Tips, tricks, and any other help appreciated!

[Eitak]

Hi all,

A friend of mine suggested this so here I am.

I was planning this trip to disney with a pal, who turned out to not be so nice to me and I found myself heartbroken and without a friend after all this work. I could not find anyone to go with me and was ready to give it all up. Then someone told me to go alone which I have never done and I decided, why not. I have the directional skills of a cat trapped in a bag so one way or another this is going to be an adventure.

My thing is, I have read so many blogs and posts and websites my head is spinning.

Does anyone on here have any good advice you learned from experience, but even more so, did you not do something you wish you did for your first solo trip?

I appreciate all your help!

 

[karly05]

I (and a lot of people here) will tell you that solo trips are awesome - but I'm going to qualify that by saying, they're awesome if you're generally happy/comfortable doing things alone. (I am.) The great thing about a solo trip to WDW is that you don't need a lot of directional skills - stay on property, and Disney will get you back and forth to the airport. They will get you all over the property once you're there. I don't think I would take a solo vacation anywhere else, but WDW is easy!

You say you've been planning - have you booked a resort, or do you know where you want to stay? I think my biggest advice is relax and have fun; don't be shy about meeting characters or eating at any TS restaurant you want to try (including character meals). You are in the right place for advice!

 

[aprilnmay]

My biggest advice would be if it looks like fun do it. Don’t let being there solo hold you back. Let your trip be about you!

Before my first solo trip I did so much research, watched every video I could find. Part of the fun is in the planning : ) I had a whole itinerary worked out. When I got to the parks I forgot the list (with the exception of dining reservations and tours) and just kinda rolled with it. That’s one of the cool things about being there solo…you can do that. You don’t have anyone to check in with or keep up with. If you want to go left, go left.

I did the Backstage Magic tour. This was lots of fun and for a die-hard Disney fan pretty awesome. I was a little apprehensive at first because I was afraid of getting stuck with families/groups and being the odd man out. This was not the case at all. There were several other solos on the tour and we kinda banded together. I had a blast.

Rose & Crown in EPCOT is one of my favorite places to eat. The Plaza Restaurant in Magic Kingdom is another. Both places have a great atmosphere. I love sitting near a window so I can people watch.

Cast Members do a really great job at making everyone feel special whether you are there with a group or solo.

Don’t forget to take photo pass pictures. Selfies don’t always turn out great and with photo pass you get great pics in great locations.

 

[Eitak]

Thank you for your wonderful replies!

To answer the general question, I am fine doing things alone, I just had it in my brain that when on vacation you should be with someone. I would have never throught to go to WDW alone but now I am looking forward to it! Also, I know someone who works at disney, so I will not be alone 100% of the trip.

To answer you karly05, the girl I was going with was doing a chunk of the planning, so now I am starting from scratch weeks later. I am using an agent to get my basics down: tickets, lodging, food. But I am doing the airport on my own. I was looking into Southwest because it seems everyone really likes them, but the tickets I wanted sold out. Does anyone have another other suggestions for an airline they like?

Hi aprilnmay! Thank you for your advice for eating, I was so lost looking at all the wonderful food! I was looking into dining with an imagineer as I am an artist and thought it would be interesting. What is a photopass exactly? I have been reading on it but is it a package you have to buy? Or do they take all the photos and you buy them individually?

Thanks again for your help!!! ^_^

 

[aprilnmay]

Thank you for your wonderful replies!

Hi aprilnmay! Thank you for your advice for eating, I was so lost looking at all the wonderful food! I was looking into dining with an imagineer as I am an artist and thought it would be interesting. What is a photopass exactly? I have been reading on it but is it a package you have to buy? Or do they take all the photos and you buy them individually?

Thanks again for your help!!! ^_^

Disney photographers are set up in prime photo locations throughout the parks. They will scan your magic band or give you a photopass card. When you log on to the site all of your pictures will be there. They do have a package where you can buy all the pictures. Another package, Memory Maker I think, that offers those pictures plus your ride pictures, but I’ve never done that so I’m not sure how it works. You can also order them individually. They have borders you can use to customize your photos. I normally pick out a few pictures I like and order them individually. Another little tip is to ask the photographer to also take a picture with your camera, they have always been more than happy to do this for me.

