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A Holly-Jolly Good Guide to Disney Springs at Christmas Time

by Mommy Frog on November 16, 2023 7 Orlando   Video

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Hoppy holidays! Each year, Disney Springs transforms into a winter wonderland for the holiday season, showcasing twinkling lights, special decorations and holiday surprises (and shopping, of course). The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll features 19 different themed trees and you can even get some individual time with Santa Claus himself!

Disney Springs Christmas - Topiary Santa Mickey

 

Overview of the Holidays at Disney Springs

Disney Springs is the perfect place to get both your holiday shopping done and have a festive time! From themed treats and decor to a Christmas Tree Stroll scavenger hunt, we've made our list of special festivities at Disney Springs (and checked it twice) so that you can get in on the holiday fun too.

Christmas Decorations at Disney Springs

Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail

Holidays at Disney Springs — "Nightmare Before Christmas" tree

As the main holiday attraction at Disney Springs, the Christmas Tree Trail just keeps getting better each year! We love seeing the different themed trees, including returning classics and special newcomers. I’d suggest spending an extra minute at each one to comb through all of the details. Just be prepared to move out of the way if other frog families are waiting to take a picture.

The Christmas Tree Trail was modified to a Stroll in 2020 — which means the featured trees are spread all around the four neighborhoods of Disney Springs! Each tree has a different Disney theme. Many of them are based on movies like "Toy Story," or "Coco" while others are based on Disney World attractions, such as the Haunted Mansion. Our new favorite would have to be the beautiful "Wish" tree by the AMC Movies theatre.

As you walk around admiring the trees, you can participate in a scavenger hunt for a festive surprise! Before you start your tree tour, pick up a free Christmas Tree Stroll map and button at Joffrey's Coffee and Team Company, Planet Hollywood, Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers, City Works Eatery & Pour House and The LEGO Store. (Psst — these spots are also the redemption locations where you can go after you complete the hunt.) The map comes with stickers that represent each tree's theme. When you come across a tree, place the corresponding sticker onto the correct blank space on your map. There are 19 trees in total so there's plenty to look for as you go throughout Disney Springs!

This year's Christmas Tree Stroll is even more interactive if you hoppen to be wearing a MagicBand+. Wave your MagicBand+ in a circular motion near the "Nightmare Before Christmas" tree and you'll be greeted with a jolly surprise! Your MagicBand+ will also interact with the following trees:

  • "Encanto"
  • "Frozen"
  • Mickey and Minnie Mouse
  • Town Center
  • "Wish"

Disney Springs Christmas - Christmas Tree Stroll Map

Once you’ve completed this merry mission, show your completed map to a cast member at one of the redemption locations for a festive surprise. Lily and Tad filled out their own separate maps so they could each get a prize. It’s the perfect activity to keep the tadpoles busy while one parent sneaks away to get some secret Christmas shopping done!

Also, keep that map handy! On the back of it, you'll find discounts for various restaurants and retail locations at Disney Springs. By the time we were done, we were hungry frogs and got 10 percent off of our dinner at Blaze Pizza!

Disney Springs Christmas - Christmas Tree in Town Center with snow

In Town Center, enjoy the larger-than-life tree and experience "snow" flurries in the evening.

Christmas Entertainment at Disney Springs

Holidays at Disney Springs — Meet Santa signage

A live DJ spins tunes during the day and at night in front of World of Disney at the Waterside Stage. It's a great way for the tadpoles to let loose and burn off energy before bedtime … that is if all the shopping hasn’t already tired them out! Keep an eye out for roaming entertainers such as toy soldier stilt walkers and snowflake skaters throughout Disney Springs.

Meeting Santa at Disney Springs

Good Ol' Saint Nick is also visiting Disney Springs this year, now through Dec. 24! You can have individual time with Santa Claus at the Once Upon a Toy store, past World of Disney and near Earl of Sandwich. Be sure to join the virtual queue in the My Disney Experience app (when in use), which typically opens at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

It's an average of a two-hour virtual wait once you join the queue (you can continue shopping and exploring during that time). Once called, enjoy one-on-one time and get a photo with a festive backdrop. PhotoPass photographers are typically available to capture this wonderful moment.

