One of the great joys of Walt Disney World is how it always feels like a celebration. No matter the season, holidays, festivals, or some random Tuesday in August, there’s this built-in sense of excitement that Disney somehow keeps alive year-round. In the parks, festival dining menus take center stage with rotating snacks, drinks, and limited-time dishes that practically demand you clear your calendar and go taste everything. But over in Disney Springs, that same energy feels like it’s missing.
Examining the new Holiday menus for 2025, Disney Springs appears to be leaving all the fun to the snack locations. Sure, we get the occasional nod to the season. Maybe a limited-edition sandwich, a new cocktail, or a dessert dressed up for the holidays. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar gets credit for going all in with décor and themed bites during Halloween and Christmas. And, Breakfast with Santa is a definite bonus during the holidays, but beyond that, the celebration fizzles out fast. The restaurants at Disney Springs seem content to let the parks handle the festival magic while they quietly keep their year-round menus running with an occasional festive tweak. And for a space that’s supposed to be Walt Disney World’s dining hub, that feels like a missed opportunity.
One of the festive creations at Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar – I want to see this level of artistry everywhere!
To be fair, there are bright spots. The treat stands and specialty spots like The Ganachery, Gideon’s, and Wondermade know how to celebrate a season. They understand the assignment: creative flavors, gorgeous presentation, and just enough exclusivity to make it feel special. But the table-service and quick-service restaurants mostly sit out the fun. Where are the specialty tasting menus, season-specific pop-up pairings, or even a stronger dedication to decorations that make you feel like it’s an extension of the magic in the Disney Parks? Other than the Christmas Trees at Holiday time, even the area decor can sometimes feel underdone.
Seasonal dining isn’t just about themed cupcakes or peppermint drinks. It’s about giving guests a reason to return, to experience Disney Springs as something more than a shopping detour or a dinner reservation filler. It’s about keeping that perpetual celebration alive outside the parks. If the parks can transform for every festival, why can’t the more specific areas of Disney Springs do the same? Give us a reason to come hungry for more than what’s always there, because the magic of Disney dining shouldn’t stop at the park gates. I want the whole area of Disney Springs to feel and taste like the inside of the Disney PhotoPass Studio, dressed to the nines for every occasion.
