Summary
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 20 different themed trees and you can even get some individual time with Santa Claus himself!
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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
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 "The Lion King," or "Coco" while others are based on Disney World attractions, such as the Haunted Mansion. Our new favorite would have to be the beautiful "Encanto" tree by World of Disney.
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 UNIQLO, Planet Hollywood, Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers, City Works Eatery & Pour House, The BOATHOUSE. (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 20 trees in total so there's plenty to look for as you go throughout Disney Springs!
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!
In Town Center, enjoy the larger-than-life tree and experience "snow" flurries in the evening.
Christmas Entertainment at Disney Springs
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, which typically opens at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 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-by-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
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar has received 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, available Nov. 11 to Dec. 30:
- (New) “Naughty or Nice” Deviled Eggs: Naughty: crispy ham and spicy honey glaze or Nice: crispy ham and sweet honey glaze
- (New) 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
- Boughs of Holly Flatbread with Ham & Brie: Brie cheese, black forest ham, watercress, Granny Smith apples, pomegranate seed, and lemon vinaigrette
- Grandma’s Revenge Venison Sliders: Venison sausage patty, bacon cranberry jam, watercress, and tomato on a Parker House roll
- (New) Post-Flight “Milk” and Cookies: Assorted Christmas cookies and coquito
- (New) Hot Chocolate Grail Flight: Traditional spiced butterscotch hot chocolate, white chocolate hot chocolate, and peppermint hot chocolate
- Claus Mo: Cosmopolitan garnished with a red sugar rim and a Santa hat made out of a strawberry and marshmallow
- (New) Pomegranate Gin & Tonic: St. Augustine Gin, pomegranate juice, and tonic soda
- Yule Mule: Bombay Sapphire Gin, Fever Tree Ginger Beer, cranberry juice, rosemary simple syrup, and holly leaf sugar garnish
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! Here's what is on the menu for 2022:
Amorette’s Patisserie
- (New) Ornament Mousse Dome Cake: Toasted marshmallow and hot chocolate mousse on a graham cracker chiffon cake (Available from Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
- (New) Holiday Wreath Pastry: Gingerbread cookie cake topped with salted caramel spiced mousse and candied hazelnuts (Available from Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
- (New) Santa Clause Petit Cake: Chocolate chip cookie cake, vanilla mousse, and chocolate chiffon cake (Available from Nov. 16 through Dec. 30)
- (New) Holiday Mickey Mousse: Chocolate chiffon cake, white and dark chocolate mousse, and white chocolate crisp pearls (Available from Nov. 11 through Dec. 30) *Pictured
The Boathouse
- Christmas Old Fashioned: Featured holiday drink with Heaven’s Door Whiskey, rosemary, and cranberry simple syrup (Available from Nov. 18 through Jan. 15)
Dockside Margaritas
- (New) Candy Cane Margarita: 1800 Silver Tequila, peppermint beverage syrup, lime juice, and a float of cranberry juice (Available from Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
D-Luxe Burger
- Bacon & Blue Burger: Two pressed signature blend patties, blue cheese crumble, bacon, onion jam, lettuce, and tomato on a Parker House roll (Available through Dec. 30)
- Peppermint Cookies & Cream Shake: Vanilla gelato, peppermint beverage syrup, and cookie crumbles (Available Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
Earl of Sandwich
- Holiday Turkey Sandwich – Turkey, cornbread stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce and mayonnaise (available all year-round)
Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew
- Half Dozen Christmas Donuts: A half dozen yeast donuts decorated with holly jolly edible décor, luscious buttercream, and toppings showcasing colors and images of the season (Available Dec. 1 through 31)
The Ganachery
- (New) Minnie Mouse Reindeer Piñata (Available from Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
- Gingerbread Ganache Square (Available from Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
- Milk and Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark (Available from Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
- Olaf Hot Cocoa Surprise (Available from Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
- (New) Rowdy Reindeer: Milk chocolate reindeer available in non-alcoholic and alcoholic options (Available from Dec. 18 through 30)
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop
- Peppermint Hot Cocoa (Available Nov. 1 through Dec. 25)
Gideon’s Bakehouse
- Kris Kringle Cookie: White chocolate coffee bean cookie with coconut, caramel, and vanilla bean notes topped with coarse sugar crystals and magic glitter (Available Nov. 25 through Dec. 31)
- Cookie Vom Krampus: A decadent triple chocolate cookie infused with peppermint and covered in cool chocolate mint (Available Nov. 25 through Dec. 31)
Marketplace Snacks
- (New) Santa Mickey Mouse Bubble Sundae: Vanilla soft-serve, Mickey Mouse bubble waffle, chocolate cookie pieces, chocolate sauce, Mickey Mouse Santa hat, and Chocolate Pocky Stick (Available Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
Splitsville Luxury Lanes
- Poinsettia Spritz: A refreshing cocktail made with plum-infused vodka, sugar plum jam, fresh lemon juice, allspice dram liqueur, and prosecco (Available Nov. 25 through Jan. 2)
Sprinkles
- Christmas Cookie Cupcake: vanilla cake lined with a green sugar cookie crust and topped with vanilla buttercream frosting and red and green sprinkles (Available Nov. 25 through Dec. 25) (pictured)
- Chocolate Peppermint Cupcake: Belgian dark chocolate cake topped with chocolate peppermint frosting and sprinkled with crushed peppermint candies (Available Nov. 28 through Dec. 25)
Swirls on the Water
- (New) Frozen Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Soft-serve: Frozen hot chocolate, peppermint soft-serve, and white chocolate peppermint bark (Available Nov. 11 through Dec. 30) * Pictured
- (New) Peppermint Chocolate Bark Soft-serve Nachos: Peppermint soft-serve, chocolate soft-serve, and waffle chips topped with whipped cream, M&M’s chocolate candies, and chocolate sauce (Available Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
Vivoli il Gelato
- Santa’s Little Helper Sundae: Two scoops of chocolate, mint chocolate chip, chocolate sauce, crushed peppermint, and whipped cream (Available Nov. 1 through Jan. 3)
- Spiced Apple Cider Float: Spiced apple cider gelato with Cigar City Homemade Apple Pie Cider (Available Nov. 1 through Jan. 3)
- Bah Humbug Milkshake: Milkshake with cake batter gelato, red velvet cake, and a red velvet cake to top (Available Nov. 1 through Jan. 4)
Outdoor Bars Throughout Disney Springs
- (New) Red-Nosed Margarita: Patron Silver, Cointreau, pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, lime juice, sweet and sour, and pure cane syrup (Available Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
- Fireside Cider: Fireball Whiskey, Stoli Vanilla Vodka, white cranberry juice, grenadine, and ginger ale garnished with a half rim of cinnamon sugar (Available Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
Carts and Kiosks
- Musical Holiday Tin Premium Bucket
- Mickey Mouse Snow Globe Sipper Cup
Holiday Shopping 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!
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