Santa Claus has officially arrived at Walt Disney World! The big man is making stops at all four theme parks and Disney Springs this holiday season, and this year he has a brand new spot at Disney’s Animal Kingdom that is already shaping up to be one of the most charming meet and greets on property.
Here is where you can find Santa at Disney World in 2026, along with the dates for each location and a few extra holiday experiences to look for while you are there.
Where to Meet Santa at Disney World 2026: Quick Look
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Santa’s Holiday Grove, November 13 through December 24 (Goofy dressed as Santa December 25 through January 3)
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Walt Disney Presents, now through December 24
- EPCOT: CommuniCore Hall, November 27 through December 24
- Magic Kingdom: Storybook Circus, Thanksgiving Day (November 26) through December 24
- Disney Springs: Near Disney’s Pin Traders, now through December 24 (virtual queue only)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Santa’s Holiday Grove
The biggest Santa news this year comes from Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Santa has set up camp at the brand new Santa’s Holiday Grove, located across from Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond! at Theater in the Wild.
This is more than just a photo spot. The grove is a holiday trail with intermittent snow flurries, specialty food and beverage items, and a festive soundtrack playing along the way. Santa’s campsite is filled with handcrafted toys and sculptures inspired by his travels around the world, along with the tools he is using to finish a few last creations. Keep an eye out for his maps and navigational instruments too, since he needs those to chart his course on Christmas Eve.
James Silson, Show Director at Disney Live Entertainment, said Santa has made “a special stop along the Discovery River” to celebrate how people around the world share the spirit of the season through toys, traditions and craftsmanship.
Dates: November 13 through December 24
Here is a fun bonus: after Santa leaves on Christmas Eve to start his big journey, Goofy dressed as Santa takes over at Santa’s Holiday Grove from December 25 through January 3. That makes Animal Kingdom one of the few places you can still get a Santa themed photo after Christmas.
While you are at Animal Kingdom, do not miss the Merry Menagerie of life sized animal puppets on Discovery Island and the holiday version of Tree of Life Awakenings after dark.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Walt Disney Presents
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Santa is meeting guests inside Walt Disney Presents, which has a brand new holiday installation celebrating how Walt Disney World decks its halls every year. The meet and greet room is designed to feel like stepping right into Santa’s cozy toy shop, and as you walk in, look around for Disney holiday artwork from years past.
The attraction’s theater is also getting a seasonal twist, with a limited time lineup of classic Disney holiday shorts including On Ice, Pluto’s Christmas Tree and The Art of Skiing starring Goofy.
Dates: Now through December 24
If you are attending Disney Jollywood Nights, keep an eye out for Duffy dressed as Santa. You can read our full Disney Jollywood Nights 2026 review for everything else that is new at the party this year.
EPCOT: CommuniCore Hall
Santa arrives at EPCOT once the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth begins on November 27. He will be meeting guests in a wintry setting inside CommuniCore Hall, which is also home to an incredible Spaceship Earth gingerbread display this year.
Dates: November 27 through December 24
Want even more holiday characters? Head to The Odyssey, where Goofy dressed as Santa is ready to pose for photos. Around World Showcase, you will also find holiday storytellers sharing traditions from across the globe, including Père Noël in France and Barn Santa in Norway.
Planning to eat your way around the festival? Our EPCOT Festival of the Holidays 2026 Foodie Guide has every Holiday Kitchen and Cookie Stroll treat with photos.
Magic Kingdom: Storybook Circus
Magic Kingdom is pure nostalgic holiday magic, with garlands and giant bows along Main Street, U.S.A., a towering Christmas tree and “snoap” flurries falling over it all.
Starting on Thanksgiving Day, Santa will have his own dedicated meet and greet spot in Storybook Circus, so families can share their wish lists in person.
Dates: Thanksgiving Day (November 26) through December 24
You can also catch Santa waving from his sleigh in Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. And while you are in the park, ride the Jingle Cruise in Adventureland for festive skipper jokes and wonderfully tacky Christmas decorations throughout the jungle.
Visiting over the holiday? Check out our Thanksgiving at Disney World 2026 guide for park hours, turkey dinners and tips.
Disney Springs: Santa’s Workshop Near Disney’s Pin Traders
At Disney Springs, Santa is in his workshop near Disney’s Pin Traders, and it is one of the most popular photo ops of the season. Since you do not need park tickets to visit Disney Springs, this is a great option for locals or anyone with a non park day.
Dates: Now through December 24
Important: This meet and greet uses a virtual queue through the My Disney Experience app, and there is no standby line. Check the app for the multiple entry times offered throughout the day.
To make a full day of it, see how a Santa visit, the Christmas Tree Stroll and holiday treats all fit together in A Family Holiday Day at Disney Springs. For every tree on the trail, check out our Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll 2026 guide.
Holiday PhotoPass Photos and Magic Shots
Disney PhotoPass photographers are stationed throughout all four parks and Disney Springs this season, with festive backdrops, limited time seasonal props and holiday Magic Shots. They make a perfect option for this year’s holiday card.
If you plan on taking a lot of photos, Memory Maker lets you download all of your PhotoPass pictures in one package.
Tips for Meeting Santa at Disney World
- Go early in the season. Lines grow quickly in December, especially the week before Christmas. Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs are available starting now.
- Check the My Disney Experience app. Character times can change, and Disney Springs requires the virtual queue.
- Bring the wish list. Kids love handing Santa a letter, and it makes for a great photo moment.
- Do not forget Goofy. Goofy dressed as Santa at The Odyssey in EPCOT and at Animal Kingdom after Christmas is a fun twist on the classic photo.
Plan Your Holiday Trip to Walt Disney World
The holidays are one of the busiest and most magical times to visit Walt Disney World. If you want help planning a trip, get a free, no obligation quote from our preferred travel partner MEI/Mouse Fan Travel.
Which Santa will you be visiting this year? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to The Main Street Mouse for all of the latest holiday news from Walt Disney World!
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