Solo Triper

[avenueqpat]

Hi All...

Wondering if DVC would make any sense as someone who usually goes solo for trips.

I have been staying at the value resorts, just because I love the themes, but the noise can be a little nuts there, so I am going to be looking into Moderate or Deluxe for the next trip.

Just wondering your thoughts - it seems that a lot of rooms are designed for more than 4 people.

 

[SunnieRN]

A studio at all but Old Key West, have a bed and a fold out couch. OKW has two beds. The studios would be very comfortable and are the best use of points.
A large part of the choice to me would be the location of the DVC to the parks I like to visit the most.
As for noise, I believe that the DVC properties are usually quieter and they also have balconies, which is really enjoyable!
I would figure out where you would want to stay, when and for how long and then see if the cost would be worth the benefits! Good luck making your decision!

 

[msteddom]

I do at least one solo trip a year. I have stayed in studios three times now, and have been very happy with them. So happy that I just became a member! Studios are about the same size as a deluxe room, with the addition of a kitchenette. I stayed Value once, and didn't love it, I have been very happy at both POR and POFQ, but my DVC stays have been my most enjoyable by far!

Melissa

 

[kymickeyfan717]

I too travel solo quite often to WDW. I have stayed at Pop & POFQ mostly with a few Deluxe resorts thrown into the mix. After going on a DVC tour this past Dec and working the numbers, I decided to join DVC. With the minimum buy-in and going in the off season, I can get 2 trips a year in on my points.

I am so looking forward to my 1st DVC stay in July 09

 

[helenk]

The past few years I've gone to WDW solo. For the most part I stayed at the values and then I got tired of the noise, so I booked at the CSR (which I loved).
Then I bought into DVC, and I did this knowing that most of my trips will be solo trips. This past November I stayed in a studio at the SSR. Wow, what a difference! You have so much room and it was nice having the sofa to sit on to read. Plus you have the kitchenette, which has a fridge that is larger than they have a the resorts, plus a micro-wave and a toaster. And then having a balcony was the icing on the cake.
In June I am taking my son, his wife and my grand-daughter, I booked a one bedroom for that stay, but I have a studio booked at the AKV for my solo trip in December.

 

[avenueqpat]

Thanks for the info - I will take a look at some of the information on the program then and see how it budgets out.

Thanks

~Pat

 

[Simba's Mom]

I go solo to WDW at least once a year (married, but I'm definitely the bigger Disney nut). One of the first things I said to myself when I took my first solo trip in a DVC studio was how perfect it was for the solo traveler. It's like having my own little apartment. In the afternoon, I can come back and sit on the couch, reading a book while I sip my cup on tea or drink a coke that I got out of my little refrigerator. And as a female traveler who gets a little safety conscious (not a bad thing). I like that no one will be regularly coming into my room while I'm gone.

 

[bbangel]

I've only ever gone solo. There are a lot of single DVC owners (it surprised me when I was first doing my research). Look at the studios and see if they suit your needs. I've found that they've worked really well for me and I was hooked on Pop prior to my first DVC stay.

 

[kidsister]

Like Simba's Mom, I often travel solo.
The studio feels like a luxury because of the balcony, the kitchen (esp since I hate eating out alone) and all the space.
Plus, I own at BWV and most always stay there...can't beat the location and its wonderful and safe for a solo woman to walk back and forth to Epcot and MGM!

But the studio is even nicer when I bring a friend or relative. Yes,I sometimes stayed at Pop on weekends cuz I'm cheap with my points...but you're right that it can be noisy and feel crowded, when my DVC studio just always feels 'like home'. If you can afford the buy in (and now with money not earning anything from banks or stocks, it is doable if you have the savings) , the cost of ownership is just maintenance (assuming you can always sell your points for what you bought in for) and that is certainly less than the cost of a value resort. (example: 8points for an OKW studio x $4.74 per point maintenance= $40 a night.....if an all cash buy in costs $10k when savings are only earning 1% in the bank..you don't have to consider what you lose on 'investing' in Disney compared with saving in the bank IYKWIM.

 

[gatordoc]

I generally travel solo, but I'm a one-bedroom guy! Once you try it, it's hard to go back to a studio. I love having a full kitchen, being able to spread out, the jacuzzi tub, etc. Where I find the studios still feel like a hotel, the one-bedroom really is a home-away-from-home. If my dogs could stay with me, it would be perfect.

 

[jjpenguin]

I've done a couple of solo trips when DH was all Disney'ed out and loved my DVC studio!!

