Need advice on 1st solo trip

[roselark]

Hi all! I am tentatively planning to take a solo trip next year. I will either go last week of January or 2nd week of May 2009. I am just not sure where to stay.

I am pretty sure I want to rent DVC points from a member. Not only will I save $$, but DH and I are seriously considering buying DVC in a couple of years, and I was thinking this would give me a chance to check it out a bit more.

I have narrowed down my choices to AKL, SSR, and BW. Here are my thoughts:
AKL: If we buy, it would probably be here, so it would be nice to check it out. Also, I love the lobby and my favorite TS is Boma! Only concern I have is the small CS.

SSR: Probably would be pretty easy to get a reservation here. Also, it seems to be a pretty standard DVC experience.

BW: Walking distance to EPCOT and DHS, my 2 favorite parks! I have heard that CS is extremely limited, but I could always just walk to Epcot and get CS at world showcase!

I don't use the pools or hot tubs. Most of my time will be spent at the parks, but I do sometimes like to take a break and have lunch at the resort CS and rest for a couple of hours.

What do you think?

 

[travelin' tigger]

Personally I love the BWV - location, location, location. Plus Jellyrolls is one of my favorite night spots - in fact it's the only bar I'll go to by myself.

I've never stayed at either SSR or AKV, but I'd lean toward AKV as my next pick. Last would be SSR - I find it too far from everything.

I own at OKW and love the laid back, relaxing feeling here. You might also consider here...

HTH - enjoy your solo trip!!!

 

[ClareH37]

I'm doing my first solo trip next year as well (2nd week of May) and have opted for one of the Epcot resorts. I was thinking of WL as I've always wanted to stay there but being in the Epcot area will be so much easier to just pop out and get a snack somewhere.

Although the Boardwalk hasn't got a CS as such, but the BW Bakery is right there, and also Spoodles take-out pizza window if you don't want to walk far.

I think the location of the BW can't be beat, there's so much going on and it's great being able to walk to 2 parks, so cuts down on bus time

 

[roselark]

I was kinda leaning to BW, but just wasn't sure yet. Thanks for helping me make up my mind! I am soo excited now!

 

[Donald is #1]

Solo trips are awesome. I have taken 1.5 so far and I will be doing another one in December. Checking out a DVC resort before buying is an excellent idea. I did the same thing last spring except that I didn't rent points. Instead I used an AP discount for my studio.

On your options, I have stayed at both AKL and SSR so I'll confine my comments to them.

AKL/AKV: My favorite! Yes I am biased since AKV is where I own. I stayed at both SSR and AKL last May and I found that I prefered Mara to Artist Pallete. The reasons that I preferred Mara are:
1) Better breakfast hours. Artist Palette doesn't open until 7 and they don't start serving hot meals until 7:30
2) Mickey Waffles
3) Personnally, I preferred the selection though I can't remember why.

SSR: Very relaxing, if AKV wasn't being offered, I wouldn't have had a problem buying here. I found the grounds to be relaxing and I enjoyed my walks each morning to Artist's Palette. Artist's Palette was good but I preferred Mara's for the reasons above.

 

[iluveeyore]

Enjoy your solo - just did my first one and can't wait to do another! We are DVC members and own at VWL and BCV. I have stayed at every DVC except BWV but have visited the resort. For solo, any of them would work. If you are choosing between AKV and SSR, you will enjoy both. SSR is my favourite for sitting out on their patios as they seem to have the most room and very nice views - I love having my morning tea there. When I stay at a studio with DH, we always bring our breakfast stuff so we don't have to worry about where to eat and what time, then we can get out and do whatever park we want without worrying about when the restaurant opens. Each studio has a kitchenette, so a loaf of bread for toast with peanut butter and my tea bags with some milk are all we need each day. SSR is also great for evening meals as you can request one of the buildings closest to DTD and it's a quick 3 minute walk to Wolfgang Puck Express (yum) or many other restaurants. Studios are great for leftovers too - most of our dinners become the next day lunches!
AKV is great for ambiance and more of a 'hotel' feel. Again, breakfasts can be done in the rooms - if you can't take groceries with you, you can always pick up stuff in their large and beautiful gift shop and have breakfast relaxing in your room. When I was solo, I was never at the resort for meals, usually out in a park or at DTD, so I didn't worry about their CS. I went two weeks ago, and never cared about pool time either since it wasn't as warm as I liked for sunbathing, so that wasn't an issue. (I actually stayed at POP due to my last minute planning and budget, but my next solo will definitely be at a DVC studio!). OKW is lovely too, but for being solo, I would enjoy a room with a sofa to stretch out on and read or relax in the morning watching GMA, and OKW has two beds in their studios.
You'll love wherever you decide to stay, they each have their own pluses and minuses, depending on what you want to do. I visited BC on my solo because I took the boat from HS to go get ice cream at Beaches and Cream, so I'm sure you'd enjoy the Epcot resorts as well.
Enjoy your solo - I did!!!!