Solo at Universal vs WDW?

[NCgirl71]

I posted this on the Disney forum too. Thinking about 5 day 4 night stay with 3 full days for the parks. I have never travelled solo to either before but did go to Disney with my family over 20 yrs ago. I'm not a roller coaster fan and tend to get a little queasy on things with too much motion. But Universal seems to offer a lot that intrigues me. I think I could even handle The Mummy (maybe). I currently have reservations reserved for POP at WDW and CBR at Universal Nov 16-20. My question is which park do you think a 40 something female traveling solo would feel most comfortable at? If I go with Universal I thought about 2 park days and then 1 day at Seaworld.

I've only ever taken a long weekend getaway solo before . So the whole idea of getting on a plane by myself and going to the Parks solo is new to me. Anybody understand? Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[bumbershoot]

Universal. There are very few single rider lines at WDW, and FP+ is just really limiting especially when you have only one person to cater to. Having the early entrance and access to many single rider lines at Universal would be lovely. And I see that you're staying at CBR, but if you bought a ticket that included Unlimited Express Pass then it would be even more awesome for you.

 

[SharonLowe]

I would love to help but have a few questions first, if you don't mind. What interests you in doing a solo amusement park vacation, especially if you don't like roller coasters? You say that Universal offers a lot of things that intrigue you - can you explain a bit? What about dining out - is that something that interests you and are you happy to dine solo?

My take, without knowing your answers to those questions, is that (1) I don't like the Disney value hotels and I think you will be overwhelmed with families there so if you can afford to upgrade to a moderate resort, you would be much happier; (2) Epcot is a great park for a solo traveler who doesn't like roller coasters as is Animal Kingdom if you like animals but Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios not so much; (3) dining at either location is good but I give WDW the edge due to the larger variety of places and their attention to allergies and other dietary needs (but if it is free dining at Disney, I would stay away unless you want to make all your reservations now); (4) either place should make you feel safe (but always be mindful of your surroundings); and (5) if you are a Harry Potter fan, hands down, you should do Universal.

Sea World is another place that is good for solo travelers - lots of shows and other activities where you would not feel out of place doing things.

Either way you will have a good time but based on lodging choices alone, I would go with Universal and Sea World.

 

[macraven]

I posted this on the Disney forum too. Thinking about 5 day 4 night stay with 3 full days for the parks. I have never travelled solo to either before but did go to Disney with my family over 20 yrs ago. I'm not a roller coaster fan and tend to get a little queasy on things with too much motion. But Universal seems to offer a lot that intrigues me. I think I could even handle The Mummy (maybe). I currently have reservations reserved for POP at WDW and CBR at Universal Nov 16-20. My question is which park do you think a 40 something female traveling solo would feel most comfortable at? If I go with Universal I thought about 2 park days and then 1 day at Seaworld.

I've only ever taken a long weekend getaway solo before . So the whole idea of getting on a plane by myself and going to the Parks solo is new to me. Anybody understand? Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,

i have been doing solo trips to the motherland and the darkside yearly since 2006.

i truly love it!

i'm very comfortable at both theme parks.
i can't think of any ride or park that i felt uncomfortable at.

for dining, i stayed away from packed places as i had no one to "hold" a table for me once i was getting my food.
i eat at off time usually so i can avoid that issue.

when i am in the UO parks, i only take what i can keep in my pockets as i am not fond of using the lockers.
disney, not an issue as bags can go on many of the rides if not all of them.

i have always felt safe and secure at the theme parks and their hotels.

the hard part for me is transportation.
i go to the airport way too early so i can get thru the security lines and to the gate.
i use private transportation in orlando from the airport to the hotels.
i do split stays each trip and secure my car service in advance.

i used to do the car rental at the airport but never felt very confident driving in orlando.
one night i ended up in tampa as it was dark and i had no sense of direction in getting back to the disney resort.
i can laugh about that now but it was upsetting for me.

so, i budget private car service for a 3 leg trip.
it solved my problem.

i feel more comfortable at universal as it is a smaller set up than disney.
transportation from the park to the darkside resorts is quicker and more guests going to the same place when you are.
easy to go from park to park, all walkable within minutes.

you see security a lot in the open areas of city walk, hotel walkways, water taxi dock, etc. during the day and evening.

disney is large and spread out.
i've waited for busses to get around on each visit.
especially from the hotel to DTD.

it eats up park time with that much commuting.

go ahead and do the solo trip to both places.
it will be a new adventure and you'll find staff very helpful and chatty.

 

[Dee2013]

I feel comfortable, safe, and have a blast by myself at Universal. I see a lot of solo people in the parks as many people split up when they get here to do their own thing. I always stay at RPR and I'm quite comfortable there as well.

 

[disneylove69]

I posted this on the Disney forum too. Thinking about 5 day 4 night stay with 3 full days for the parks. I have never travelled solo to either before but did go to Disney with my family over 20 yrs ago. I'm not a roller coaster fan and tend to get a little queasy on things with too much motion. But Universal seems to offer a lot that intrigues me. I think I could even handle The Mummy (maybe). I currently have reservations reserved for POP at WDW and CBR at Universal Nov 16-20. My question is which park do you think a 40 something female traveling solo would feel most comfortable at? If I go with Universal I thought about 2 park days and then 1 day at Seaworld.