I split a stay once between All Stars and DVC to save weekend points and I was so glad to move to my DVC studio. It was so much more relaxed and well appointed. And the balcony is heaven!!!

As a woman alone I definitely felt more secure in the DVC resort without the outside corridors with windows.

 

[YourEveryDayAdam]

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack anyone's thread...

But for all the solo travelers, do you feel uncomfortable or weird about going to eat solo?

I'd primarily be traveling to WDW solo and do think that the studio's are perfect for it. Since the studio's have no kitchen, it means you have to go out to eat.

Do you make reservations for 1 at any of the TS restaurants?

Thanks!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack anyone's thread...

But for all the solo travelers, do you feel uncomfortable or weird about going to eat solo?

I'd primarily be traveling to WDW solo and do think that the studio's are perfect for it. Since the studio's have no kitchen, it means you have to go out to eat.

Do you make reservations for 1 at any of the TS restaurants?

Thanks!

Hi! Check your PMs.

 

[spiceycat]

hey the studio have kitchennett - under the counter refrigerator plus microwave, toaster,coffee maker.

believe me you have several meals in your studio. DO it often.

that say eating in restuarants can be fun. love the character reaction - well love to watch the character reaction with kids. don't like to participate - unless it is goofy....

if you are nervous - bring a book, game, your schedule or something to do. but I just like to people watch.

plus if you feel you must eat with others - go over to the Dis meet site or Disney adults site. both have others that would love to eat with you. On the disney adults site there are some locals.

ask over there for us who own DVC but are single. there are several of us.

dvc is great for families - but also great for solo travelers.

 

[JW9DVC]

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack anyone's thread...

But for all the solo travelers, do you feel uncomfortable or weird about going to eat solo?

I'd primarily be traveling to WDW solo and do think that the studio's are perfect for it. Since the studio's have no kitchen, it means you have to go out to eat.

Do you make reservations for 1 at any of the TS restaurants?

Thanks!

Well, if your single, maybe you could find a friend to take with you. Meet someone maybe for dinner? Or if your with someone in a relationship. Talk on the phone while your eating?

Kinda corny I guess. Who knows, your at the second happiest place on Earth. Disneyworld. Im sure you can make new friends very easy. JW

 

[spiceycat]

Kinda corny I guess. Who knows, your at the second happiest place on Earth. Disneyworld. Im sure you can make new friends very easy. JW

Second - no FIRST in my book!

what is first to you?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack anyone's thread...

But for all the solo travelers, do you feel uncomfortable or weird about going to eat solo?

I'd primarily be traveling to WDW solo and do think that the studio's are perfect for it. Since the studio's have no kitchen, it means you have to go out to eat.

Do you make reservations for 1 at any of the TS restaurants?

Thanks!

I've eaten solo at a few restaurants, usually with an ADR but I suppose I do eat at counter services mostly. I like Mara at AKL and Flame tree barbecue at AK! Sometimes I've had conversations with "neighbors" and sometimes I'm quiet. It's not as hard eating solo as I thought it would be.

Bobbi

 

[helenk]

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack anyone's thread...

But for all the solo travelers, do you feel uncomfortable or weird about going to eat solo?

I'd primarily be traveling to WDW solo and do think that the studio's are perfect for it. Since the studio's have no kitchen, it means you have to go out to eat.

Do you make reservations for 1 at any of the TS restaurants?

Thanks!

For my first DVC stay I ate breakfast in the studio, I had brought bagels, and peanut butter and apples and bananas. I will continue to do that because I like a light breakfast.
My lunches are generally counter service. I always like to have the afternoon tea at the GF and at least 1 table service meal for dinner. I never feel uncomfortable, and why should I miss out because I am alone.
I've eaten dinner at the Plaza in the MK, the Sci Fi in DHS and Le Cellier in Epcot. The waiters or waitress never make me feel out of place and I've always gotten good service.

 

[bbangel]

I make solo ADR's and no one blinks an eye. I do tend to do more CS when solo but that is because I want to spend my time/money elsewhere not because of discomfort.

 

[Straughn]

I am a solo DVC owner and usually stay in a studio. I upgrade to a one bedroom when I have points that I must use or lose. I agree with everything the previous posters have said about DVC studios, especially the comments about being a single female. I, too, have my breakfast, in the studio. It is nice to be able to keep a bottle of white wine chilled and have a glass on my balcony in the evening.

As for dining alone, I do it all the time- Flying Fish, Jiko, Artist Point, Narcoossee's, Citricos, etc. Many times, I end up talking to the folks at the next table and the servers are generally good for a few minutes of conversation.