It’s the most wonderful time of the year to visit Disney Springs at Walt Disney World. Why? All the holiday decorations, of course! Without a doubt, the shining star of the festive season at the popular Disney World shopping and dining district is the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail.
Not sure if this gingerbread-fueled journey is worth your time during your Walt Disney World Christmas visit this November and December? (Spoiler alert: We think it is!) Don your best (worst?) ugly Christmas sweater and a comfy pair of walking shoes as we unwrap all there is to know about the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll in 2022.
Everything You Need to Know About the 2022 Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail
Nothing puts us in the holiday spirit quite like a Christmas tree. With its twinkling lights and resplendent decorations like shiny baubles, colorful ornaments and lush garlands, we can’t help but be in a merry mood.
If you’re anything like us, then one yuletide tradition you won’t want to miss at Walt Disney World this holiday season is the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll. Before you jingle all the way over to Disney Springs, here are some things you should know.
What Is the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail?
Actually, this year, it’s more like a Christmas Tree Stroll. Past years saw this parade of Disney-themed Christmas trees lined out in a trail in Disney Springs’ Marketplace near Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
However, like the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail 2021, 2022’s Christmas Tree Stroll is set up more like a seasonal scavenger hunt across Disney Springs, with festive flora sprinkled around the entertainment complex like elf-made pixie dust.
This year, the Christmassy collection consists of 20 elaborately decorated trees, with each themed around a different Disney film, character, attraction, franchise or experience. In short, it’s a sleighful of fun and a great way to get in the holiday spirit when outside the Disney Parks and hotels.
When Is the Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs?
In 2022, the holiday season at Disney Springs, including the Christmas Tree Trail, begins on November 11 and continues through December 30. You can set out on your spirited search any time during Disney Spring’s operating hours – going in the daytime allows you to see all the ornaments clearly.
However, at night is when Disney Springs really comes to life, especially during the holidays. In the evenings, Disney Springs transforms into a veritable winter wonderland (palm trees included), complete with a soap-powered snowfall, festive stilt walkers dressed up like towering toy soldiers, a seasonal soundtrack, live musical performances and even a roaming sleigh.
Where Is the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll?
As we mentioned previously, in past years, guests could enter the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail near the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. For 2022, however, Christmas trees are dotted across Disney Springs, from Marketplace down to the West Side and everywhere in between.
If you want to track every tree down, your best bet is to snag a Christmas Tree Stroll map. In fact, you’ll need to grab one if you want to officially participate in the scavenger hunt. Like a yuletide treasure map, these holly-jolly guides lay out the locations of each Christmas tree on the trail.
Christmas Tree Stroll Map Locations
To get started, head to one of the following Disney Springs restaurants or shops:
- City Works Eatery & Pour House
- Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers
- Planet Hollywood
- The BOATHOUSE
- UNIQLO
How Does the Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs Work?
You have two different options for experiencing the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll. For more casual Christmas fans or those with less time, you can simply admire each tree as you wander around Disney Springs while doing some shopping or heading to Christmas dinner, stumbling upon each one in a moment of seasonal serendipity.
Alternatively, if you’re planning to hang out at Disney Springs for at least a couple of hours, you can also embark on a festive quest to find them all – with the Christmas Tree Stroll map as your guide. Just keep in mind that with 20 trees spread throughout Disney Springs, seeing them all is no quick and easy task.
Once you have your map in hand, keep an eye out for the closest Christmas tree. As you track them all down, use the matching stickers provided with the map to mark their corresponding locations. And don’t forget to take some photos! You may just be inspired to create your own Disney-themed tree.
Finally, after checking them all off your Christmas list, dash over to one of the store or restaurant locations above and show them your completed scavenger hunt map. For your hard work, you’ll be rewarded with a special prize: a 2022 Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll button.
Is the Christmas Tree Trail in Disney Springs Free?
Yes! Unlike some of the other scavenger hunts at Epcot or another Disney World park, participating in the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail is completely free, including the Christmas Tree Stroll map.
What Are the Christmas Trees in Disney Springs This Year?