 

[com_op_2000]

Photopass is not a package as such you buy up front. It is a card that is given to you that you have scanned each time a WDW photo is taken by one of their photogs. When you get home there is a web-site you go to on the card with your number, set-up your account, and then review/edit/purchase the pictures you want. Also, each time you have a picture taken by a photog, they will take the same picture with your own camera.
If you let us know which resort you are staying at that then we can provide more detailed suggestions; as far as moment to and from the parks, to DTD. Also, let us know how long you are going to be there and when so that we can suggest any special events that are happening to not miss.
Some suggestions for things to do outside the parks and depending on what you are into:
sports: golf, mini-golf, fishing, RPDE, marathon, bowling, ESPN Club, WWS/ESPN Zone, etc
shopping: DTD, area outlet malls, large scale malls
drinking: Jellyrolls, Raglan Road, monorail tour of resorts, walking tour of resorts in the Boardwalk area
movies: DTD 24 screen theater some with meals served by waiters
night clubbing: Jellyrolls, Atlantic Dance, Raglan Road, Citywalk
resort tours: monorail tour of resorts, Boardwalk around the lake tour of resorts, AKL/AKV
offsite: Gaylord Palms Resort, Citywalk, swamp tour

 

[Eitak]

Thanks for the info aprilnmay and com_op_2000. I will be sure to look into photopass now.

As far as the lodging, it isn't set yet. I am most likely staying at a value resort, Pop or Movies. I think those are the right ones but I am still talking with the agent. As far as the dates I am looking to go April 22nd-28th or 29th.

Thank so much for those suggestions too, I had no idea there was so much to to outside the parks too. Looks like I will have a full plate, and I was worried about being bored!!

 

[com_op_2000]

The best confirmation of my recommendation that I have received off these boards was:
Schedule two back-to-back days in the parks, take a day off, schedule two back-to-back days in the parks, take a day off, etc.
This way you have built-in downtime, do not wear yourself out, and not need a vacation from your vacation when you get home.
Also, take time during the day when at the parks to do nothing.

 

[loves to dive]

I've been solo twice and loved it and will most likely be going back early May to take advantage of the flower and garden festival at Epcot. The best advice is just go slow and enjoy yourself. You will be there during F&G so plan on at least a day at Epcot if you like food or plants. They set up food and drink booths and I enjoy just wandering around those and snacking. I've been to the world so many times that I know what I like and what isn't worth it for me so I don't sweat if I miss something, I know I'll be back. If you are an artist there is a little drawing class at the Studios that I've seen a lot of people do. They really seem to enjoy it. If you have park hopper tickets, you are free as a bird to go back and forth between parks, which works well. If you are just too dog tired you can go back to your room and spend some time by the pool. Just go slow and enjoy all there is there, stop and sit on the benches, resort hop and see some of the other resorts. Hop on the monorail at the Magic Kingdom and get off at each resort that is on the round trip (Grand Floridian, Contemporary and Poly). Go explore those resorts, maybe go to the bar and enjoy a drink, go to their quick service restaurants and sample their food, wander around their grounds.

 

[Eitak]

Thank you com_op_2000 and loves to dive!

My biggest obstacle right now is finding an airline and a good flight. (Looks like I will be staying at the Pop resort!)

I saw that disney will pick up and deliver your luggage to your resort for you, does anyone know if this is true? Part of me thinks that is awesome and the other part of my thinks it will be days before I see my things again.

I didn't know we could go to the other resorts! Are you allowed in the pools too or is it more just a walk around and check it out kinda thing?

 

[NJDiva]

Thanks for the info aprilnmay and com_op_2000. I will be sure to look into photopass now.

As far as the lodging, it isn't set yet. I am most likely staying at a value resort, Pop or Movies. I think those are the right ones but I am still talking with the agent. As far as the dates I am looking to go April 22nd-28th or 29th.

Thank so much for those suggestions too, I had no idea there was so much to to outside the parks too. Looks like I will have a full plate, and I was worried about being bored!!

Just remember that if you stay at a Value resort, you tend to have more families with younger kids there so if you are one who likes to sleep late you may have to deal with a little bit of noise. There is so much to do, trust me you will love going solo...you have all the freedom in the world to do what you want, when you want for as long as you wish. Take in all the Magic and enjoy!

 

[karly05]

I did Memory Maker last year, purchased up front and got all my photos for download. It's debatable whether or not it's "worth it," but I'll probably do it again just because I like to have my bases covered. I will say the CM character handlers have always been great about taking photos with my camera or phone.

Eitak, what airlines do you have available in your area? I usually fly American, because that is what's convenient for me as far as schedules. The downside to them is, their prices bounce up and down all over the place - I had to just be patient and look almost every day at the prices for the flights I wanted until I was happy with the price and jumped on it. It has been back up (way up!) and down somewhat (but not as good as what I got) ever since then.

I've used Magical Express including the luggage service 3 times and been very happy with it, no problems. Disney will send you a yellow sticky tag for your checked bag, just check it at your departure airport and it will show up in your Disney resort room. RULE OF THUMB: Always pack a carry-on bag with anything you'll need for the first 24 hours AND anything valuable/irreplaceable, just in case. The bag service going back to the airport is actually part of the Resort Airline Check-in and I think not related to Magical Express - You will get a letter in your room/on your door the day before you check out explaining it, but yes, you can check your bag at the resort before you leave. (There are more details and conditions than that, you can probably look them up, but that's the idea.)

