Solo Trip - what resort would you stay at?

[kaffinito]

I'm getting ready for my first solo trip to the World, and am curious about resort choices.

I started thinking about this when I posted a poll on the resort board about which value resort I should pick the values were voted down in favor of the mods or deluxes.

I am wondering why? If a person likes the values, why shouldn't they stay at one for a solo trip? Is there something I'm missing here?

What resort level do YOU stay at for your solo trips?

 

[Verstehen]

Maybe they voted it down because the value resorts have a reputation for catering to larger groups, and you wouldn't necessarily get the silence or privacy you want at one of them. They also don't have any full service restaurants.

Ultimately, of course, stay at whatever hotel resonates best with YOU (and your budget, of course!). I've known plenty of people who've stayed at the value resorts who swear they will never stay anywhere else. As for myself, I've only stayed at moderate and deluxe, so I can't speak for the value. I haven't done any solo resort stays either, but I can tell you my favorite resort is Wilderness Lodge, with Port Orleans French Quarter a close second.

 

[ashleyrm]

I have gone solo a few times and have stayed at both moderates and value resorts (have stayed in a few deluxes when traveling with family). Some solo travelers like staying in the deluxes because they have indoor hallways. I just can never justify the expense of a deluxe when traveling by myself. My first choice is Port Orleans French Quarter because of it's smaller size and more private hot tub (when compared to Port Orleans Riverside and Caribbean Beach). I have never stayed at Coronado Springs.

I have stayed at all 4 value resorts for a day or two when traveling solo. On my most recent trip a few weeks ago, I stayed at All Star Movies for 3 nights. I have never had any real complaints while staying at the Value Resorts. I almost always have a car so don't really bother with the busses which I understand can be difficult at the value resorts. I did use the bus last time coming home late from EPCOT and it was raining and the bus stop was the absolute furthest away. I usually request staying on the top floor so am not bothered by noises above. The turbo flush toilets can be heard between rooms, but I think that was true of the moderates as well. Also, I have never really made use of the pool area at any of the value resorts, so I can't really comment on them versus the moderates or deluxes, but it is Disney so there are going to be kids!

Just my opinions...

 

[pdchris]

Funny you should say that about POFQ, Ashley. That's where I'm staying where I go solo in May. I've stayed at POFQ once before and I agree, the size is appealing. That and I took advantage of their offer which discounted the room and saved me about $400.

 

[DisneylandForever]

When DVC isn't part of the equation, another vote for POFQ!

I am not a huge fan of the Value resorts. They are okay. I would stay at one if I had to, but not by choice.

If I didn't have DVC I would rarely stay at a Deluxe. They are a bit pricey!

Which leaves Moderates. I hate the theming at the Coronado Springs and have yet to stay there. I do like POR and CBR, but I also find them a bit spread out. The POFQ is quaint and right on the river. I love the fact that no matter where your room is it's no more than a 5 minute walk to the bus stop/lobby.

 

[catra121]

This is a good question. I'm planning my solo trip for September 2012 (I know...crazy that I am planning that far ahead). I spent a lot of time looking at my options before I made my final choice.

First off...I don't think there's anything wrong with staying at the values solo. From a budget perspective I think they are a great option and even if you have the money to upgrade there are other things that you could spend that money on. I loved Pop on my last trip with my mom.

That said...I have decided to rent DVC points and stay in a studio for my solo stay. I think the room layouts with the couch, kitchenette, etc are really good for a solo trip. I have chosen AKV with a savannah view. I think having a balcony is another big plus with the studios...and for me watching the animals would be really fun.

I was really torn between AKV, BLT, and BWI (WL villas were too expensive for my budget otherwise I would have included those in my choice). I like BWV because of the location and the ability to walk to HS and Epcot. It was also the cheapest option of the ones I was looking at ($1351.95 w/PH 6 day passes and deluxe dining plan). But I didn't like the decor and for some reason, on a solo trip, that really mattered to me. BLT is somewhere I will stay some day...it is a dream of mine. The odd layout of the room is a little...well...odd but not a deal breaker. It was the same price as AKV ($1611.95 w/PH 6 day passes and deluxe dining). But what sold me finally on AKV was that there seem to be more places to just sit and relax throughout the resort...which is something I want to do on my solo trip this time around. Next time I will probably go with BLT.

But you really need to look at what works best for you. I don't think there's anything wrong with the values if you like them and they work for your budget. Anywhere is Disney is going to be pretty safe and if you intend to spend a lot of time at the parks the values are a great choice. Most values don't have a lot going for them in terms of relaxing at the resort...but I know Pop has the nice path around the lake and some nice benches that I sat on in the evening when I was on the phone with my BF (very quiet and secluded).

