Solo Trip - Value Resorts

[Siel04]

Hi, everyone!

I'm considering a solo trip to Disney World in November 2025. I'm on a budget, so I was thinking of staying at one of the All Star resorts; but I really love the theming of the Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation, and it's on the Skyliner.

What are your thoughts on the different value resorts?

Thanks!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I tend to find when I fudge my hotel budget higher because a more expensive room is appealing I regret it. I find myself thinking at random times on my trip “that was not worth $$” and that’s rather a bummer thought. You’re going to spend most of your time in the parks anyway!

AS are perfectly acceptable- although I would consider a preferred room.

 

[HolRae]

As a solo traveler I definitely prefer the layout of the All Star rooms versus Little Mermaid. Being able to leave the second bed up and a have a table and chairs makes the room feel larger and more useful.

 

[Frank4202]

My thoughts are the Mermaid rooms at AoA are not budget friendly.

 

[OP95]

I’ve not stayed at any of the values as of yet but will be staying solo the same time as you and have booked all star movies. I looked at AOA and pop. the AOA rooms seem quite a bit out of date compared to the AS rooms as well as having a much longer walk to the main lobby ect. Maybe look at Pop if you are set on the skyliner route. To me personally the price jump didn’t seem like it was worth it. Though if you love the theming more it might be worth it for you.

 

[LoveDaisy]

I have not stayed in a little mermaid room but visited a friend staying in one. I was surprised how far of a walk it was to get them. As a solo I might feel uncomfortable at night. As I didn’t stay there I’m not sure how well lit the walk is or if there are lots of people out and about at night. Also if staying solo I would prefer a room with a Murphy bed to have more space. I found the decor of the room a little cheesy but my friend’s 4 year old loved it.

 

[HappyGal]

As a budget solo traveler myself, I’d go with a standard room at Pop. Price is right, room layout is great and you are right there at the Skyliner.

All stars would be my second choice.

I don’t think the Little Mermaid rooms at Pop are worth it. The theming is ok but it’s quite a hike to the the main building.

 

[loves to dive]

I go to WDW solo often and while I haven't stayed the entire trip in a value, I have stayed a couple of nights at most of them during a split stay. AoA is actually the only one I haven't stayed at and probably never will. I just can't justify the cost, especially for the Little Mermaid rooms when it's so much less at the All Stars. I'm actually not a huge sky liner fan so haven't stayed in Pop since that opened. I've stayed at the furthest room from the front at Music (and I mean the absolute furthest) and had no issues walking there (I'm a 67 year old woman with moderate hip/knee/back issues) and have never ever felt unsafe walking back to my room late at night at any WDW resort. I've found the buses at the All Stars just fine, my only complaint it the lack of cover for the lines, which can be brutal in the summer sun or rain but otherwise, they are fine.

 

[Skippyboo]

I have done numerous solo trips. The AoA little mermaid rooms are far from the Skyliner station and main building with the buses and food court.

I like the Skyliner and ability to skip buses for 2 parks. I would look at Pop especially if you plan on spending a lot of your time in the parks.

 

[kylenne]

I tend to find when I fudge my hotel budget higher because a more expensive room is appealing I regret it. I find myself thinking at random times on my trip “that was not worth $$” and that’s rather a bummer thought. You’re going to spend most of your time in the parks anyway!

And I'm the complete opposite. The couple of times I've tried to cut corners on the room to save money I ended up regretting it and having severe FOMO that I could have stayed somewhere nicer/more convenient. It's why I don't do it anymore and my "budget" trips are at the Swolphin.

This stuff is really subjective. But if a value were truly all I could do, I would go with Pop over AoA or the All Stars. I'm distinctly not a fan of the Skyliner but a November trip would mitigate the worst aspects of it. And Pop rooms are just objectively better than the Mermaid rooms by pretty much every metric.

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

I love POP Century for my solo trips! The Skyliner makes it easy to travel around to some other resorts for increased food options (plus fun and quick transportation to 2/4 parks!) The vibes at POP are pure fun and you have the added bonus of being able to visit (food, shopping and atmosphere-not pool) AOA without paying the increased price to stay there. I love wandering the all the different areas and the AOA food court has some different options. POP gets my vote every time.

 

[5kidsmommy]

I do like the All Star rooms now that they have been renovated but if I were going solo I would choose Pop for the nice renovated rooms and access to the skyliner.

 

[leebee]

I had the best solo trip ever in November, staying at AllStars Music. I booked a regular room, but they upgraded me to preferred. I would never have thought I'd suggest doing preferred, but I really loved being "right there" near the food court, bus stop, and pool bar. I know that, traveling alone, if I'd come home from the park for a rest and walked all the way to the back of the resort, it'd be hard to motivate myself to go back out again that evening. Not that they are big resorts, but... I dunno how to explain it, but staying preferred motivated me to go out on my own more frequently, I guess. I definitely book AllStars for my solos, but I'm thinking maybe I'll book preferred from now on!

 

[afan]

I've always done Pop as a solo. I like the property, having the skyliner to two parks and the option to bus back to AoA if their line is shorter.

 

[didilovesdisney]

Another Pop fan here. With the exception of a gifted Swan solo trip my solo Disney trips have all been at Pop. Now Pop is my favorite resort but if ever needed my back up resort would be All Star Music preferred room. But Pop is my favorite. I may be in the minority here but I just love the Pop atmosphere. And the skyliner of course too.

 

[summerlvr]

I pretty much always travel solo, and while Pop is my favorite value resort, the increased price is getting hard to justify. I have recently been staying at All Star Sports in a preferred room as it's cheaper than a standard room at Pop. Have never stayed at AOA, it just doesn't appeal to me.

 

[stace1214]

For my solo trips I like All Stars preferred best. They're a very short walk to transportation and the lobby. I've stayed at moderates on solo trips too and I just didn't like how spread out most are when walking alone. My personal preference is ground floor.

 

[comicguy]

I did a solo trip in July and stayed at AS Movies. I did have a preferred room (I did not remeber booking it but it was on my reservation so I gues I did?!?!) Anyway, I had no issues and enjoyed the time I was at the resort (mostly to sleep!) Park transportation was actually very good and better than expected. So I fel the saving were worth for me, for what that is worth

 

[Minniemouse118]

Definitely stay at Pop! It has the room layout of the All Stars, but you’re also on the Skyliner route, and you’re paying significantly less for a room compared to AOA. We went last month and payed an extra $40/night to stay in a preferred room at Pop vs. staying at one of All Stars resorts, and it was worth it to have the Skyliner access (but we were also traveling with our toddler, so the convenience factor of rolling the stroller onto the Skyliner was well worth the extra money).

 

[Stacybaeasm]

I go solo a lot. Pop is my value resort of choice. The Skyliner is a game changer for me. Being able to NOT use buses to 2 parks and being able to jump to the Riviera or easily get to Beach/Yacht club for meals is wonderful. Plus, it is the same room layout as the all stars so you can leave the murphy bed up and have a table and more room. I always stay standard room (usually with a parking lot view) because I don't care about the view at all. For me, especially when I am solo, I would prefer to not take a bus whenever possible.