I spent a weekend at Disney Springs in December 2021 to celebrate the holidays.
The destination was a fun place to celebrate Christmas, and it was less expensive than Disney World.
There are tons of decorations, free activities, festive foods to try, and holiday shopping.
Disney World is often crowded and expensive to visit during the holiday season.Christmas celebrations typically kick off at Disney theme parks right after Halloween.
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Disney Springs, on the other hand, is free and just as fun to visit. The shopping center is located on Disney World property, and is typically open between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m.Disney Springs is free for everyone to enter.
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I spent a weekend there in December 2021, and found it to be the perfect place to get a taste of Disney during the holidays without the high cost of a park ticket.I took this selfie in front of a "Moana"-themed tree at Disney Springs in 2021.
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My favorite annual activity at Disney Springs during the holidays is the Christmas Tree Stroll.A Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse tree at Disney Springs in December 2021.
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You can pick up a free map at various stores in Disney Springs, and then place corresponding stickers on it as you find trees throughout the center. Once you've spotted them all, you're rewarded with a celebratory button.This map was given to 2021 visitors who wished to find all trees featured in the Stroll.
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Some of the trees are decorated with Disney movie decor, while others are inspired by theme-park rides like the Haunted Mansion.This 2021 tree was decorated with famous props from the Haunted Mansion ride.
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Along the way, you'll also find sparkling lights, Christmas decorations, and festive window displays.This 2021 window puts a Disney twist on "The Night Before Christmas."
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Additionally, many of Disney Springs' iconic restaurants are often decked out for the holidays. Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar is one of them.Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar was decorated with Christmas lights when I visited in 2021.
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You can also knock out some of your Christmas shopping at Disney Springs. Places like the M&M store have both candy and Disney-themed gifts.I found Christmas M&M's, holiday sweaters, and more in this shop last year.
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That's not to mention stores like World of Disney, where you can pick up everything from festive Mickey Mouse ears to Christmas sweaters.These two jerseys, found at the World of Disney, were new for the 2021 holiday season.
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There's also Disney's Days of Christmas store if you need some last-minute decorations like ornaments and stockings.This store was packed with shoppers searching for Disney-themed Christmas decor.
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As for holiday snacks, Gideon's Bakehouse has a variety of Christmas cookies and cakes that are worth waiting in line for.I loved almost every Christmas treat I tried at Gideon's Bakehouse last year.
You can also find Christmas cupcakes, candy apples, and other snacks straight from Disney theme parks at Goofy's Candy Company and Disney's Candy Cauldron.I found these desserts inside Goofy's Candy Company at Disney Springs in 2021.
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Overall, I love the atmosphere Disney Springs provides with its decorations, Christmas music, and shopping, and would highly recommend visiting. It lets you experience Disney World's holiday magic for a fraction of the price of a full vacation.Disney fans celebrate the holidays together at Disney Springs in December 2021.
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