But I would suggest looking into renting points and staying in a studio if that works for your budget. The same trips that I was looking at through renting points and paying for tickets/dining seperate were more than double when booked through Disney. Great value. The estimates are based on this year's prices obviously...but it gives me an idea of what sort of money I need to put away for the trip. I'm even thinking of staying an extra day...

 

[NonScents]

My trips are almost always solo. I've stayed at CSR, POFQ, and most recently Pop, to be more economical. I drive and don't use the busses so can't attest to that aspect. I can't remember ever using a pool at WDW so that is not a factor for me.

Would not choose Pop again. I had no issue with privacy or noise, refurbed room was great. This resort was just too hectic for me (even though it was at low season, early Feb.), and I didn't care for the food court. CMs at the front desk always seemed "stressed out" and lines there for check in or info was 45 minute wait.

In the future, I will prefer to stay mods; the pace at CSR or POFQ is more what I look for while on vacation. Plus I am a gelato addict, and CSR feeds that need!

 

[Mikes:)Mom]

The only way I would stay at the Values is Money. My DS16 likes POP better then POR. I'm going solo in August so I picked a resort in my budget that I would Like! POP just isn't relaxing at all. I want a more grown up resort. BUT if it come down to staying at POP or not going..I'd stay at POP again.

You are going Solo, SO pick a place YOU like.

 

[kaffinito]

See, all of these differing responses are what made me so curious. From this thread and other threads I've been reading on here I'm getting an idea of what makes solo travelers prefer what they prefer.

It seems to me that if you already prefer deluxe level resorts you will move down to mods if you can't justify the expense of a deluxe on a solo trip. It's also looking like those who prefer the deluxe resorts like the idea of interior corridors because it make them feel safer.

It also seems to me that a lot of solo travelers prefer going mod for a solo trip, just to have the extra amenities and the quiet that the values don't have.

I am thinking that it really does depend on what type of trip you're looking for. For me personally, anywhere that doesn't have 5 cats, 2 dogs, 2 ASD kids, and a DH who doesn't know where anything is, would be ideal.

But seriously, I think our ideas of what would be "perfect" for a solo trip really does depend more on resort level and vacation experience preferences than on $$$ spent. Am I correct?

 

[Floydian]

If price wasn't an issue, I would stay at BWV with a room overlooking the lake every single time.

Unfortunately, price is always an issue for me, which is why I have no problem staying at POP every time. As a local, I always have a car when I decide to spend time on site and POP is an easy drive to everything. Plus it's so silly that it's a major step out of the real world. Also it seems to have so many kids running around, and as a single guy with no kids, that's actually a plus for me for the few hours a day I'm there and not asleep.

 

[catra121]

But seriously, I think our ideas of what would be "perfect" for a solo trip really does depend more on resort level and vacation experience preferences than on $$$ spent. Am I correct?

I think that's a big part of it...I think for solo trips we tend to spend more time at the resort (at least I intend to) so the resort experience is important. But price is as well because as a solo it's all on you. That's why even though I like Deluxe...the only way I could afford it is by renting DVC points. If I didn't do that then I would end up staying value every time...but PREFER deluxe.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Okay, my number one resort is AKL/AKV, with a preference for the one-bedroom DVC rooms at Jambo House. I love AKL/AKV. I love watching the animals, I love spending time at the resort just relaxing in all of the nooks and crannies they have, and this is the ONLY resort I will stay at and have NO DESIRE to go to any parks. . .I could just spend time at the resort doing nothing at all. Other than AKL/AKV, I would choose BWV for a stay. I actually like the one bedroom lake view (might be a fireworks view). The balcony is directly over Big River Grille and is enormous. It was the most awesome stay I have ever had on property. I loved it (thank you Ken).

For a solo trip it really depends on what I am doing and what I want to do. I can pick up a room at the Swan or Dolphin for pretty cheap as a nurse. . .but I usually like staying on property if I can swing it. . .I would rather stay at Pop (on property) than at Bonnet Creek. . .just saying.

 

[keahgirl8]

I am booking only my second solo trip, so I don't have a lot to compare to. The first trip, I stayed at Pop. That was fine. It is clean, the decorations are cute, and the food court is decent. This time though, I wanted something really beautiful and relaxing. There was a difference in price, but it was minor in my opinion, and I could live with it. So this time, I am staying at POR. I am SO excited! It looks beautiful!

