My Solo Trip - Need Advice on Hotel!

[MacMama0930]

I am taking myself completely out of my comfort zone and taking a solo trip to DLR next month, to see the holiday decorations, and hopefully catch Paint the Night. A little background: I NEVER do anything by myself. I'm the baby of my family, and while my sister traveled the world, I stayed put and close to mom and dad - then married young and had babies. Ok, enough about all that. Basic jist, I don't travel alone. I can't do the drive (about 4 hours north of DLR), and I deal with anxiety (mostly being afraid...of I don't know...the big bad world and all). My parents and my husband would prefer I stay onsite, but we just got back from a BIG family trip at the DLH and it was expensive! I do want to take advantage of EMM though, since it was SO nice and because the park doesn't open until 9 or 10 when I'm there (way too late!). So here's my plan so far:

I'm riding the train and I'm doing a Sunday and Monday night. I plan on staying off site on Sunday but onsite on Monday, that way I can check in early on Monday morning and get EMM both Monday and Tuesday.

So, for someone who is kind of a scaredy cat; which off site hotels would you recommend. I don't want a motel, but a hotel where you have to walk through a lobby, but also reasonably priced. And which onsite hotel should I choose? I won't be spending hardly any time in the hotel so I don't need amenities, more just safety and being able to stay in the "bubble".

Also, I'm an AP holder, so are there any discounts at off and on site hotels?

THANKS SO MUCH!!!

Edit to add: Thanks for all the advice guys! I just went ahead and booked the PPH for both nights. And, looks like I won't be solo as my dad is going to accompany me on this trip. We have the holiday tour booked on 11/14 and we're both super excited!! Yay!

 

[5forMickey]

Girlfriend I feel your story . I'm the biggest chicken in the world from a small, small -- really small community. Here are the few offsite places we have stayed that I would be comfortable in alone (we usually stay off site our first night also). New Marriott Courtyard (but it's pricey as well and maybe big for one person), Marriott and Hilton on convention way. I haven't stayed at the Hyatt but have a friend who did and she felt good about it. I wouldn't walk from these Hotels you might have to use ART or take a taxi (it is walkable though) but I probably wouldn't be very comfortable walking alone from any of the offsite hotels.

For the onsites as far as safety and comfort all three would be fine. If money wasn't an issue I would choose the Grand just because it's close and it's just you so room size isn't an issue.

What a fun plan you have, hope to hear a TR when you get back.

 

[SMD]

If you stay at one of the convention center hotels it's an easy walk to PPH. I don't know how much you'd save for the 1 night vs. PPH though. What bad things do you think will happen if you request a second story room a BWPPI? The rooms have locks, it's safe. It's closer than DLH and PPH and less of a walk than any "hotel" on Harbor.

 

[MacMama0930]

BWPPI
^ What's that?

I'm not saying it's altogether rational, but I have pretty intense fears of being attacked , having a room broken into...I'm the person who goes through every window and door in the house twice each night to make sure they're locked. I've been like this since I was a child. Don't know why! So, the idea of being alone and walking back to my hotel room at night is just a little, I don't know, uneasy for me. When I just stayed at the DLH, I walked basically out of my room into downtown Disney and felt super safe. But with tax and everything, that's like $400/night. Which just seems silly for me. I don't know what the walk is like from PPH, so I'm trying to figure out if it's practically the same as walking the street at night...

 

[SMD]

Best Western Park Place Inn. It's directly across Harbor at the crosswalk. The hotels on Katella all involve more walking and more time on city streets. You're equally as likely to be attacked in DTD as walking down Harbor or Katella. If you want a hotel you should budget for taxis or rideshares or plan to use ART, however, the waiting areas for those are also on the street or before security. If you want to be on Disney property, it costs a lot more. You should think about a realistic budget for this trip given your room and location requirements.

 

[Nonsuch]

...I don't know what the walk is like from PPH, so I'm trying to figure out if it's practically the same as walking the street at night...

You will walk through the GCH and cross one street to PPH. There is a CM at the GCH driveway entrance and also a security guard, so this crosswalk is well monitored -- I have never seen anyone suspicious (homeless or panhandlers) in this area.

 

[MacMama0930]

Best Western Park Place Inn. It's directly across Harbor at the crosswalk. The hotels on Katella all involve more walking and more time on city streets. You're equally as likely to be attacked in DTD as walking down Harbor or Katella. If you want a hotel you should budget for taxis or rideshares or plan to use ART, however, the waiting areas for those are also on the street or before security. If you want to be on Disney property, it costs a lot more. You should think about a realistic budget for this trip given your room and location requirements.

I already have PPH booked for that Monday, so I'll probably just book it for Sunday, too, but may sting at first. So basically all the places directly across the street are "motels"?

 

[MacMama0930]

You will walk through the GCH and cross one street to PPH. There is a CM at the GCH driveway entrance and also a security guard, so this crosswalk is well monitored -- I have never seen anything suspicious (homeless or panhandlers) in this area.

