Helping a Friend Go Solo

[Mousin' Around]

Title says it all. I have a friend who is going to go by himself. His wife does not like Disney and the kids are all grown up and not interested. He knows we have done Disney quite a few times and wants some advice. I don't know anything about solo trips so i thought I would ask here.

1. As long as he is on property he can still do the dining plan, correct?
2. Will he have issues getting a table for 1?
3. Will he automatically be given a king bed? He is doing a deluxe studio.

 

[guestswobags]

Your friend is going to have a great time.

1) Yes, of course! I think it's a great idea, because it might incline him to pick some dining experiences or make ADRs that he may not otherwise have tried.
2) My experience is that a table for 1 is no issue. They'll seat him at a table for two, or some restaurants have counter space.
3) If he's in a studio in any of the DVC villas, it should be one queen bed (and a sofabed; OKW may be two queens). I believe the 1-BRs have kings. In regular rooms, I've only gotten a king bed once. Usually it's two doubles.

 

[aprilnmay]

I have never used the dining plan, I can always eat cheaper than the plans they offer. I do believe it's only available to guests staying on property.

I have never had a problem getting a table for 1. I've eaten at the Rose & Crown in Epcot and the Plaza Restaurant in MK several times and have gotten a great table each time. I was also able to make reservations for the Hoop Dee Doo Revue for my upcoming trip without any problems.

Though I've never stayed at a deluxe studio, I have been able to request a bed type when I make my reservations.

 

[loves to dive]

He might want to run the numbers for the dining plan, unless he really wants to eat TS every day it might not be worth it. He should have no problems getting a table for one, although I'll admit I've had to occasionally have to book a table for two then go back and change it to one. Don't know why but sometimes it won't show a table available for one but will for two. I've stayed in studios in OKW and BW, OKW had two beds and BWV had one. I actually prefer two beds so I can put my stuff on the other one and not use the couch for storage and actually get to sit on it.

 

[karly05]

He should give serious thought to how he likes/plans to eat and run the numbers on the dining plan - like a PP, I've found I'm better off paying OOP, but I never feel guilty ordering filet mignon.

The only time I've ever had an issue booking for 1 was when I tried to book Narcoossee's for this year - I've since dropped that ADR in favor of Yachtsman's because of changes in my park plans, but I was assured by the DIS at the time that it would be no problem to have an ADR for 2 and show up as 1.

I see the Deluxe Studio question has been answered. For general reference, I know King Bed is a bookable category at some resorts (POFQ being one), and just a request at others. I always get 2 Queens and prefer that; like the PP, I use the extra bed to dump my stuff.

I hope your friend has a great trip!

 

[kiford]

He can request a King but most of the resorts have exceedingly few King beds. However, he's more like to get it as a single. We've managed to get a King even without requesting it because it's just the two of us. My guess is that they tend to hold them back for singles or couples.

Whether the DDP is good for him will entirely depend on how he dines. For us, it's completely wrong because we don't eat dessert, do eat appetizers, usually have a glass of wine or cocktail, don't eat snacks and wouldn't use the refillable mug. Also, depending on where he's staying, he might want to consider some of the restaurants at the Swan and Dolphin and they don't take the plan though they can be booked online through Disney. Some of those restaurants might be nicer for a solo traveller since they cater to a lot of conference attendees so solo diners are quite common and they don't try to move you out as quickly as they do at the Disney restaurants as a result (or so has been our experience as a couple).

 

[com_op_2000]

At most every place within WDW, if the resturant has a bar area, I find that if you just walk up at anytime you can order off the full menu and not have to wait on a table. I find that those bar areas are a great place to have discussions with others and if your friend does not want to talk with someone, they have a TV to watch.

 

[winthropf]

ADRs for 1 can show little availability. My experience is that making an ADR search for 2 shows much more availability and I make most of mine for 2. Showing up with only 1 is not problem.