Get the Most Out of Your Disney World Trip This Holiday Season With These Unexpected Ideas

The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail is filled with over 20 beautiful Disney-themed trees, decorated based on theme park attractions and movies. Your family is encouraged to get close to the tree, take as many photos as you want, and take in all of the festive celebrations going on here.

If your kids still need to see Santa to tell him what they want for Christmas, you can do that here as well. Just check in at Santa's Chalet and they will send you a text message when it's time to return to see the man in red. In the meantime you can explore the tree trail, munch on snacks, or shop around the rest of Disney Springs.

Just for the holidays the Disney Springs watering hole Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar is turned into Jock Lindsey's Holiday Bar with treats and drinks for the whole family. Kids will love trying out the new jingle bell pops (decorated chocolate truffles on a stick) and adults can indulge in a drink that has all of the flavors of the holidays.

If your family is headed to Epcot, you're going to want to pick up a passport for the International Festival of the Holidays, where families can participate in a holiday cookie stroll. The stroll takes you throughout World Showcase to try five different cookies such as a chocolate crinkle, gingerbread, linzer, and more. And after you get your passport stamped for each cookie, you get a sixth cookie for free! The great thing about the cookie stroll is that you don't have to complete it all in one day. It can be completed any time during the festival, but you must bring your same festival passport each time.

Throughout Walt Disney World your family can marvel at gingerbread displays. Most of the gingerbread houses are at hotels, like this life-sized house at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. You can also find a gingerbread carousel at Disney's Beach Club Resort and the Washington Mall inside The American Adventure at Epcot.

Even though guests can experience some festive ride overlays during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, they can also enjoy a few during the day at Magic Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios! At Magic Kingdom your family can take a journey through the jungle on the Jingle Cruise, which is a holiday version of the Jungle Cruise, including holiday jokes and a quirkily decorated queue. Over at Disney's Hollywood Studios, you're going to want to head into Toy Story Land for some festive fun. Slinky Dog Dash features the sound of bells as you dash along, and Alien Swirling Saucers is playing a holiday tune while you ride.

Taking a tour at Disney World is a great way to treat yourself and your family to something truly unique while on vacation. Disney's Yuletide Fantasy tour takes your family backstage to see how the entire Walt Disney World Resort gets dressed for the holidays. You'll also get the chance to create a seasonal sweet treat at Disney Springs with Disney's culinary team.

Throughout Walt Disney World you'll find your favorite Disney pals in their Christmas outfits. This makes for a great family photo, especially if your family is also wearing something to celebrate the season. For exact locations and characters use the My Disney Experience app or ask a Cast Member in the park.

This year is the first time Disney's Animal Kingdom has gotten into the Christmas spirit with full-on decorating and entertainment offerings. Be sure not to miss the Magical Menagerie on Discovery Island where life-sized animal puppets are greeting guests. Over in DinoLand U.S.A. there are fun decorations, thousands of lights, and character greetings in fun outfits.

The resort hotels at Walt Disney World are done up just as beautifully as the parks are during the holidays. We love going over to Disney's Wilderness Lodge for dinner then exploring the resort and seeing their massive Christmas tree. From this resort you can also get to four more resorts without even moving your car, if you want to make a day out of checking out the resort holiday decorations. Hop on the boat from Wilderness Lodge to go to Disney's Fort Wilderness Campgrounds and rent a golf cart to see all of the decorations at the campgrounds. From there, get on the boat to Disney's Contemporary Resort and then take the monorail around to Disney's Polynesian Village and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

Both Magic Kingdom and Epcot ring in the new year with special fireworks and celebrations throughout the day. If you're looking to ring in 2020 at a Disney park, we suggest celebrating at one of these two. Magic Kingdom is definitely more family oriented, but if you want to get a babysitter for the night, adults will love hanging out at Epcot dancing and drinking the night away.