Where should I stay for a solo trip?

[jpeterson]

My family(myself included) is going to Disney in Mid-August. Staying Port Orleans Riverside. I suggested to my wife that I could go the weekend before and leave her home with the kids. I was half kidding, but she replied "go for it". If the reservations site wasn't down I would have booked a hotel already in case she changed her mind.

But now I have time to consider my options. I will be going Friday, staying until Wednesday when I'll join the family at POR. I intend this to be a fairly laidback trip. Take my time and do whatever I want. Never park-hopped before but I have an AP so I may do that if I feel like. I will definitely be doing Epcot, AK, and MK. Not sure about DHS, maybe just an afternoon, but I'm not a huge fan of that park in it's current state.

Wherever I stay, I will not be using the pool.

I will not have a car and will use primarily Disney transportation.

Resorts I have considered:
Boardwalk
Pros:
Near to Epcot and DHS
Love the theming

Cons:
Expensive
Might not even do DHS

Pop Century
Pros:
Cheaper (who doesn't like to save money?)

Cons:
Don't care for the theming
Far away from everything except DHS

Port Orleans Riverside
Pros:
Cheaper than Boardwalk
Won't have to switch resorts (but probably room)

Cons:
Not as conveniently located

What do you guys think? One of the above or one I'm not even thinking about?

 

[MarBee]

If your goal is to relax before they come, I'd recommend POFQ. It's got such a nice laid back vibe to it. There's a great bar with entertainment on site and the food court food is good. It'll also be an easy transfer when you meet your family at POR.

 

[Pennstate6411]

AKL would be a fun time for a solo trip- think it would be nice and relaxing

Contemporary - you can walk to MK

 

[Ensusieasm]

POR would be my choice. I wish I could live there. It's like a beautiful neighborhood.

 

[jpeterson]

If your goal is to relax before they come, I'd recommend POFQ. It's got such a nice laid back vibe to it. There's a great bar with entertainment on site and the food court food is good. It'll also be an easy transfer when you meet your family at POR.

While I would like to stay there, it is excluded from the current AP room offer.

 

[HopperFan]

Thought about AKL or WL? Stunning resorts, lots of great nooks to sit and chill, great eats and lounge area. WL just put in the new Geyer Point which is a huge hit and for solo trip, I could be found out there a few evenings. LOVE them both but I would surely look in to WL as a single.

Of the three -

BW - great location and always wanted to stay there (I grew up with Jersey boardwalks).
POP - been my go to with 25 stays but not sure it's a real treat, but I would aim for a newly renovated room.
POR - you are already staying there, I wouldn't choose either.

Transportation at Disney is good so I wouldn't book based on that, other than walk-ability to parks.

 

[jpeterson]

AKL would be a fun time for a solo trip- think it would be nice and relaxing

Contemporary - you can walk to MK

We have a large family trip for AKL planned for Thanksgiving. I think I would like to "discover" that resort with my family for the first time. Otherwise I would probably stay there (it's my dream resort )

 

[jpeterson]

Thought about AKL or WL? Stunning resorts, lots of great nooks to sit and chill, great eats and lounge area. WL just put in the new Geyer Point which is a huge hit and for solo trip, I could be found out there a few evenings. LOVE them both but I would surely look in to WL as a single.

Of the three -

BW - great location and always wanted to stay there (I grew up with Jersey boardwalks).
POP - been my go to with 25 stays but not sure it's a real treat, but I would aim for a newly renovated room.
POR - you are already staying there, I wouldn't choose either.

Transportation at Disney is good so I wouldn't book based on that, other than walk-ability to parks.

Hmm Wilderness Lodge might be worth looking into.

 

[Shanti]

AKL has a laid back vibe, a big & shaded hot tub and a very nice counter service restaurant. Plus, in many rooms (even some standard-view rooms- the ones on the Kudu Trail), you can hang out on the balcony and watch the animals.

 

[fla4fun]

I have stayed at nearly every Walt Disney World resort solo.

You won't find a resort that is convenient to MK and Epcot and AK. Probably the most convenient would be Poly, but you will be busing to AK no matter where you stay. If you plan to spend more time in one park or another, consider a resort near that park. To be honest, transportation is pretty much the same regardless of the resort. I have stayed at Pop and didn't have any bus issues.