Throughout your jolly journey, you’ll see 20 uniquely themed Christmas trees, each celebrating a different Disney favorite, whether a Disney World attraction, a beloved film or Mickey and Minnie (Sorry, no Disney Junior, Beauty and the Beast or Cinderella trees this year). Themes for this year include:
- Black Panther
- Coco
- Encanto
- Frozen
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Haunted Mansion
- The Lion King
- Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse
- Moana
- Raya and the Last Dragon
- Star Wars
- The Nightmare Before Christmas
- The Princess and the Frog
- Toy Story
But, they aren’t the only festive flora you’ll see on your arboreal adventure. You’ll also spot seasonal shrubbery like:
- Annual Passholder Tree
- Disney+ Tree
- Disney Cruise Line Topiary featuring the Disney Wish
- Once Upon a Toy Tree
- Sphere Tree
- Town Center Tree
Can I Buy the Ornaments on the Disney Springs Christmas Trees?
Is Rudolph’s nose red? (That’s a ‘yes.’) Although you can’t buy all the decorations bedecking these Disney Christmas trees, many of the ornaments are available for purchase at select merchandise locations across Disney Springs, such as Disney’s Days of Christmas or the World of Disney store.
Should something catch your eye, take a peek at the sign in front of the tree to see which store might stock what you’re looking for. And don’t fret if what you’re looking for isn’t in stock. A cast member will be happy to search the inventory of other stores around Disney World to see if it’s available somewhere else.
Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail Tips
Ready to discover the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll? Here are some tips and tricks to make your Christmas crusade as merry as possible. Happy hunting!
1. Be Sure to Grab a Christmas Tree Stroll Map
Tackling the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll is no easy endeavor. Disney Springs is massive, meaning that you’ve got a lot of ground to cover if you want to find each and every tree. Rather than wandering around aimlessly, grab a free Christmas Tree Trail map to simplify your search and save some time.
Plus, you’re going to need it if you want to partake in this spirited scavenger hunt officially. Otherwise, you won’t be able to claim your prize or take advantage of the discounts that are included on the map (more on those in a bit).
2. Don’t Forget to Claim Your Prize Once You’re Done
Speaking of prizes, remember to claim your reward once you’ve completed your map. Completely free, the Christmas Tree Stroll pin is a fun memento of the holiday season at Disney.
Plus, who doesn’t love a complimentary souvenir? Pick up yours at City Works Eatery & Pour House, Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers, Planet Hollywood, The BOATHOUSE or UNIQLO. Then, wear your prize with pride.
3. Fuel Your Search with a Seasonal Snack or Sip
Tracking down all those Christmas trees can be hard work. So, take some time out for a much-deserved bite or beverage. Many Disney Springs restaurants cook up seasonal specials especially for the holidays, such as chocolatey yuletide treats at Amorette’s Patisserie or a juicy beef patty crowned with bacon and bleu cheese at D-Luxe Burger.
However, the granddaddy of them all is Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar. Usually known as Hangar Bar, this Indiana Jones-inspired watering hole undergoes a merry metamorphosis during the Christmas season, serving up a kitschy blizzard of festive directions, festive dishes and drinks, and enough holly-jolly vibes to make even Scrooge McDuck merry.
4. Tell Santa Your Christmas List
Did you miss your chance to tell Santa what you want for Christmas while you were in the parks? Not to fear! When he isn’t hanging out at Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom Theme Park, the jolly old elf also spends time in Disney Springs.
Santa will be taking requests and posing for photos at Once Upon a Toy throughout the holiday season, from November 11 to December 24, 2022. After all, he needs to be back at the North Pole in time to deliver all those gifts. So, be sure to stop by and say “hello” in between trees.
5. Test Your Disney Springs Knowledge on the Play Disney Parks App
Immerse yourself in even more holiday fun with Disney Springs Christmas Stroll trivia on the Play Disney Parks app. This interactive app makes the yuletide spirit come alive in a whole new way. Afterward, dazzle (or annoy) your friends with your newfound knowledge.
Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll 2022 Photo Tour
Hoping to get a sneak peek of Disney Springs’ festive forest for 2022? Grab your Santa hat and keep scrolling for our 2022 Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll photo tour. Otherwise, if you’d rather be surprised, this is your queue to exit.
Disney rotates through different themes each year. So, don’t be surprised if your favorites didn’t make the cut for 2022, such as Disney Junior, Cinderella or Beauty and the Beast.