I've only ever taken a long weekend getaway solo before . So the whole idea of getting on a plane by myself and going to the Parks solo is new to me. Anybody understand? Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,

45 single female and I do both all the time. I will be there a week before you. Enjoy!!!

 

[mickey1968]

46 and hopelessly single here! I cut my solo traveling teeth on WDW! I feel completely comfortable there and plan to add Universal to my upcoming trip. I have also traveled to Vegas numerous times solo and even gone all the way to Rome solo, then joined up with a tour once there.

I think a lot of solo travel boils down to how comfortable you are with yourself. Do you like your own company or do you have to be talking to someone on the phone ALL the time? I am an only child so I got comfortable with my own company a long time ago. Even so, there is always someone to talk to when traveling especially at Disney. Older couples are always nice to visit with and "safe." Having an iphone or ipad with you can also help with the time spent in line or while dining. I like to sit at the edges so I can watch everyone else!

I disagree what someone else said about not staying at a value. Stay wherever suits your budget. I have made half a dozen trips to Disney in the past few years and at least 4 of them I have stayed at Pop and enjoyed it. However, last fall I stayed at Port Orleans Riverside and it was much more relaxing than Pop, but it had nothing to do with feeling comfortable around families. Face it, kids are everywhere (it is Disney after all), but the values do feel a little more chaotic at peak times of the day. The size of the rooms is really a non-issue for a solo traveler. You can spread out and have more than enough room even in a value room!

Another thing to consider is the value resorts are very well lit up at night to showcase the large icons. And there does seem to always be families or other travelers coming and going at the same time even to late at night. I stayed in the Alligator Bayou at Riverside and the trees and vegetation are very lush and thick. Beautiful, but it does make it considerably darker at night if you are skittish . I plan to stay at Caribbean Beach this next trip and am still debating about adding two nights at the end of the trip at Universal's Cabana Bay resort.

I think the final question you had was about transportation? The buses at Pop are really pretty good EXCEPT at the end of a Mickey's Halloween Party night when everyone leaves the park at midnight . Then they are a madhouse! But one thing, the fuller the bus going home late at night, the more other people walking to their rooms at the same time!

For my last trip in May I rented a car for the first time and really liked the freedom it gave me. I was able to go to the outlet malls and just easier to park hop. I plan to do that again in November unless I need to cut the budget down some.Then the car will be first to go because I know I can do everything I want to do using Disney's great transportation system. I also know that I can arrange a round-trip shuttle to Universal for about $20 a day (parking there is $17).

Okay, enough from me, I just hope you give it a try. Solo traveling can be great fun and very fulfilling. I think traveling as a single female is empowering and a huge confidence booster. It reaffirms that you can take care of yourself and you can have adventures on your own!

Good luck!

 

[kbelle8995]

Actually both are great for a single person. I enjoyed Universal by myself and I had a lot of fun. Plus I can really do what I want.

Have to say the Single riders at Universal are great just because there are so many.

 

[NCgirl71]

46 and hopelessly single here! I cut my solo traveling teeth on WDW! I feel completely comfortable there and plan to add Universal to my upcoming trip. I have also traveled to Vegas numerous times solo and even gone all the way to Rome solo, then joined up with a tour once there. I think a lot of solo travel boils down to how comfortable you are with yourself. Do you like your own company or do you have to be talking to someone on the phone ALL the time? I am an only child so I got comfortable with my own company a long time ago. Even so, there is always someone to talk to when traveling especially at Disney. Older couples are always nice to visit with and "safe." Having an iphone or ipad with you can also help with the time spent in line or while dining. I like to sit at the edges so I can watch everyone else! I disagree what someone else said about not staying at a value. Stay wherever suits your budget. I have made half a dozen trips to Disney in the past few years and at least 4 of them I have stayed at Pop and enjoyed it. However, last fall I stayed at Port Orleans Riverside and it was much more relaxing than Pop, but it had nothing to do with feeling comfortable around families. Face it, kids are everywhere (it is Disney after all), but the values do feel a little more chaotic at peak times of the day. The size of the rooms is really a non-issue for a solo traveler. You can spread out and have more than enough room even in a value room! Another thing to consider is the value resorts are very well lit up at night to showcase the large icons. And there does seem to always be families or other travelers coming and going at the same time even to late at night. I stayed in the Alligator Bayou at Riverside and the trees and vegetation are very lush and thick. Beautiful, but it does make it considerably darker at night if you are skittish . I plan to stay at Caribbean Beach this next trip and am still debating about adding two nights at the end of the trip at Universal's Cabana Bay resort. I think the final question you had was about transportation? The buses at Pop are really pretty good EXCEPT at the end of a Mickey's Halloween Party night when everyone leaves the park at midnight . Then they are a madhouse! But one thing, the fuller the bus going home late at night, the more other people walking to their rooms at the same time! For my last trip in May I rented a car for the first time and really liked the freedom it gave me. I was able to go to the outlet malls and just easier to park hop. I plan to do that again in November unless I need to cut the budget down some.Then the car will be first to go because I know I can do everything I want to do using Disney's great transportation system. I also know that I can arrange a round-trip shuttle to Universal for about $20 a day (parking there is $17). Okay, enough from me, I just hope you give it a try. Solo traveling can be great fun and very fulfilling. I think traveling as a single female is empowering and a huge confidence booster. It reaffirms that you can take care of yourself and you can have adventures on your own! Good luck!

