The Holiday Season at Disney Springs
Holidays at Disney are magical; the new overhauled Disney Springs is no exception. Disney is known for its elaborate decorating. They want to make your experience as enchanting as possible, especially around the holidays. You’ll notice your favorite characters decked-out for the special time of year, including snow globes, tree ornaments, pajamas, stuffed animals, I even saw a “Countdown To Christmas calendar with Mickey and the gang there to help you count down the days ’til the big guy comes.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town!
Speaking of Santa, he makes a special trip to Disney Springs to listen to the wishes of little boys and girls. Parents can get pictures of the kids with Santa to remember the special holiday vacation. When the sun goes down, the Springs sparkle with millions of holiday lights. When visiting Santa, be sure to take a walk through the Tree Pathway. The trees are decorated with specific themes of your favorite Disney characters from Goofy and the gang, to Elsa and Anna. You can walk through this tree pathway Thursdays from noon to 10:00 PM, and Friday through Sunday from 10 AM to 10 PM all the way up until January 7th.
It’s Beginning to Sound a lot Like Christmas
All through the holidays you can catch music groups at the small amphitheater near the Disney Souvenir Store. Acts from high school jazz bands to choirs and even professional music groups perform. There is a mixture of all different kinds of music, of course including favorite holiday tunes played by talented, hand-picked entertainers. Walking around the Springs holiday music plays from little inconspicuous speakers, but if you get a chance, definitely make some time to go take in the live entertainment!
Holiday Souvenirs
The souvenir store sells necklaces of Christmas lights that glow when you flip a switch, so when you walk around you add to the magic as a living decoration! If you are looking specifically for Disney holiday merchandise you must go to the classic Disney souvenir store. This huge store gets a whole new look for the holidays. Red Santa sleighs, decorated trees, stuffed toys with red and white Santa hats and robes, and many more holiday-inspired souvenirs take over the store. Disney is magical all year round, but it is extra special around the holidays.
Locals Love Disney Too!
With the new unveiling of Disney Springs came parking garages that make parking so much more accessible and less overwhelming. Busses from all over Disney bring guests from their hotels, as well. A majority of the patrons at Disney Springs are tourists, but locals love Disney, too. Celebrating the holidays at Disney Springs is not just for out-of-towner’s, many Florida natives enjoy celebrating part of their holidays with Disney. Now that Disney Springs is open, it is bringing in a lot more local staycationers.
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
For families looking for a bit more than shopping, enjoy the holiday movie season at the Dine-in AMC theater, or bowl a couple games at the new two-story Disney bowling ally, Splitsville. Splitsville is not just a bowling ally, it has amazing food—from sushi to fried chicken, and a full bar. Of course these places, as well as the Disney Springs restaurants are completely decked-out in holiday decor. Splitsville is a great place to spend quality time with friends and family with competitive games of bowling. Kick off your flip flops and pull on your Disney holiday socks (it is advisable to call ahead and make reservations, this place is always busy – our friends at MickeyTravels can help with this…for free)!
Disney Springs is magical anytime, but during the holidays it is turned into a winter wonderland. Whether you are there to shop, eat, play, visit Santa, or just take in the holiday cheer, your trip to Disney Springs will stay in your family’s memories.
Special thanks to Emily Shannon for writing this article. Emily Shannon lives fifteen minutes from the happiest place on earth. She grew up going to the parks and has loved Disney all her life.