The Festive Fun You Don’t Want To Miss at Disney Springs

The Holiday season has definitely arrived in Walt Disney World and is being celebrated right through to December 30th. There’s plenty of festivities taking place throughout the Walt Disney World Resort as we write; in the Disney Parks and Disney Resort hotels, as well as Disney Springs. Of course, these festivities include the Walt Disney World Christmas decorations that are displayed for Guests to admire.

The Disney shopping and dining district, previously named Downtown Disney, is known for the great selection of stores to shop in, restaurants to enjoy food and beverages in, as well as the live entertainment that takes place each day. It’s a great place to visit during the daytime and evening too.

Open into the late evening, Disney Springs is an awesome place to spend time, if you are looking for something other than the Disney theme parks. With free parking and free entry, it’s also the place to be for Guests who are staying outside of the Walt Disney World Resort. And if you don’t fancy battling the crowds in a Disney theme park on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, then Disney Springs could be the ideal place to visit.

Here’s all the fun to be had at Disney Springs this Christmas time, until December 30. Make sure to plan all of these things into your next Disney vacation.

Meet Santa

You’ve heard correctly! Santa Claus is meeting Guests at Disney Springs this year. Traditionally, Magic Kingdom has been the place to meet Santa Claus during the Holiday season. Versions of Santa from around the world can also be found around World Showcase in EPCOT, as part of the International Festival of the Holidays, in addition to the Candlelight Processional. But the good news, is that you don’t have to visit a Disney Park to share your Christmas wishes with Santa this year.

Guests can meet Santa Claus at Once Upon A Toy! in the Marketplace, through to December 24. Visit the My Disney Experience app throughout each day to enter the virtual queue for Santa. Guests must be at Disney Springs to enter the virtual queue, which opens at various times throughout the day: 9 a.m.; 12 p.m.; 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Only one Guest per party needs to enter the virtual queue, and will provide entry up to 10 Guests. 

Enjoy a snowfall

Whilst the Florida climate doesn’t often bring snowfall to the Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Guests will be familiar with a popular Disney alternative, known as snoap. Something that is often associated with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, snoap creates the illusion of snow on Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom Park. But what if you aren’t planning on attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party? Well you don’t have to miss out!

The town Center at Disney springs will feature a nightly snowfall, or should we say snoap fall, that Guests can enjoy. Make sure to pass by the winter wonderland it’ll help to create.

Yuletide entertainment

Whilst you’re enjoying the snowfall, you’ll probably also come across other festive entertainment around Disney Springs. These will include: merry musical acts; toy soldier stilt walkers; and more. Keep an eye on the Disney Springs website to find out when and where the yuletide entertainment can be found.

Complete the Christmas Tree Trail

The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll is a hit with Disney Guests. Not only is it free, but it’s your chance to get some magical inspiration for your own Christmas tree. What used to be hosted at the back of the Marketplace towards the old bus station, is now spread around the four parts of Disney Springs. 

This year, 20 trees feature with unique designs. Guests can pick up a map that details where all of the trees are located. Maps can be collected from:

• City Works Eatery & Pour house
• Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers
• Planet Hollywood
• The BOATHOUSE
• Uniqlo

Each map comes with a set of stickers, for you to place to match the theme of each tree and its position around the Disney shopping and dining district. Once you have completed your map, return to one of the locations mentioned above to collect a festive surprise. We love a Disney freebie!

The fun doesn’t stop there. Guests with the Play Disney Parks App can join in with some Holiday trivia whilst completing the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll. We recommend downloading the Play Disney Parks App before visiting Disney Springs. Once you’ve arrived, be sure to connect to the complimentary Disney Guest wifi so you don’t get charged for the fun you’ll have.

Top tip: you may way to visit Disney Springs during the day, to complete the Christmas Tree Stroll. Whilst it’s lovely to see the trees in the evening when they are all lit up, you only really get to appreciate the detail and colors during daylight hours. 

Visit Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar

It’s not just the Disney Parks and Resorts that are decorated for the Holiday season. Jock Lindsey’s Hanger Bar is transformed into the Holiday Bar; a Christmas grotto, featuring fun, festive decorations and Christmas lights. Not only that, but it’s the place to enjoy a limited edition festive menu.

A selection of yuletide appetizers are available to order, as well as festive cocktails. If you’re partial to a sweet treat, then you’ll want to order the Post-Flight “Milk” and Cookies. Sounds like the perfect dessert to enjoy before retiring to your Disney Resort hotel. 

Holiday Delights

There are plenty of festive treats and Holiday drinks to be enjoyed around Disney Springs as well, this Christmas season. Here’s the full list of locations that are offering limited-edition delights:

• Amorette’s Patisserie
• The BOATHOUSE
• Dockside Margaritas
• D-Luxe Burger
• Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew
• The Ganachery
• Ghiradelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
• Gideon’s Bakehouse
• Marketplace Snacks
• Splitsville Luxury Lanes
• Swirls on the Water
• Vivoli il Gelato

Which of these things are you excited to experience at Disney Springs in the lead up to Christmas? Try to experience them all before the Holiday season is over for another year! You’ll be glad you took the time to enjoy this part of a Disney Christmas.