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Disney World Celebrates Christmas With New Festive Offerings

A guest hugs Minnie Mouse in a Christmas outfit at Walt Disney World Resort.
Credit: Disney

Walt Disney World Resort has announced new Christmas experiences coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. However, one of those experiences will only be available through 2024.

Christmas Offerings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

On Tuesday, Disney Parks Blog announced the long-awaited return of a beloved Christmas tradition at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park for the 2024 holiday season. From November 12 to December 24, guests will have the opportunity to experience a new Santa Claus meet-and-greet event, marking the first such experience in years. This festive occasion will take place at the 75th Annual Dino Institute Holiday Party, located on the patio of Restaurantosaurus in DinoLand U.S.A.

Concept art of a Santa meet-and-greet at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park for Christmas at Walt Disney World Resort.

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Many visitors highly anticipate the meet-and-greet, especially considering Santa Claus has only engaged with guests from afar in recent years. Since the pandemic, Santa’s presence has been limited to distanced greetings from festive “floatillas,” which did not resonate with the traditional intimate experience families cherish.

However, this is the first and only year for this Santa Claus meet-and-greet at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. In 2025, DinoLand U.S.A. is slated for closure to pave the way for the new Tropical Americas area, Pueblo Esperanza. This impending transformation adds a layer of nostalgia to the current festive offerings, as fans recognize this as a farewell season for DinoLand. From @smhsteve_ on X (formerly Twitter):

“Think it’s sweet that disney is giving the land a farewell with something like this. it’ll give the fans a memory to remember.”

Holiday Activities at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

santa goofy

Credit: Becky Burkett, Disney Dining

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the 2024 Christmas festivities also welcome exciting new entertainment offerings that enrich the park experience during the holiday season. Guests can expect to be enthralled by the Holiday Spirit Band and performances from Juggling Elves and the Seasons Jukebox marching band.

These additions will elevate the park’s festive atmosphere and engage guests in lively performances throughout the dayβ€”unlike many of the park’s other festive offerings, they’re not exclusive to the ticketed Disney Jollywood Nights event.

Are there any past Christmas experiences that you’d like to see return to Walt Disney World Resort? Share them with Disney Dining in the comments.Β 

About Jess Colopy

Jess Colopy is a Disney College Program alum and kid-at-heart. When she’s not furiously typing in a coffee shop, you can find her on the hunt for the newest Stitch pin.

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