Thank you for that info!!

 

[SMD]

HoJo has interior hallways. If it's a priority, I'd prefer to stay farther away and drive. Personally, I'd rather not walk the extra block to HoJo just for interior hallways for a short trip. I've met people who stay 3 blocks away and only take cabs. I see it as their money, their choice. But generally, the convention center Marriott and Hilton aren't significantly cheaper than PPH and then you end up walking down Katella either to Harbor or Disney Way or waiting for cabs/shuttles and paying for them. When you add it all up, it's worth checking the rates on site. Plus for a 2 night trip, you eliminate the hassle of changing rooms. When it's a budget trip, sometimes you have to compromise. When you have specific requirements, you end up having to pay the cost of the things you need.

 

[avalon451]

As far as walking back to the offsite hotels: if you stay at one of the motel/hotels on Harbor that are close to the crosswalk, it feels very safe, because there are always literally dozens of people walking back and forth there day and night (and also Cast Members on their way to work).

I can understand about wanting interior hallways. I stayed at HoJo, a block up at Manchester, partly for that reason. It's a very nice hotel, but the walk back seems long at the end of the day!

If you think you could bear not having the interior hallway, I also felt very safe at Desert Inn, which is right at the crosswalk. It has a deadbolt and also a latch that you flip across (rather than a chain). This last time we stayed, they assigned us a room on the top floor near the back, in the J-shaped courtyard area; it felt very quiet and safe (except for the first night when some guy started up a loud phone conversation with his workplace outside on the walkway-- I had to go out and ask him to quiet down). Also they forgot to clean our room one day, which didn't impress me.

I think I'm going to try Park Vue next time, next door to Desert Inn. Also Grand Legacy at the Parks, two hotels down at the corner, is looking really nice since they changed hands and remodeled.

I had a good time when I went solo last year! Just don't push yourself too hard; take your time and enjoy yourself, doing what YOU like to do!

 

[azdisneylover]

I think it would be better to stay in one hotel and not have to get up earlier to pack up and move to another hotel, or go back to the hotel to check out of the hotel only to haul my stuff to another hotel to check in instead of having fun in the parks.

 

[Briarrose1306]

I've gone solo several times and the Best Western Park Place Inn has always been great IMO. It's directly across the street and I have NEVER had any issues.

 

[MacMama0930]

I think it would be better to stay in one hotel and not have to get up earlier to pack up and move to another hotel, or go back to the hotel to check out of the hotel only to haul my stuff to another hotel to check in instead of having fun in the parks.

My magic morning doesn't start until 9am on Monday and I'm up at 6, so I'll have plenty of time to pack up and move to PPH before EMM starts. But I am thinking about just staying at PPH both nights.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

I think that with this being a solo trip then emh is less important. You will already be able to skip the lines by using single rider, and you won't be slowed down by other travel mates. I would think with such a short trip that transferring hotels is a big waste of time and a hassle. I think you need to commit to either all on site or all off-site. If staying offsite I would forgo the hotel idea and pick a motel right by the crosswalk like Park Vue or BWPPI. Both are directly across the street at the crosswalk and so very safe. Picking a hotel means a further walk and "less safe". If staying on site I would choose either the DLH since you already know what to expect and feel comfortable, or the GC since it is the closest.

 

[MacMama0930]

I think that with this being a solo trip then emh is less important. You will already be able to skip the lines by using single rider, and you won't be slowed down by other travel mates. I would think with such a short trip that transferring hotels is a big waste of time and a hassle. I think you need to commit to either all on site or all off-site. If staying offsite I would forgo the hotel idea and pick a motel right by the crosswalk like Park Vue or BWPPI. Both are directly across the street at the crosswalk and so very safe. Picking a hotel means a further walk and "less safe". If staying on site I would choose either the DLH since you already know what to expect and feel comfortable, or the GC since it is the closest.

Thanks for the input! I checked best western and they're full. I haven't looked into the other one yet. My other reason for wanting to stay on site and utilize the MM is because the park hours are so much shorter. When we went last week our MM was between 7am and 8am (either DL or DCA), and we were down there waiting even earlier. We're all early risers so we'd be waiting by 6:15 on our DL mornings. So the idea of having to wait around until 9 or 10, I just don't know what I'd do! Having the 9am MM DCA and 8am MM for DL during our stay means more time in the park (it's also just when I do best - early morning vs late night). Lots to consider!

On another note, my dad expressed his potentially desire to go with So I may not be traveling solo after all.

 

[casagray]

I think that you need to do what will make you feel comfortable! If that's two nights at PPH or DLH, go for it. You do cross the street for PPH - here's one of the many videos that shows you the route:

. I found I was almost always walking with CMs and families, and never felt uncomfortable. I have also stayed at Best Western Park Place Inn by myself, and will be again in TWO WEEKS (yes, I'm excited), and while I have never felt uncomfortable, I am used to traveling by myself. I disagree about the Early Morning Perks not being important for a solo traveler, especially as not every ride has a solo rider line! It is magical to go in early with a smaller crowd and get on the rides you want, get some beignets, etc. and just have a less crowded park.

