Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs vs. former Christmas Tree Lane

[Cindra]

Prior to 2020 when Covid prevented us from traveling to Disney World sometime during the mid-Nov. to mid-Dec. timeframe we were able to enjoy the Christmas Tree Lane for the 5 previous years. It became on of my personal favorite holiday traditions to enjoy the Christmas music and "snow" while admiring the trees. I'd say we took the stroll through the lane 10-15 times each year with it being nearby to the walkway to SSR where we typically stay. I see that they converted this into a Christmas Tree Stroll in 2020 and spread the trees out throughout Disney Springs. This change would seem to be a reaction to Covid and attempting to create a less crowded experience for enjoying the decorated trees. We will be there again this holiday season and it looks like this year will be similar to last year. I am going to miss the magical atmosphere of the prior Christmas Tree Lane but wanted to hear from anyone who experienced the Christmas Tree Stroll in 2020. Any highlights, thoughts, recommendations?

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

I loved the lane too! I didn’t go last year, but saw many accounts that they liked the stroll (maybe even more)- last year there was a little scavenger hunt map you could pick up to guide your quest. Hope they do that again this year. Also hoping they go up before Nov 12!

have fun!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Comparing the two, I much prefer the pre-Covid experience with the lights, music, faux snow, snack stand, etc. There was something fun and magical with them all being together and everyone in the holiday spirit (esp when the snow started!).

The trees last year were scattered throughout, so you could go in search of them all and that took longer, but they felt like just another thing at DS to look at like the temporary photo ops, Lego displays, seasonal plant displays, etc. In other words, we missed the holiday spirit and whimsy that the tree trail had.

I do appreciate that they didn't throw in the towel altogether as I love looking at them but hope they return to more of an "event" next year!

 

[Pens Fan]

We loved the stroll in the before - times, but sometimes it did get awfully crowded. We didn't go last year, but most of the reviews I saw were positive as they had more space to view the trees and you weren't jostling with crowds to get that perfect picture, etc. I think we will enjoy that, and I also think we will enjoy searching for them.

Either way, it's a fun, free event with some beautifully themed Christmas trees. What's not to love?

 

[MamaMermaid]

Oh bummer, I hadn't realized they switched to a stroll last year. We loved the trail!

 

[BridgetR3]

We really enjoyed the stroll last year and have been to the pre-covid experience as well. It was different but since they were spread out and there was a short scavenger hunt attached, my boys (teenagers) seemed to actually enjoy spending time looking at them while dodging into shops and buying things along the way whereas they typically sped through the other one. There is still snow around the large tree at the bus dropoff entrance but not at each individual tree.

I know that we all have different opinions but in this case, the new experience wasn't bad for us.

 

[Lisa P.]

We found the old crowded Christmas Tree Lane too stressful with several young children along. The dispersed trees were more pleasant for us as the children got excited each time they "found" another themed tree and each child pointed out a "favorite" ornament on it as we took their pictures.

 

[inky dinky doo]

I'm curious. How long after Christmas are the trees, typically, up? We won't get there until New Year's Eve. Any chance we might get to see them?

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

No reason not to go back to the old way based on concerns about the area being crowded. WDW is not worried about crowds.

 

[Jennasis]

The old way was so ridiculously crowded as to be not enjoyable. It's better spread out.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

The old way was so ridiculously crowded as to be not enjoyable. It's better spread out.

I suppose that's probably true during the peak of the holiday season. The time we saw this, it was early in December and not crowded at all. Very enjoyable.

 

[Jennasis]

I suppose that's probably true during the peak of the holiday season. The time we saw this, it was early in December and not crowded at all. Very enjoyable.

We were there first week in December.

 

[mousestruck]

I'm curious. How long after Christmas are the trees, typically, up? We won't get there until New Year's Eve. Any chance we might get to see them?

We were there the first week in January 2020 and they were still up.

We enjoyed the pre-Covid display, but it could get a little crowded. I think we’d enjoy the new format, though we may not see all the trees because DS is so big and spread out.

 

[Lisa P.]

Last year, there was a Christmas Tree Stroll map with stickers that you could affix to it to complete the scavenger hunt. There was a list of special discount offers on the back of the map. These are shown below from last year's WDW Magazine.

I'm sure Disney selected the tree locations to draw crowds toward the shopping district that gets proportionally less foot traffic normally. It was noteworthy that there weren't any of the Stroll's themed trees located in the more congested Marketplace section of DS. Smart move, as it also added festive decoration throughout DS and enabled guests' social distancing. If your main reason to visit DS was to take the Stroll, parking in the Orange garage was the best location. Anyway, I'd expect that they'll have another map available this year too. Maybe someone can post a photo of a map next month!

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

We were there first week in December.

We must have hit it at a good time.

 

[monorailmom]

We also experienced the Lane pre-Covid and found it very crowded and hard to enjoy. (this was in November). Last year we did the Stroll and loved it! We got to the Springs early, I got a Starbucks, and we took our time literally strolling around to all the trees! It was so nice!! Virtually no one there, so we could take our time and enjoy each tree as long as we wanted. Granted we didn't see them at night all lit up but we were okay with that. I'll be very happy if this year is planned as last year was.

 

[Turksmom]

We did it in mid-November on multiple trips and multiple times on each and IMO it was never crowded. All a matter of perception and timing, I guess

 

[vadersprincess12]

Does anyone have any insight on when it will start this year?

 

[Jennasis]

What I really enjoyed and the only did one year, was the Christmas drone show at DS. Wish they'd bring it back.