Half a Couple ? Request for Advice

Mousemom234

DIS Veteran
Joined
May 12, 2012
As a couple, we've been going to WDW for a long time. First trip for both of was our honeymoon, and I think he agreed to go mostly because I wanted to. We caught the Disney Bug ::yes::. Our last trip (#19) was a few years ago, for our 30th anniversary.
We have one planned for this September - but, unfortunately, its looking as if our last trip may have been DH's last trip. To make a long story short, I may be going alone.
DH keeps telling me to go without him, he and the cats will be fine. I appreciate that, but I can't help feeling guilty for 'running off'. We've been a pretty tight couple and I'm not sure if I should go alone.
Basically -- help ? I'm not used to planning for 1 and haven't really travelled alone before. I'm pretty sure I can do it, especially in one of my Happy Places. I could sure use some support though 😩

I'm looking more for opinions and ideas than answers :
Should I downgrade the room ? I've booked, but not paid off, a 1br villa at OKW. (money isn't a problem)

Would using Lyft/Uber make more sense than renting a car ? We almost always have, since our 2nd trip. I love to drive, would take my own car if it wasn't so far to Disney. But I'm a lot more comfortable with WDW transportation (and it's quirks) than he is. I'd need some off-hour and off-property transport, but... (here again, it's practicality over price that's the question)

How does one <no pun intended> go about dining as a single, given the normal portion of food served at TS (We often split a meal, with an app and 2 desserts) I don't think I want to do all CS, or in-room. I had been planning on doing some cooking, since the villa has a full kitchen. I don't mind eating alone, I've done it often enough when I was working.
Is it even possible to get ADRs for 1 ? - I've read conflicting reports on the dining boards here.

Any other advice for somebody who's used to chatting and pointing out stuff, and sharing the magic around me with my best friend ?
At least I know an 'old lady' wandering the World by herself isn't all that uncommon, and I'd be ignored by 99% of the people there <LOL> But I'm gonna be a lonely one.
 
It's possible to get ADR for 1, I do it all the time. Some harder to get reservations I've had to make for 2 because it's easier to find those reservations with the way Disney's system works. When you check in you just tell them it's actually only 1 and that's it. I wouldn't feel guilty about going without him, he doesn't want to go to Disney anymore, but also doesn't want to take Disney away from you. Most likely if you said you wouldn't go without him if he's as nice of a guy as he sounds he would give in and go, but he wouldn't really enjoy it.

If you're happy with the room you booked, don't switch it. It sounds like you'll use the kitchen so in that case you would need a 1 bedroom and OKW is one of the cheaper options. Plus, some of the value resorts are very busy and loud, not all that relaxing.

Personally, I prefer Uber because I am not familiar with driving around Disney so I would rather relax than stress about making sure I'm going the right way. But, that's just me and my horrible sense of direction!
 
In some ways, you're like I am-celebrated 30th anniversary at WDW a few years ago, DH stays home with the cats. I go solo all the time. Regarding the 1 BR at OKW, it's really up to you. I know many solos like the added room, and it is nice to have that laundry. However, when I had a 1 BR as a solo (because DH decided to stay home with a suddenly ill cat), I felt the added room was a waste. I'd recommend downgrading if you can (maybe I'm in the minority with that recommendation).
Regarding dining and big portions, after 20+ trips, I still haven't figured that out. My best idea so far is to order an appetizer or two as my meal. Otherwise I just leave lots uneaten. And at CS, I order kid's meals when I can (sometimes the only offerings are chicken nuggets, peanut butter and jelly, and pizza, and I want something more "authentic" so I have to order an adult meal).
Talking with CMs can be a real treat as a solo. Often they're especially chatty and give lots of backstage information (like about their job, the party for "Big Red" in Animal Kingdom KS, etc.)-it's loads of fun. I even had a CM sit with me while I ate lunch, just so I'd have company! She was a college program CM and told me all about how the program worked for her.
Have fun!
 
I'm looking more for opinions and ideas than answers :
Should I downgrade the room ? I've booked, but not paid off, a 1br villa at OKW. (money isn't a problem)

How does one <no pun intended> go about dining as a single, given the normal portion of food served at TS (We often split a meal, with an app and 2 desserts) I don't think I want to do all CS, or in-room. I had been planning on doing some cooking, since the villa has a full kitchen. I don't mind eating alone, I've done it often enough when I was working.
Is it even possible to get ADRs for 1 ? - I've read conflicting reports on the dining boards here.

Any other advice for somebody who's used to chatting and pointing out stuff, and sharing the magic around me with my best friend ?
At least I know an 'old lady' wandering the World by herself isn't all that uncommon, and I'd be ignored by 99% of the people there <LOL> But I'm gonna be a lonely one.
Regarding your accommodations, I think an OKW studio would be adequate for one person.

Regarding dining reservations, some of them are hard to get for just one person, but you can book for two and then remove one person and voila, you have a reservation for one.

Regarding wanting company -- lots of people from these boards arrange to meet up for meals, park touring, etc., with other solo visitors who are going to be there around the same time. I've been doing this for years and have made some new friends, some of whom I've met again on other trips. I won't be there in September (I have two other trips later this year), but there are threads where you can post your travel days and see who else is going around that time, or you can start your own thread and try to find people to meet with. I'd suggest you aim to arrange short get-togethers with each person, maybe just one or two meals, or some other short activity like meeting to go on a couple of rides together in one of the theme parks. If you hit it off, you can spend more time together on that trip, and/or meet up later for future trips.
 


Thanks for the votes of confidence, peoples. I've invited my 'other best friend' to go with me, but it's unlikely he'll be able to do it on this short a notice.
Still deciding on accomodations, will probably drop the rental, will work on ADRs.

...he doesn't want to go to Disney anymore, but also doesn't want to take Disney away from you. Most likely if you said you wouldn't go without him if he's as nice of a guy as he sounds he would give in and go, but he wouldn't really enjoy it.
He'd love to go, he's just not going to be able to, which is why I feel twitchy. If he didn't want to go, I think I'd be just fine with taking a trip of my own.

... Regarding the 1 BR at OKW, it's really up to you. I know many solos like the added room, and it is nice to have that laundry. However, when I had a 1 BR as a solo (because DH decided to stay home with a suddenly ill cat), I felt the added room was a waste. I'd recommend downgrading if you can (maybe I'm in the minority with that recommendation)...

I still might, but looking at available rooms, I'm not seeing it as probable. I'd really like to have a balcony, and, except for an OKW Studio, those rooms that offer one are more than the rate I already have. And the difference in price for the studio at current rate isn't really enough to justify the change. I probably wouldn't use the kitchen as much for 1, but we'll see. Then again, I might wind up at AllStars. Stayed there once, and rather liked it.
Also, if my friend can make it, the separate sleeping quarters would be a good thing :rolleyes:

...Regarding dining reservations, some of them are hard to get for just one person, but you can book for two and then remove one person and voila, you have a reservation for one.
Thanks. I'll run them both ways and see which works out better for what I'd like for meals and times. Since it's likely most places don't actually have a table for one, I'd be using at least a 2-top anyhow. I might also check into eating in some of the lounges.
 

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