November 13, 2026
The holiday season is feeling extra festive at Walt Disney World Resort. Thousands of twinkling lights, merry music, and, of course, the jolliest of them all! That’s right: Santa Claus will be making stops across all four Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs in between his holiday preparations.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates the holidays with unique, globally inspired decor, including the charming Merry Menagerie of life-sized animal puppets on Discovery Island and the dazzling holiday Tree of Life Awakenings projection show.
This holiday season, guests can meet Santa in an all-new location at Animal Kingdom! Across from “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue … and Beyond!” at Theater in the Wild, guests will find Santa’s Holiday Grove. This magical trail will treat guests with intermittent snow flurries, specialty food and beverage items, and a festive soundtrack that will make them feel jolly!
Where to See Santa at Animal Kingdom
- Santa’s Holiday Grove from November 13 to December 24
“As Santa is traveling the globe, he’s made a special stop along the Discovery River where he’s joining in the ways that people around the world celebrate the spirit of the season through the sharing of toys, traditions, and craftsmanship,” said James Silson, Show Director at Disney Live Entertainment. “When guests visit Santa’s campsite, they’ll discover handcrafted toys and sculptures inspired by his travels, along with an assortment of tools he’s using to put the finishing touches on a few more creations. They might even spot some of Santa’s navigational instruments and maps that help him chart the course for his next journey!”
After Santa departs on Christmas Eve to begin his big journey, Goofy dressed as Santa will take over at Santa’s Holiday Grove from December 25 through January 3, continuing to greet guests and create fun holiday memories.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Walt Disney Presents is shining for the season with a brand-new holiday installation celebrating how Walt Disney World decks its halls with holiday decor every year. Adding to all this festive fun, the attraction’s theater will take on a seasonal twist with a limited-time experience, showcasing classic Disney holiday short films, including Walt Disney’s On Ice, Pluto’s Christmas Tree, and The Art of Skiing starring Goofy.
Where to See Santa at Hollywood Studios
- Walt Disney Presents, until December 24th
That’s right, the big man himself will surely stop by Walt Disney Presents decked out in its festive splendor. With all the new holiday flair in the building, cast members made sure to create a welcoming space for the guest of honor. If guests are joining the fun during Disney Jollywood Nights, they may even spot Duffy dressed as Santa.
Amie, Disney Live Entertainment Producer, added, “I think guests will love the feeling of stepping right into Santa’s cozy toy shop when they come meet him at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year. One of my favorite parts of the room is actually as you first walk in! Be sure to look around you to spot beautiful Disney artwork from holidays past!”
EPCOT
EPCOT is getting ready to put the festive in festival when EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth begins November 27. Around World Showcase, guests can discover international holiday storytellers like Père Noël in France and Barn Santa in Norway — celebrating the fantastic holiday traditions from across the globe.
Where to See Santa at EPCOT
- CommuniCore Hall, November 27 until December 24
Cast members will soon be decking the Hall - CommuniCore Hall, that is! Stop by once the festival begins to see an incredible Spaceship Earth gingerbread display and a chance to meet Santa in a wintry setting. Looking for even more holiday cheer? Swing by The Odyssey, where Goofy dressed as Santa is ready to strike a pose with the family.
Magic Kingdom Park
The Christmas season at Magic Kingdom is pure, nostalgic winter magic. Garlands and giant bows deck the halls of Main Street, U.S.A. where the iconic, towering Christmas tree and “snoap” flurries create a quintessential holiday scene.
Where to See Santa at Magic Kingdom
- Storybook Circus, Thanksgiving Day until December 24
Santa as he waves from his sleigh during Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, bringing that picture-perfect Disney magic to Main Street, U.S.A. and Cinderella Castle.
Starting Thanksgiving Day, all guests can make their way to Storybook Circus, where Santa will have his own dedicated spot to meet families hoping to cross things off their wish lists!
For even more holiday fun, head into Adventureland, where a certain classic pun-filled ride has been transformed into the Jingle Cruise, complete with skippers cracking festive holiday jokes and tacky-but-charming Christmas decorations adorning the boathouse and jungle scenes.
Disney Springs
At Disney Springs, guests may find Santa in his workshop near Disney’s Pin Traders — and yes, it’s one of the most popular photo ops of the season!
Where to See Santa at Disney Springs
- Near Disney’s Pin Traders, until December 24
To make things merry and efficient, guests can join a virtual queue through the My Disney Experience app for this experience. A standby queue will not be available, so be sure to check the app for multiple entry opportunities throughout the day.
No matter where guests go, from the theme parks to Disney Springs, holiday cheer is waiting to light up the holiday.
Families can capture every magical moment with Disney PhotoPass photographers, stationed throughout all four parks and Disney Springs. From festive backdrops – and even limited-time seasonal props and Magic Shots – they’ll help guests preserve the spirit of the season, perfect for any holiday card they plan to send to loved ones.
And for even more convenience, download all photos with Memory Maker, an all-inclusive photo package.
To learn more about all the holiday magic guests can experience here at Walt Disney World, visit WaltDisneyWorld.com/holidays.