Annual Passholder Tree (New!)
Location: Near Dockside Margaritas (Marketplace)
This colorful Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll tree is an ode to Disney World Annual Passholders. The tree features red and yellow ribbons, passholder logos with Mickey and Minnie, Mickey silhouette-shaped baubles and even a yellow Monorail, while Mickey’s head serves as the tree topper.
Black Panther Tree
Location: Across from Super Hero Headquarters (West Side)
Pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman and the new Black Panther movie at the Black Panther tree. Resplendent in regal colors like purple, red, blue and gold, the bottom of the tree is decorated with rough-hewn versions of Warrior Falls and a roaring black panther emerges from the top.
Coco Tree
Location: Near the AMC Dine-In Theatre (West Side)
Styled after a Día de Los Muertos ofrenda, the Coco tree is a kaleidoscope of marigold garlands, vibrant baubles and sugar skulls. Keep an eye out for other nods to the stunning Pixar film, such as framed photos of the Rivera family, lyrics from “Remember Me,” and Ernesto de la Cruz’s white guitar.
Disney+ Tree
Location: Near Vera Bradley (Town Center)
This Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll tree is for Disney+ streamers everywhere. Decked out in blue and white balls and silvery branches and stars with the Disney+ logo at the top, as well as miniature movie posters and stills from some of your favorite Disney+ Christmas movies, it’s a yuletide treasure.
Disney Cruise Line Topiary featuring the Disney Wish (New!)
Location: Near D-Luxe Burger (Town Center)
This was the only festive flora that wasn’t ready when we did the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail a few days ago on November 18. Themed after the new Disney Wish cruise ship, this is the topiary’s first year as part of the stroll.
Encanto Tree (New!)
Location: Near the World of Disney across from Amorette’s Patisserie (Town Center)
Making its Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll debut, the Encanto tree is a stunner. Wrapped in butterflies, flowers and other symbols of the Madrigal family’s unique gifts, be sure to take some time to appreciate all the details. Be on the lookout for the children’s glowing doors and the Miracle Candle topper.
Frozen Tree
Location: In front of Sugarboo & Co. (Town Center)
What better way to celebrate Frozen than with a wintry Christmas tree? The charming tree glistens with frost-kissed flowers and branches, blue baubles, ice skates, carrots for Olaf and Sven, and more.
Guardians of the Galaxy Tree (New!)
Location: Near the AMC Dine-In Theatre (West Side)
Making its first-ever appearance at the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll, the Guardians of the Galaxy tree puts a heroic twist on the holidays. A little bit futuristic and a little bit nostalgic, the tree features several details inspired by the films, like cassette tapes, a Sony Walkman, Baby Groot and Star-Lord’s helmet as a tree topper. 
Haunted Mansion Tree
Location: Between The LEGO Store and T-REX Cafe (Marketplace)
The Haunted Mansion tree might just send a chill down your spine. With its dark and dreary theme, the Haunted Mansion tree is jam-packed with nods to the classic Magic Kingdom attraction and its 999 happy haunts, such as old-fashioned florals, a floating candlestick, the doomed bride and Madame Leota’s gravestone.
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Tree
Location: Next to World of Disney across from Basin (Marketplace)
This next Christmas tree is inspired by everyone’s favorite pair of mice: Mickey and Minnie. Mickey Mouse-shaped ornaments and polka-dotted bows à la Minnie Mouse, including one as a topper, capture the playful spirit of these iconic Disney characters.
Moana Tree
Location: Near Wetzel’s Pretzels and YeSake (West Side)
The Moana tree is a tropical paradise of a Christmas tree, blanketed with lush flowers, filmy, foam-capped fabric waves and details from the film. Be on the lookout for Hei Hei, the Heart of Te Fiti, the Kakamora and Moana’s outrigger canoe.
Once Upon a Toy Tree
Location: Between Once Upon a Toy and Earl of Sandwich (Marketplace)
For classic Christmas vibes, don’t miss the Once Upon a Toy tree. Inspired by the Disney Springs toy store of the same name, this tree is fittingly bedecked with all sorts of “handmade” ornaments that would be right at home in art class. Of course, no Christmas tree is complete without a bunch of gifts beneath its boughs.