Darren Wittko Darren Wittko

3 NEW Ways to Celebrate Christmas at Disney Springs

New offerings and returning favorites this year at Disney Springs

The holiday season is underway at Walt Disney World Resort with festive decorations in every corner. This is an ideal opportunity for guests to enjoy joyful activities with their loved ones, indulge in tasty seasonal treats, and make lasting memories together.

Here are 3 new holiday offerings that guests can experience this year:

Experience Holiday Magic at the World of Disney Windows

For the first time, the windows at the World of Disney store interact with guests' MagicBand+ to create enchanting holiday experiences for the whole family. Each window features festive themes along with unique animations and personalized elements activated by tapping a MagicBand+.

Guests can enjoy two storylines starring beloved characters that shouldn’t be missed this holiday season.

Don’t forget to explore all the windows, which may spark ideas for writing letters to Santa.

Visit Santa’s Marketplace

Guests can Santa’s Marketplace near Disney’s Pin Traders and share their Christmas list with Santa in person! Or if guests are looking to spread holiday cheer with a family Christmas card, the Disney PhotoPass team is ready to capture the perfect photo of the whole family.  

When guests arrive at Disney Springs, they can join the virtual queue to visit Santa and enjoy holiday shopping while they wait.


Christmas Tree Stroll

One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is to see all the different trees on the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll. I'm excited that it has returned this year with some new additions!

My family and I stroll across Disney Springs to see the entire collection of beautifully decorated Christmas trees celebrating some Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and superhero favorites.

This year be sure to look for those that offer interactions with MagicBand+ experiences



Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.


Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.


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Darren Wittko Darren Wittko

Secret Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Lounge at Disney Springs

I finally found the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Lounge at Disney World. Where to find it and how to inside.

Did you know if you’re a Disney Vacation Club member or a prospective member, you can visit this secret lounge in Disney Springs? In this post you see where to find the lounge and how to go inside.

Disney Vacation Club lounge at disney springs

Inside there’s comfortable seating, complimentary soft drinks, coffee, snacks and more. There’s also a mockup of a 2 Bedroom Villa at Disney’s Riviera Resort

DVC-Lounge-Disney-Springs
DVC-Lounge-Disney-Springs
DVC-Lounge-Disney-Springs

The DVC lounge at Disney Springs is located right behind Anthropology. You will need to be escorted up to the lounge by a Disney Vacation Club Cast Member.

DVC-Lounge-Disney-Springs
DVC-Lounge-Disney-Springs

DVC-Lounge-Disney-Springs


Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.


Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.


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Darren Wittko Darren Wittko

Insider Look at Disney World’s New Drone Show

Disney World created a new nighttime show for Disney Springs - over 800 drones!

Walt Disney World Resort is sharing a sneak peek of Disney Dreams that Soar, a nighttime drone show coming to Disney Springs.

I remember there being a drone show during the holiday season several years ago, and it blew me away. It was the first time I had ever seen anything like it.

drone show at disney springs

My favorite part of that show was when all the drones flew off to their base when the performance ended - which I think was near Port Orleans. It made them seem very “alive” and intelligent because they knew where they were going.

“Disney Dreams that Soar” is a limited-time show that will run from May 24 to Sept. 2, 2024

drone show disney springs

I predict that Disney is using this show to gauge interest. If it is received well, we may see drone shows elsewhere on the property - perhaps Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Wouldn’t that be the perfect park for a nighttime show?

dreams that soar disney springs

Disney World recently shared a behind-the-scenes look from a recent test session in France. The show will have over 800 drones getting into formation to create larger-than-life images of classic Disney characters.

The drones are choreographed with iconic quotes from fan-favorite films such as Disney’s “Peter Pan,” “Dumbo,” “Wall-E,” “Big Hero 6,” “Star Wars” and more.

The show also will feature scores from classic Disney soundtracks and an original song composed exclusively for this show. If there’s one thing Disney has learned recently - Walt Disney World guests love original music!

The best place to watch the Disney Springs drone show will be along the waterfront, so in the area that runs behind Starbucks on the West Side down towards House of Blues.

The show will last nine minutes and will be shown twice each night above Disney Springs.

Be sure to check the Disney World app for show times as they may change. You can also visit www.DisneySprings.com for the latest schedule.




Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.


Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.


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Darren Wittko Darren Wittko

Where to Celebrate Mother’s Day at Walt Disney World 2024

Mother’s day treats at Walt Disney World

If your plans involve being at Walt Disney World or Disney Springs for Mother’s Day this year, here are a few special places you can celebrate with Mom, Grandma, an aunt, a caregiver, or any other special person.

