Oh, What Fun! Our Family’s Holiday Adventure at Disney Springs

If you ask me, it’s never too early to get into the holiday spirit! And the holidays are already coming alive across Walt Disney World Resort and especially at Disney Springs, which has plenty of festive fun for the whole family, too.

So, I grabbed my husband, Jerry, and our kids, Rosie and Maverick, and headed to Disney Springs to explore the Christmas trees, sample festive treats, get some holiday shopping done, and enjoy a little snowfall along the way. Come along and I’ll tell you all about the merry ways we celebrated the season and how you can do the same thing with your family.

To begin, my kids love a good scavenger hunt, so we picked up the newly-designed tree stroll map and set off on the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth. Each tree has its own Disney-inspired theme such as The Princess & the Frog and Encanto, so there’s plenty to discover as you wander through Disney Springs.

There are some NEW trees this year, including Bluey and Monsters, Inc., which were instant favorites with the kids. Rosie, our 8-year-old, really got into this one, and I’d argue it was her favorite activity of the night. Mavi, our 4-year-old, was happy to follow wherever the fun led. It was so much fun seeing which trees caught their attention and watching them take in all the holiday details.

Of course, no holiday outing would be complete without a visit with Santa! Mavi made the most of his time with the big guy, sharing all the toys on his wish list. And let’s just say, there were quite a few things on his list! Thank you, Santa, for your patience.

If you’re hoping to visit Santa, check the My Disney Experience app for his location and availability during your visit.

We also made time for some holiday shopping. Disney’s Days of Christmas store is a must-stop for personalized ornaments, especially if you’re looking for a special way to remember your visit.

Over at World of Disney, we found plenty of festive Disney merchandise, from Mickey Mouse holiday styles to Winnie the Pooh favorites and more. The Marketplace Co-Op has even more seasonal finds, including holiday plaid and vintage-inspired designs.

And because we all know how tough it can be to coordinate family photos, here’s a pro tip: Stop by the Disney PhotoPass Studio in the Marketplace. The cozy winter village backdrop features twinkling trees, snowy garland, glowing lanterns, and festive Disney touches.

Photographers can also capture fun Magic Shots, those special digital enhancements that add just the perfect touch to your family photos. No reservations are required, and there’s no charge to have photos taken. You can purchase your photos afterward, or if you have Memory Maker, your studio photo downloads are included. Done. And done! Now, getting everyone to look at the camera at the same time? That’s a holiday miracle in itself!

All that exploring worked up an appetite, so we made time for some seasonal treats. At Amorette’s Patisserie, the holiday sweets seemed too cute to eat. Well, almost. Look for festive creations like the Mickey Glove Linzer Cookie and Tree Petite Cake, which make a sweet addition to your holiday visit.

We also stopped by The Ganachery, where holiday chocolate treats make great gifts, if you can resist keeping them for yourself. The Holiday Ganache Box and The Ganachery Hot Sipping Ganache Kit are tempting options for anyone who loves a little chocolate with their holiday cheer.

For a festive stop with a little more adventure, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar gets into the spirit with seasonal décor, bites, and sips. The Hot Chocolate Flight is a fun option for the grown-ups, with three different takes on the cozy classic. This is a must-do for a little holiday cheer.

And keep your eyes open as you explore other areas of Disney Springs. Between the holiday décor and roaming entertainment throughout, there are festive surprises around plenty of corners.

And speaking of surprises, we got to experience such a fun and unexpected moment that truly was a treat. We happened to be there for the surprise Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and watching that big, beautiful tree light up the night sky was such a special moment to share with my family and everyone gathered in Town Center.

Just as the tree began to sparkle, “snowflakes” started falling nearby. Snow in Florida? Now that’s not something you see every day!

Whether you’re admiring Disney-themed Christmas trees, meeting Santa, finding a personalized ornament, shopping for gifts, sampling holiday treats, or watching snowflakes fall in Florida, Disney Springs offers plenty of ways to make the season feel special.

My favorite part? Experiencing it all with Jerry, Rosie, and Mavi. The best family outings aren’t always about one big moment. Sometimes, they’re about the little discoveries, the unexpected laughs and the memories you make together.

So, grab your family, make a little time for holiday fun, and head to Disney Springs. You might even get a head start on your holiday shopping while you’re there. And if you come home with an extra shopping bag or two, well, that’s just part of the magic!