Disney Solo Magic: The podcast about the *magic* of going to Disney World solo!

This week, we’re heading over to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for a solo-friendly food tour and a conversation about what it’s like to actually stay there.

I’m sharing my take on the Polynesian’s dining scene, from Tonga Toast to tiki drinks, including the best spots for solo meals, snacks, and people-watching. Whether you’re popping by for breakfast or lingering over a drink at Trader Sam’s, this is a great resort to explore even if you’re not staying overnight.

Then I’m joined by DVC owner Mikki, who talks about her experiences staying at the Poly: what the rooms are like, how the vibe has changed over the years, and why this resort keeps calling her back.

If you’ve ever thought about making the Polynesian part of your solo trip, even just for a meal, this episode will help you figure out how to make it magical.

Remember, you can watch our conversation by becoming a member of the Disney Solo Magic Patreon:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Connect with Mikki:

Instagram → ⁠https://www.instagram.com/my_life_in_minnie_ears⁠

TikTok → ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@my_life_in_minnie_ears⁠

Threads → ⁠https://www.threads.net/@my_life_in_minnie_ears⁠

🌟 Connect with me:

Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/Disney_Solo_Magic/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Threads → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@Disney_Solo_Magic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Listen on:

Apple → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/solo-magic-the-magic-of-going-to-walt-disney-world-solo/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3auobJdzZ8UUy4fRm8ewwX⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SoloMagicDisney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week, we’re talking about Deluxe Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resorts: Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, and Riviera.

I also chat with bestselling author and "certified Disney adult" Farrah Rochon about her stays at all three resorts. We talk room size, resort vibes, transportation pros and cons, and what makes each of them a hidden gem (or not!). If you’ve ever wondered whether these DVC resorts are worth a stay, or how they feel as a solo traveler, this one’s for you!

📺 Watch our conversation by becoming a member of the Disney Solo Magic Patreon: ⁠https://patreon.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📚 Connect with Farrah:https://www.farrahrochon.com/

Last conversation → https://open.spotify.com/episode/1CdYc33kxRZAb1NOwXpC4o?si=AjzbYPETQqyezklq8csReQ

HBCU Romance collection → https://amzn.to/4fC2Kiw (Amazon.com affiliate link) → https://amzn.to/4oyXCQm (Amazon.ca affiliate link) Farrah's books on Amazon → https://amzn.to/4lqOwm2 (Amazon.com affiliate link) → https://amzn.to/45esoX1 (Amazon.ca affiliate link)

🌟 Connect with me:

Patreon → ⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/Disney_Solo_Magic/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Threads → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@Disney_Solo_Magic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧Listen on:

Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disney-solo-magic-the-podcast-about-the-magic-of/id1735230494

Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/3auobJdzZ8UUy4fRm8ewwX?si=83bdd4306eee4557

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SoloMagicDisney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, I’m joined by Disney Food Blog (DFB Guide) founder and owner of AllEars AJ Wolfe to talk about her new book _Disney Adults: Exploring (And Falling in Love With) a Magical Subculture_. We talk about what makes the parks feel so personal, why we're drawn to Disney nostalgia when life gets tough, and how the Disney adult phenomenon exploded during COVID.

We also try to answer the big question: What would Walt think?

Listen to our smart, funny, and thoughtful conversation about fandom, belonging, and the deep emotional pull of Disney, especially for adults who found freedom in going back and going solo.

📺 Watch our conversation by becoming a member of the Disney Solo Magic Patreon: ⁠https://patreon.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📘Get Disney Adults: Exploring (And Falling in Love With) a Magical Subculture (Gallery Books).

Amazon.com → https://amzn.to/4m3HzZb (affiliate link)

Amazon.ca → https://amzn.to/4mqlovT (affiliate link)

🌟 Connect with AJ:

AJ Wolfe → https://ajwolfe.com/

DFB Guide → https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/

AllEars.Net → https://allears.net/

🌟 Connect with me:

Patreon → ⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/Disney_Solo_Magic/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Threads → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@Disney_Solo_Magic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧Listen on:

Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disney-solo-magic-the-podcast-about-the-magic-of/id1735230494

Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/3auobJdzZ8UUy4fRm8ewwX?si=83bdd4306eee4557

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SoloMagicDisney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week we’re heading into the special, forested Disney’s Wilderness Lodge to talk about what it is like to visit and stay there solo. With Pacific Northwest lodge vibes, a soaring lobby, and plenty of food options, it’s a dream spot for solo travelers looking for nature and calm in what otherwise may be a packed and busy Disney trip.

I walk you through the history and theming of the resort, talk about solo-friendly food and drink options like Geyser Point and Territory Lounge, and weigh in on whether the 'train room' is worth visiting.

I also talk with Lauren (@disney.daze.55) about her experience staying there solo and the nooks she found for working, relaxing, and just enjoying the quiet (but non-heated) blaze of the fireplace.

You can watch our conversation by becoming a member of the Disney Solo Magic Patreon: ⁠https://patreon.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Connect with Lauren:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/disney.daze.55/ ⁠

Threads → https://www.threads.com/@disney.daze.55

YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@disney_daze_55

🌟 Connect with me:
Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/Disney_Solo_Magic/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@Disney_Solo_Magic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Listen on:

Apple → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/solo-magic-the-magic-of-going-to-walt-disney-world-solo/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3auobJdzZ8UUy4fRm8ewwX⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SoloMagicDisney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week we’re stepping back into retro cool at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the iconic A-frame hotel that’s as bold as it is convenient. With its striking brutalist silhouette and sleek monorail slicing through the middle, the Contemporary offers a uniquely solo-friendly space for fans of architecture, nostalgia, and a good eats.

