Guests who found Santa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom last December will need to head somewhere different this year. Santa’s Holiday Grove is taking over as the park’s seasonal meeting spot, and Disney has now shared its menu and timing.
Goodbye, DinoLand
During the 2025 holiday season, Santa set up at Restaurantosaurus in DinoLand U.S.A. for the Dino Institute Holiday Party. Restaurantosaurus closed permanently along with the rest of DinoLand U.S.A. in February 2026.
The area is being rebuilt as Tropical Americas, a land drawing on the wildlife, landscapes, and culture of Central and South America. Plans call for Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, and El Carrusel de los Animalitos, with the land expected to open in 2027. Construction walls now cover Santa’s former photo spot.
Where to Find the Grove
Disney announced Santa’s Holiday Grove on October 6 alongside its full Walt Disney World holiday lineup. The season runs from November 13, 2026, through January 6, 2027, and includes the separately ticketed Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights in addition to offerings across the parks.
The Grove sits near Theater in the Wild, across from Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! Disney has moved away from the party concept used at Restaurantosaurus in favor of a festive trail, where intermittent snow flurries fall and holiday music plays.
The initial announcement left out a specific start date. Disney’s food guide now confirms that food and beverages will be served from November 13 through January 3, matching the first day of the holiday season but finishing three days ahead of its January 6 close.
What’s on the Menu
Only one item returns from previous years: the Chocolate-dipped Mickey Gingerbread, a Mickey-shaped gingerbread cookie dipped in chocolate. Everything else is new for 2026.
On the savory side, guests can choose between a Jalapeño-Cheddar Pretzel and the Pan de Jamón, a bread roll filled with smoked ham, olives, and orange raisins. A traditional Christmas dish in Venezuela, it is a thoughtful nod to the Central and South America-inspired land on its way.
The bakery case carries most of the menu. The Santa Hat Croissant and Chocolate Tree Croissant are both filled with hazelnut spread and dipped in white chocolate, but one is styled in red and white while the other is shaped like a decorated Christmas tree. The Mixed Berry Focaccia combines a blackberry, blueberry, and raspberry compote with lemon icing.
The Pistachio Cookie is packed with white chocolate chips, Sicilian pistachios, dried cranberries, and candied orange, while the Festive Chocolate Chip Cookie sticks to the classics with a scattering of holiday sprinkles.
Frozen treats include the Peppermint-Chocolate Cookie Dough Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich, layered with double-chocolate peppermint cookie dough, vanilla ice cream, and fudgy brownie, making it the latest seasonal take on the viral dessert. The Cookie Butter Milkshake arrives topped with whipped cream, caramel, and a chocolate-dipped cookie.
For adults, the Chilled Mulled Wine features Cabernet Sauvignon mulled with fresh orange, star anise, cinnamon, and cloves. Serving it cold makes sense in Central Florida, where afternoons in November and December can still run warm.
Animal Kingdom has traditionally spread its holiday touches across existing areas rather than hosting a single park-wide event. Returning favorites include the Merry Menagerie with its winter animal puppets and the holiday version of Tree of Life Awakenings. The new spot also reflects how the DinoLand U.S.A. closure has reshaped dining, attractions, and seasonal entertainment in that area.
Plan to visit between November 13 and January 3 for the full menu. Disney has not explained what happens from January 4 to January 6, so the Grove may be closed or run differently then.
Santa’s schedule is another open question. He usually finishes his Walt Disney World appearances around Christmas Eve, with characters like Santa Goofy sometimes stepping in afterward, and Disney has not confirmed whether that will happen here.
Will you be visiting Santa’s Holiday Grove this year? Let us know in the comments!
