Solo's... do you feel safe?

[MickeyMouseGal]

I know WDW is fairly low crime, but does everyone feel safe going into the hotel by yourselves late at night? I stayed at CBR last year and the vegetation/landscaping is so expansive that, even though everything was fine, I really felt a bit cornered. Does anyone else have these concernes? What do you do? Where do you stay?

 

[kab407]

I stayed at POR last year, solo. While I was with family last October at SSR, I would go back into the parks in the evening alone to catch the fireworks.

I never once felt fearful walking back from the bus stop to my room. Yes, it's Disney, but still no reason for letting your guard down. Be aware of your surroundings. I aways made sure I had my room card in my hand as I got of the bus. Use commom sense.

Ask for a room either close to the front lobby or one of the bus stops so your walk is short. If you feel uncomfortable walking alone after dark, ask at the front desk for an escort you back to your room.

Don't let this stop you from going to Disney solo. I travel a great deal for work and have vacationed solo. The only thing that I ever fear danger is in at Disney is my credit card!

 

[scoutsmom99]

I have stayed solo at CBR and AKL. I have always felt safe at Disney and never really give thought too much about crime there. Disney does a good job with well lit pathways and keeping the grounds well groomed. I don't really go to any of the really late night spots while I'm there and if I'm worried about walking somewhere alone I always just hang fairly close to the group in front of me so it appears as though I am with them.

I'm staying again at CBR solo in the fall and I'm really looking forward to it. I think the best thing to do is be aware of your surroundings, make sure you are comfortable with where you are staying, check-in with family or friends each day, use the locks on your resort door, carry a cellphone with you, etc.

Maybe you might be better off staying at a resort that is all in one building like AKL, WL, CR, YC, BC, BW, Swan/Dolphin vs. the resorts that have exterior walkways?

Here is a link to a thread on Safety For Solos from last year that also has some good info in it.

 

[MonkeyPants]

havent stayed solo, but out and about solo many times, only time it felt a bit odd was while walking back to SSR from DTD late (after 11 or so) there is almost no light on the path (I dont think they want you walking it after dusk)

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've been to WDW solo about 7 times and safety hasn't been a problem for me, especially since my first time. I checked in for my first solo trip at 1:30am. Bell Services offered to escort me to my room, but I wanted to prove I could do it myself, so I declined. Then, as I walked the grounds of POR, trying to find my room, I started feeling spooked and started really giving myself H*** for being so proud/stupid for having declined the offer. Suddenly I heard whispered giggling around the corner and really got scared. Then here they came....2 women in gowns and Mickey Ears!
Actually, once, I did feel a little uncomfortable-I had a first floor room, facing the parking lot, with lots of vegetation around. But when I went back to the desk, the CM was extremely nice and understanding about moving me. Since then, I always request an upper floor room. And with so many people around (well, not at 1:30am), I never feel alone.

 

[Margie J]

I've stayed at Disney many times as a solo. Just came home from a solo trip there in fact.

I've never felt unsafe there but I still keep an eye on my surroundings. Better safe than sorry. When I go off property I'm especially careful and don't go out solo late at night off property. During the day, I can look like a "soccer mom" out doing her grocery shopping. At night though, I feel like a target if I'm out late at a restaurant for example.

Most trips I also spend a night or two at off-site hotels. In that case, I make sure the hotel is in a well lit area, has safe parking, deadbolts on the doors, etc.

 

[TLinden16]

I've stayed all over the place on my solo trips, and I've always felt completely safe, even when getting back to my room at 2:00 a.m. after a night at Jellyrolls. I've walked from Jellyrolls to the Swan, Dolphin, and Beach Club in the past at 2:00 a.m. and always felt completely safe.

If you are ever getting back really late, if you feel uncomfortable, I'm sure you could request an escort from a cast member at the front desk. I had some guy bothering me at Jellyrolls one night to the point where I was convinced that if I were to leave, he would follow me. I just got someone to walk me out to get a cab back to my resort.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Like the others, I have never felt unsafe at WDW, and agree with the advice to be aware of your surroundings. I wouldn't want to stay at POR, CBR, or CSR if I were going to be returning to my room late at night, but that's more about me than about safety at WDW. I also can't imagine a CM not helping out if you felt uncomfortable for any reason.

 

[sandy5764]

I travel solo for work quite a bit - everywhere from Philadelphia (which is only about an hour from me) to San Francisco. That's when I'm fearful being alone. It's strange - all the times I've been at WDW, whether solo or not, I have never once felt scared at any time. Never. Walking the streets in San Francisco (near Fisherman's Wharf) - now that was scary!!!!

 

[Microbio]

I have stayed solo twice. once in at CBR and the other at WL & BC. I did one night, feel a little weird at the CBR walking back to room. The second solo was at a deluxe and I felt much better with that. But when I was staying at the BC and was going over to the WL at 6 am, I took a cab. At that time I also felt "weird".

But always felt great with the buses, in the resorts etc.

