ALL ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE STROLL AT DISNEY SPRINGS 2023
Are you visiting Disney Springs in Florida and are wondering what the Christmas Tree Stroll 2023 is all about?
If so you have come to the right place – I just got back from Florida and on a visit at Disney Springs took part in this scavenger hunt at Downtown Disney.
Below I am answering all the questions you might have (did I miss something – let me know) about the Christmas Tree Stroll. And at the end I will tell you what I thought about this scavenger hunt.
What is the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll 2023?
The Christmas Tree Stroll is a short scavenger hunt you can take part in at Disney Springs in Florida during this Christmas season.
Where and when can you participate in the Christmas Tree Stroll 2023?
You can take part in this game from now November 10 to December 30, 2023. You can play any time Disney Springs is open.
The entire game is played at Disney Springs – no theme park admission required.
Do you have to pay to participate in the Christmas Tree Stroll?
No, in contrast to Pluto’s Pumpin Pursuit last Halloweeen at Disneyland, there is no charge. This is likely because there is a sponsor for the Christmas tree stroll (Advent Health). Still, this is a definite improvement.
How do I take part in the Christmas Tree Stroll?
Just go to one of the start points and pick up a leaflet. They are easy to find but if you are having a hard time ask one of the cast members and they will be happy to help you.
You can pick up a leaflet at the following locations:
- City Works Eatery & Pour House
- Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers
- Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company
- The Lego Store
- Planet Hollywood
Circles on the map indicate the location of the Christmas trees. Each has its own theme that corresponds to one of the peel-off stickers.Â
How does the Christmas Tree Stroll work?
Once you have picked up a leaflet at one of the above locations you can follow the map to find all the trees at Disney Springs.
Alternatively you could walk around and check them off as you find them – the trees are big enough and generally in prominent locations.
If you go with the second method you will likely miss one or two and will have to backtrack. But given all the cool stores and eateries that is probably not a hardship.
When you get to a tree you need to first figure out which circle it us on the map. Next to the tree will be a sign that shows you which sticker to use so you don’t have to try to guess which sticker goes with which decorations.
Is there a reward for completing the Christmas Tree Stroll?
Yes! At the end of the game you can take your map to one of the reemption locations to exchange it for a price, a commemorative badge.
The price for completing this year’s Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs
I can’t find all the trees. Do I still get the price?
In contrast to Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit at Disneyland, you are supposed to show a completed map to pick up the price.
Now, when I turned in mine, they only gave it a quick check so it probably doesn’t matter if you have a couple of mistakes. But I am not sure they would give you the badge if you had a half empty map.
Where can I redeem my Christmas Tree Stroll map for the price?
You can turn in your map at the same places that also distribute them.
Map Distribution and Redemption Locations are identified by a sign
Do I have to turn in my map to get the price? I would like to keep it as a souvenir.
No worries. They will look at the map but will return it to you – which is handy as there are coupons on the back.
Don’t make the same mistake as me – take a closer look at the coupons. If you are planning to buy or eat at Disney Springs there is a good chance you will be able to use one of them and save some money!
I didn’t read through them until I got back home. Then I realized that I could have saved money at several locations.
How difficult is the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll? Can kids play?
The Christmas Tree Stroll is not difficult to play at all. Even if you are not great at reading maps you should be able to find all the trees easily enough (they are somewhere between big and huge).
If you do make a mistake the stickers can be peeled off and re-attached (yes, I know this from personal experience as I did get a bit confused).
Kids are of course welcome to play but both the map design and the redemption price are less geared to kids than the Halloween activity at Disneyland. While I mostly saw families with small kids looking for Pluto’s pumpkins, the Christmas Tree Strollers were mostly adults.
The sign next to each tree states the theme AND shows the sticker to be used
How long does the Christmas Tree Stroll take?
If you hustle through to get it done it will take about 30 to 40 minutes.
However, it is more fun to combine the stroll with looking at some of the stores, getting yourself a treat, and taking time to admire the ornaments. In that case it will probably take two to three hours (or however long you want to spend at Disney Springs).
What I thought of the Christmas Tree Stroll
Similar to Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit the Christmas Tree Stroll does have the effect of making visitors spend more time at Disney Springs and look around more.
However, it seemed a bit less like a marketing ploy as you don’t actually have to enter any stores. And as the Christmas Tree Stroll does not cost anything it seemed more a welcome freebie than another over-priced Disney activity.
Both map and reward were not quite as unique as the Disneyland version. To be honest though, the Halloween sippy cups were so tiny that they really weren’t very practical (but oh so cute).
As far as the activity itself is concerned, looking for the pumpkins was a bit more challenging. You had to hunt around to spot some of them in the store.
The Christmas trees on the other hand are fairly easy to find (or maybe not depending on how good you are with maps). The sign clearly states which sticker to use (though there are a couple that are fairly similar so do watch out). So there is little difficulty involved.
But there is definitely more to look at on the trees. Some of the themes/decoratons are really quite stunning.
Can’t get enough of Disney Christmas decorations?
Check out the amazing and unique Xmas decor at Disney’s Deluxe Resorts. If you can’t decide which hotel is worth a visit my handy (and absolutely subjective) ranking of the best Disney Resort Christmas decorations can help!
And do try out my Deluxe Resort Christmas Tree quiz for some additional holiday fun!
Final Thoughts
Personally, I did prefer the Christmas Tree Stroll compared to Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit because it was a) free, b) seemed less like a marketing ploy to get you inside the stores, and c) the trees were stunning.
I guess in an ideal world the reward could have been slightly more impressive (maybe a cute Disney Christmas tree ornament). Also a bit more of a challenge/puzzle would have been great (like finding an ornament on the tree instead of having the sticker shown on the sign).
But overall, the Christmas Tree Stroll was fun. It does make you appreciate the different decorations more. And if you – like me – are in a bit of a rut when it comes to Disney Springs (I hardly ever get to the East of the Lime Garage) it will help you re-discover the rest of Disney Springs.
How about you? Have you done the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll? If so, did you like it and what was your favorite tree?
The Haunted Mansion deco is probably the most unusual of the Christmas tree themes at Disney Springs
