Any Solo Christmas Activities You'd Recommend?

[honeysuckle_rose]

I am thinking of a solo trip in early December (my first!!!). Are there any of the Christmas activities/displays you would enthusiastically recommend for a solo traveler? Any that didn't live up to your expectations?

Thanks!!

 

[BriarRosie]

I am thinking of a solo trip in early December (my first!!!). Are there any of the Christmas activities/displays you would enthusiastically recommend for a solo traveler? Any that didn't live up to your expectations?

Thanks!!

Yes! I'd recommend of tour of some of the deluxe resorts for the decorations!
The Grand Floridian has a life-sized gingerbread house (which acts as
a store that sells the stuff), plus an enormous tree in the middle of the
lobby.

The Wilderness Lodge is the resort I think has the most "oomph" (to me)
for holiday decorations. This resort also has a large tree in the lobby,
plus they have choirs and other entertainers late afternoon.

Animal Kingdom Lodge has a tree with an African twist in ornaments,
and there's usually a "gingerbread" village on the lower level waiting area
near the stairs by Boma.

Other deluxe resorts have holiday decorations, and some food sculptures
(like the all chocolate carousel at Beach Club in years' past). About
10 years ago, I was watching the chef put together a display at Yacht
Club. All of the Epcot resorts are worth visits to the lobbies, too.
It's easy to visit if you take a detour from Epcot, exiting through the
International Gateway. All the Epcot resorts are looped around Crescent
Lake.

When I've visited the Contemporary or Polynesian resorts, I didn't feel they
lived up to the holiday decor, so I don't make a trip to visit them unless I'm
scheduled to dine at those resorts.

And the other great thing to do solo:

Storytelling Around the World at Epcot. They have holiday storytellers
at various times in the afternoon in World Showcase. Each country will
have either a version of Santa Claus, but Japan and Morocco have their
own special holiday traditions that don't cover Christmas, but they are
worth a look.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I have the same exact question!

Also, I'm thinking of doing the rounds for some holiday decorations on a Tuesday in the morning of my MVMCP. I'm going to see the monorail resorts and WL. Can anyone give me a good tip for a light lunch at one of those resorts. I'm hoping for something wonderfully decorated with lots to see (so I can keep my eyes busy while dining solo).

TIA

 

[BriarRosie]

I have the same exact question!

Also, I'm thinking of doing the rounds for some holiday decorations on a Tuesday in the morning of my MVMCP. I'm going to see the monorail resorts and WL. Can anyone give me a good tip for a light lunch at one of those resorts. I'm hoping for something wonderfully decorated with lots to see (so I can keep my eyes busy while dining solo).

TIA

If you can, book an ADR for the Afternoon Tea at the Garden View
Lounge at the Grand Floridian. They open at 2pm, and if you don't
mind eating late, it's a great lunch.

 

[bavaria]

I don't know if they still do it, but there used to be a holiday decoration tour which went to the resorts and some of the parks, I believe.

Definitely Holidays around the World, the Osborne lights, sitting under the lights at Epcot, visiting the resorts to look at decorations. And of course MVMCP.

You may find company if you want it for early December - a lot of Dis members go then, including a lot of solos. Check out the December threads, or the December dining threads. Or start your own!

I met someone from these boards a few years ago on an early December trip, and we now meet a few times every year at WDW.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I agree about the Holiday storytellers in WS. Also, I recommend the Epcot tree-lighting ceremony at 6:00pm. One nice thing about going solo in December is at the Candlelight Processional. As a solo, I find I don't always have to stand in line for a decent seat. Last time, I just waited til the entire line went in, then walked in and got a pretty decent seat-there's usually room for one, just not a whole area for a family. I've found that when I go during Christmas season (always solo), I could spend the entire week just in Epcot, except when I take a little time to go over to MGM to see the Osborne Lights.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I have also found that "just one" can usually get a very good seat with very little waiting. Just look around a bit, and see where there might be room, even up closer. I have gotten good seats by approaching a person near the end of a line of seats and happily saying " Have You got room for just one more?"

I would say that you should not miss the Christmans decorations at the deluxe resorts, especially the Wilderness Lodge.

I am splitting my early December trip evenly between CSR and BWV. I arrive on Dec 2nd, and will spend 3 nights in each resort. I hope to see you there !