Holidays at Disney World: Beyond the Parks and Resorts
The Walt Disney World theme parks and resorts truly shine during the holiday season. Between holiday parties and special ride overlays to decorations and gingerbread displays, their merry ambiances easily make them the most popular destinations. However, if you are an Annual Passholder dealing with blackout dates or just a guest looking for something besides resort hopping, here are some fun and festive things to do outside of the theme parks and resorts.
Disney Springs
Complete the Christmas Tree Stroll
If you love taking in all the Christmas decorations throughout Walt Disney World, you’ll also love the Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs! Each tree has its own Disney-related theme. This year’s stroll features trees inspired by Coco, Encanto, Frozen, Haunted Mansion, Mickey and Minnie, and Star Wars–just to name a few! Some trees, such as the Annual Passholder, Haunted Mansion, Star Wars, and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas trees, have some fun surprises for MagicBand+ users.
Using a map, you’ll search for the themed trees and add the matching sticker to the corresponding location on the map. You can pick up a free map from:
- City Works Eatery & Pour House
- Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers
- Havianas
- House of Blues
- The LEGO Store
- The Polite Pig
Once you find all of the trees, you can then return to one of those locations with your completed map to pick up a prize.
Eat Holiday Treats
With so many festive eats to try like the hot cocoa crème brûlée from Amorette’s Patisserie and chocolate-peppermint s’more at The Ganachery, there’s no shortage of goodies at Disney Springs to get you into the holiday spirit! However, if you appreciate detailed décor, head over to Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, which transforms into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar for the season. You’ll find decorations pretty much everywhere you look in the bar, and a special holiday menu with offerings such as A Wreath of Wellington, Boughs of Holly Deviled Eggs, Cookies with Eggnog, and a spiked Hot Cocoa Flight.
Visit Santa
The theme parks aren’t the only place where you’ll find Santa! You can meet Santa at his Marketplace near Disney’s Pin Traders. To meet Santa, you’ll need to join the virtual queue through the My Disney Experience app at:
- 9am
- 11am
- 1pm
- 3pm
- 6pm
Note that you can only join the queue from Disney Springs–it won’t work from another location. While you’re at Disney Springs, don’t forget to send your letter to Santa over at Once Upon a Toy!
Winter Summerland
With so much to do at Disney World, it’s easy to forget that there are two miniature golf courses, one of which is Winter Summerland. As the legend goes, Santa designed Winter Summerland as a vacation destination for his elves with two separate 18-hole golf courses: a summer-themed course and a winter-themed course. No matter which Christmas-themed course you choose, you’ll be sure to have a jolly time! Throughout the courses, there’s holiday music and some fun, interactive elements. At $19 per adult and $12 per child, miniature golf at Winter Summerland is an affordable activity for all ages.
There’s still time to plan a last-minute holiday getaway! Rent a DVC stay through DVC Rental Store, and save up to 65% compared to booking directly through Disney! Browse the confirmed reservations or request a free quote.
