Santa Claus is meeting guests at all four Walt Disney World theme parks and at Disney Springs this holiday season. Disney has shared where he’ll be and when, including a brand-new location at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Here’s a park-by-park look.
Animal Kingdom
Santa meets guests at Santa’s Holiday Grove from November 13 through December 24. The new area is across from Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! at Theater in the Wild.
Guests follow a trail with holiday music and snow flurries to reach Santa’s campsite, which is filled with handcrafted toys, sculptures, tools, and maps from his travels. Specialty food and drinks are also available.
Santa previously met guests in DinoLand U.S.A., which closed February 2, 2026, for the Tropical Americas project.
From December 25 through January 3, Goofy dressed as Santa takes over the Grove.
Hollywood Studios
Santa is at Walt Disney Presents through December 24. The room is designed like a cozy toy shop with past Disney holiday artwork near the entrance. A new installation shows how Walt Disney World decorates for the season, and the theater is playing classic holiday shorts like Pluto’s Christmas Tree and The Art of Skiing with Goofy.
During Disney Jollywood Nights, Duffy dressed as Santa also appears.
EPCOT
Santa arrives November 27 with the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. He meets guests in a wintry setting inside CommuniCore Hall through December 24. The hall also features a Spaceship Earth gingerbread display.
Goofy dressed as Santa greets guests at The Odyssey, and holiday storytellers in World Showcase include Père Noël in France and Barn Santa in Norway.
Magic Kingdom
Santa begins meeting guests on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, in Storybook Circus and stays through December 24. This dedicated meet-and-greet is open to all guests. Santa also appears in Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Disney Springs
Santa is in his workshop near Disney’s Pin Traders through December 24. Visits use a virtual queue in the My Disney Experience app, with no standby line. Disney offers several chances to join throughout the day. Disney Springs has free admission and parking, making it an easy option for locals.
Photos and Memory Maker
PhotoPass photographers are at Santa locations across the resort, with holiday props and Magic Shots. Memory Maker includes downloads of all those photos, which helps if you plan to meet Santa more than once.
Planning Tips
Visit earlier in the season for shorter waits. Check the My Disney Experience app for hours and virtual queue times. Try to schedule visits around nap time for little ones. And if you have time, consider meeting Santa in more than one location, since each setting offers something different.
Final Thoughts
With Santa appearing at every Walt Disney World park and Disney Springs, families have plenty of chances to keep this holiday tradition alive. The new Santa’s Holiday Grove at Animal Kingdom is a fresh addition worth checking out.
Where will you meet Santa this year?
