Hi Sarah!
Welcome back to planDisney! Many years ago, my parents took my family on a surprise visit to Walt Disney World Resort for Christmas. I often look back fondly on that vacation and think maybe one day I can surprise my family with a holiday vacation!
If you make a dining reservation for a location in Disney Springs, this reservation will appear in the “My Plans” section of your My Disney Experience account. If you are looking to add additional plans, for example, when a particular store opens or a set time for your family to begin the Christmas Tree Stroll, you can add these to your plans as a Note.
To add a note to your My Plans section, log in to your My Disney Experience account on a web browser. Scroll down to “My Plans, Reservations and Tickets” and click “+ Add More Plans.” Select the “Notes” option in the drop-down menu, and you can add the date, time location and details for your plans. You have the option to share the note with members of your travel party, but keep in mind, it will appear on their My Disney Experience Plans, so if you’re keeping it a surprise you should not add your friends and family.
Disney Gift Cards are accepted at most merchandise locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort, even some third-party-owned stores. Unfortunately, there is no official list of locations that accept Disney Gift Cards, so it really is
recommended that you ask an associate or Cast Member at the location prior to completing your purchase.
I hope this was helpful, Sarah. I mentioned the Disney Springs
Christmas Tree Stroll earlier, and I really recommend this experience. There are several Christmas trees decorated with various Disney themes, which will give you some ideas for your future Christmas décor! You may see Santa Claus in all four theme parks and at Disney Springs. In the past, there has been a virtual queue to meet Santa at Disney Springs. If that is available again this year, you’ll find signs throughout Disney Springs with information on how to join the queue. The
Disney Parks Blog also recently announced the
narrators for the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT. Check out the schedule to see who will be the celebrity narrator during your visit!
If you have any future questions as you plan this surprise visit, please
come see me again at planDisney!
Have a holly jolly holiday!
Kaitlin