Solo traveler needs resort advice!

[photogineer]

So, it looks like I'm going back to the World in September of 2017 from 9/3 to 9/9! I will be traveling solo this time, so I have a bit of a dilemma.

First off, I love staying on-site, not even for the perks, just the immersion and proximity, I know I pay for the privilege, I'm ok with that. However, I generally am not traveling solo, and I'm usually needing pay for food and tickets for whoever I'm traveling with, so I have a little bit more flex this time. So I figured I'd try a new resort, however:

• Being solo, I will probably be on the go much of the time, so I'm not sure I'll see much of the room/resort.
• It seems like a lot of the better resort amenities are best enjoyed with a partner, so I might not get much use out of them even if I do peel myself off the parks.

That said, I had a lot of fun last time I traveled solo, I dined, I wined, I hit all 4 parks in one day, I loved it. I stayed at Pop though for the reasons listed above. I've recently spent a stay at Port Orleans Riverside and I greatly enjoyed it, but even then I didn't make much use of the amenities.

So, should I try a new resort? If so, which one? If not, am I going to get a better value at All Stars or Pop?

I've stayed at:

• Pop Century
• All-Star (all of them)
• Swan/Dolphin each
• Port Orleans Riverside
• A few different off-sites, I didn't like the experience

I've dined in:

• Polynesian
• BoardWalk Inn
• Grand Floridian

If it matters, I would prefer to not rent a car and rely on resort transport, but if it's going to be inconvenient I'll probably rent a car to avoid 3 hours transits between places.

Adam

 

[Ensusieasm]

So, it looks like I'm going back to the World in September of 2017 from 9/3 to 9/9! I will be traveling solo this time, so I have a bit of a dilemma.

First off, I love staying on-site, not even for the perks, just the immersion and proximity, I know I pay for the privilege, I'm ok with that. However, I generally am not traveling solo, and I'm usually needing pay for food and tickets for whoever I'm traveling with, so I have a little bit more flex this time. So I figured I'd try a new resort, however:

• Being solo, I will probably be on the go much of the time, so I'm not sure I'll see much of the room/resort.
• It seems like a lot of the better resort amenities are best enjoyed with a partner, so I might not get much use out of them even if I do peel myself off the parks.

That said, I had a lot of fun last time I traveled solo, I dined, I wined, I hit all 4 parks in one day, I loved it. I stayed at Pop though for the reasons listed above. I've recently spent a stay at Port Orleans Riverside and I greatly enjoyed it, but even then I didn't make much use of the amenities.

So, should I try a new resort? If so, which one? If not, am I going to get a better value at All Stars or Pop?

I've stayed at:

• Pop Century
• All-Star (all of them)
• Swan/Dolphin each
• Port Orleans Riverside
• A few different off-sites, I didn't like the experience

I've dined in:

• Polynesian
• BoardWalk Inn
• Grand Floridian

If it matters, I would prefer to not rent a car and rely on resort transport, but if it's going to be inconvenient I'll probably rent a car to avoid 3 hours transits between places.

Adam

Stay at a resort from which you can walk to a park. The Contemporary, or Boardwalk. Have fun!

 

[figmentedfollies]

When I did my solo trip, I stayed at POFQ because I wanted some place intimate enough that I wouldn't be wandering through a large complex by myself with limited light. I informed Disney that I was a solo female traveler and they honored the request that I be put close to the lobby. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I personally liked how compact the resort was, in comparison to the rest of the moderates.

Personally, I wasn't able to justify the cost of a deluxe resort for a solo trip, but perhaps if I were to do so again I may try renting points for a DVC studio.

You indicated that you didn't make much use of the resort amenities when you stayed at POR. So maybe a value would work best for your Disney vacation style, particularly if you can either request or book a king room.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Just had my 19th solo trip this month. I say stay at Port Orleans French Quarter. It's a small resort so it's easy to move around. I haven't stayed there since they redid the food court though.

For deluxe - I'd do Beach Club. I really enjoyed walking to Epcot or DHS. I was upgraded to Club Level when I stayed there which was fabulous. I liked all the decor and even though I didn't swim in Storm-A-Long Bay, it was so pretty to look at. I also liked the bar there.

I'm not a fan of value resorts and don't stay at them often but if those work for you - I'd stay at All Star Music. I liked the vibe at that resort and when I stayed there for a quick weekend trip late 2015, the buses were fast and I liked the food court.

Have a great time!

 

[johnsgrl]

I just booked a solo night after a conference I am attending and went through the same process of deciding where to stay. I originally booked POFQ, for much the same reason as the poster above, and then found an amazing deal on a point rental so will be staying at Kidani in a studio. I will have a car, so I don't need to worry about transportation though. I used to always look at Pop Century for solo trips, but I find I enjoy a quieter resort lately.

