Looking for a festive day at Walt Disney World that doesn’t need a park ticket? Disney Springs is all decked out for the holidays, and Disney Parks Blog contributor Courtney Jasmin spent a day there with her husband Jerry and their kids, Rosie, 8, and Maverick, 4. Here’s what they did, and how you can plan your own holiday day at Disney Springs.
Start With the Christmas Tree Stroll
The family kicked off their day with the free Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth. Grab a newly designed map and turn it into a scavenger hunt as you find each Disney themed tree, from The Princess and the Frog to Encanto. Rosie’s favorites were the brand new Bluey and Monsters, Inc. trees.
See every tree, where to pick up a map and how to earn your prize in our Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll 2026 guide.
Visit Santa Claus
Maverick got to share his wish list with Santa himself! Santa is visiting Disney Springs this holiday season, and you can check his location and availability in the My Disney Experience app before you go.
Holiday Shopping
- Disney’s Days of Christmas: The spot for personalized ornaments to remember your trip.
- World of Disney: Holiday merchandise featuring Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and more. See what’s new in New Christmas Merchandise Arrives at World of Disney.
- Marketplace Co-Op: Seasonal finds with holiday plaid and vintage inspired designs.
Free Holiday Photos at the PhotoPass Studio
Don’t skip this one! The Disney PhotoPass Studio in the Marketplace has a cozy winter village backdrop with trees, garland, lanterns and Disney touches. There are no reservations and no fee to take photos. You can buy them afterward, and if you have Memory Maker, your studio photos are included. Magic Shots are available too.
Holiday Treats
- Amorette’s Patisserie: Holiday sweets like the Mickey Glove Linzer Cookie and Tree Petite Cake.
- The Ganachery: The Holiday Ganache Box and the Hot Sipping Ganache Kit, which make great gifts.
- Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar: For the grownups, the Hot Chocolate Flight with three different hot chocolates. See the full menu in Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Holiday Menu 2026.
Want more holiday sips? Check out Festive Sips and Holiday Fun Around Disney Springs and Beyond.
A Surprise Tree Lighting With Snow
The best part of the family’s day was a total surprise. They happened to be in Town Center for a tree lighting ceremony, and as the big tree lit up, “snowflakes” started falling all around them. Keep an eye out for roaming holiday entertainment and festive surprises like this all around Disney Springs.
Plan Your Holiday Day at Disney Springs
Disney Springs is free to visit, so it is a perfect holiday outing on a non park day. While you are there, you can also drop off a new, unwrapped toy at select Disney Springs shops for Disney’s 79th annual Toys for Tots toy drive through December 11.
For everything else happening this season, see Christmas at Walt Disney World 2026: Your Complete Holiday Guide and our Walt Disney World News and Guide. Planning a trip? Get a free, no obligation quote from our preferred travel partner MEI/Mouse Fan Travel.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
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