January Solo Trip

[CareBear05]

Just booked Hyatt Grand Cyress (3 nights) and BWV (4 nights) for my second solo trip Jan 21-28. Any suggestions for the solo traveler? Last time I was solo not by choice (a friend backed out on me last minute!) but this time I'm planning it solo ahead of time instead of wasting time trying to find someone to come. Been going down for years with friends and family, but on my last trip I felt like I didn't get the whole Disney magical experience because I was paranoid about being alone (I'm a VERY social, yet shy person). I'm only 24 and love being around people and having good times (this is why I went with BWV instead of OKW this time, think it may help the situation), so I felt a little lonely last time. Hoping for better this time!!! Any suggestions on good solo activities? Also, anyone going to be down there at this time?? Love to find a DISer to spend a night or two with!

 

[muffy0110]

have Sunday Brunch at your hotel-it is amazing
that same with the golf

 

[GIOny]

I give you alot of credit for going solo, I don't know if I would feel comfortable doing that. You said you were paranoid last time because you were alone so do you think you have adjusted to it and will be more comfortable this time? I have 2 daughters around your age and they just returned from WDW, (if they decide to go back in January I will let you know but I doubt they will have the money) one thing they did (we have done it before) was go to Jellyrolls at night. Since you are staying at BWV, it is right there. Lots of people, singing, laughing. It was alot of fun! Another idea is maybe you could take the Illuminations Cruise http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=560160 Who knows, maybe you can meet some new friends on board! One last thing, then I have to go, personally I don't like German food (no offense to anyone) and I have never been to the German restaurant in Epcot to eat but I was reading a thread yesterday and they said in the German restaurant everyone sort of sits together at long tables, so it would be a good way to socialize and eat at the same time. I will think about this some more and let you know if I come up with anything. Good Luck and have fun and be safe

 

[Thumper's Tara]

Just booked Hyatt Grand Cyress (3 nights) and BWV (4 nights) for my second solo trip Jan 21-28. Any suggestions for the solo traveler? Last time I was solo not by choice (a friend backed out on me last minute!) but this time I'm planning it solo ahead of time instead of wasting time trying to find someone to come. Been going down for years with friends and family, but on my last trip I felt like I didn't get the whole Disney magical experience because I was paranoid about being alone (I'm a VERY social, yet shy person). I'm only 24 and love being around people and having good times (this is why I went with BWV instead of OKW this time, think it may help the situation), so I felt a little lonely last time. Hoping for better this time!!! Any suggestions on good solo activities? Also, anyone going to be down there at this time?? Love to find a DISer to spend a night or two with!

Funny you should ask! I will be down there solo the same time. I am going solo and so looking forward to it. I went last year with my parents and my sister (who was pregnant with my nephew). We had fun, but I kind of felt that I was managing their experiences so it lost something for me. I am looking forward to going with only myself being pleased.

That being said...I would love to catch dinner with another DISer. If you interested just let me know. I am a little bit older than you (30), but still young enough to have some fun!

ttfn,
Tara

 

[CareBear05]

Of course! Love to get dinner with another DISer. Being that I'm too cheap to pay the EXTREME rental car prices (being that I'm only 24, not 25) I'll be living off of Mears until I get to BWV. It would probably work out better if we did dinner during my stay there. We'll have to plan it out! Who cares if you're 30, my sister is 35 and we have the best time in the world together, age means nothing, especially when it comes to Disney.

 

[Thumper's Tara]

Of course! Love to get dinner with another DISer. Being that I'm too cheap to pay the EXTREME rental car prices (being that I'm only 24, not 25) I'll be living off of Mears until I get to BWV. It would probably work out better if we did dinner during my stay there. We'll have to plan it out! Who cares if you're 30, my sister is 35 and we have the best time in the world together, age means nothing, especially when it comes to Disney.

I totally understand what you are saying about the car rental prices! I remember those days. I celebrated turning 25 for just that reason Oh wait, I just celebrated because I could

I forgot to mention where I am staying! I am planning on staying at POR for the first night and then SSR for 5 nights...after that I may go see family. At this point, unless I go see family, I won't have a car either. We should plan something on property. Afterwards, maybe we can go to the dueling piano bar on BWV. I so wanted to do that when I was there!

I stayed at BWV last year...it was amazing. I think you will really like it. I am staying at SSR because I am thinking of joining DVC and I wanted to do some research. Afterall, it is another good reason for visiting. Like I need a reason

 

[CareBear05]

My mother and I were talking about that a few days ago. I told her I was going to make a special trip to Disney around my b-day JUST so I could rent a car and celebrate my freedom!

How funny that you are staying at SSR, I almost booked there (wanted to try something different from OKW even though I love it there) but my mom convinced me that BWV would be more fun for me this time. You should try their spa! I did it on my last trip, and boy did I discover what a great activity that is for a solo traveler. It's amazing, I had a massage, facial, and pedicure, it was WONDERFUL. I'm planning on doing it again this time hopefully, don't know if I'm going back to SSR's spa or the GF's.

You should look into DVC. My family owns at OKW and we love it! I never travel with my parents anymore (our work schedules totally collide) so between the 3 of us we're down there 2 or 3 times a year thanks to DVC. A friend and I even used the points to go on a Disney cruise. It also helps when their disney insane daughter (lol) likes to go somewhere where she doesn't pay too much for lodging, between me being a Hyatt employee and a DVC member, I never pay for a place to stay, just airfare, food (netgrocer.com and a DVC full sized kitchen are a HUGE bonus and $$ saver), and other expenses.

