solo trip - wher to stay?

[RADOPT]

I am hoping to take a solo trip in the next 9 months. I am not sure where to stay. In 2001, we stayed at Riverside, WL & AKL. In 2002, we were at WL. This last Feb. we stayed in a cabin - which was WONDERFUL! These were all with family.

I can stay anywhere I want bascially but I am cheap as I want to take my mom on an Alaska Cruise and I am adopting again. SO where to stay????

I was thinking of the French Quarter or the value resorts. I may split the stay. I am not interested in the top resorts and am looking for safe and relaxing. Where do you stay and way?

Thank in advance!

 

[kat3668]

I took my first solo trip last February and stayed at POR.. beautifully themed and I always felt safe there.
My next trip in Dec will be to CSR I tend to prefer the resorts that are quieter and am hoping CSR will also fit the bill!
Whatever you decide Good luck and have a magical trip!

 

[spiceycat]

I would go with POFQ.

now I do love Pop - but with you staying mostly in deluxe resorts - you might like POFQ better or CSR.

 

[RADOPT]

spiceycat,

I can stay anywhere - we stayed at the hotels because I had my mother (80+yrs) and my special needs daughter. The hotels were close to where we were spending the day or in the case of the cabin, had more room and a kitchen where I cooked my daughters breakfast (soup) and snacks.

I thought about the Pop. What do you like about it?

 

[DSDopey48]

thumbsup2 I have stayed at the POP My last 4 visits to DW and I like the Closeness to the parks single bus stops and it has a walking path around the different build. You can see fireworks at night and at everything POP the food isnt too bad for a quick meal if needed. I will be staying there during my quick trip in Oct, 18-23. Any questions PM me.

 

[NeverlandPixie]

I have the same question, although I'll be solo March 30 - April 5. I hear it's pretty busy. I'm going back and forth between POR/POFQ and Pop myself. The decor of POR/POFQ is more my thing, but Pop is cheaper and has dedicated buses. I was thinking of requesting a "lakeview" at Pop. Has anyone had one? What did you think? Was is relatively quiet for a Disney resport?

 

[spiceycat]

Pop lake view are pretty quiet. of course once they start back on the other part it might not be. but I think it is far enough away that even the construction won't be a problem.

what I love about Pop

atmosphere
landscaping
lake
food court
swimming pools - watch the lifeguards - they are there for the little kids and nothing will kept them from watching the little ones. Adults are surpose to take care of themselves - the water is only 3' depth - so it isn't hard if you pay attention.

watch the people who are too busy talking to watch where they are going. these pools have 4 entrances - so you could fall down the steps easily if you aren't careful. Oh I can be nasty.

but the BEST are the CM's - these are the best. generally very friendly and out going - have a great attitude.

there is one thing that I think the front desk needs to do - especially for the elder - use the ICON's more. they try not to use them. when I would think saying your building has a Tramp on the outside would be plainer.

read all the signs and look at all the icons - bet you start to remember stuff you haven't though of in years.

it is a fun place.

 

[aubriee]

I have to agree with Spiceycat on this. I love POP. This past Dec I spent two nights at POP, because I couldn't get my preferred room at CBR for the first two nights of my trip. I was in the 70's Mickey Mouse phone building. The room was a standard, but was in a great location--up the elevator to the fourth floor, turn left out of the elevator, then an immediate right. My room was the second one past the elevator facing a very quiet courtyard and the lake. It was almost spooky, it was so quiet. I didn't see or hear another person on that side of the building either of the nights I was there. I spent the last six nights of my trip in a preferred room in the Martinique section of Caribbean Beach in building #24 on the back side facing a courtyard. I was closer to the food court at POP and the room was MUCH quieter. At Caribbean Beach my neighbors had two teenage kids that spent all their time yelling and fighting. The bus system was much better at POP also. The CMs also seem to be friendler at POP and seem to enjoy their jobs.

