Solo DISers--which resort?

[erinscreen]

I am mulling the option (but ready to book!) of taking a solo trip in October. I wonder which resort is best for a solo traveler? I will have already stayed at 2 deluxe resorts this year, so I am trying to save some $$ and stay at a Value or Moderate, or possibly Swan/Dolphin. In your experience, which would you choose?

I should mention that I like sleep, so quiet is a must!

 

[TaraPA]

I vote Swan/Dolphin - for the price of a mod you're right there in the heart of the Epcot Area resorts, and able to walk or boat to 2 parks. You also have The Boardwalk to stroll on at night.

I've stayed at S/D many many times, and have been to WDW solo, and feel 100% safe and comfortable in that area.

 

[NancyIL]

You will get a GREAT night's sleep on a Swan or Dolphin Heavenly Bed! I usually stay at the Swan, and most of the time I travel to WDW solo.

 

[Missytara]

I have done three solo trips to POR; one year was an eight day, all resorts, no parks trip.

Utilizing the transportation to go to the parks to get to the resorts, and then using the DTD bus and then the water taxi to get back to POR was wonderful.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I've had two solo trips to WDW. The first I stayed at POR. The second I was at CSR. Both were nice and I'd recommend either one. I had better bus experience at POR than at CSR, but that seems to be an anomoly from what I've read here.

The only reason I would recommend against the Swan/Dolphin is that you can't use Magical Express. I enjoyed not having to deal with getting transportation to the hotel separately and just being able to hop on a ME bus and let someone else deal with my checked bag.

 

[madalex]

If you are going solo in October, then you must do Swan or Dolphin. That way you will have very easy access to Epcot when the Food and Wine Festival is going on.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

If you are thinking of doing a value stay - I did a solo trip at Pop this year - I was looking for a quiet, restful stay and I must say I was pleasantly surprised with Pop - it was very quiet. I don't think the bed would be as comfortable as a Swan/Dolphin bed but the room was fairly good quality. I was in the 90's section almost at the end of a building away from the flow of traffic and it was rare that someone was walking by my room. I did find the food court a little too bustling in the morning - but just took my breakfast out to the pool to enjoy.

Of course the Swan/Dolphin would be a much more luxurious stay - but Pop wasn't bad and a decent price if you are considering a value resort.

 

[maxiesmom]

POFQ. It is small, so you won't have to worry about a long walk alone to your room at night. Plus you will never be far away from the food court and bus stop. It is both a peaceful and beautiful resort.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

I would vote for S/D because of the interior hallways. I myself would be a little scared to have a door that opened to the outside, but that is just me.

How fun would it be to be able to walk over to EPCOT and the Boardwalk area????? Wooohoo!!! I would LOVE that!!

 

[aubriee]

I go to WDW 4-6 times a year and most of those trips are solo. I can only get my husband to go maybe once or twice a year (he encourages my WDW addiction, but is not as big a fan himself ). Anyway, I normally stay in a moderate with CSR and POFQ being my two favorites. As a nurse I could probably use the Nurses discount to stay over at Swan/Dolphin, but would hate not being able to use DME, plus for some reason just prefer the moderates. Another option might be renting DVC points to stay at the BW or BC. I once rented points from a fellow DISer and got a studio at BW for about $125.00/night. It was really nice being able to walk or use the boats to get to Epcot or DS.

 

[NancyIL]

I go to WDW 4-6 times a year and most of those trips are solo. I can only get my husband to go maybe once or twice a year (he encourages my WDW addiction, but is not as big a fan himself ). Anyway, I normally stay in a moderate with CSR and POFQ being my two favorites. As a nurse I could probably use the Nurses discount to stay over at Swan/Dolphin, but would hate not being able to use DME, plus for some reason just prefer the moderates. Another option might be renting DVC points to stay at the BW or BC. I once rented points from a fellow DISer and got a studio at BW for about $125.00/night. It was really nice being able to walk or use the boats to get to Epcot or DS.

Don't let the lack of "free" Magical Express deter you from staying at the Swan or Dolphin. You can take a Mears van to the resort for a mere $34 roundtrip. I'll be doing that FOUR days from now when I stay at the Swan!

 

[erinscreen]

Thank you ALL for your input! I decided to bite the bullet and book. Since I am an AP holder, I decided against the S/D to take advantage of possible AP discount. Plus, I wanted to save some money since I am going back to WDW in January 2013.

I booked a room at Art of Animation! The Little Mermaid wing apparently is just single rooms, so that is what I booked. I am hoping that it goes well. I will let you all know what I think when I come back

Thanks, again! I am hoping to stay at Swan/Dolphin eventually as it is a great deal. But right now, I just can't spend that much.

 

[NancyIL]

Thank you ALL for your input! I decided to bite the bullet and book. Since I am an AP holder, I decided against the S/D to take advantage of possible AP discount. Plus, I wanted to save some money since I am going back to WDW in January 2013.

I booked a room at Art of Animation! The Little Mermaid wing apparently is just single rooms, so that is what I booked. I am hoping that it goes well. I will let you all know what I think when I come back

Thanks, again! I am hoping to stay at Swan/Dolphin eventually as it is a great deal. But right now, I just can't spend that much.

If you are an AAA member, ask if there is a discount for your dates in October. There may or may not be an AP discount at AoA down the road, but the resort does have AAA discounts available for some dates when booked now.

 

[patty57]

I was just going to chime in when I saw you had decided. Have a great trip. I've done WDW alone and LOVED it!

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

I'm doing my first solo in a few days.

Wonderful to hear all these upbeat experiences. Thanks. It is encouraging. Staying OKW. I'm praying for a bit of peace & quiet as well

 

[mickeye]

I've done solo at WDW 3xs now and had wonderful experiences. I've always stayed at the CBR with no problems whatsoever, but from now on will be using the LM rooms at AoA. Have a wonderful time. I go more often with friends or family, but solo trips are wonderful; they give you so much freedom to explore and do what you want whenever you want like concentrate on photography, do tours or pintrading. You'll have a great time.

 

[erinscreen]

I'm doing my first solo in a few days.

Wonderful to hear all these upbeat experiences. Thanks. It is encouraging. Staying OKW. I'm praying for a bit of peace & quiet as well

ENJOY!!! As always, come back and share your experiences. My trip in October will be my first solo trip.

 

[erinscreen]

I've done solo at WDW 3xs now and had wonderful experiences. I've always stayed at the CBR with no problems whatsoever, but from now on will be using the LM rooms at AoA. Have a wonderful time. I go more often with friends or family, but solo trips are wonderful; they give you so much freedom to explore and do what you want whenever you want like concentrate on photography, do tours or pintrading. You'll have a great time.

Thanks for the ideas. I am hoping that I can do some Tables in Wonderland things for F&W, too.

 

[klmall]

I did my first solo many years back at POFQ and loved the convenience and this was before ME. This is a perfect resort for solo and I would gladly go back if I wasn't trying to save $.

In June I am using an AP to stay at the ASSports and I chose that because it's the cheapest Value for my time period and the first bus stop pick up for the All Stars and drop-off. It will also be my first stay at a Value but all I need is a shower and bed!

Enjoy your trip! I absolutely loved mine before!