WDW Daily News

With its multi-year makeover from Downtown Disney nearly complete, Disney Springs at every corner will be unwrapping its very first full-on holidays gala. For the first time, the just-expanded shopping, dining and entertainment district will be filled with festive decorations, the merriest of special events, and fun for the whole family.

During the celebration — now through Jan. 8, 2017 — Disney Springs puts a big red bow around the season of cheer with three extra special events:

• Stitch’s Holiday Gift A fun scavenger hunt will allow guests to explore all four neighborhoods of Disney Springs. Guests pick up their Holiday Hunt booklet at any participating location, then explore Disney Springs in search of a unique Stitch icon at each participating location. Once complete, guests redeem the booklet at a redemption location to receive a free “completer” button.
• The Festival of Toys. The Once Upon a Toy Fountain area comes alive with a holiday dance party, deluxe hot chocolate for sale, pin trading and a nightly tree lighting ceremony inviting a select family to turn on the holiday lights.
• Disney Springs’ Christmas Tree Trail. This immersive and enchanting walk-through experience features 15 custom decorated holiday trees, each dedicated to a popular Disney theme. Custom music and a light snowfall completes the Christmassy scene.

Holiday Shopper’s Paradise
Talk about shopping, Disney Springs will be the address for shoppers at holiday time – from name-brand retailers to unique boutiques stocking that special trinket for under the tree to everything in between.

Some of the most recognizable names in retailing have opened their doors in Town Center, newest neighborhood of Disney Springs. These include Anthropologie, Lucky Brand, kate spade new york, UNDER ARMOUR BRAND HOUSE, Tommy Bahama and Sephora – plus brands unique to Central Florida including UNIQLO, Melissa Shoes and UNOde50.

In Marketplace, guests can shop for seasonal offerings at Disney’s Days of Christmas, Art of Disney, World of Disney, Wonderful World of Memories, Marketplace Fun Finds, and Marketplace Co-Op.

At Art of Disney, shoppers can find sketch artists doing holiday artwork. Goofy’s Candy Co. for the holidays is a yummy wonderland of chocolate-dipped candy canes, Olaf caramel apples, Mickey Santa Krispy Treat, miniature fruit cakes and a Mickey Santa Cupcake.

Disney Springs also unwraps a special, hard-to-find present found on every shopper’s wish list: convenient, close-in and complimentary parking.

With the proximity of two “smart” garages where open parking spaces are readily identified, Disney Springs guests are spared the holiday angst of jockeying up and down rows of parked cars for the elusive slot. Disney Springs also is connected to Disney resort hotels by complimentary motorcoach or watercraft service. After 4pm, transportation is available from all four Theme Parks to Disney Springs.

Holiday Feasting at Disney Springs
When the holiday hungries strike, there is no need to pack back into the car. Great dining options abound at every corner of Disney Springs, whether it’s grab-and-go (food trucks at West Side), casual sit-down (Earl of Sandwich, Paradiso 37, Wolfgang Puck Cafe) or a memorable dining experience at venues such as STK and Morimoto Asia. At select locations such as The BOATHOUSE, Raglan Road, T-Rex Café, Rainforest Cafe and Splitsville, entertainment becomes an extra added attraction to holiday feasting.

Frontera Cocina, Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, D-Luxe Burger, Homecoming – Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine are new Town Center dining discoveries holiday shoppers will find. Also new for 2016: a holiday cocktails and craft beer in Marketplace.

Byways and stages filled with holiday entertainment
Between great shopping and dining, Disney Springs treats guests to a sleighful of holiday entertainment.

• At Marketplace, Living Statues (World of Disney/Poutine Courtyard)
• At Marketplace, The Festival of Toys
• At Marketplace, Carolers (near Disney’s Days of Christmas and Santa’s Chalet).
• At Waterview Park (The Landing), Hanukkah-inspired troupe Kalinka 24-30
• At Waterside Stage (Marketplace), DJ Holiday Dance Party
• At Waterside Stage, UHURU celebrating Kwanza Dec. 26-27
• At Marketplace, Toy Soldier stilt walkers

Best News of All
That would be the Jolly Old Man himself. Direct from the North Pole, Santa Claus invites the young and young-at-heart to share their Christmas wishes at Santa’s Chalet (Marketplace) Nov. 11-Dec. 24 (Noon-10:00 p.m.) and Black Friday Nov. 25 (8 a.m.-10:00 p.m.). Santa Goofy joins the fun Dec. 25-Dec. 30 (Noon-10:00 p.m.).

As we previously shared on Disney Travel News, there are two additional performances of La Nouba™ by Cirque du Soleil® taking place this Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. And now, your Clients can take advantage of a special limited time offer – any seat (excluding Golden Circle) for one low price of $49 for the 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. shows only*.

