First Solo Trip! Looking for something different...

[FutureDis]

I've just booked my first solo trip for Nov. I've been to Disney several times with my family, but I'm ready to be able to go at MY pace and do what I want, when I want! I've never been during the Christmas holiday, so really wanted to see the decorations. I'll be going for 5 park days, with park hopper.

As a solo traveler, looking for a new experience (not done any of these), which would you pick?

• Jollywood Nights on my arrival day (I will say, while I enjoy seeing characters, I don't want to "meet" them if that makes a difference)
• Hoop Dee Doo Revue
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas (again, not so much for characters. I'm a ride girl, though the parade would be fun I'm sure)
• Keys to the Kingdom tour (edited to add that I HAVE been through the Utilidors before, as part of a Disney Institute course if that makes any difference)
• Other suggestions?

Thank you!

 

[iwannabdduck]

My personal favorite of all the things you mentioned is Keys to the Kingdom Tour. As I recall it was about 4 or 5 hours long, and I enjoyed every single moment. Our tour guide was very good. He had some very interesting explanations about stuff in the park I took for granted, we got a couple of complimentary rides, free lunch at Columbia House and some "behind the scenes" tours of WDW areas that are normally off limits to guests, including the Utilidors under the park. I'm admit-ably biased, but this is one of my most memorable experiences ever at WDW. Have not done Hoop Dee Doo, but would like to. Nor have I done Joyywood. Did Mickey's VMC once, but was disappointed due to the big crowd at the one we attended. Resort hopping during the Christmas holidays at WDW is also a "must do" thing. They do a great job with the decorations everywhere !!!

 

[Newsies]

If seeing the holiday decorations is important to you, I would go with Jollywood Nights or MVMCP, leaning towards MVMCP just because it's a fun bucket-list thing to cross off. You'll get to see all of the Christmas decorations at MK and you'll get to see snow on Main Street USA. It will be crowded but many people are there for the characters and entertainment versus the rides, so if you're more interested in rides, you should be able to get a good chunk of MK accomplished.

Resort hopping during the Christmas holidays at WDW is also a "must do" thing. They do a great job with the decorations everywhere !!!

Definitely agree with this, take time to see the different resorts! Grand Floridian, is a must, followed by Contemporary, Boardwalk, Beach Club, Animal Kingdom Lodge if you can. So many fabulous holiday decorations and Gingerbread house displays!

You're going to LOVE your solo trip! It's such a fun way to explore the parks!

 

[jimmymc]

To pick just one, I would do Jollywood Nights. The decorations and atmosphere are great. There are plenty of unique characters, and the lines to meet them are long, but you can see them out in the open. The unique food items and drinks were also great. And probably my favorite part, the park felt empty. No lines for attractions, and you could show up 20 minutes ahead of shows and get a decent seat.

MVMCP is a really fun event, but last year's felt too crowded. Attraction lines weren't as short as I would like for an expensive after-hours event, and just walking around the park felt busy. But things like the decorations, cookies, and Christmas fireworks are really fun.

For another activity, I would make plans for dinner at one of the resorts with great Christmas decorations. Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, and Animal Kingdom Lodge are my favorites for that. For specific restaurants, Jiko, Narcoosee's, and Geyser Point.

 

[OP95]

I know it’s not on your list but I’d also recommend wild Africa trek was supposed to do it for my last solo trip but hoping to do it next year. Have heard keys to the kingdom is great too! Unfortunately,left Jollywood nights about a couple of hours after it started as it was such a mess though it was the first night.

 

[jimmymc]

Another good non-park activity that isn't necessarily holiday-related is Sangria University: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/coronado-springs-resort/sangria-university/

 

[2010dvcfan]

I agree with @jimmymc the MVMCP feels like it's getting more crowded even with the price increases. I'd rather pay more for less people. We still enjoy it but it is not as comfortable as it has been in years past.

I really enjoy Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs, if you have time to experience that it's always been very pretty. If your not staying at Wilderness Lodge then a trip over there for the entire lobby Christmas decorations is worth it as well.

 

[GoofyDad_4427]

We've done 3 of the 4 (all but Jollywood) and our favorite was Keys to the Kingdom. I think any are a good choice except for HDDR. HDDR was fantastic, but it was something i would enjoy much more in a group setting than on a solo trip. Others may feel differently.

 

[FutureDis]

Thank you all! I will for SURE be resort hoping to check out the decorations, and likely Disney Springs too.