 

[spiceycat]

I would stay away from the romantic hotels...

the values are pretty well lite.... I don't think there are any dark spots from the bus stop to your room... (now the parking is different)

the romantic hotels want there to be dark sports- more romantic....

most of the moderates and lots of the deluxes....are what I consider romantic...

WL/VWL, AKL, Polyn are all darker hotels - these places can be dark in the daytime....

 

[spiceycat]

forgot - this is not a safe enviroment for your things...

WDW has thiefs....

don't bring your valueables.... remember Disney is a fun place - not fancy - leave your expensive jewelry and watches at home - not to mention your computer that can't be replaced (if you must bring them - do a back up before you leave home - so you won't be losing anything)...

never leave cash in the room.....

if you get back to your room and it looks strange - a light on when you left none or the opposite - the door opened - anything that looks or feels strange - go immediately back to the front desk and ask for security.... you don't want to walk in on a thief.... your values can be replaced - you or your love ones can't....

 

[debbiepump]

A major reason I bought into DVC was so I could go somewhere where I felt safe. Live all the way in Seattle and need some sun during the cold, wet months out here. Where is there a better place (and safe) than WDW? Daughter is a cop and here's some good advice: acknowledge folks (I even do this at home when I see some scuzzball walking down the street, letting them know that I'm aware of them), when you leave your room, keep your tv on, folks will think you're in the room, use common sense, most important, present yourself as being strong, not some scaredy cat (aka a vicitim).
Funny part of all this......I have yet been able to go to WDW alone, DH always comes along! Truly, I'd like to go alone just to say I've done it!

Moral to all this: KICK A$$ and BE BRAVE

 

[goofy4tink]

Last Dec was my first time solo in WDW....actually, first time traveling solo anywhere!!! After a few nights of very restless sleep, I got used to being alone in my room. As far as walking around at night, I don't think I ever felt unsafe. In fact, one night I went to MVMCP and got separated from my group. Ended up on a BC/YC bus and then walking over to BWV. It was about 1:30 in the morning..not a soul around except for me. A bit unnerving but I felt pretty safe.
At POP I felt safe also. That is one well-lit resort!!!!
Just be aware of your surroundings.

 

[Terk-1]

Having gone 4 times solo, with a 5th coming up soon, I have felt safe 99% of the time. The only time I didn't was having to walk across a dimly lit parking lot at the Caribbean Beach to get from the bus stop to my room. I use the same common sense there, as I do anywhere else. I never take alot of cash, since there are atm's everywhere. I only take what I absolutely need in my wallet (license, health insurance card, atm card and 1 credit card). Everything else comes out (less to lose). When I get to my room, all of this (and my airline receipt) goes into the wall safe. I pre-stuff my Mousekeeping envelopes, so I'll take one out each morning and the rest stay locked up. I never take alot of jewelry (just the necklace that I never take off. I always keep my room door double locked, even if I am just running in to grab something. I never answer the door, unless I know who is there. If it is someone claiming to be from the resort, I will ask for their name and confirm it with the front desk before letting them in. I always keep my valuables (camera, camcorder) with me in my backpack. When I'm dining, I will put the bag under the leg of a chair under my table. This way it's not out in the open.

 

[Luvchefmic]

First I would like to say Hi to my fellow Disney board members. After lurking a while, as we all do I have finally taken the plunge to join in with this great group. I could use some help with how to put a picture under my name (icon?)
so feel free to email me if you can help.

I go to WDW solo at least once a year and try for twice depending on time off from work and $$. I stay off property so I can travel with my dog, Dillon.
I have always felt safe and in fact have experienced WDW in a special way. Castmembers have gone out of their way to spend extra time talking and I have learned a lot of things I wouldn't have had the opportunity to if I was with my family. The nicest experience I had was last year when I met a very nice young man, Chad, one of the photographers at the entrance of Epcot. He came with me to the kennels, we got Dillon, and we had beautiful pictures taken with the sphere in the background. I have stayed in touch with Chad and will be meeting him and his fiancee' this next trip in July.

Going solo saves my marriage, my sanity with a high pressure job, and gives me the gift of "it's all about ME!" LOL something that never comes first in the real world....just be street-wise like anywhere else, don't flash your cash, and enjoy talking to people

 

[Hedy]

I felt perfectly safe when I went alone at POR in March. My one surprise was a CM asking if I was alone (I replied that my father lived in the area and he was meeting me in the parks, etc).

 

[Debi]

I do feel safe while in WDW solo. As others have mentioned, WDW is not crime-free, but I do feel it is a safe environment for everyone. Use common sense and you'll be fine.

 

[Dolce27]

I'd like to chime in to say that I also have felt very safe being solo. I never once thought anything could happen to me -- probably too swept up in the magic of the place

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I felt perfectly safe when I went alone at POR in March. My one surprise was a CM asking if I was alone (I replied that my father lived in the area and he was meeting me in the parks, etc).

I'd forgotten until now - when I checked in at ASMu for my first solo trip, the CM noted that I was the only person on the reservation. Even though I was checking in at 11 am, he found me a room that was ready right away so that I could get settled in. Very thoughtful!