solo trip - wher to stay?

[daisax]

I've only stayed at CSR and Pop, and I can recommend both. As far as savings goes, Pop is a great deal. I stay at deluxe resorts on other types of vacations, but for WDW (particularly a solo trip to WDW), I'm going back to Pop just for the fun of it. I'll be going back the same week in Nov as last year, so I anticipate low crowds and good weather, and I found it to be the most fun kind of Disney theming brought to the hotel.

It's kind of a continuation of the parks, in terms of being good, silly fun. The rooms themselves are basic utilitarian hotel rooms, but frankly, so are the ones at Coronado Springs, and the deluxe rooms I've seen on the travel channel don't impress me all that much. The resorts themselves may be beautifully themed, but my impression of the WDW rooms themselves is that they're selling the architecture and landscaping, not the room decor.

At any rate, there's nothing to start a park day off like walking outside and seeing a gigantic big wheel or can of playdoh -- you can't help but smile at the whimsy, and it starts the day off on a good note, even/especially when the day wasn't getting off to a stress-free start within the room.

And I agree about the lifeguards at the pool - I've never seen lifeguards so intent on the kids in the pool in my life -- they had a whole system of walking around, turning responsibility of one end of the pool over to the other guard, etc. -- almost like Secret Service guarding somebody

In short, I recommend Pop as a silly indulgence of the kid in you that will save you money. I will say that my experience is based on visits in November, however, so it could be that more crowded times result in more noise, etc. than I've personally experienced there.

 

[Redbudlover]

The only resort I have stayed at solo is BWI - which I loved. I was at CSR last fall and found it nice but way too much walking and I like the theme at POR and POFQ much better. I have been thinking about values, particularly going solo and so went over to ASMU this past winter to look around. On a personal level I was pretty turned off and thought it was tacky. That said I just looked at all the room pictures for different resorts a couple of days ago and was impressed with ASMU - I didn't think there was much difference at all with the mod rooms. And there seemed to be a lot of convenience for food and pools and laundry. I was surprised. I think kids would really love it. I have been pretty spoiled with deluxe resorts, and so think the decision to try a value might be hard, but I sure am vacillating. With my brand new AP I think a short value trip might be in the works in the next 12 months!!! But that will come after my solo trip at Christmas to the AKL!!!

 

[jordancej]

Well, I have stayed at both POFQ and Pop. POFQ is super nice, and i do like how everything is very close. But last year i went on my first solo trip, and i stayed at Pop. On my solo trip, i knew i was going spend all my time at the parks, so i really didnt want to pay the extra money for POFQ. At Pop, I stayed in the 60's building, and the walk to the buses wasnt that bad. I did find that when i stayed at POFQ that i used the food court alot more than i did at Pop. But again, i was at the bus stop at the break of dawn, went back to the resort for a small nap, and then i closed the parks down.

So, if you want to save some money, stay at Pop. But if thats not an issue with you then i would stay a POFQ.