 

[cedricandsophie]

When I have gone solo I stay at Boardwalk. I only do Epcot on my own so it's an easy choice. Plus the restaurants are great. I'm fine going to bars on my own so I also love the ESPN club to sit at the bar and watch sports or go to the dueling pianos bar. If I want to go to a restaurant at another resort, I would either take bus to Disney springs and then bus to resort or probably more likely to take a cab.

 

[fla4fun]

I have stayed solo at nearly every Disney resort. My advice is to think about what your plans are for the trip, what amenities you would like, and what your budget is, and then pick the resort that appeals most to you. I have stayed in one bedroom villas solo, the FW cabins solo, and everything from deluxe to value resorts solo. They were very different experiences, but they were all fun.

You didn't mention much about your plans other than your concerns regarding transportation. The best resorts in my opinion for transportation are the Epcot resorts (walking to two parks) or Poly (walking to TTC). Since Food and Wine is starting early next year, an Epcot resort might be a great choice to quickly pop in and out of Epcot. After that, my choice actually goes to the value resorts, because they don't share buses like the deluxe resorts and they have designated lines for each park, unlike the mods or deluxes. Disney actually seems to have planned better for the quantity of people the value resorts will need to move around when planning their bus transportation. I do prefer Pop if looking at standard rooms, although I have stayed solo in the AoA family suites as well.

If you aren't planning to spend a lot of time at your resort, then a value resort is probably the best value and the best choice for you. But it all boils down to what you want to spend and what you want your vacation to be.

 

[loves to dive]

I've been on a number of solo trips and I can say I've never felt unsafe, even at night or early morning runs as a solo woman. I've stayed in values, moderates and deluxes. I'm not a fan of the values and tend to stay in the Epcot resorts, if I stay in a moderate it's just for a day or two at the beginning of a trip. I enjoy the deluxe resorts, especially when solo because of the inside hallways.

 

[goofy4tink]

If you're concerned about transit time between resorts, for dining, I would stay at a value (Pop is always my go to value resort), and take cabs or uber between resorts for dining.

 

[Babsy]

I would stay at either the BWI or CR for easy walking to theme parks. CR also is close to the MK bus stop for direct access to other resorts (during MK operating hours). The BWI has walking access to Epcot and DHS. Epcot access via the IG is great for dining in WS at night. Also, the BWI is a very lively place to stay with lots going on at the BW in the evening.

I like interior corridors for solo trips, so would normally look at a deluxe rather than a value or mod. Depends upon the budget, of course.

 

[photogineer]

These are all great suggestions! Thank you.

Couple things, I was considering a deluxe, and it's always sort of been my dream to stay at a deluxe resort, but practicality has to weigh in. I don't mind spending money, but there's a finite amount I can spend, so if there are things I could spend it on that I might get more out of, I'd rather that. I'm not sure though, usually my accommodations are the most expensive part of the trips behind park tickets. My dates are fixed so I can't spend the money on more tickets really, and I can only eat so much food.

The consensus seems to be to avoid a car rental though, which is fine by me, I like the idea of being within walking distance of a park. The question is which one...

Adam

 

[goopysolelady]

I'd vote for Boardwalk Inn if you're considering a deluxe. We just returned from our first stay at a value and we were very pleased with All Star Music. I'd also think about the Wilderness Lodge just because it's a beautiful, quiet resort even though it's now undergoing a great deal of construction. The main lodge and most of the grounds are unaffected and I love the boat ride to the MK.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

If I was going solo and needed to keep an eye on the budget I would go for Pop, preferably in a quiet lake view room, or POFQ if I could swing the difference. If I could swing deluxe, anything on the Boardwalk would be preferred as I love the ambience and ability to walk to parks.

Maybe as your dates get closer you will find some good discounts released! Good luck!

 

[figmentedfollies]

These are all great suggestions! Thank you.

Couple things, I was considering a deluxe, and it's always sort of been my dream to stay at a deluxe resort, but practicality has to weigh in. I don't mind spending money, but there's a finite amount I can spend, so if there are things I could spend it on that I might get more out of, I'd rather that. I'm not sure though, usually my accommodations are the most expensive part of the trips behind park tickets. My dates are fixed so I can't spend the money on more tickets really, and I can only eat so much food.

The consensus seems to be to avoid a car rental though, which is fine by me, I like the idea of being within walking distance of a park. The question is which one...