No pool hopping at other resorts, but you can certainly eat, shop, look around, and I think you can rent bikes, boats, etc, at places that offer those activities.

I hope you will give us a report on POP after your trip. I'm seriously considering it for 2016 in an attempt to save some $ while adding another day.

 

[Eitak]

I don't plan to spend too much time at the resort, and if I did it would be maybe during the day for a break. I did hear it is mostly families in those but money prevents me from going to a nicer resort. Since I am going in April I am hoping there are not TOO many young ones. Thank you for the tip NJDiva! I do intend to have a lot of fun.

karly05, I am flying out of Philly, so I am trying to find an airline there. I do not want to do Frontier as I have heard horrible things but any others I am pretty clueless on. Thank you so much for the info on Magical Express! I was not sure how that worked but you explained it perfectly. That sounds great.

I will of course get a review up after I go. I have never stayed at a nicer resort so I don't have anything to compare it to but I will give it my best.

As solo travlers, do you guys feel a meal plan is worth it? Or do you just get your own food in the park? I don't know the prices in the park but the meal plan is about...200? 300? extra, I didn't know if it would even out or be more expensive.

Also, and this is more for me on a personal level, how do you handle the people who tell you it's sad and horrible you are going alone. (If you have heard that, I have multiple times now.)

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful!!

 

[com_op_2000]

As solo travlers, do you guys feel a meal plan is worth it? Or do you just get your own food in the park? I don't know the prices in the park but the meal plan is about...200? 300? extra, I didn't know if it would even out or be more expensive.
Meal plan is up to you, I have never done the meal plan. I always pay OOP.

Also, and this is more for me on a personal level, how do you handle the people who tell you it's sad and horrible you are going alone. (If you have heard that, I have multiple times now.)
What I tell people is:
Whoever pays the piper calls the music.
If someone wants you to go on a vacation and they are willing to pay for it, go and have a great time on them. If you are paying for the trip you go where and when you choose to go.

 

[NJDiva]

I get a dining plan for two reasons:
I tend to get wrapped up in everything at the parks and I don't think about eating until it's too late
WDW has some really great places to eat and I enjoy trying the various restaurants.

your dining plan is based on the nights you will be on property. depending on if you get the quick service plan or the traditional plan is how the price is determined. if you're not a big eater and have no intentions of going to a table service restaurant, then go for the quick service. there are some great quick service restaurants in the parks so you would be saving some money there. I really think it is a matter of preference, some of my friends think the dining plan has too much food for them and they don't want to waste the money.

As for people who hassle you about going to WDW alone, I tell them I can do what I want when I want to without anyone else's input. if I feel like sleeping in until 10 o'clock, so be it. I can stay until they kick me out of the park...how many of your friends (especially ones with kids) can say they could (or would) do it. the freedom you have as a solo traveler are only limited to your imagination. I can go HOURS not speaking to anyone if I choose to or talk to everyone if I want. My BFF is slightly jealous of me because I can go to WDW whenever I choose to, she has a husband and 2 kids and for her it takes some major planning....how many people do you know that can do that!

 

[karly05]

Re: dining - check out the menus on allearsnet, they show prices. That will help you get an idea of what you might be spending on food.

Whether to get a dining plan is so subjective - you really need to look at menus, think about what and how you like to eat, and do the math. I never do a dining plan because it doesn't fit the way I want to eat. The regular dining plan is 1 TS credit, 1 QS credit and 1 snack credit per night of your stay. I don't want to use a snack as a meal - I want a "real" breakfast (QS or TS), and a combination of a QS and TS for lunch/dinner. 1 Credit gets you an entree, dessert and soft drink. I don't always want dessert - or I don't want dessert at the same place as my QS meal. I'd rather be able to get fish & chips in the UK and a sweet treat from France, or my lamb shawarma platter from Morocco followed later by a Kaki Gori from Japan. I also like doing one or two signature dinners, which are 2 TS credits on the dining plan. Any way I slice it, I know I'm going to end up paying OOP for stuff.

Some people like the DDP even if it's not saving them money, because they feel free to order whatever they want without feeling guilty or worrying about the prices. When I'm on vacation (WDW or anywhere), eating out is a fun part of the trip, and I always order what I want, even if it's a splurge.

 

[Eitak]

Oh wow thanks for the menu idea! I am glad I didn't book the trip yet.

I have been bouncing back and forth between to get it or not. I haven't even looked at an which parks to go to or what to do during my days.

I really appreciate all of your help, thanks so much!!