Thanks for your advice. . Especially that last part about it empowering you and giving you a confidence booster.

 

[NCgirl71]

Actually both are great for a single person. I enjoyed Universal by myself and I had a lot of fun. Plus I can really do what I want. Have to say the Single riders at Universal are great just because there are so many.

Single rider lines is a bonus . When I said earlier I didn't ride roller coasters. I was referring ones like Hulk, Rip Rockit, Doom. I think I would enjoy shows, water rides, some of the other rides and attractions. I love Splash Mtn and Big Thunder Mountain at WDW.

Do you stay onsite at the Universal Resort?

 

[disneylove69]

Single rider lines is a bonus . When I said earlier I didn't ride roller coasters. I was referring ones like Hulk, Rip Rockit, Doom. I think I would enjoy shows, water rides, some of the other rides and attractions. I love Splash Mtn and Big Thunder Mountain at WDW.

Do you stay onsite at the Universal Resort?

This will be my first staying on property at US. Staying at Cabana Bay.

 

[mrsabbott]

I don't mind traveling solo at all! I don't get much opportunity to do so nowadays, but there is something to be said about experiencing things on your own, without interruption, and at whatever pace you want. There is freedom is solo travel.. I miss it!

that said, I think either park would be fun, but we fell in love with Universal when we were there! I would suggest, even on the simulator rides, you should consider taking a non drowsy Dramamine. I discovered that I now get a little motion sick on rides. Not fun! I want to go back and experience certain rides without closing my eyes and fighting off the urge to hurl..

Have a great trip!!

 

[Stavs]

I love traveling solo to the parks. I usually go twice a year. I'm going next week and doing mostly Universal with one day at Disney. I find that when I travel solo, its much more enjoyable as I can do what I want to do. I can move at my own pace, I can either follow a plan, or I can just move at my own whim. I also tend to splurge on myself with Unlimited Express, tours, etc so I can truly enjoy my time there. Both Disney and Universal are great for solo people overall IMO. There is so much to see and do. There are days where I just go to the parks and walk around and not go on any rides, just because I like to look at the details in the parks that I may have overlooked, as well as people watching.

I also dont tend to stay on site though. Thats an expense I dont feel is worth it, but to some it is. I stayed at Pop Century last trip, and felt it wasn't worth it for a solo traveler, and moderates/deluxe would have been more of a waste to me. For the price of staying on site, I can get a cheaper hotel, rent a car, cover parking, and have money left over. If I had a girlfriend or family, different story though.

 

[kbelle8995]

Single rider lines is a bonus . When I said earlier I didn't ride roller coasters. I was referring ones like Hulk, Rip Rockit, Doom. I think I would enjoy shows, water rides, some of the other rides and attractions. I love Splash Mtn and Big Thunder Mountain at WDW.

Do you stay onsite at the Universal Resort?

I have stayed onsite twice. Cabana bay and RP both are really nice. I don't like large roller coasters either and I still found much to enjoy.

Big thunder is my favorite at Disney. So I am always looking for something near that thrill level. At universal Escape from Gringotts was really fun plus the Hippogriff ride. Suess landing, Spiderman, Et and others are really fun and not too scary.

 

[subtchr]

I guess I don't technically travel to the parks solo, since I am a tour director with a travel company that organizes trips for high school music groups, so my whole group can be anywhere from 50 to 250 people! But I do usually end up actually touring the parks solo, and always have a single room. And I adore it!

When I am not confirming group activities or solving problems that come up, I love exploring the parks on my own, while my group is there. I go so often that I know all the parks very well. While I have my favorites that I try to do every trip, there are days that I like to sit and people-watch, or have a leisurely meal by myself, reading a book on my iPad or just relaxing. My trips often involve an overnight bus trip from the midwest to Orlando, then hitting the ground running, so I have been known to find a spot to "rest my eyes" in the afternoons some days!

Although I am a ride junkie -- I worked at an amusement park for seven summers throughout high school and college many years ago, and even at 56 I am of the "if they build it, I will ride it" mentality -- I'd have to say the live entertainment is a highlight for me, both at Disney and Universal.

I will also agree with the empowerment aspect of traveling alone. Travel doesn't always go smoothly, and solving problems by oneself is very affirming. Have a great time!

 

[chs27]

I travel with family, but when they are ready for rest, I go out on my own for a few hours.