Festive Food and Seasonal Flavors at Disney Springs

Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar (available Nov. 3 - Dec. 30)

Disney Springs Christmas - Jock Lindsey's Holiday Bar

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar receives a festive makeover again this year! Along with over-the-top decorations, the bar will have a limited-time menu with holiday eats and drinks. Here are the menu offerings for 2023:

Disney Springs Christmas - Holiday Light Bites at Jock Lindsey's Hangar bar

  • “Naughty or Nice” Deviled Eggs: Naughty: crispy ham and spicy honey glaze or Nice: crispy ham and sweet honey glaze
  • Here We Come A-Croquetting: Holiday croquettes with turkey and stuffing topped with bacon and cranberry jam and turkey gravy on a bed of pureed sweet potatoes
  • (New) O' Ham N' Cheese Trees: Puff pastry, pitt ham, cheddar cheese, garlic herb butter and sugar plum jam
  • Ganachery Board: Handcrafted board for your chocolate displays
  • Cranberry Barbeque Meatballs: All-beef meatballs, cranberry barbecue sauce, orange goat cheese, granny smith apple, spiced walnuts, orange supremes and crispy basil
  • (New) Jock's Famous Pigs in the Blanket: Debriziner Sausage, puff pastry and cranberry mustard sauce
  • (New) Post-flight “Milk” and Cookies with Coquito: Bourbon-eggnog snowflake cookie, gingerbread reindeer cookie filled with dulce de leche, chocolate-peppermint Christmas tree cookie and coquito with Bacardí Rum

Disney Springs Christmas - Jock Lindsey's Post-Flight "Milk" and Cookies with Coquito

  • Hot Chocolate Grail Flight: Spiced caramel with Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, cookies ‘n cream with white chocolate and Stoli Vanil Vodka, peppermint with Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur and Bols Crème de Menthe White Liqueur
  • (New) Eternal Snowfall: St. Augustine Cane Vodka, St. Augustine Gin, Tippler’s Orange Liqueur, Siesta Key Silver Rum, chipotle pineapple syrup, and sour mix topped with a float of Bols Blue Curaçao Liqueur and garnished with a snowflake sugar piece and lemon wheel
  • (New) Jock’s Holiday Martini: Frangelico Liqueur, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur, hazelnut syrup and half and half sprinkled with cinnamon and garnished with star anise
  • (New) Merry Margarita: Lunazul Reposado Tequila, Domain de Canton Ginger Liqueur, lime and pear juices, cinnamon syrup and hibiscus syrup garnished with a holiday sugar piece and lime wedge
  • (New) Holiday Cherry Cocktail: Stoli Vanil Vodka, Heering Cherry Liqueur, simple syrup, and red cranberry juice with edible glitter and garnished with a cherry  
  • (New) Ginger Mule: Frangelico Liqueur and Stoli Vanil Vodka topped with Fever-Tree Ginger Beer and garnished with a cinnamon stick and cranberries  

Other Specialty Holiday Sweets and Treats at Disney Springs

You won't have to look hard to find seasonal sweets and treats at Disney Springs!

Holidays at Disney Springs — Holiday Mickey Mousse from Amorette's

Amorette’s Patisserie (available Nov. 9 - Dec. 31)

  • (New) Holiday Sweets Petit Cake: Layers of spice cake, cream cheese icing, and apricot jam with fresh apple compote and Italian buttercream
  • (New) Mickey Winter Hat Dome Cake: Layers of vanilla chiffon, chai tea mousse, cranberry-cherry pâte de fruit, almond crunch, and brown butter ganache
  • (New) Christmas Tree Cream Puff: Pistachio cream puff
  • (New) Hot Cocoa Crème Brûlée: Hot cocoa crème brûlée with toasted marshmallow cream
  • (New) Gingerbread Cheesecake
  • (New) Cookies and Milk Éclair
  • (New) Mickey and Minnie Gingerbread Cookies
  • Santa Mickey Mousse: White chocolate mousse and dark chocolate mousse with crispy pearls

Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' (available Nov. 24 - Jan 1)

  • Homecomin’ Holiday Turkey Sandwich: Smoked turkey on toasted artisanal bread, dressed with signature cornbread stuffing and a sweet and sour cranberry aioli served with house-made potato chips

Chicken Guy! (available Nov. 6 - Dec. 31)

