Disney World at Christmas is a special experience, but did you know Disney Springs has several fun Christmas activities, too? Explore Disney Springs Christmas activities from meeting Santa Claus to finding adorable themed trees on the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll with our guide.
When Are 2021 Disney Springs Christmas Activities?
Most Disney Springs holiday options begin mid-November and end around New Years each year. This year the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll began mid-November and ends December 30, 2021 while Santa is at Disney Springs November 12 until December 24, 2021.
Meet Santa Claus At Disney Springs
Did you know Santa Claus meets with good girls and boys at Disney Springs? Find Santa’s remote workshop at Once Upon A Toy until Christmas Eve during the 2021 holiday season.
Santa only meets with guests who sign up using a virtual queue. Understanding the Disney Springs Santa virtual queue procedure helps avoid the disappointment of missing Santa.
Please note: Meeting Santa is a popular Disney Springs Christmas activity. I recommend arriving early on a weekday for your best chance of securing a virtual queue spot without a long wait.
The background setting for Disney Springs Santa is adorable with a large Christmas tree covered in sparkling lights and golden ribbon. Santa’s gorgeous red velvet chair is surrounded by boxes of large, wrapped gifts as a cute, but effective barrier for photos.
Since Santa’s meet and greet is inside, guests need a mask during their interaction and for pictures, too. Thankfully there are PhotoPass photographers on site which is how I got this amazing pic of me and Santa taking an “elfie”. PhotoPass photographers make sure everyone gets in the picture to commemorate these special experiences.
Disney Springs Santa Claus Virtual Queue
Joining Santa’s virtual queue requires using the Disney World app. The Disney Springs Santa virtual queue opens at 9am, 1pm, and 5pm daily, but you must be in Disney Springs to access the queue.
Curious how strict the geographical limitations are for the virtual queue I tried joining while at my Disney World resort. That didn’t work so I tried again in the Lyft once we were close to Disney Springs which also didn’t work. I finally joined the virtual queue while walking from the Lyft drop off area near Disney Springs security.
After arriving at Disney Springs, find the Virtual Queue section of the Disney World app. Tap the Disney Springs icon and then the blue “Join Virtual Queue” button. It’ll ask how many guests are meeting Santa and then assign you a group number.
The app keeps track of your Santa virtual queue group and which groups Santa is currently meeting. Your virtual queue will show an estimated time to return which helps manage your time at Disney Springs better.
When it’s time to meet Santa your group is called via a push notification on the app. Head back to Once Upon a Toy to finally meet Santa.
Before entering Santa’s remote workshop cast members will scan a QR code on your phone. After scanning in, it’s time to enter the real queue. The in-person queue was very short the morning I went, but gets busier as the day goes on.
Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll
A great way to pass the time while waiting for Santa is by walking the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll. Grab a free map at one of five Disney Springs locations.
Use the map to find all twenty Christmas trees and mark their location with the included stickers. Once you’ve found all the trees and completed your map head back to one of the map locations to receive a prize.
Those who have done the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail in the past may be disappointed in some of the tree decor. Many of the trees this year have beautiful, elaborate details, but some don’t live up to previous decoration standards.
Don’t have time to do the whole Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll? The trees are spread throughout Disney Springs instead of one central location which means you’re bound to find some Christmas trees while wandering.
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Christmas
Inspired by Indiana Jones’ pilot from “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar has a deep backstory despite the character having less than a minute of screen time. Supposedly, Jock Lindsey flew over Florida looking for the fountain of youth. Instead he found an old float plane hangar he turned into a bar.
The normal aviation and travel adventure decor have so many amazing details from old plane parts to ancient artifacts to homages to a diverse group of early pilots like Bessie Coleman and the Tuskegee Airmen.
At Christmas Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar is transformed into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar. The moment you walk up to Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar you know you’re in the right place for fun in a festive atmosphere.
Bold and colorful tinsel with glittery snowflakes sweep across the ceilings while elves seem to peek out from behind every area. The overall Christmas design aesthetic is chaotic, but welcoming.
It looks like Jock Lindsey found every retro Christmas decoration from his travels and scattered it throughout the bar. I loved that the longer I looked around the more decorations seemed to appear.
Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar has several seasonal drink and food items. However, instead of seasonal bites I opted for some of their popular traditional tacos and empanadas. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar is a great seasonal spot to relax between Disney Springs Christmas activities.
Holiday Treats
There are over a dozen Disney Springs locations with special holiday foods for the season. Find a complete list of destinations and treats sure to put you in a festive mood.
Other Disney Springs Christmas Activities
During the evening look for snow falling around Town Center. This is my favorite kind of snow, the kind that doesn’t need the cold or to be shoveled.
Enjoy a DJ during the day at Waterside Stage or look for snowflake skaters and toy soldier stilt-walkers wandering Disney Springs at night.
Final Thoughts On 2021 Disney Springs Christmas Activities
Disney Springs has lots of fun holiday options perfect for a Disney World rest day. I used my Disney Springs Christmas time as a relaxing day before Disney Very Merriest After Hours. Meeting Santa was a treat and using the virtual queue was easier than the old system.
The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Remember to fill out the map to get a free souvenir pin commemorating your holiday experience. Lastly, don’t miss the riotous Christmas decor, incredible staff, yummy drinks and tasty food at Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar while at Disney Springs.
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