Mothers day at Walt Disney World

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

The Mara (Available May 5 through 18; mobile order available)

  • Sunflower Cake: Marbled chocolate and vanilla cake, vanilla buttercream, and mini chocolate chips (New)

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Beach Club Marketplace (Available May 5 through 18; mobile order available)

  • Mother’s Day Croissant filled with raspberry jam topped with raspberry crunchies (New)

Disney’s BoardWalk  

BoardWalk Deli and Carousel Coffee (Available May 5 through 18; mobile order available at BoardWalk Deli only)

  • Mother’s Day Croissant: Croissant dough filled with raspberry jam topped with raspberry crunchies (New)

Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Saratoga Springs Resort

Good’s Food to Go and The Artist’s Palette (Available May 5 through 18)

  • Bouquet of Roses Cupcake: Chocolate Cupcake, strawberry pastry cream, chocolate mousse, and buttercream

mother's day at disney world - disney's polynesian resort

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Pineapple Lanai (Available May 5 through 18)

  • Makuahine DOLE Whip Float: DOLE Whip with Banfi Rosa Regale Sparkling Red topped with shimmering edible flowers


mother's day disney world menu - strawberry-orange mimosa

Available at Various Table-Service Restaurants and Lounges at Disney Resort Hotels  

  • Strawberry-Orange Mimosa: Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut, orange juice, and strawberry purée topped with a strawberry (New) (Available May 5 through 18)

The Market at Ale & Compass (Available May 5 through 18; mobile order available)

  • Mother’s Day Croissant: Croissant dough filled with raspberry jam topped with raspberry crunchies (New) 

mother's day at disney world - chocolates at disney springs

Disney Springs

The Ganachery (Available May 1 through 12)

  • Mother's Day Chocolate Flower Box: Ganache with flavors of hibiscus-strawberry and jasmine tea (New)

disney springs mother's day

Amorette’s Patisserie (Available May 5 through 12; mobile order available)

  • Mother’s Day Éclair: Lemon and lavender éclair (New) 



Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.


Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.


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EET by Maneet Chauhan — Disney Springs

Eet by Maneet Chauhan will be a new Indian cuisine restaurant when it opens later this month. It will be the only Indian restaurant on Walt Disney World property.

Eet by Maneet Chauhan will be a new Indian cuisine restaurant when it opens later this month. It will be the only Indian restaurant on Walt Disney World property.

A menu has now been posted outside the restaurant and on the Disney Springs website.

Eet will be located in the former Wolfgang Puck Express location which has been shuttered for several years now.

Eet wants to be known for offering delicious Indian flavors and a vibrant ambiance.

Here’s a sneak-peek at the menu.

Sharables

  • Eet Bread Service with Pimento Whipped Paneer $18.00 buttered naan, garlic naan, pimento whipped paneer cheese, masala vegetable sticks, indian pickle, coriander honey, chutneys

  • Tandoori Chicken Poutine $14.00 chaat masala fries, tandoori chicken, white cheddar curds, rich tomato butter sauce

  • D.I.Y. Pani Puri $12.00 (7 pcs.) crispy semolina puffs, black garbanzo beans, potatoes, tamarind, date chutney, mint cilantro water

Pizza & Breads

  • Chicken Tikka Naan Pizza $14.00 Chicken kabab, rich tomato butter sauce, mozzarella, parmesan

  • Saag Paneer Naan Pizza $14.00 saag spinach sauce, paneer tikka, mozzarella, parmesan.

  • Spicy Green Chili Naan $6.00 green chilies, cilantro, clarified butter

  • Garlic Naan$5.00 garlic, kasoori methi, clarified butter

  • Buttered Naan $4.00 traditional indian flatbread

Build Your Own Bowl!

  • BYOB $18.00 includes pickled red cabbage, indian pico de gallo, and masala chickpea pearls | choose base, kabab, and sauce

Pick Your Base

Cumin basmati rice | turmeric riced cauliflower | fresh salad greens

Pick Your Kabab

Tandoori chicken | paneer tikka | basil cilantro shrimp | masala roasted cauliflower

Pick Your Sauce

Tikka (aromatic buttery tomato sauce) | saag (rich earthy spinach sauce) | moilee (golden coconut curry sauce) | korma (cashew saffron sauce) | bhunna (classic indian curry sauce)

Additions

  • Masala Fries $4.00

  • Yogurt Raita $3.00

  • Mint Chutney $2.00

  • Tamarind Chutney $2.00

  • Desi Salad $4.00 lemons, tomatoes, green chilies

  • Chopped Green Chilies $3.00

Kids

  • Lil' Naan Pizza $9.00 tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese with choice of fresh fruit or fries and served with apple juice

  • Lil' Sliders $9.00 two Hawaiian roll sliders, beef patties, and American cheese with choice of fresh fruit or fries and served with apple juice

  • Crispy Chicken Fingers $9.00 served with ranch, a choice of fresh fruit or fries, and served with apple juice

Desserts

  • Gulab Juman Cheesecake $9.00

  • NY-style cheesecake, gulab jamun, strawberries, saffron, cardamon

  • Chocolate & Strawberry Naan $8.00 chocolate sauce, strawberry sauce, white chocolate, diced strawberries, fresh mint

Signature Drinks

  • eet House Wines $12.00 pinot noir, pinot gris, sparkling

  • eet Citra Pale Ale $8.00

  • Boozy Slushies $12.00 seasonal selections

  • Vanilla Cardamom Yogurt Lassi $5.00

  • Mango Yogurt Lassi $5.00


Best of the Best Orlando Travel Agent - Readers of The Unofficial Guide to Walt DIsney World.

Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.


Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.


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See what I’m up to in the theme parks.

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