  • Holiday Cookie Shake: Hand-spun vanilla soft-serve, blended with sugar cookies and caramel drizzle topped with marshmallow whipped cream, mini chocolate candy pieces, holiday sprinkles and a cookie
  • Frozen Peppermint Cocoa Shake: Hand-spun vanilla soft-serve, blended with hot cocoa mix, peppermint, and crushed candy cane pieces topped with marshmallow whipped cream, sprinkles, crushed candy cane, mini marshmallows and chocolate drizzle

Dockside Margaritas (available from Nov. 9 - Jan. 2)

  • Spiced Cranberry Paloma: Lunazul Reposado Tequila, cranberry Juice, grapefruit Juice, lime Juice and spiced simple syrup

Holidays at Disney Springs — Peppermint Cookies & Cream Milkshake from Deluxe Burger

D-Luxe Burger (available Nov. 9 - Jan. 7)

  • (New) Caramel Apple Pie Shake: Vanilla gelato blended with dark caramel sauce, Granny Smith apple syrup, cinnamon syrup, and graham cracker crumbs topped with whipped cream, caramel and graham cracker crumbs

eet by Maneet Chauhan (available upon opening through Dec. 31)

  • Yule Chai Greeting: Signature spiced chai, whipped cinnamon cream, toasted marshmallow, Christmas sprinkles and a candy cane

Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew (Dec. 1 - Dec. 31)

  • Holiday Donuts

Frontera Cocina (available Nov. 10 - Dec. 31)

  • Marzipan Delight: Centinela Blanco Tequila, Marzipan Cordial, tres leches home-made mix and marzipan crumble rim

The Ganachery (available Nov. 9 - Dec. 30)

  • (New) Gingerbread Mickey Chocolate Piñata: Milk chocolate piñata with crisp pearls and gingerbread toffee
  • (New) Gingerbread-Pecan Toffee: Spiced toffee enrobed with milk chocolate and encrusted with toasted pecans and gingerbread crumbs
  • (New) Mickey Chocolate-covered Gingerbread Cookies: Spiced gingerbread cookies enrobed in milk chocolate and dark 65% chocolate
  • Chocolate Peppermint Bark: White and dark chocolate with crushed peppermint candy
  • Olaf Hot Cocoa Surprise: Milk chocolate shell filled with The Ganachery hot cocoa mix and house-made marshmallows

Gideon’s Bakehouse (available Nov. 24 - Dec. 31)

  • Kris Kringle Cookie: White chocolate coffee bean cookie with coconut, caramel and vanilla bean notes topped with coarse sugar crystals and magic glitter
  • Cookie Vom Krampus: A decadent triple chocolate cookie infused with peppermint and covered in cool chocolate mint

Marketplace Snacks (available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31)

  • Olaf Waffle Sundae: Bubble waffle filled with vanilla soft-serve, peppermint sauce, candy snowflakes, a chocolate edible image and chocolate sticks

Disney Springs Christmas - Olaf Waffle Sundae from Marketplace Snacks

Morimoto Asia (available through Dec. 31)

  • Yokai: Morimoto Knob Creek Bourbon, Monin Caramel Apple Butter Syrup, Chambord and prosecco
  • Kyuri and Spicy: Cucumber-Infused Espolon Blanco Tequila, jalapeño, ginger liqueur, Ancho Reyes, John D. Taylor’s Velvet Falernum Liqueur, lime and agave
  • Toji Moon: Absolut Mandarin Vodka, sake, Monin Habanero-Lime Syrup, lemongrass, yuzu and celery bitters
  • After Midnight: Courvoisier VS Cognac, Legent Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, ginger, orgeat, grapefruit, lemon, cinnamon syrup and black walnut bitters
  • Forever Young: Aviation Gin, Aperol, Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth, blood orange liqueur and mole bitters
  • Maker Mark Flight: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength, Maker’s Mark 46, Morimoto Maker’s Mark Private Select

Paddlefish (available Dec. 25 only)

  • Santa’s Seafood Boil: Key West pink shrimp, Cedar Key little neck clams, Prince Edward Island mussels, cornbread, red potatoes and sweet corn

Planet Hollywood (available Nov. 6 - Dec. 26)

  • Frosty the Snowman Shake: Mint chocolate chip ice cream with red and green Christmas candies, sprinkles and holiday mints topped with homemade whipped cream and a marshmallow snowman pop

