My first trip to Orlando alone

[Lawwgrrl]

Hey guys ,

I'm from the UK and will be travelling to Orlando alone in 2014. I've been to Orlando at least two dozen times as a kid, when I went with my parents on a family holiday. The last time I was over was 2011, I went with my brother and some friends.

I had planned this holiday with someone but the plans fell through and after having a difficult time over the past 18 months, I decided to go ahead and book to travel myself. This is the first time I have ever travelled alone, so I am a little nervous.

I've booked up to go in September 2014 for 14 nights and will be staying in the Universal Resort. I am primarily going for Diagon Alley and will be staying in Cabana Bay. I'm not sure whether to hire a car or not, it's expensive to when it's just me travelling, especially with Universal's $18 per night parking charge! Although it would come in useful for getting to WDW, Busch Gardens and to Titusville if I decide to jump again.

What are your thoughts on car hire when travelling alone?

It would be cool to meet up with other travellers whilst there too!

 

[balletgirl2]

I think it depends on how comfortable you are driving in the USA. I have been to the UK and would rather walk 10k than try to drive on the other side of the car and road. This difference doesn't bother everyone, but that alone would deter me from renting a car. Shuttles between universal and other Orlando attractions are easy enough to find and hire.

 

[Grimm Grinning Ghost]

Good to see someone having to guts to go on there own.
I've just come out of a 10 year relationship and im dying to go back to the world.Im really tempted to book for next year but at the same time finding it quite daunting at the prospect of being on my own.

 

[dani77]

I just returned from another 15-day-solo-trip to Orlando. Even staying on-site in Disney, I had a rental car and would never go without.
Check Hertz.uk in Fall, they often have eraly bird US-offers for the following year. With this offer, you can get a compact car for two weeks for about 280 €.

Even though I didn not drive much during this trip I loved the freedom a rental car gives you. Early breakfast theme park ressies, quick trips to the Disney outlet stores and outlet centers, grocery shopping at walmart...all those things I don't want to miss when in Florida. Sure, you could always take a taxi, but those costs can add up real quick.

 

[JeffryK]

Rent a car. As said above me the only way you wont need a car i can imagine is if you stay at WDW for a few days and use Disney busses.
But even then a car has its advantages and parking at the parks is free if you stay at a disney hotel.

Also reserve a car now if the rates are good, you can always cancel it when the price change, and i assure you they will. If you really will keep an eye on it prices will drop and always google for coupon codes.

I also notice the rates are a lot lower when i book through an .com car rental site when you fill in that you arent from the USA.

 

[Metro West]

I've booked up to go in September 2014 for 14 nights and will be staying in the Universal Resort. I am primarily going for Diagon Alley and will be staying in Cabana Bay. I'm not sure whether to hire a car or not, it's expensive to when it's just me travelling, especially with Universal's $18 per night parking charge! Although it would come in useful for getting to WDW, Busch Gardens and to Titusville if I decide to jump again.

What are your thoughts on car hire when travelling alone?

I would play it by ear on the car especially if you're going to be staying at Universal for an extended period of time. I wouldn't pay the parking charge if you don't have to and there are taxis and buses you can take to get to those other destinations. Check out some of the rates just to get an idea of what you can expect and then add the parking charge on top of that. I'm sure crowds will be massive for HP2 as they were for WWoHP so staying onsite is definitely a good thing. One thing to remember though...Cabana Bay will not offer unlimited Express like the other onsites. You might want to consider staying at one of the other three resorts for one night to get two days of Express. You will need it during that time when HP2 opens...just something to think about.

 

[cmc08]

I travelled a few times to Orlando by myself (although met & stayed with friends on a couple of occasions!) but I loved it! I'm potentially considering a trip this autumn but it's all a theory at the minute.

The parking charge for the car is pretty steep so that would probably kill off any savings but saying that, I've always hired out a car, really makes life easy & you aren't constrained to specific times for buses. Just for simple things like a trip to Walmart is made so easy... It'll just be a case of weighing up the pros & cons!
I also lived over there for a year & a half so I'm pretty happy with routes & driving... Might be a bit daunting driving by yourself but just cruise along & you'll get there!

 

[kwdw]

Wow, I was all about telling you to rent a car until I heard the parking fee at Universal. My last solo trip was short, five days, and I just about went crazy without a car. I can't imagine 14 days without a car. Are you sure you want to stay at Universal the whole time? I'd would have suggested half at universal and half at Disney. Parking is free at Disney. A car will also let you go to a grocery store or do other shopping that might come up during the trip.

Compact car rentals can be pretty cheap, but you do need to keep checking prices regularly. Like, book at a good rate now that you could cancel, and keep looking. My last family trip, prices dropped a bunch just two weeks in advance.

Huge Harry Potter fan here, but it wouldn't keep me based at a Universal resort for two weeks. $18 per day in parking could double the price of a car rental.........

 

[jagfanjosh3252]

Parking isn't free at Disney unless you stay on site

 

[markj2911]

You must hire a car on the travel. It will definitely save you from many difficulties.

 

[Lawwgrrl]

Thanks for the replies guys, sorry for the slow response, the last few weeks have been examination time for me at Uni.

I've been to Orlando many times but never alone. I was there last year, in a group of 5 and we hired a car. As the only one with a licence who is old enough to drive, I did all the driving. I didn't find it difficult at all, I actually preferred driving on the opposite side by the end of the holiday.

I changed my hotel from onsite to Palms - I stayed there last year - as my agent failed to disclose the $18 per night parking charge. I understand that Universal lack parking spaces at their hotels but to charge onsite guests more than guests who visit the park for a day seems inherently unfair to me. Onsite guests generate them more guaranteed revenue during their stay and I feel that the charge is too much. I don't mind paying a fair amount for it but refuse to be paying more than an offsite guest. So I changed my hotel out of principle.

I am planning on going to Busch Gardens now that they have announced the opening of Falcon in 2014 and want to skydive in Titusville again, so I would need a car for doing that. I think I will just go ahead and hire a car for the 14 days because I'd rather the convenience of doing what I want when I please (which is the entire point of holidaying alone) than being restricted by bus times and bookings etc.

In regards the express passes - you can buy those for less per day than it costs to upgrade to one of the other Universal hotels per night. Given I won't be at Universal every day, I can play it by ear and buy one on the days I think it's needed. I went in Sep/Oct last year and for the first week and a bit is was dead with little wait times, other than at HHN. The second week there was some kind of holiday so it was longer. I also have 4 days worth of special express passes which also include Rip Ride and Forbidden Journey - these were given to by Universal due to an issue I had during my last stay. I don't think it will be crazy busy at this time - the British kids are back at school and there are no American holidays in the weeks I've booked.

 

[wiigirl]

You must hire a car on the travel. It will definitely save you from many difficulties.

100% agree!

 

[Graeme]

I've been to Orlando many times but never alone.

The first time I went alone was a bit of a liberating experience! I hired a car and did what I wanted, when I wanted. Sounds selfish but like you, I'd been plenty of times with others and didn't realise how much time's spent compromising.
I wouldn't advocate spending a lifetime alone but once in a while doesn't do any harm!!