I've stayed at POP six times and loved it each time. I'm staying solo at AS Music in Sept, but just because I've never stayed there and want to try it. I'm going back to POP for my Dec trip (unless a REALLY good AP code comes out--even then I may still stay at POP, simply because I like it and I'm comfortable there). It's a small resort and easy to get around in.

 

[Dolce27]

I stayed at the French Quarter for my solo trip last year and loved it.

 

[Glendamax]

I also agree with staying at French Quarter. It's smaller, so you won't have far to walk in the evening to get back to your room.

 

[yearbook50]

Personally, I hated the Pop Century. If you have mainly stayed at the nicer hotels it will feel different. Even my fiance, who usually likes cheaper hotels thought it was unenjoyable.

Go for POFQ if you want something different than where you have stayed in the past.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd recommend POFQ. Since it's smaller, you don't have as far to walk once the bus lets you off, to get to your room. And I've sat in Scat Cat's Lounge as a solo, listening to the Jazz (Elliott Dyson) and felt perfectly comfortable.

 

[jayhjay]

I haven't stayed at POP so I can't compare, but I'd do POFQ for the reason others have mentioned. It is the smallest moderate. If I was alone at night, I'd prefer somewhere where I wasn't doing a lot of walking from the main entrance/bus stop. DH and I stayed at POR and if I was alone, I wouldn't have been thrilled walking at night in the dark all the way over to our room (during the day no problem). So personally, I'd go with POFQ.

Regardless of your choice, you may want to request a room near the bus stop or wherever you will be entering.

 

[dahirsh]

I've nrver stayed anywhere byt a value resort at WDW. My thoughts are, I'm going to be in the parks from morning until closing, all I need is safe, clean and comfortable. The value resorts are that and more. If ever I go to WDW to have a "relaxing" vacation. I may choose a different resort. Or not.

 

[NCRedding]

I stayed at ASMusic for my first solo trip back in 2005. The room was more than adequate for my needs; the bus service was good; I liked strolling around looking at people. I was very pleased with the food court and its many choices.

My next solo trip, I plan to use DVC points to stay at OKW, but if I weren't doing that, I'd go back to a value with no qualms

 

[dawgsgirl]

I agree with POFQ. I stayed there on my solo trip and it worked out great! I liked the short walk to my room and how close everything was. Hope you have a great solo trip!!!

 

[Karalea]

I wanted to stay at POFQ for my first solo trip 9/22-9/26 but the only room I could get with the code was CSR.

With the code, it was only a few dollars a night more than the rack rate at All Stars or POP. I hope I like it.

I am nervous enough about my first solo trip and hate the added anxiety of being unsure of my hotel choice.

 

[Taja]

I've stayed at PC for two solo visits and one with a friend. Both solo visits were on the Hourglass Lake side of the 50s. The one with a friend was at the back of the resort--can't remember if it was 70s or 80s--near the car park.

Definitely recommend the 50s or a building closer to Centennial Hall if you're using Disney transportation, as I did during my visit last March. It's still a bit of a hike to the bus stop, but not bad. I didn't use Disney transportation much during my December 2004 visit, as I had an injured leg and it was a bit much on top of walking in the parks! I was just happy to be walking comfortably for the first time in March 2007!

Personally, I although I love the deluxe resorts, I rarely use the amenities when I'm solo. So the value resorts work very well for my needs.

 

[Taja]

Karalea, I rather liked CSR. My only issue was my slow walking (hobbling!) pace when I stayed there in December 2003. Took me forever to get from Point A to Point B! I was close enough to a bus stop that I used Disney transportation quite a bit during my 8 nights, rather than driving the rental car.

Look at the resort map before you go and get an idea of two or three areas you prefer. The Cabanas section seem to fill quickly, so see if anything in Casitas or Ranchos appeals to you. Base it on location--what's important to you. Talk to the CM when you check in--see what's available at the time. It's an adventure!

 

[maiyasgram]

My 1st solo stay was at POR, the 2nd at The Swan. Both were great. With that said, save your pennies wherever you can and get to Alaska. We just returned from our 2 week vacation and it was absolutely fabulous.