As you are trying to step out of your comfort zone I'd suggest don't make everything new. Do a combo of things you know and are comfortable with along with some new things. You can retreat to the familiar when you need to, and have control of the new things.

Over all - have fun!!! That's what Disneyland is all about !

 

[5forMickey]

I wouldn't feel comfortable across the street on Harbor by myself. As unpopular as that is going to be, I wouldn't (remember I'm a chicken). I'm not comfortable with walking pass homeless people, on dark streets, or staying at motels that have outside entrances I just am not. We have been to the parks more times than I can count, we've looked at where these motels are and even with my family I'm not comfortable walking to those motels.

Since you are already uneasy about it I would stay onsite this trip and then if you return alone again maybe the next step would be to branch out to and offsite hotel.

 

[Kindermouse]

Girlfriend I feel your story . I'm the biggest chicken in the world from a small, small -- really small community. Here are the few offsite places we have stayed that I would be comfortable in alone (we usually stay off site our first night also). New Marriott Courtyard (but it's pricey as well and maybe big for one person), Marriott and Hilton on convention way. I haven't stayed at the Hyatt but have a friend who did and she felt good about it. I wouldn't walk from these Hotels you might have to use ART or take a taxi (it is walkable though) but I probably wouldn't be very comfortable walking alone from any of the offsite hotels.

For the onsites as far as safety and comfort all three would be fine. If money wasn't an issue I would choose the Grand just because it's close and it's just you so room size isn't an issue.

What a fun plan you have, hope to hear a TR when you get back.

Do they have any rooms for solo travels or with without bunk beds in them? my son saw the water park from the monorail on our last trip and suddenly he is all gung ho to stay there but when I looked online all I saw was rooms from big groups. We are a 1 parent 1 child family and I dont think I can get over paying so much for more space/beds that I dont need and wont use.

 

[Kindermouse]

I am taking myself completely out of my comfort zone and taking a solo trip to DLR next month, to see the holiday decorations, and hopefully catch Paint the Night. A little background: I NEVER do anything by myself. I'm the baby of my family, and while my sister traveled the world, I stayed put and close to mom and dad - then married young and had babies. Ok, enough about all that. Basic jist, I don't travel alone. I can't do the drive (about 4 hours north of DLR), and I deal with anxiety (mostly being afraid...of I don't know...the big bad world and all). My parents and my husband would prefer I stay onsite, but we just got back from a BIG family trip at the DLH and it was expensive! I do want to take advantage of EMM though, since it was SO nice and because the park doesn't open until 9 or 10 when I'm there (way too late!). So here's my plan so far:

I'm riding the train and I'm doing a Sunday and Monday night. I plan on staying off site on Sunday but onsite on Monday, that way I can check in early on Monday morning and get EMM both Monday and Tuesday.

So, for someone who is kind of a scaredy cat; which off site hotels would you recommend. I don't want a motel, but a hotel where you have to walk through a lobby, but also reasonably priced. And which onsite hotel should I choose? I won't be spending hardly any time in the hotel so I don't need amenities, more just safety and being able to stay in the "bubble".

Also, I'm an AP holder, so are there any discounts at off and on site hotels?

THANKS SO MUCH!!!

Grand Legacy is very close and has interior hallways and they do AP discounts (though the discount isnt that much and its the same discount as AAA). It is higher than some of the motels on Harbor but not out of the question above and beyond kind of high. I checked it out for the first week of January since I am also considering doing a solo-Merry-Christmas-to-myself trip-but I am pinching pennies to affording it since we were just there and I brought and paid for extra family members and we are saving up for WDW for next year so the fact that it is a little over double what I would pay at Desert Inn (I booked 6 months ago for 90 a night which is a crazy steal for the high season and when I looked at Grand Legacy for that week it was 200 a night) I just dont think I can do it.

I totally understand your being a "chicken". I was like that on my first trip since I am always the only adult with just kids and kids are a liability in a safety situation and not a help. But I worry less now as long as I'm very close to the crosswalk (within 4 hotels of the crosswalk) since I have done it so many times. But I do see homeless people at the crosswalk every morning and night so be aware that if you stay off property you will have to walk past things make you feel less comfortable no matter how close you stay but as long as you stay close you are always within a buffer of safety that a crowd provides. Since you dont need to use the curb cutout for a wheelchair or stroller you can also cut the corners and give yourself a bit more buffer from those that beg right there at the crosswalk.

Enjoy your solo trip!

 

[MacMama0930]

I just went ahead and booked both nights at PPH. Got a decent date with AP discount and it also includes a FP to any attraction and a $20 dining voucher. While it ended up being more than I'd want to spend, everyone (myself, husband, parents) feel most comfortable staying on site. It sure would be nice to stay at CGH someday though