I walk you through the resort’s fascinating history and mid-century design, share ideas for solo food and drink stops (from Steakhouse 71 to Outer Rim Lounge to California Grill), and highlight why this resort can feel surprisingly peaceful, even with the Magic Kingdom right next door. Think 1970s futurism, classic Disney energy, and great people-watching from a solo seat.

Plus, I talk to Francine ~ @PixieDustFan about STAYING at Contemporary! She shares how it is "magical," what she thinks about Contempo Café, and why staying in the Contemporary tower is the best.

You can watch extended content by becoming a member of the Disney Solo Magic Patreon: ⁠https://patreon.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Connect with Francine ~ Pixie Dust Fan:

Instagram → ⁠https://www.instagram.com/pixiedustfan/⁠

Facebook → ⁠https://www.facebook.com/PixieDustFan https://www.facebook.com/groups/pixiedustfangroup

https://www.facebook.com/playcationtravelltd

YouTube → ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@PixieDustFan

Website → https://pixiedustfan.com/

🌟 Connect with me:

Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/Disney_Solo_Magic/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Threads → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@Disney_Solo_Magic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Listen on:

Apple → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/solo-magic-the-magic-of-going-to-walt-disney-world-solo/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3auobJdzZ8UUy4fRm8ewwX⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SoloMagicDisney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Our Deluxe hotel focus this week is on Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts. From the breezy, East Coast seaside energy to the shared amenities and legendary pool, I break down what makes these sister resorts unique and what to know if you’re visiting solo.

I share favorite lounging spots, easy solo dining, and highlight how Stormalong Bay is not the only pool. We’ll also get into the little details that make Beach and Yacht a relaxing stop on your solo adventure, whether you're there for the day or splurging on a stay.

Plus, I chat with Lisa from Pure Magic Vacations (@pure_magic_lisag) about her experiences staying at BOTH resorts. Where does she go for breakfast, what type of room is her favourite, and what is the best thing she has found while staying there? Listen now and follow her on her social media to learn more! (PS She is AT Disney the day this is posted!)

You can watch our conversation by becoming a member of the Disney Solo Magic Patreon: ⁠https://patreon.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Connect with Lisa Gerlsbeck at Pure Magic Vacations:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/pure_magic_lisag/

Facebook → ⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/16uU57LiHk/?mibextid=wwXIfr⁠

Tik Tok → ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@pmvlisag?_t=ZM-8y4ijaRzU9A&_r=1⁠

YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@Puremagiclisag

🌟 Connect with me:
Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/Disney_Solo_Magic/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Threads → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@Disney_Solo_Magic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Facebook → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Listen on:

• Apple → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/solo-magic-the-magic-of-going-to-walt-disney-world-solo/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
  

• Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3auobJdzZ8UUy4fRm8ewwX⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
  
• YouTube → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SoloMagicDisney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Auntie-mode was exhausting!

Sorry, folks! Very busy weekend and too too tired to get you an episode for Tuesday morning!

Look for an episode Wednesday.

:)

Lets talk about Deluxe Disney Resorts! Both visiting and staying as a solo at Walt Disney World. This week we start with Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. From the nostalgic Atlantic City vibes and early 20th-century artifacts to a great lounge and pool bar, I talk about why it’s absolutely worth a visit on your solo trip, even if you’re not staying there.

Plus, I chat with Kristy (@mickeygurutravel) about her solo stay at BoardWalk Inn, including what Club Level is really like, solo safety tips, and the power of a good splurge.

You can watch our conversation by becoming a member of the Disney Solo Magic Patreon: ⁠https://patreon.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Connect with me:

Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/Disney_Solo_Magic/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Threads → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@Disney_Solo_Magic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔗 Connect with Kristy:

Instagram → ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mickeygurutravel/

Threads → ⁠https://www.threads.com/@mickeygurutrave

Podcast → @talktraveltomepod🎧 Listen on:

Apple → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/solo-magic-the-magic-of-going-to-walt-disney-world-solo/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3auobJdzZ8UUy4fRm8ewwX⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SoloMagicDisney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this Solo Story, I talk with former cast member, Aimée, about the healing power of letting go on a Disney trip. Aimée shares how solo parenting trips (yes, including a Disney cruise!) helped her reconnect with herself, not just as a mom, but as a full person. We talk about the quiet strength of choosing what you want, the little ways Disney makes that feel possible, and whether the Swan hotel lives up to its reputation.

There’s also a bit of psychoanalytic musing, because of course there is.

Remember, you can watch our conversation by becoming a member of the Disney Solo Magic Patreon:
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌟 Connect with me:
Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/Disney_Solo_Magic/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Threads → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@Disney_Solo_Magic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Facebook → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Listen on:
Apple → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/solo-magic-the-magic-of-going-to-walt-disney-world-solo/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3auobJdzZ8UUy4fRm8ewwX⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
YouTube → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SoloMagicDisney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome 'Disney Adult' Farrah to Disney Solo Magic to share her #SoloStory of an Adventures by Disney trip to England and France. She shares how she felt "first class all the way," Disney adult joy, and the power of “just asking” for what you want. We make a plug for Versailles (I know you need that recommendation from us lol) and there is a little Swiftie hello, for all you Swifties!

Guess who you think August's *MYSTERY* guest is. 🗳️

🍿Remember, you can watch our conversation by becoming a member of the Disney Solo Magic Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠

🌟 Connect with me:

Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/Disney_Solo_Magic/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Threads → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@Disney_Solo_Magic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/DisneySoloMagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎧 Listen on:

Apple → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/solo-magic-the-magic-of-going-to-walt-disney-world-solo/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3auobJdzZ8UUy4fRm8ewwX⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SoloMagicDisney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