Christmas at Disney Springs for the Holidays

If you’re looking to add some FREE, Festive Fun to your Walt Disney World Vacation, look no further than Disney Springs. Offering so much to see and do at Christmas time, you can head to Disney Springs for shopping, to grab a bite, a Christmas snack, Meet Santa and enjoy live performances throughout the season. From the Christmas Tree Stroll to Breakfast with Santa, we’ve rounded it all up in this post. Read on for everything happening at Disney Springs this holiday season.

The holidays at Disney World, start in November and run through the end of December. As such you can find Christmas magic in the parks, at the resorts and at Disney Springs too. With holiday parties like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Jollywood Nights, and Epcot’s International Festival of Holidays there are plenty of reasons to go into the parks.

But, if you’re looking for Christmas activities at Disney World, without the cost of park ticket, you’re in luck. The Disney resorts are decorated in full holiday decor, and you can spend your days resort hopping across Disney World. And one of the best things about Christmas at Disney Springs is that No Park ticket is required to enjoy any of the holiday offerings. It is just a giant (extra magical) shopping center after all. With free parking too! As such, if you’re anywhere near Orlando Florida, we recommend you take a little detour to Disney Springs to take it all in! Here’s the FULL LIST of what you can do at Disney Springs for Christmas this year.

Take the Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs 

The Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs has changed a lot over the years. But in its current state, guests can grab a Christmas Tree Stroll Map from various locations and stroll through Disney Springs at their own pace to view the trees.  Trees are often themed after Disney Characters, rides or the Parks. And it’s fun to find all of your favorites! The new layout allows guests to go at their own pace, spreads them out and brings them to more areas to find shopping. Regardless, the trees are fantastically decorated and a lot of fun finding all the nods to characters and rides through their decorations. 

Interact with Christmas Trees Using your MagicBand+

While we are still undecided if we love the MagicBand+ or not, sometimes there are some pretty fun things you can do with it. For the holidays at Disney Springs, your MagicBand+ can interact with some elements of the holiday trees! One particularly fun one is being able to make Zero fly on the Nightmare Before Christmas tree! Keep an eye out for fun interactions throughout the Christmas Tree Stroll. 

Grab a Drink at Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar

For fans of themed holiday bars, this one is for you! Jock Lindsey’s transforms into a festive bar, complete with over the top decorations and holiday beverages. This is a family friendly establishment, so don’t be shy about letting the whole family enjoy this festive holiday bar! While this isn’t on our best Disney Bars and Lounges throughout the rest of the year, grabbing a festive drink here, is always fun.  Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Holiday Menu includes a variety of seasonal dishes and drinks.

Holiday Menu at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Holiday Bar

• A Wreath of Wellington: Strip steak, mushroom duxelles, Gruygère, puff pastry, herbed parmesan, and horseradish-mustard aïoli (New)
• Boughs of Holly Deviled Eggs: Deviled eggs with sweet potato filling, fried chicken, herbed butter, cranberry, and parsley (New)
• Holiday Mine Car Meatballs: Maple-bourbon meatballs, Granny Smith apple and cranberry chutney, sweet potato hay, and thyme
• Jock’s Famous Pigs in the Blanket: Debreziner sausage, puff pastry, and cranberry mustard
• Tannenbaum: Malibu Coconut Rum, Midori Melon Liqueur, DOLE Pineapple Juice, and cream of coconut garnished with a red sugared rim, whipped cream
• Turkey Egg Rolls: Turkey egg rolls with sweet-and-sour cranberry dipping sauce (New)
• Cookies with Eggnog: Eggnog with Siesta Key Spiced Rum served with tree sugar cookie, snickerdoodle swirl cookie, and chocolate-peppermint cookie (New)
• Gingerbread Martini: Stoli Vanilla Vodka, Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur, RumChata Cream Liqueur, gingerbread syrup, and half and half garnished with whipped cream, graham cracker crumbs, and a chocolate piece (New)
• Holiday Spritz: Aperol Liqueur, cranberry juice, smoked cranberry syrup, and Prosecco garnished with a rosemary sprig (New)
• Hot Cocoa Flight: Sugar Cookie with RumChata Cream Liqeur and Stoli Vanilla Vodka, Peppermint Mocha with Bola Crème de Menthe Withe Liqeur, White Hot Cocoa with hazelnut, raspberry, Frangelico and Chambord Liqueurs

