Just back from POR solo trip!

[Miss Mickey Mania]

I posted a lengthy message on this but it has completely disappeared. Not even showing up in my user profile thread listings either .

Anyway, I got back from POR solo stay, July 7 -18th. It was my first ever solo vacation so I thought I may as well make it a big one. I travelled all the way from Scotland to Florida, used DME and had lots of PS bookings.

The resort was great and I felt perfectly safe there. I had a ground floor room, although I had initially requested an upper floor. This worked out fine as I am lazy and it meant no stair climbing when I was tired . I wa a few minutes walk from the lobby but again this was ok. Being a busy season, there was always lots of people around at night so I felt fine. Some parts of the paths are rather dimly lit in my opinion though.

I was a 2-3 minute walk from the North Depot bus stop and this was one of the darkest paths.

Eating solo was fine, no problems there. A few servers commented in a nice way, like wow it's amazing coming on your own, but nothing to make me uncomfortable. I took a book to read but sometimes didn't need it as I found when dining solo the food tends to come fast! Maybe because they are only making one dish for the table to no careful timing is needed to co-ordinate 4 plates at once.
Restaurants I dined in, some breakfast, some lunch, some dinner - Boma, Concourse, Le Cellier, Jiko, Liberty Tree Tavern, GF Cafe, Kona Cafe, Boatwrights, Brown Derby.
Did some counter service too, including Tangierine Cafe (EPCOT Morocco), POR food court, and my favourite, Earl of Sandwich.

I went to La Nouba which was as good as ever. This was my 3rd time and I was actually in the same seat as I was last summer!

Also did KTTK tour which I would definitely recommend for solos. Excellent way to spend half a day.

Any questions about anything, solo related or not, just fire away.

 

[Taja]

Congratulations on your first solo trip!

It's a different experience than when visiting WDW with others, isn't it? Both are good in their own way!

Thanks for posting your experiences and information about POR. I was considering it for my November trip (if it doesn't vaporize between now and then), but decided PC was a better value for this trip. Hope to stay at POR one day, though!

 

[lynn71092]

What's the KTTK tour?

 

[Simba's Mom]

Please tell me more about GF Cafe-what you ate? Was there a view? Service? I'm considering it for my next solo trip. And I'm glad to hear someone else liking POR solo-it's my favorite resort for my solo trips.

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

KTTK tour is the Magic Kingdom Keys to the Kingdom tour. Approx 5 hours, 25% of which is backstage, including the utilidoor tunnel corridors. Also includes lunch at Columbia Harbor House. My group had 16 people plus Cory, the EXCELLENT tour guide. Cost $58 but there are discounts for DVC and AP holders.

GF Cafe - I really enjoyed it. I didn't have a window seat as they were all occupied. It was pretty busy, more than I expected. I could see out the window from where I was sitting though, into a courtyard. There was a wedding happening at the pavilion and the Cinderella coach went past complete with horses and footmen!

I found the atmosphere very relaxing, nice for a solo diner. The service was very good too. I had a glass of white wine, and a caesar salad to start. I followed this by the Grand Sandwich which was so good! It was open-faced and filled with a huge amount of turkey, ham and crispy bacon. Then it was smothered on top with a Boursin (soft herb cheese) sauce and crispy onion straws. This was a really big dish and I was stuffed afterwards.

This was a rare occasion where I sampled dessert. They have 4 - cheesecake, chocolate hazelnut mousse cake, tiramisu and key lime pie. All are very small, sampler size and are shown on a tray for selection. They only cost $2,39 each and you are encouraged to try more than one. I took key lime pie and tiramisu. Both were just the right size and delicious! I was most impressed.

I'd eat here again for a late lunch, it was very nice.

 

[katypop]

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip Are you planning your second solo trip yet?
Kathe

 

[HugsForEeyore]

What section of POR did you stay in? As a solo, I could never get Aligator Bayou no matter how hard I begged at check-in! I am always in the mansions. You mention the North Depot but I can't remember where that was located! I will probably be at POR on my next solo trip, but I am mentally prepared for mansions, since I will never get my hopes up high again on getting Aligator Bayou!!!

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

Oh dear, I got a room in the bayou without even asking! It was building 38 and I really liked it a lot. I was surprised to get it as it had 2 double beds and a trundle as well. Seemed like a waste to give me 5 bed spaces just for me .

I hope you're luckier next time round. There doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to it.