Visiting Walt Disney World during the winter is a great way to save money on theme park tickets. Hotel rates are down, and special events run throughout the year that offer visitors extra value.

Disney Springs is a great place to go when you want to get out of the rain and avoid sweltering heat, but it can be pretty quiet during the winter. It’s the perfect time to take advantage of the many restaurants and stores still open year-round. Here are some of my favorite ways to spend a day at Disney Springs during the winter.

What to Do at Disney Springs During the Winter

• Visit Town Center

The shops in Town Center are open year-round, including Bath & Body Works, which has excellent buys on candles, lotions, and other bath products. There is also a Disney Photopass Studio nearby, so you can get your pictures taken and add them to your Disney account.

• Check Out the Hotels

The Swan and Dolphin hotels have cafes open year-round. Stop by one for a hot drink or a quick bite to eat. The decor in both restaurants is gorgeous, too! Be sure to check out the grounds around the hotels; there are always neat decorations for holidays like Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

• Enjoy the Scenery

One of my favorite things about Disney Springs is how beautiful it is when snow falls. There are plenty of spots where you can sit and enjoy the atmosphere.

• Visit the Christmas Tree Trail Disney Springs

The Christmas tree trail is a festive and fun way to get into the holiday spirit. The trail features over 30 trees decorated by members of the Disney Springs community.

• Treat Yourself at D-Luxe Burger

D-Luxe Burger is a delicious treat located in the Town Center area of Disney Springs. You can enjoy an old-fashioned burger or even a gourmet milkshake. Their beef burgers have been named among the best in Florida by Food Network Magazine, so you know they are good. Enjoy some music while you eat and order a side of tater tots.

• Take Part in a Performance at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant

Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant hosts nightly entertainment, including musical acts, comedians, and storytellers. There is always something going on there, especially on weekends.

• Book a Character Dining Experience

Disney Springs is a great place to try some of the restaurants that have popped up in recent months, but the places with character dining are worth the extra effort. Disney Springs is also accessible by boat from Epcot, which means you don’t have to take a bus or monorail to get there.

Most character meals offered around Walt Disney World will get you a meal and photo opportunity with characters from either Mickey and Friends, Winnie the Pooh, Princesses, or Star Wars characters. Some of these character meals will give you early access to one of Disney’s parks.

• Visit Christmas Shop Disney Springs

Shopping can be an enjoyable experience for many people. However, it can be a different experience when you visit shops and shop at Disney Springs Christmas Store during the winter. Check out the clearance section of any store you are interested in shopping at. A lot of stores have these areas set up just for items that have been on the shelf for too long. You can find great deals and overstocked items in this store area.

The new restaurants and shopping should be enough reasons to go visit Disney Springs now, but if you need a little extra incentive, there are plenty of seasonal events happening as well. Several of the restaurants and shops have special wintertime activities and events, so make sure that you keep an eye out for them all as you explore the many things to do in Disney Springs during the winter months.