Polite Pig (available Nov. 6 - Dec. 26)

  • Open-face Turkey Smash: Texas toast, mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, turkey gravy and cranberry chutney

Splitsville Luxury Lanes

  • Holiday Spice Old Fashioned: Michter’s American Whiskey US Kentucky Straight Rye, holiday spice syrup and bitters garnished with a cinnamon stick and an orange twist (Available Nov. 1 through Jan. 6)
  • Mistletoe: Stoli Vodka, rosemary syrup, Barrow’s Intense Ginger Liqueur, lemon juice, and soda water with a rosemary sprig and sugared cranberries garnish (Available Dec. 1 through Jan. 6)

Holidays at Disney Springs — Frozen Hot Cocoa with Peppermint Soft Serve from Swirls on the Water

Swirls on the Water (available Nov. 9 - Dec. 31)

  • (New) Christmas Tree Sundae: Pistachio soft-serve in a waffle cone bowl with whipped cream, sprinkles and candy Christmas lights
  • Frozen Hot Chocolate Float with salted caramel (non-alcoholic Beverage) (Alcoholic version also available with Knob’s Creek)

Terralina Crafted Italian (available Dec. 25 only) 

  • Christmas Day Special: Grilled lamb chops with creamed spinach and artichokes, wild mushroom and parmesan risotto cake, mint and basil sauce topped and crispy leeks
  • Poinsettia: Cranberry mimosa with sugar-dusted cranberries

Vivoli il Gelato 

  • Italian Hot Chocolate: House-made from scratch made with dark coca, dark chocolate bar, milk and sugar topped with whipped cream or marshmallows (available Nov. 10 through Feb. 1)
  • Candied Yam Cannoli: Sweet cream of yams and ricotta topped with pecans (Available Nov. 10 through Jan. 7)
  • Santa’s Crew: Elf Mint Chocolate Chip Shake, Reindeer Chocolate Shake and Abominable Snowman (available Nov. 10 through Jan. 6)
  • Santa Waffle: Freshly-baked waffle topped with strawberries, bananas, whipped cream and chocolate chips (available Nov. 10 through Jan. 6)

YeSake (available Nov. 24 - Dec. 31)

  • Holiday Peppermint Chocolate Milk Boba Tea: Chocolate and peppermint tea latte made with boba pearls and whipped cream

Outdoor Bar Locations (available Nov. 9 - Jan. 13)

  • (New) Holiday Rum Punch: Bols Blackberry Brandy, Bols Crème de Banana Liqueur, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, orange tangerine syrup and orange juice garnished with an orange wedge  

Holiday Shopping at Disney Springs

Days of Christmas shop at Disney Springs

Who's ready for some shopping! With lots of variety, you'll be able to check everyone off your list at Disney Springs. World of Disney and Disney's Days of Christmas are your one-stop shops for Christmas ornaments, stockings and everything in between.

What's your favorite themed tree along the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail? Got any Disney Springs shopping or dining tips for the holidays? Be sure to share in the comments below!

Related: The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World Resort Christmas Events

Hoppy planning!

Keep hopping, Mommy Frog!
View Comments
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Dec 6, 2022 at 11:46 p.m. Lesli R Says...

Everything sounds delicious! The only hard part would be deciding which things to try.

Reply
Dec 6, 2022 at 2:05 p.m. Cherie Davis Says...

So glad to get the tip on the Disney Springs scavenger hunt!

Reply
Aug 2, 2022 at 9:02 p.m. Odalys Perez Bencomo Says...

I would like to know about new years celebration and also if you have any park special for the month of December 2022.. thank you...

Reply
Dec 5, 2022 at 11:53 p.m. Michella Aguilar Says...

Yes I would like that information to please

Reply
Aug 4, 2022 at 8:48 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Odalys!

We've got a separate guide for celebrating New Year's Eve at Disney World. Right now, information is sparse (usually isn't announced until closer to the holidays), but you can find what's hoppened in the past!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Apr 20, 2021 at 12:57 p.m. Liz Franchetti Says...

When will concerts for Eat to the Beat be announced?

Reply
Apr 20, 2021 at 8:03 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Liz!

That announcement generally happens mid-May - we'll let you know as soon as we hear anything!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
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