See the Nightly Snowfall at Disney Springs

Everyone knows you can see snow, or as Disney fans call it, snoap, on Main Street USA during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. But you need a MVMCP ticket for that. And if you happen to be in Hollywood Studios at Christmastime, you can also see snow fall on Hollywood Boulevard during Sunset Greetings. But did you know you can also see snow falling at Disney without a Park ticket?

Disney Springs features snow falling each and every night throughout the holiday season. And if you’ve never experienced snow falling while not being cold, well you’re in for a treat!  Nightly snowfall at the Towne Center Tree happens every half an hour, starting at sunset. 

Try Holiday Treats and Snacks at Disney Springs

Throughout Disney Springs, guests can find plenty of holiday themed treats! Head over to Amorette’s Patisserie for delectable desserts and pastries. Or stop by Marketplace Snacks for a Bubble Waffle sundae. Enjoy seasonal beverages from Dockside Margaritas and other outdoor bars. Or grab something sweet and chocolatey from The Ganachery to take home with you. Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs always has seasonal coffees and cookies worth trying and there are even more seasonal menus to taste test when you’re here. Check out all the Disney Christmas Snacks this year.

Get the Holiday Cookie Shake at Chicken Guy!

Available for the holiday season ONLY, the Holiday Cookie Shake ($6.99) features hand-spun vanilla soft serve blended with sugar cookies and rich caramel drizzle, then topped with fluffy marshmallow and whipped cream, mini chocolate candy pieces, festive holiday sprinkles, and a cookie.

Get Christmas Dinner at Disney Springs

While there are amazing places to grab Holiday meals at Walt Disney World, Disney Springs has some of the best places to try.

Breakfast with Santa at Maria and Enzo’s

Maria and Enzo’s in Disney Springs offers up a wonderful seasonal menu for the holidays, and Breakfast with Santa! Offered on select dates in December. After enjoying breakfast, guests will get to meet Santa. Children can share their holiday wishes with him and will receive a keepsake photo from their special meet and greet.Guests can enhance their holiday celebration by adding indulgent treats, including a delectable double crisp chocolate Santa coal, hot chocolate spoons, hot cocoa bombs with marshmallows, and a limited-edition collectible Christmas tree cup. Book Breakfast with Santa at Disney Springs. 

Christmas Dinner at Paddlefish

Boiling in a Winter Wonderland. Key West Pink Shrimp, Cedar Key Little Necks, PEI mussels, corn bread, red potatoes, and sweet corn.

Winter Holiday Cocktails at The Edison

Offered November 1- December 31, you can snag a selection of holiday beverages at The Edison.

• Cinna-rita–  A festive take on the classic margarita, this cozy creation blends Cinnamon-infused Lalo Tequila, Cointreau, vanilla simple syrup, and fresh lemon juice,  finished with a dark chocolate sea salt rim for a real holiday treat.
• Apple Turnover – Like sipping on your favorite holiday dessert, this indulgent cocktail includes Bacardi Light Rum, Faretti Biscotti Liqueur, cream of coconut, vanilla, and apple juice.
• Pumpkijillo –  Absolut Vanilia Vodka, Licor 43, espresso, and biscotti syrup are crowned with pumpkin pie foam for a rich, spiced twist on the espresso martini.

Christmas Cocktails at Maria and Enzos & Enzo’s Hideaway

Head to Enzo’s Hideaway and the main Maria and Enzo’s restaurant for holiday cocktails offered November 1- December 31.

