Welcome to planDisney, Michael!
Although it's still April, before you know it...
it's gonna be May, and you'll be in The Most Magical Place on Earth. How wonderful!
I'm absolutely delighted to share tips for a solo visit with you, Michael, because my husband was called away for work last week during our Walt Disney World Resort vacation, so I wound up with three solo days in the middle of the magic. And just between you and me, I had the BEST time! From reading in a hammock at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort to joining the standby queue for my favorite, Slinky Dog Dash, it was such a treat to enjoy a magical vacation on my schedule and filled exclusively with all of my favorite things, and isn't that what a solo visit should be?
In my opinion, Disney Resort hotels are one of the most underrated aspects of Disney Resort hotels, so I'm so glad you're planning a day dedicated to checking out the incredible theming. Since you'll be staying at one of Disney's All-Star Resorts, I would suggest beginning your Resort day by catching one of Walt Disney World's complimentary buses to Magic Kingdom Park and then utilizing the Resort Monorail Loop to check out Disney's Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Polynesian Village Resort.
Kona Island is my go-to for a morning coffee! Once you've completed your monorail loop, you can catch a water launch and set sail for Disney's Wilderness Lodge.
From Disney's Wilderness Lodge, you could either board a bus to a theme park (I would suggest grabbing the first one that arrives) and connect to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge or utilize
Disney Minnie Van Service for a direct route. My Animal Kingdom Lodge highlights are (of course) the wildlife on the savannas...but also
Sanaa and Victoria Falls Lounge.
To make your way to Disney's Riviera Resort, I would suggest catching a bus to Disney's Hollywood Studios and then using the Disney Skyliner to soar on over to Riviera. Don't miss the iconic Peter Pan and Tangled mosaic murals as you walk from the Skyliner to the Resort's lobby! While at Riviera, I would encourage you to grab a beverage from
Le Petit Café to sip while exploring all of the unique furnishings and artwork of the Resort. For a
practically perfect evening, check the showtimes for EPCOT's Luminous The Symphony of Us and grab a drink from
Bar Riva to enjoy during the show, which can be seen from the walkway bordering Barefoot Bay. If you have time, you can also utilize this walkway to explore the colorfully festive Caribbean Beach Resort.
Of course, you're more than welcome to explore the Resorts in whatever order you see fit (that's the beauty of going solo), so if if you prefer to find yourself on Seven Seas Lagoon or Bay Lake at night, I would suggest joining in on
Chip 'n' Dale's Campfire Sing-A-Long at Wilderness Lodge before watching the
Electrical Water Pageant sail by.
I hope this helps with your specific question, Michael. If you'd like any additional suggestions for a solo visit — I have plenty — feel free to
send me a question directly. I'd be more than happy to help!
Thinking Happy Thoughts,
Lizzie