I am finally going to bite the bullet!

[Deanie1]

Yep, I am finally going to go on my first solo trip in Oct 2016. I have been 7 times before, for trips of 8 to 14 days each time. I live in western Canada so I have to make my long flight worthwhile. I have always gone with family before but my DH is not interested and my kids are grown and also not interested. So, after reading these boards, I have decided to go solo. I would like to spend about 6 days in the parks, a resort day and 2 days at the "dark side". I have a few questions, though.

I love POR, especially alligator bayou. It is the only Disney resort I have stayed at. I am thinking of POFQ this time though as it is smaller. On my last trip, I was solo for a couple of 1/2 days and I hated being dropped off alone at the East depot in pitch darkness! I don't like the decor at POFQ as much though and I don't think the POR food court can be beat. Deluxe is out of the question, with our lousy Canadian $.

I know this is a long time for a first solo trip. Has anyone else done a long first solo trip? And, did you regret it?

I also love the water parks and would like to go to TL. Do any of you solo people do the water parks?

When my dates get closer, I hope to meet up with a few other solo travellers. I know I will be lonely sometimes.

 

[SueDonym3]

My first long solo trip was 8 days. I don't consider that terribly long- I normally take a full week with any vacation. I would love to do a full 2 weeks and properly visit that dark side park. My next stay is at POFQ- I have stayed at POR and while I enjoyed the resort- it is spread out. The CS at POFQ has a lot of fans. I am a fan of the water parks and yes, I try to go. The only hard part is not having someone to watch your stuff while in the water. Use the lockers for anything you can't stand to lose and accept that you may have to find a new place to sit after riding a slide or two...there are lots of ways to meet up on the boards so if you want some company- you will find it. Enjoy your trip- I am jealous you are going to get to spend so much time in my favorite place and oh yeah that other place too...

 

[bamacmac]

So fun! I think we talked in another thread maybe? But I took my first solo in July and stayed at CBR. It was amazing. Before that I had only stayed at POR and I LOVED POR! I'm staying solo at POFQ for the first time in December. I will be sure to let you know how that trip goes and what I think about it! I also have a trip planned in Feb with friends to stay at POFQ.

My trip wasn't very long and my next 2 trips won't be super long either. So I can't say much about that part of it. But I think it would be amazing to have that much time there to just have some relaxing days and really do whatever, whenever without feeling pressured to get it all in quickly.

I am moving down there next summer/early fall. Maybe we can meet up while you are there!

 

[Deanie1]

I will definately be trying for some meet-ups on these boards as my trip gets closer. I never worry too much about anyone watching my stuff while at the water parks. I only take the bare minimum with me. I used to worry about my Discard and room key but now I will be wearing that! I looked up the food court menu at FOFQ and saw that t has my favorite - make your own salad.

Bamacmac, I remember talking to you before! Did you prefer CBR over POR or was it just different? I would like to try POFQ as it is smaller and I won't need to pay the extra for Preferred location. I just prefer the landscaping and pool at POR (my home away from home - LOL!). But with our lousy Canadian dollar dropping, I will need to save where I can.

I would love to meet up with you while I am there, Bamacmac! It would be so much fun! And Suedonym3, if you are down there then, maybe we can meet up also.

 

[Accident]

POR is also a reasonable distance if you wanted to head over to do anything/eat, especially on your resort day. It may not be something you want to do all the time but for those "I need variety" moments, it's reasonable.

 

[bamacmac]

I will definately be trying for some meet-ups on these boards as my trip gets closer. I never worry too much about anyone watching my stuff while at the water parks. I only take the bare minimum with me. I used to worry about my Discard and room key but now I will be wearing that! I looked up the food court menu at FOFQ and saw that t has my favorite - make your own salad.

Bamacmac, I remember talking to you before! Did you prefer CBR over POR or was it just different? I would like to try POFQ as it is smaller and I won't need to pay the extra for Preferred location. I just prefer the landscaping and pool at POR (my home away from home - LOL!). But with our lousy Canadian dollar dropping, I will need to save where I can.

I would love to meet up with you while I am there, Bamacmac! It would be so much fun! And Suedonym3, if you are down there then, maybe we can meet up also.

They were just so different! Really felt like I was at a relaxing beach resort at CBR. At POR really felt like I was staying on the bayou somewhere! Disney does well with the resort theming for sure. I've heard SO many good things about POFQ. Have to try it. I see a lot of people that love POR say that they love POFQ even more. Mostly because of the size. I'm excited to see it all decorated for Christmas! Doing it again in Feb because we are going for the RunDisney 5K and I was told by those who do it often that it's a good resort to be at for the races. And thought I could scope it out on the Dec trip for my friends. They aren't that familiar with Disney so thought it would help for me to somewhat know the resort!

 

[anne m]

i am also from Western Canada (Edmonton, Alberta) and i have always went to WDW with my daughter; however, she is grown with a newborn now and i miss WDW so i am planning a solo trip. Like you coming from far away, i want to make it worthwhile. Everytime i went with my daughter, we either went for 2, 3 or 4 weeks and loved it. So i am planning on doing a solo trip the last 2 weeks of Jan, 1st week of Feb 2016, as it is a the low season and buying an AP, so to make it profitable, i would like to go back again in Oct, Nov 2016. We could arrange meets for that trip if you like. we always stayed at value resorts and this time again, i would do it, as i find then i can spend money on staying longer and buying an AP, where i get the room discount and can enjoy 2 trips out of it. Once with my daughter, we bought AP's and stayed the whole month of October then went back the following year for 2 weeks in April and again 2 weeks in Sept. so got 2 months out of those AP's. Pretty profitable.

 

[georgina]

I have done both water parks solo. I usually rent a locker for my clothes, phone, etc, and just put a towel and my hat on a chair. My only issue is that there are some things you can't do solo - but those are few. On Crush N Gusher at TL, only one of the 3 slides is for single riders. The CM offered to match me up with someone else, but that seemed a little odd to share a tube with a stranger! I don't think you can do the family raft rides solo either. But I love the WP and have a great time.

 

[Deanie1]

Anne m, I am from Kamloops, BC. I would love to meet up during my trip in 2016. You are so lucky, having such long trips. Do you usually visit the parks every day?

Georgina, glad to hear you enjoyed the water parks solo. I might get a bit lonely on my trip, but I have spent parts of the water park days solo. I prefer TL as I love the wave pool and enjoy the tropical theme to it. We have actually been put with another party on the family ride as it is usually better with more people. However, I don't
really do a lot of slides at the water parks. We often leave our chairs with just our towels, clothes and sandals unattended and we have never had any issues (so far!)