Guests can enjoy the vibrant music and whimsical characters with daring acrobatics and dazzling choreography. Plus, catch the newest acts including aerial bamboo artists and break dancers.

*Guests may purchase discounted Front & Center, Category 1, Category 2, Category 3, and Category 4 Adult and Child tickets for themselves and up to five (5) Guests per show. Sales are valid from 11/11/16 through 11/20/16 for both show performances on Sunday, 11/20/16 (both performances). Tickets must be purchased at the Box Office, Disney Reservation Center, or online.

With the emergence of Disney Springs as a world-class shopping destination, merchants throughout the retail, dining and entertainment district are taking part in that great American tradition of holiday shopping: Black Friday on Nov. 25, 2016.

In fact, the fun is being extended to a second day, Saturday, Nov. 26.

More than 60 stores are planning special Black Friday sales and promotions.  And children of all ages will have a chance to meet Santa as early as 8 a.m.

While supplies last, World of Disney and other Marketplace favorites will offer special savings on popular items, such as Vera Bradley “Midnight with Mickey” hipster bags for $24.99 at Marketplace Co-Op.  Star Wars fans will find Storm Trooper Action Figures for $14.99 at Star Wars Galactic Outpost, and a holiday wreath with lights is available at Disney’s Days of Christmas for $16.99.

Other deals include savings of up to 40 percent on select merchandise at Curl by Sammy Duval, a free bangle with $125 purchase at Pandora Jewelry, 40 percent off all merchandise, excluding “rare finds,” at Lucky Brand and up to 60 percent off original prices of select styles at APEX by Sunglass Hut.

All stores will open at 8 a.m. – two hours earlier than normal – on Black Friday, Nov. 25, and Saturday, Nov. 26.  Adding to the festivities, the Disney Springs waterfront promenade will feature bars offering mimosas for purchase, while Bloody Marys will be available for purchase at nearby Dockside Margaritas.

For a full list of participating locations, shoppers can visit DisneyWorld.com/BlackFriday.

Beyond the Black Friday specials offered by merchants, a whole world of entertainment awaits shoppers at Disney Springs to make for a most unique day of fun for the entire family. Here’s a dozen diversions for shoppers to Disney Springs:

1. Take a break and go bowling — but not just any bowling. Splitsville Luxury Lanes elevates bowling to a new level with upscale food and live music. Located in the heart of West Side.
2. Rise high above the panorama of Disney Springs aboard the Characters in Flight Balloon, operated by Aerophile. The world’s largest tethered helium balloon rises 400 feet for breathtaking views. West Side.
3. Hit the pause button from shopping and relax in comfort by taking in a box office hit at AMC Movies at Disney Springs. Includes the Fork & Screen Dine-In Theatre. West Side.
4. On-the-go guests can grab a quick bite or shop merchandise at the many kiosks strung around Disney Springs.
5. Where else can families have a theme park experience while making the shopping rounds?  DisneyQuest Interactive Theme Park lets guests choose their own high-tech adventure among five floors of gaming awesomeness – from classic arcade favorites to immersive virtual worlds. West Side.
6. Head for Paradiso 37, a waterfront emporium for dining, dancing, live Latin music and a tequila menu boasting more than 75 choices. The Landing.
7. Take the kiddies for a spin on a charming Venetian carousel, lavishly hand-painted and crafted by skilled artisans in Italy. Marketplace.
8. Unwind lakeside at the open-air Waterside Stage where special events, activities and live performances – from full concerts to a DJ Kids Dance Party – take place every day and night. The Landing.
9. Take a break at Raglan Road, an Irish pub, over a cold pint, hearty cuisine, live music and high-stepping Irish Dancers. The Landing.
10. Remember the slogan “The Pause that Refreshes”?  From the rooftop bar of the Coca-Cola Store shoppers can pause, enjoy classic and exotic flavors while they take in the panorama of Disney Springs. Town Center.
11. How about a lake cruise to add spice to your shopping day? Vintage American Amphicars and romantic Italian water taxis depart regularly from The BOATHOUSE, an upscale dining location on Lake Buena Vista. The Landing.
12. Put on a happy face – or any other face. At the Face Painting by Enjoy Your Face booth, you can choose from a whimsical or animal-inspired design or have a face-painting professional create a custom look.

It’s a first not just for Disney Parks, but in the United States: A new holiday show at Disney Springs featuring 300 show drones illuminating the night sky. “Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration” showcases the latest innovation in storytelling and spellbinding experiences to set your holiday season aglow at Walt Disney World Resort.