Meet Santa Christmas Tree Trail Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt Entertainment Special Dining Options MFL Tips
Enjoy the hustle, bustle and good cheer of the holiday season in the Disney Springs area at the Walt Disney World Resort. Great shopping, live entertainment and a fantastic photo op with Santa himself make this the perfect one-stop, holiday shopping location. Check out the dazzling displays of holiday trees, lights and the special holiday window dressings that adorn the shops and restaurants. Feast your eyes and ears on the seasonal carolers, musical acts and holiday variety performers, including Toy Solider stilt walkers, Snowflake performers, a Kwanza Celebration, and Hanukkah medleys throughout the streets.
The Disney Springs area is truly a winter wonderland.
Santa at Disney Springs
Want to visit Santa and tell him what’s on your wish list for this year? You can do so at Santa’s Marketplace, which is located near Disney’s Pin Traders beginning November 8, all the way through December 24, 2024!
There is no charge to see Santa in this location, however, in order to meet the jolly one, you’ll need to join the virtual queue! Guests can find the virtual queue in the My Disney Experience app. There will be multiple opportunities to enter the virtual queue throughout the day, including:
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
1:00 PM
3:00 PM
6:00 PM
So, how do you join the virtual queue? Well, you’ll need to be in Disney Springs in order to be able to join, but one person in your party can request to join the queue for your whole party.
When it’s your turn to meet Santa, you’ll get a push notification that will provide you with a digital entry code. For those who are unable to find the digital entry code, you’ll select the 3-line “hamburger” icon in the app and select “Virtual Queues.” Only a maximum party size of 10 can meet with Santa and a standby queue will NOT be available.
In the meantime, you can shop, dine and enjoy holiday décor and festivities throughout Disney Springs! When it’s your turn to meet jolly old Saint Nick, you can use PhotoPass services or your own camera to capture photos with Santa.
Santa will be greeting guests through December 24 from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.
Once Santa has headed back to the North Pole, Santa Goofy will then meet with Guests from December 25-30 during the same hours.
Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll
This offering will put the spotlight on distinctly decorated trees, each themed to a beloved Disney character or story. Many of them larger than before. Trees in 2024 include the following themes:
- Moana 2
- Toy Story
- The Lion King
- The Nightmare Before Christmas
- Haunted Mansion
- Annual Passholder
- Star Wars
- Coco
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Disney+
- Lilo and Stitch
- Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse
- Encanto
- The Princess and the Frog
- Wish
- Disney Parks
The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll includes a fun-for-the-whole-family scavenger hunt-style activity will send you through all four neighborhoods of Disney Springs. Once complete, Guests should visit participating locations for a limited-edition completer button.
Plus, this year, look for trees with a MagicBand+ sign to experience some extra festive fun! You can also feast your eyes on special effects at the Disney Cruise Line Topiary and in the windows at World of Disney!
Pick up a complimentary map highlighting the location of each sparkling Christmas tree. You can get a map from the following locations:
- City Works Eatery & Pour House
- Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers
- Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company
- The LEGO Store
- The Luxury of Time by Diamonds International
Entertainment
Every evening at 6:00 p.m., Guests will be able to experience a festive tree lighting ceremony where a family of the day will be chosen to illuminate the Marketplace signature tree in front of the Once Upon a Toy fountain play area. Guests will also be able to enjoy a holiday-themed DJ dance party, games and activities. You may cross paths with “ice” skaters or find yourself in the midst of traditional carolers.
Disney Springs Christmas Seasonal Dining Options
At Disney Springs, you will be able to indulge in a quick seasonal treat or enjoy a nice meal. Specialty options can be found at places like Amorette’s Patisserie, The Ganachery, and more.
TheMouseForLess Tips
- Disney Springs features holiday shopping adventures for every age and budget, including Once Upon a Toy, filled with exclusive playthings from Disney and Hasbro; World of Disney, the world’s largest character emporium, plus LEGO Imagination Center and Disney’s Days of Christmas holiday shop.
- Guests can meet the Coca-Cola Polar Bear found the on the second floor of The Coca-Cola Store.
- To top off your Disney Springs holiday shopping trip, be sure to stop by Ghirardelli for Sea Salt Caramel Hot Cocoa – it just doesn’t get any better!
Click if you are curious about holiday events at the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and the Disney Resort Hotels.