 

[MouseMamaToMany]

I’m also going solo in Nov! Thrilled to have some time in my happy place. For my trip, I’m leaning towards Jollywood Nights. I’ve done MVMCP, and it was just too crazy crowded for my tastes. I LOVED Keys to the Kingdom. It remains one of my all time favorite experiences at WDW. If you can swing it, I’d go for it!

 

[CoachBeard]

I did the KTTK tour solo 2 years ago and didn’t have the best experience. I was the only single in the group and despite my best efforts to make small talk during breaks and such, no one wanted to engage with me. I found it odd they also assigned us seats at lunch, I guess to they could put our pre ordered lunch plate down for us to find but they sat me by myself. It was pretty discouraging.

 

[tx911]

I would do both the Xmas parties, and I 2nd the Wild Africa Trek. Amazing. I've not done KTTK tour. Hoop Dee Doo is entertaining but I did not care for the food myself.

 

[mccarthyag]

I’ve done a couple of the tours (Rhinos at AK and World Showcase at Epcot) solo and I had a great time on both of them so I imagine the Keys to the Kingdom would also be fun solo. I’d say Jollywood over MVMCP because it’s more geared toward adults and probably has more things that are fun solo.

 

[kwdw]

I did the Wild Africa Trek solo and while it’s a great experience, everyone stuck tightly in their little groups and during the snack period, it was pretty lonely. I wouldn’t do KTTK solo for the same reason. Now I loved Behind the Seeds solo as it’s just a short experience. I’d probably do the Rhinos experience solo, too, if I could ever snag a spot.

Now, I do highly recommend the parties and signature dining at the resorts solo. I haven’t been to Jollywood, but I’ve enjoyed both both of the MK parties solo and may be doing one of the Christmas ones this year myself.

If the only way you will ever get to Hoop Dee Do Review is solo, then do it, but I might stick to level 2 seating. While I think that is likely better with at least one other person, it is a very classic thing to do and I don’t think being solo is a reason to avoid it. Show is adorable.

Seeing the Christmas decorations at GF and WL is pretty nice. Once the gingerbread house goes up at GF, transportation to and from that resort by monorail or boat backs up on weekends and before MVMCP, so consider going at an off time or walking. Maybe pair seeing the decorations with a meal at one of the resorts.

If you don’t pick MVMCP, plan one night to stay to the very end of the night at MK. As the park empties out, and it gets cooler, with lights/decorations, it’s just really pretty to take it all in. Wait to get some photos with the Photopass photographers (they will use your phone if you don’t want to buy any).

And finally, buy a piece of Disney holiday clothing to wear at least once during the trip. In many ways, it’s something you can’t wear often, but it makes me smile to be decked out in Christmas attire at least one day.

 

[rangerxenos]

I've done Keys to the Kingdom and Wild Africa Trek solo, and can recommend them both, they were great. I did not feel strange being by myself on a tour at all, if you're comfortable going to Disney solo, a tour is no different to me.

 

[zackiedawg]

I've done Keys to the Kingdom solo and had a good time, even had some chatty folks at lunch. Maybe I was lucky...but wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

I really miss the Magic Behind our Steam Trains tour - love that one and would do it again if it became available. It shut down when the trains shut down pre-pandemic, and never came back.

If you have non-park time to kill, Christmastime is always a good time to do some resort hopping to check out the various Christmas displays if you haven't seen them - Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Beach & Yacht are all known for their displays including food kiosks, miniature villages, etc.

 

[raddisneyfan]

I agree with others that special ticketed events are more and more crowded and you are basically paying a double park day in order to go to one of the events...you pay for your day ticket and then pretty much the same price to go again at night. I've gone the 1st or 2nd week in December for like the past 10 years in a row. My favorite places to go to see decorations and not be at a theme park are....Animal Kingdom Lodge having breakfast at BOMA, Wilderness Lodge and having lunch at Geyser Point, and the Grand Floridian.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I love solo trips to the World. Like others have said, you get up and go when you want and do what you want. However, the only thing I would say that I didn't like about a solo trip was that I had no one to talk to. This has already been mentioned, but I've done the Keys to the Kingdom tour solo and loved it. On my last solo trip to the world in January '24, I was having problems with my knee and decided to spend most of Friday at the resort relaxing before heading into the park...something I couldn't do with my family. Either way, whatever you decide to do have fun doing it.