Is there a particular resort you have always wanted to try? You said it is going to be a laid back trip, and for those my favorite is Wilderness Lodge. I have stayed there and not gone to the parks at all.

Consider your budget and the amenities you want at your resort,and one will start to stick out as the best option.

 

[HopperFan]

Hmm Wilderness Lodge might be worth looking into.

It's stunning, feels like a place removed from FL or Disney and all the work they have been doing have only made it better. One stay I spent an entire afternoon just wandering around, taking in the details and relaxing.

Here's the new Geyser Point, bar and food. Who wouldn't want to spend a few evenings here?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I can't recommend one (for every recommended one, there's probably someone who'd say "stay away from [that same resort]". I recommend POR-before I joined DVC, that was my preferred resort for about 6 solo trips. Once (just after 9/11), POR was closed so I stayed at a value resort. I'm probably the "thriftiest" person (some people would read that as cheap), so saving money staying at a value seemed like a good idea. However, I hated it-the whole time I was there (ASMusic), I secretly yelled at myself for being a cheapskate. I feel POR is such a step up for the relatively small increase in cost.

 

[jpeterson]

Since I can't pull the trigger and book one (with the site being down), I am overthinking myself. My first thought when I decided to do the trip was the Boardwalk. Really want to stay there. While Pop would be cheaper I think I'm crossing that off the list, don't really want to do a value. Would never even consider the All-Stars. Contemporary might be nice, I do love the look of the place, but I think I'll save that one for when the wife and I go alone in February.

Definitely leaning Boardwalk or Wilderness Lodge at the moment. WL might make me feel more at home since I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Many of the burgers at the restaurants there have Tillamook cheddar even (the correct cheddar).

 

[loves to dive]

I love the Epcot resorts and stay at one of them every trip, I always do split stays with the first 2 nights at a moderate and the last how ever many at one of them. Have you ruled out Swan/Dolphin? The benefits of the location of the BW and YC/BC but can be less. Since you won't have a car you don't have to worry about the parking fee but will have to factor in the resort fee and since you are flying would have to factor in paying for something to get you from the airport. You still get internal disney transportation, they will transfer your luggage to POR.

 

[jpeterson]

I love the Epcot resorts and stay at one of them every trip, I always do split stays with the first 2 nights at a moderate and the last how ever many at one of them. Have you ruled out Swan/Dolphin? The benefits of the location of the BW and YC/BC but can be less. Since you won't have a car you don't have to worry about the parking fee but will have to factor in the resort fee and since you are flying would have to factor in paying for something to get you from the airport. You still get internal disney transportation, they will transfer your luggage to POR.

I'll be honest, The Swan and the Dolphin just don't excite me. I don't know why, I'm sure they are nice but I'll probably stick to Disney-owned properties.

 

[loves to dive]

I'll be honest, The Swan and the Dolphin just don't excite me. I don't know why, I'm sure they are nice but I'll probably stick to Disney-owned properties.

I understand completely and if I didn't go as often as I do (twice or 3 times a year) I probably would feel the same way. I just stay at whichever one is less, sometimes that Swan/Dolphin sometimes it's BW or BC or YC. Frankly, YC is my favorite.

 

[Westcoastwild]

Lol about the cheeseburgers. That would be my reaction too!

I think the boardwalk is pretty neat but I like Wilderness is more "wow". Also, Wilderness has the whispering Canyon and easy access to the Fort which is fun to explore solo.

 

[jpeterson]

Mostly I'm just bouncing around and want to book a resort "NOW"!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

This is probably just my weird way of looking at things, but I'd book a room at Pop Century for the solo leg of the trip. The deluxe or mod splurge wouldn't be as much fun if it was just me involved.

 

[Westcoastwild]

This is probably just my weird way of looking at things, but I'd book a room at Pop Century for the solo leg of the trip. The deluxe or mod splurge wouldn't be as much fun if it was just me involved.

I'm the opposite. I can totally see where you're coming from, but I would enjoy pop with the kiddos and I would find it annoying by myself.