 

[Floydian]

So this time, I am staying at POR. I am SO excited! It looks beautiful!

It is, especially at night.

 

[daisax]

It's also looking like those who prefer the deluxe resorts like the idea of interior corridors because it make them feel safer.

I've never really understood this. If somebody wanted to attack you in an empty hallway (which they could scope out), people might or might not hear you in rooms around. If somebody wanted to attack you in a resort with outside hallways, they'd have to make sure there was nobody in the hallway OR on the grounds below OR the level above or the level below. And that nobody in the rooms surrounding could hear. At any rate, the majority of the time there are going to be families running around.

The resorts are well lit (in the case of the values, garishly lit!) I've stayed at Pop and Coronado solo. Can't justify the expense of a deluxe - when I go on vacation to relax, I pay for ambiance and resort amenities, and if you want to pay $300/night, you can do far, far better than anything WDW has to offer. I save my pennies for those places. For a theme park vacation, a nice room and tv are generally sufficient. Coronado does have nicer beds than Pop, which was a consideration last time around because I did plan to spend more days sleeping in!

Pop is, as somebody else said, Pop is silly, so it gets you in the mood on your way out for the day, and lifts your spirits at the end of the day. And when you close the door, it's a hotel room and you're by yourself. To my exhausted WDW feet, just pouring a cold glass of water and taking my sneakers off and putting my feet up on the bed is luxury enough!

 

[Floydian]

I've never really understood this. If somebody wanted to attack you in an empty hallway (which they could scope out), people might or might not hear you in rooms around. If somebody wanted to attack you in a resort with outside hallways, they'd have to make sure there was nobody in the hallway OR on the grounds below OR the level above or the level below. And that nobody in the rooms surrounding could hear. At any rate, the majority of the time there are going to be families running around.

I think people feel that inside corridors restrict access, so not just anyone can wander around looking to cause trouble. Having wandered a few of the resorts at 3am, I've felt comfortable everywhere. In general though, I probably like outside better simply due to "escape routes". That may be due to living on the west coast for 20 years. Earthquakes are much more fun outside.

 

[kaffinito]

So not just a difference in how we want to do our solo vacations, but maybe a difference to in whether or not we have kids? There is also a difference in how much down time we're looking forward to and in how much commando time we're looking for in our choices of resort level - if I'm reading the responses right.

For me, the quiet will be nice, having other peoples kids around me will be nice too - since they aren't my kids, and the resort will just be a "base" for me. So a mod resort will probably be better in the long run than a value for me this trip. I want a little bit of luxury, and ease of getting some pampering time. Plus I'm already doing a value for the first part of the stay.

I decided that I want the "extras" that I can't have while traveling with my kids - dinner at V&A and a dinner at Bistro, a chair rental at Typhoon Lagoon (I've never been), and a nice massage.

 

[mickeysbestfriend]

close to 300 nights when I lived in Florida and most of the time it was on the company dime.

To stay within budget I had to stay often times at the All Star or Pop. Other than when there were dance competitions, or cheerleading competitions or some other event involving thousands of teenagers, those stays weren't too bad. Yes it was more active and noisy but I usually didn't come back to the room until late and the resort had quieted down. They all have a bar area so you could hang with other solo's that were staying there too.

When discounts for AP or residents brought the moderates into the budget range I stayed there. I loved Riverside and the French Quarter and always asked for them first but stayed at Carribean Beach and Coronado Springs as well. I liked all of the resorts but my fav by far was the Port Orleans. I loved the atmosphere and loved walking the resort before breakfast to get my exercise in. When I got in too late to go to a park for dinner they had nice restaurants to grab a bite in.

Since I moved away and boght into DVc we have only stayed at a Mod once and it was Riverside. After staying at Old Key West it was hard to step down but I still enjoyed myself )

Bill

 

[murmkc]

My first (non work) solo trip is scheduled for this fall during the F&W. I have booked a 1BR suite at the Boardwalk. For me the Boardwalk is a great location for a solo trip because there are just way more options within walking distance. Then again, the Boardwalk is a great resort for any trip!

My second choice would be my DVC home resort, Bay Lake Tower. There plenty of fun things to do that are just a monorail ride away.

 

[ludari]

I am a DVC member and my home resort is BLT. I like the location and the views. If I didn't use or have DVC I would stay at AK, WL, or BW but it's all a matter of preference and budget. I have stayed at Pop and that was okay but I enjoy the other amenities at the other resorts.

Good luck.