• Spruce Punch – Served in an adorable Christmas Tree Tiki Mug, this delightful concoction includes Hendricks, cinnamon simple syrup, and orange and cranberry juices for a mix that is fruity and festive.
• Toasty Tidings – Knob Creek smoked maple, rumchata, allspice dram, ginger liqueur and cinnamon simple syrup combine for a sweet and spicy holiday sip that evokes a classic Gingerbread cookie.
• Pecan Old Fashioned – A new take on the beloved old fashioned, made with Flor de Caña 7-Year rum, pecan and banana liqueurs, a touch of vanilla simple syrup, and aromatic cardamom bitters for a nutty, spiced indulgence.
• Sweet Potato Harvest- This inventive mix blends Codigo Blanco tequila with cinnamon-infused agave, sweet potato cinnamon syrup, fresh lemon, and a splash of ginger beer and soda to create a unique, balanced sip.

Christmas Day Dinner at Terralina Crafted Italian

• 4 Cheese Truffle Gnocchi: Large handmade potato gnocchi served in a cream sauce featuring Grana Padano, Gorgonzola, mascarpone, and fontina cheese finished with truffle oil (New)
• Spiced Cinnamon & Nutmeg Cheesecake (New)
• White Christmas Sangria: Spiced vanilla vodka, white cranberry juice, elderflower, apples, and pinot grigio (New)

Holiday Sandwich at Earl of Sandwich | Disney Springs

Earl of Sandwich serves a holiday sandwich, which is basically Thanksgiving on a sandwich. With turkey, gravy, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, this sandwich is still one of the best sandwiches you can find at Walt Disney World. And if you’re short on time, or just not a fan of table service restaurants, you can still enjoy the flavors of the season in this sandwich. And you can even mobile order here! Always a plus for us.

Meet Santa Claus near Disney’s Pin Traders

Santa!!!! I know him! If you’re looking for the best place to meet Santa Claus at Walt Disney World, look no further than Disney Springs. This season, guests can join a virtual queue to meet Santa Claus on the My Disney Experience App, to snag your spot in line. Times offered below. ( There is a maximum party size of 10 people).

• 9:00 AM
• 11:00 AM
• 1:00 PM
• 3:00 PM
• 6:00 PM

You can use the My Disney Experience app to enter the virtual queue. A standby queue will not be available. There will be multiple opportunities to enter the virtual queue throughout the day.

See Holiday Performers at Waterside Stage

Most evenings, you can find holiday entertainment at Waterside Stage. Stilt Walkers, a festive DJ and the occasional live performer, Disney Springs is the place to be for holiday fun.  Sometimes you’ll even be able to see school groups performing here during the day as well. Such a fun way to get into the holiday spirit.

Don’t Miss the Christmas Sales at Disney Springs

In addition to all of the holiday fun around Disney Springs, many stores offer lots of holiday deals as well! So, if you’re hoping to get some Christmas shopping in during your Walt Disney World Christmas trip, be sure to make a stop at Disney Springs. To get a head start on the season, head to the welcome center, for a coupons, and the Stitch Gift Guide, which highlights seasonal sales, and gives you a reason to browse the stores! 

Stop by the Disney’s Days of Christmas Store

Though not specific to the Christmas season as it is available at all times of year, a visit to the Disney’s Days of Christmas Store is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.  Find a new ornament for your Christmas tree, get ideas for decorating your home, or just enjoy the sights and smells of the season.  We always love that they have unique ornaments that are sometimes harder to find elsewhere. And you can even have your ornament personalized for a small fee while there. 

Holiday Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs

If you’re a fan of Disney’s PhotoPass, then you’re in luck! Disney Springs is home to the Disney PhotoPass Studio, which offers a studio like experience for all of your favorite Disney Magic Shots! And even better, holiday versions of Magic Shots are available as well. With fun backgrounds and props, who knows, you might just find your next Christmas card picture here!

Christmas at Disney Springs

There is so much to do during Christmas at Disney Springs. Whether you’re staying for an hour or for a whole day, we’re sure you’ll be able to find some festive fun!