I'm all about Jellyroll's, another reason I booked at BWV (lol..easy walking distance to a bar). Any other places you may be interested in going? Let me know! I'm so excited!

 

[Thumper's Tara]

I am doing some serious thinking about DVC. I was all set to do it, but then I was in a car accident a couple of months ago. I am going to need to replace my car at some point, so I decided I had better wait until I got the car payment taken car of. It is funny, because I am thinking to get a used car so that I can pay it off quicker so that I can join DVC! I think it is a great investment...especially if I ever get around to having kids.

I have a spa treatment in the back of my mind. I was thinking about going to the GF, but because I am staying at the SSR it might make more sense there. Then I don't have to worry about transportation back and I can just go to the room and crash. A nap - Always nice after a good day at the spa!

I am excited that you are interested in Jelly Rolls. I really wanted to check it out. Isn't there a dance club there too? I remember seeing it when we stayed there. I would have to be in a dancing mood, but that is a possibility.

As for restaurants, I have a list that I want to go to...see if any catch your fancy and we can have dinner there. Marrakesh, Teppanyaki, Le Cellier, and Chefs de France in EPCOT, so they would be close. Last trip, I had really wanted to check out Spoodles, but it looks like they changed their menu (allears). I am not sure now. In MK, I was thinking of Liberty Tree Inn. I am totally open to suggestions too. I love food, so I am not picky As you are a DVC member, you probably have more experience...so fire ideas away...

Anybody else out there want to join us? The more the merrier

ta ta,
Tara

 

[CareBear05]

Sorry it's taken so long to reply! Work's been NUTS!

You're right, DVC is a great investment. It's so funny that you're considering a used car just to hurry up the process!

As far as spa treatments, yeah, the transportation can be a pain. In March I had to leave OKW and jump on the first park bus I saw, then get to the park and jump on the SSR bus, was almost late! SSR's spa is really nice, they also have a DVC spa package with some great treatments at a discounted price. It's very relaxing and the CM's are wonderful. I've printed out both GF and SSR spa brochures to compare and see which has a package I would like more...I'll decide from that.

There IS a dance club at the BW. It's Atlantic Dance something or other. I've never been in, planned on it though. Sometimes they have live entertainment as well.

You're like me...I've got a list of restaurants too! Some that coincide with you... Teppanyaki (I really wanna try), Le Cellier, Liberty Tree Inn, Spoodles looked interesting...my mom said they had breakfast there last trip down and it was good. I have Birnbaum's restaurant guide for WDW and it's got lots of good suggestions. Was looking through it constantly and had a larger list of places, but work kind of wiped all that from my mind. I'll have to start looking again when it (hopefully) slows down after Saturday at work.

I just noticed something that was funny.... you're Tara and I'm Cara. lol. Figures.

 

[Thumper's Tara]

You're like me...I've got a list of restaurants too! Some that coincide with you... Teppanyaki (I really wanna try), Le Cellier, Liberty Tree Inn, Spoodles looked interesting...my mom said they had breakfast there last trip down and it was good. I have Birnbaum's restaurant guide for WDW and it's got lots of good suggestions. Was looking through it constantly and had a larger list of places, but work kind of wiped all that from my mind. I'll have to start looking again when it (hopefully) slows down after Saturday at work.

I just noticed something that was funny.... you're Tara and I'm Cara. lol. Figures.

Cara-

Nice to meet you! Is your name pronouces Care-a or Car-a? Mine is Tear-a not Tar-a. Although, I answer to both

No worries about the lag...I know how the work flow can be! It looks like my week next week is going to be LONG! And it is a short week for me. I am taking Monday off because I am going back home to see the 'rents. Monday, I drive back to CT, Tuesday I fly to Ohio, spend Tuesday - Friday morning and then fly back home!

Would you like to do dinner at Teppanyaki? I really want to go there as well. No one in my family is at all adventurous with food, so last year we went to Shula's Steak house, Big River Grill, ESPN Club, GF Afternoon Tea, Crystal Palace, H&V, and Rose & Crown. They were all good, but I like to try new things and I love Asian food!

I have been looking at the menus at allears and I have been reading the unofficial guide! There is so much to try to do and not enough money or time.

Anyway, on the spa thing...I love how they don't bother to show the prices on the online menu. I mean, the services look great, but I have no idea how much to budget. My last job was in Finance & Risk, so I love to budget. No, really, I do. Actually, I have fun with it. I make sure that I have enough not to worry too much about money!

Well, let me know what you think about Teppanyaki. If that's the one you would like to do, we can call and get PSs in a few days.

Only 99 days until I in the World I have to say, I like the dancing banana. I mean, what isn't cool about a dancing banana....

ttfn,
Tara

 

[Simba's Mom]

Actually, it's funny someone should mention DVC. Our history with DVC started with me taking the DVC tour on a solo trip as something new and different to do. We really had no intention of buying DVC, DH had no interest in the tour, but he said it was OK for me to take it. My guide, fortunately, treated me as a valued potential buyer, gave me the full tour and filled my plastic bag with the video and all kinds of info for DH. First thing DH said when I got home "So let's see the video", and the rest, as they say, is 310 points. So taking the DVC tour as a solo is definitely an option.

 

[Thumper's Tara]

just giving this a friendly bump