Which Resort for a Solo Trip Late Aug/Early Sept?

[gogo]

Hi All,

Hopefully, I can get opinions on which resort and why for my first solo trip. I was in the beginning phases of planning a solo trip last summer when my young adult son decided to join me, which I was happy to have the company but I basically switched all my plans to accommodate a joint trip. We had never been to WDW in July, most of our trips had been in January (due to school breaks) so going in July was quite a change. However, with a little planning it worked out well summer heat and all.

So, my plans are to arrive late on Aug. 28th and stay at a value or at the Hyatt MCO. Start my package plan with dining on the 29th for four nights/days. And, I'm super excited to get to attend F&W for the last two days (this will be a first). So, I'm anxious to book the package, hopefully today while there are some good options left. I have a pin code for 30% off and that is a better value than FD. My choices are as follows:

POR pool view, I've stayed here before twice but only for one night each time. Love the resort, but walking around at night by myself doesn't have me excited. Its a pretty large resort and lots of pathways, etc. The draw for me are the quiet pools, love going to these and relaxing at the deluxes and mods that have them. Although this is not a long trip, POR layout is so pretty. Plus, it's the least expensive and is such a pretty resort. Drawback, no balcony or patio. I love sitting on them in morning w/ coffee or evening relaxing. I may feel a little isolated being alone in room and not being able to access an outside seating area.

AKL Pool view: Cost is reasonable, it has a balcony and I will probably spend one day at AK. I'm interested in trying Saana. Distance may be a little far for mid day breaks. Are the pools crowded. I love the quiet pools but AKL doesn't have them. We stayed here years ago in a savanna room. No need for savanna room I could use the public viewing areas.

Contemporary Garden View/Wing: Stayed in the tower TPV once before for a short trip years ago. TPV was nice but I wasn't wowed by view. It had an expansive parking lot view and the car horns going off during fireworks was annoying. Never stayed in Garden Wing. I would definitely want a bottom room to have the patio (but not guaranteed). I plan on doing MK the second night (open til 11 p.m.) so walking back would be great. How is the monorail to Epcot in the evening. I plan on doing F&W last two days, does the monorail stop at the TTC in the evening and not go to the Contemporary ( I don't know why I am thinking this). Are there buses to the Contemporary from Epcot, too? This is the most expensive choice.

BWI standard view would be nice but not sure it is still available. We've stayed at BWI 3 times and it is wonderful.

I'm looking forward to this trip and I'm excited to try new restaurants. I don't think I'll mind dining solo. I plan on eating at off times for lunch or dinner. But, I am thinking about being out and about at night. Mostly because I don't want to get stuck somewhere alone at park closing, etc. I know this would be rare however it did happen years ago. My son and I had a late dinner at Narcoosees and got off the monorail at MK which was closed. I think we ended up getting a bus to a different resort and making connections. This was years ago but I'm apprehensive about this type of situation. And, we had a hard time finding the busses at DS last year after dinner, lol. The expansion threw me off.

Sorry so long. TIA

 

[danikoski]

Have you thought of doing WL...It's close to MK, the buses usually run well to the other parks and MK...If you want to take the monorail, it's just a boat ride to the Contemporary.

Otherwise, I'd choose BWI. Walking distance to two parks, if you have a park hopper you can take the monorail to MK from EPCOT.

 

[Marthasor]

In order of preference, I would do:

BWI - for proximity to EP/DHS and tons of restaurants and amenities
AKL - it's a gorgeous resort with great restaurants (you can always use uber to get around WDW quicker)
POR - beautiful, serene and boat to DS
CR - for a solo, adult trip, I just don't see much benefit in CR unless you plan to spend a lot of time in MK

I think for adults, in general, the EP resort area simply has the most to offer!

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

You have a lot to consider! Based on your options either the Contemporary or BWI seem to be great choices---interior rooms, proximity to parks/monorail, nice pools plus easily accessible restaurants. AKL is great but travel back and forth could be time consuming. POR is also great (my favorite moderate) but the exterior rooms and walking around alone at night might make you uncomfortable. Both the Contemporary and BWI have access to watercraft which also makes for a fun way to get from place to place and, as you said, you could walk to MK or to Epcot/Hollywood Studios depending on which hotel you choose.

Good luck with your decision making!

 

[gogo]

Thanks all for the great advice. In the meantime, I have been checking availability and BWI standard still available and so is Yacht Club garden/wood view $9.00 cheaper than BWI, lol. Could buy a drink with that money, ha ha! But,seriously, this is a hard choice. Leaning toward Epcot area due to F&W. We've stayed in this location for last 3 trips so I was trying to expand my choices but as an adult, it is hard to beat this location. I'll make my decision today. It's interesting to see the availability under the different codes and offers that are going on now and the varying prices for each choice. More resort options available using the pin I received than just the standard 25% off.

 

[caliope]

I'd go with an Epcot resort, especially given your evening plans.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd go with POR or AKL, having stayed solo at both places multiple times. And as far as walking around solo at POR, let me give you my take. I was very nervous walking around POR at night the first time. And when I was approaching a corner of a building, I heard muffled giggles and whispering. Oh, Oh-was I nervous! Then, around the corner came 2 young women in cocktail dresses and....Minnie Ears. I had to laugh at myself (after they went by). Since then, I've walked around solo at night many times, gotten nervous sometimes (for no reason), but everything's always been fine. AKL is great too-the cultural CMs at the viewing areas are so friendly to chat with. I remember one actually invited me to his graduation ceremony (Yup, in the lobby of the AKL-great experience)

 

[gogo]

I'd go with POR or AKL, having stayed solo at both places multiple times. And as far as walking around solo at POR, let me give you my take. I was very nervous walking around POR at night the first time. And when I was approaching a corner of a building, I heard muffled giggles and whispering. Oh, Oh-was I nervous! Then, around the corner came 2 young women in cocktail dresses and....Minnie Ears. I had to laugh at myself (after they went by). Since then, I've walked around solo at night many times, gotten nervous sometimes (for no reason), but everything's always been fine. AKL is great too-the cultural CMs at the viewing areas are so friendly to chat with. I remember one actually invited me to his graduation ceremony (Yup, in the lobby of the AKL-great experience)