France in Epcot ( ask for a window seat). Jiko at AK, Tepura Kiku in Epcot and you can sit in the lounge if you prefer. The Rose and the Crown in Epcot is also a good choice and ask for an outside table. I am not a big fan of the food in the MK but Liberty Tree was good for lunch and Crystal Palace is always nice for character breakfast BUT it is noisy with all the kids running around. I usually eat at the Rainforest cafe when in the AK. There are quite a few restaurants at the Dolphin and Swan and the Dolphin has an ice creme place, The Dolphin Fountain, where you can also get BLT's Hamburgers etc. Tubbi's cafeteria for quick food and snacks, Fresh for a buffet lunch and breakfast. The possibilities are endless!!! Have a great time

 

[LuvTigger]

I think you will be fine by yourself in WDW! I started travelling solo by myself a few years ago for business, and I've actually learned to enjoy it!

One of my favorite resorts is also WL (though I'm trying AKL this year), but after reading Boardwalk Tigger's post, it might make more sense to stay at Dolphin considering it's proximity to MGM, EPCOT, and so many other resorts. You could spend some of your free time just exploring all the resorts in that area!

Although, at WL, and I'm pretty sure AKL, there are many places to just sit and curl up with a book. WL has little fireplaces around with chairs to just sit in.

As far as food and quiet places go, here are some other places to consider:

MK- Columbia Harbor House (counter service)

DD- Portabello Yacht Club (table service)

EPCOT- in France, there's a pastry shop that sells sandwiches and such, and there's a nice indoor seating area which I found quiet and peaceful. I also like Bistro de Paris, which is upstairs and pretty secluded.

Mexico, San Angel Inn - I know others aren't big fans of this place, but I think the atmosphere is great. It is a bit dark though.

Norway, Akershus - this is a buffet, so I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for, but I think many will agree that the food is good, and it's a relatively quiet place.

Resorts: GF Cafe, I thought this was a great place to have lunch. We went here once before enjoying a facial at the spa (another activity I would highly recommend!!).

Artists Point at WL - just love the food and atmosphere here.

Beaches and Cream at BC (or is it YC?) - this is pretty casual, but I thought the food was pretty good here.

I think you could go to just about any restaurant and feel comfortable, except maybe that one place in EPCOT where you're seated with other parties (Biergarten?), although I'm sure some people like to be able to meet others that way.

I'm sure you will have a great time! (And again, consider making an appointment for a facial or massage at the GF Spa, it is just heavenly!!!)

 

[parmtoo]

Tinala,

Good for you for making the trip alone! I took my kids when DH did his tour of Korea, and we had a great time..............Of corse i missed him, but we all need to keep busy while they're gone, right?

 

[swilphil]

My vote is for the Swan or Dolphin because of the location to the Boardwalk and for lots of nice restaurant choices. The Swan is a little more "adult" oriented and private than the Dolphin, but they are very similar and so close to one another. There are two new restaurants at the Dolphin--Bluezoo and Fresh. They sound adult oriented. There are also two or three very good restaurants at the Boardwalk, and a couple at YC/BC, next to the Dolphin.

I often went walking on the Boardwalk by myself too. Swan and Dolphin both have quiet pools. Best of all, you can easily walk to Epcot's World Showcase for either a stroll or a bite to eat.

Three years ago I went to an AMC movie theatre at Downtown Disney. I assume it's still there.

 

[aesalsa]

I called to Swan/Doplphin to see if they had anything available for my dates in October (10/20-10/30)---THEY WERE ALL BOOKED UP! Not a single room available. The Food & Wine Fest along with BIG convention crowds for that time will make it hard to get a room there. But check and see. . . and keep your options open!