Adam

I would definitely consider looking into renting points via DVC, if they are available for one of the resorts you liked. The cost is similar to that of a moderate room, but it puts you in close proximity to the parks.As a solo traveler you won't ahve to worry about bed configurations or anything like that.

 

[GreatLakes]

I would say go with the Swan or Dolphin. Both are almost always cheaper than the Disney Deluxes and you can still walk to Epcot. That would be my choice if their price is within your budget.

 

[photogineer]

I would definitely consider looking into renting points via DVC, if they are available for one of the resorts you liked. The cost is similar to that of a moderate room, but it puts you in close proximity to the parks.As a solo traveler you won't ahve to worry about bed configurations or anything like that.

I've looked in to that in the past, I'll definitely consider it again, the only gotchas being the lack of Mousekeeping (which doesn't really bug me) and the lack of direct control over the reservation, which makes me anxious. I'll still look in to it though.

I would say go with the Swan or Dolphin. Both are almost always cheaper than the Disney Deluxes and you can still walk to Epcot. That would be my choice if their price is within your budget.

I have stayed at one of them in the past (I can't remember which is which, I was in the one that was further from the Boardwalk) and I enjoyed it. I will strongly consider this option, as I understand even though they're not Disney properties I still have access to EMH and early FP+ bookings? That's important.

Thanks,
Adam

 

[figmentedfollies]

I've looked in to that in the past, I'll definitely consider it again, the only gotchas being the lack of Mousekeeping (which doesn't really bug me) and the lack of direct control over the reservation, which makes me anxious. I'll still look in to it though.

I have stayed at one of them in the past (I can't remember which is which, I was in the one that was further from the Boardwalk) and I enjoyed it. I will strongly consider this option, as I understand even though they're not Disney properties I still have access to EMH and early FP+ bookings? That's important.

Thanks,
Adam

You won't have access to charging back to your room via magic band or the DME. You will have to arrange your own transportation to and from the airport.

 

[Nancyg56]

These are all great suggestions! Thank you.

Couple things, I was considering a deluxe, and it's always sort of been my dream to stay at a deluxe resort, but practicality has to weigh in. I don't mind spending money, but there's a finite amount I can spend, so if there are things I could spend it on that I might get more out of, I'd rather that. I'm not sure though, usually my accommodations are the most expensive part of the trips behind park tickets. My dates are fixed so I can't spend the money on more tickets really, and I can only eat so much food.

The consensus seems to be to avoid a car rental though, which is fine by me, I like the idea of being within walking distance of a park. The question is which one...

Adam

If you want to avoid a deluxe I would choose CSR.

I am not a solo traveler, but I stayed one night alone in December after my friend returned home. I was at the Beach Club and while the money for one day was okaywith me, I doubt I would have justified an entire stay at that cost. I will say that night was really awesome though!

On a solo trip I think it is important to look at not just the park time, but realistically, the resort time. I would want to know the transportaion is reasonable, that the amenities such as pool and dining are convenient and offer several options, and that the grounds are relaxing and give me plenty of respite as an adult. I travel with children many times,and enjoy that very much, but when on an adult trip I want to be able to have a cocktail, relax at the pool and have a good meal at my resort. CSR offers all of these options if you want them.

I will admit that the theme is not my favorite, but even under the most critical eye, the resort maintained a very high standard. The room was spacious and spotless, the bed was so comfortable. The grounds are gorgeous! During the day the walk around the lake is so pretty, with the buildings reflecting in the water, but at night it is stunning. The theme does not scream Disney, but is understated. From the moment we checked in, the cast members were awesome. Now I always have wonderful experiences no matter where I stay, but I really noticed it here.

 

[maxiesmom]

When I did my solo trip, I stayed at POFQ because I wanted some place intimate enough that I wouldn't be wandering through a large complex by myself with limited light. I informed Disney that I was a solo female traveler and they honored the request that I be put close to the lobby. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I personally liked how compact the resort was, in comparison to the rest of the moderates.

Personally, I wasn't able to justify the cost of a deluxe resort for a solo trip, but perhaps if I were to do so again I may try renting points for a DVC studio.

You indicated that you didn't make much use of the resort amenities when you stayed at POR. So maybe a value would work best for your Disney vacation style, particularly if you can either request or book a king room.

I could have written this post! My one solo stay was at POFQ, for all of the same reasons. My room was in building #4, on the third floor. Steps away from everything!

 

[Eastern]

Since you haven't tried it, and you spend a lot of time at the parks, I would consider POFQ. It's so compact and the bus tranportation has always been good for us. You also get the boat to Disney Springs. I have gotten good prices at POFQ on the Disney site, on Orbitz, and through some magical deals. Look around for pricing.