The holiday season at Disney World transforms the parks into a winter wonderland filled with seasonal decor, limited-time food, and holiday overlays of several attractions. However, one of the most beloved holiday traditions for guests of all ages is getting to meet Santa.
Whether you’re spending a day in one of the theme parks or doing some holiday shopping and dining at Disney Springs, knowing how and where to find Santa can make all the difference in working a meet-and-greet into your itinerary. Keep reading to hear all the details on everywhere you can meet Santa at Disney World this year. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including a new guest seating area at Disneyland and 5 changes to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
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Santa at Magic Kingdom
Guests attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can see Santa in his sleigh from afar, wishing guests a Merry Christmas during Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. If you’d like to meet Santa up close, you can find him at Storybook Circus during the party.
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While Disney has not officially confirmed where Santa will be at Magic Kingdom outside of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, it is likely that he will be at Storybook Circus. Be sure to check back in the My Disney Experiences App for the latest information during your trip.
Meet Santa at a New Location in Animal Kingdom
In previous years, guests could meet Santa at Restaurantosaurus in Dinoland U.S.A. However, with Dinoland closing earlier this year to make way for Tropical Americas, you can find Santa at an exciting new location this year. Guests can find him at Santa’s Holiday Grove, which is a new dining location opening across from Theater in the Wild, the theater where Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! is performed.
The new dining location will be open from November 13, 2026, to January 3, 2027, and includes holiday-themed items like a peppermint-chocolate cookie brownie ice cream sandwich and a cookie butter milkshake. While the restaurant will stay open through January 3, there is a chance that Santa will only be there for meet-and-greets until Christmas Eve, as this is when Santa typically leaves Disney to fulfill his Christmas duties.
In addition to meeting Santa, guests will also experience intermittent snow flurries and a festive musical soundtrack.
Multiple Variations of Santa at EPCOT
EPCOT’s annual Festival of the Holidays begins Friday, November 27. The festival includes some popular offerings like seasonal food, holiday storytellers in various countries around the World Showcase, and of course, meeting Santa.
Santa will be dressed in his classic red suit and hat for guests to meet daily in CommuniCore Hall until December 24.
Additionally, guests can meet Goofy dressed as Santa at the Odyssey through December 30.
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Santa at Hollywood Studios
Guests can meet Santa at Walt Disney Presents in Hollywood Studios. Walt Disney Presents is a walk-through experience just behind the Chinese Theater that pays homage to Walt’s life leading up to Disney. At the end of the walk-through is a theater that frequently plays sneak peeks of upcoming Disney films. However, it is currently playing Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream, which is a short documentary narrated by Julie Andrews.
Santa at Disney Springs
From November 11 to December 24, guests visiting Disney Springs can meet Santa near Disney’s Pin Traders. New this year, Disney is using a virtual queue, and a standby line will not be available. This is likely due to very long lines in past years, given that you do not need a theme park ticket to visit Disney Springs.
Guests can join the virtual queue using the My Disney Experience app. In order to join, you must be at Disney Springs. There will be multiple opportunities to join the virtual queue throughout the day at the following times:
- 9:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
- 3:00 PM
- 5:00 PM
One guest in your party can join the queue for all guests, with a max of 10 guests per party. When it is time for you to return, you will receive a push notification.
Guests can also write a letter to Santa at the Once Upon a Toy store in Disney Springs.
Dinner with Santa at Cake Bake Shop
New this year is an “Annual Family Holiday Tradition” at Cake Bake Shop at Disney’s Boardwalk, where families can enjoy Dinner with Santa. This special offering is premium-priced at $200 per adult and $150 per child (12 and younger), but comes with a 3-course meal, a personal visit and photo with Santa, and all kinds of festive goodies.
The experience begins with sparkling drinks and cocktails for the adults, followed by hors d’oeuvres and main entrees. The meal also includes dessert, as well as a hot chocolate and cookie-making kit as a special gift from Santa to take home with you. Families will get the opportunity to meet Santa and get a professional photo taken with him, which comes with a digital download option.
If you want a longer, more intimate visit with Santa, or you’re looking to get your Christmas card photos taken this year, you might want to look into this dining experience at the Cake Bake Shop. Reservations can be requested online for the following dates: November 24, December 1, December 8, and December 15.
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