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 2023. (Updated December 18, 2023)
Everything You Need to Know About the 2023 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 2021 and 2022 Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail, 2023’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 19 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 2023, the holiday season at Disney Springs, including the Christmas Tree Trail, begins on November 10 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, nighttime 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 2023, 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
- Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company
- Planet Hollywood
- The LEGO Store
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 19 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 2023 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,Black Panther or Cinderella trees this year). Themes for this year include:
- Coco
- Encanto
- Frozen
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Haunted Mansion
- Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse
- Moana
- Star Wars
- The Lion King
- The Nightmare Before Christmas
- The Princess and the Frog
- Toy Story
- Wish
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 Treasure
- Disney Vacation Club Tree
- Once Upon a Toy 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 10 to December 24, 2023. 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 2023 Photo Tour
Hoping to get a sneak peek of Disney Springs’ festive forest for 2023? Grab your Santa hat and keep scrolling for our 2023 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 2023, such as Disney Junior, Cinderella or Beauty and the Beast.
Annual Passholder Tree
Location: Near Planet Hollywood (Town Center)
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 and large ornaments with drawings of families exploring the theme parks, while Mickey’s head serves as the tree topper.
Coco Tree
Location: Near The LEGO Store (Marketplace)
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 the Disney Springs Food Trucks (West Side)
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 Treasure (New!)
Location: Near D-Luxe Burger (Town Center)
While not a Christmas tree, this giant topiary of the newest ship to join the Disney Cruise Line sure makes us want to weigh anchor and set out on an adventure to Castaway Cay or some other far-off port.
Disney Vacation Club Tree (New!)
Location: Near Planet Hollywood (Town Center)
New to the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll for 2023, this holiday ode to the Disney Vacation Club is decked out with red poinsettias and ornaments inspired by different DVC resorts, like golf carts and a cabin for Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
Encanto Tree
Location: Near City Works Eatery & Pour House (West Side)
A favorite last year, 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: Near World of Disney (Marketplace)
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
Location: Near the Disney Springs Food Trucks (West Side)
Returning this year for 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: Near Planet Hollywood (Town Center)
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: Near The LEGO Store (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 Sugarboo & Co. (Town Center)
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.
Star Wars Tree
Location: Near The LEGO Store (Marketplace)
The Force is strong with this next Christmas Tree Trail tree. The Star Wars tree is filled with references to that beloved galaxy far, far away. Stormtrooper helmets, BB-8 baubles, tiny Jawas and Kylo Ren’s lightsaber decorate the bottom, while C-3PO serves as the tree topper.
The Lion King Tree
Location: Near House of Blues (West Side)
The Lion King tree takes its inspiration more from the Broadway musical and Disney’s Festival of the Lion King than it does the actual movie. Look for carved masks inspired by the characters, lion paw print medallions, leopard-print ribbons and ornaments in the fiery colors of the savanna. Baby Simba surveys his kingdom from the top of the tree.
The Nightmare Before Christmas Tree
Location: Near Sugarboo & Co. Co. (Town Center)
The Nightmare Before Christmas tree is, fittingly, light on ‘Christmas’ and heavy on the ‘nightmare’ when it comes to the theme. A delightful mix of whimsical, spooky and festive, this spine-tingling pine would be right at home in Halloween Town. The tree is decorated with Nightmare Before Christmas characters like Lock, Shock and Barrel, Zero and, of course, Jack and Sally. But, be careful – it looks like it might be alive.
The Princess and the Frog Tree
Location: Near World of Disney (Marketplace)
The Princess and the Frog tree brings the spirit of New Orleans to Disney Springs. Decked out in hues of purple, green and yellow, you’ll also spot Mardi Gras beads, masks, fleur-de-lis and trumpets for the topper. Frog ornaments, lilypads and cattails, meanwhile, pay tribute to the bayou.
Town Center Tree
Location: Near Anthropologie, Zara and Sephora (Town Center)
The luxurious Town Center tree dazzles shoppers and diners each year with its glistening gold garland, sparkling ornaments, gilded succulents and towering height. There’s no real theme, but it sure is fabulous.
Toy Story
Location: Near World of Disney (Marketplace)
Kids of all ages are sure to love the Toy Story tree. With a paper garland made by Andy (we’re guessing) and a mix of classic Christmas baubles and ornaments styled after the green aliens, Woody’s sheriff badge and the Pixar ball, it’s a charmer, to say the least. And there’s no better angel for the top of the tree than Angel Kitty.
Wish (New!)
Location: Near AMC Disney Springs (West Side)
The newest festive fir to join the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll forest, the Wish tree is inspired by Disney’s newest animated film and features several elements styled after the Kingdom of Rosas, like a Star tree topper and not only Magnifico’s Book of Spells, but beakers and test tubes of potions and powders for making the magic happen.
Conclusion
Well, tree trackers, that brings our photo tour of the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll to a close. Are you going to participate in this free event in 2023? What tree is your favorite? Frozen? Haunted Mansion? Which tree do you wish would come back? (Beauty and the Beast, please!) Let us know in the comments! Then, learn how you can save on your next vacation with our discount Disney World tickets.
