Where to Meet Santa at Walt Disney World in 2026

Ho ho ho! Santa Claus is making his way to the Most Magical Place on Earth this holiday season! That’s right, the jolly old elf is returning to Walt Disney World, and Guests will have several opportunities to meet him before he heads back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.

Whether you’re hoping to get that perfect Christmas card photo, share your holiday wish list, or simply enjoy a little extra Christmas magic, we’ve got everything you need to know about where to find Santa at Walt Disney World in 2026.

Santa will officially meet Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs beginning November 13. We’re also looking ahead to the expected return of Santa at EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, where he will meet with Guests starting later this month.

(You’re on the Nice List, right?)

Where Can You Meet Santa at Walt Disney World in 2026?

Here’s a quick look at the expected Santa Claus meet-and-greet locations around Walt Disney World this holiday season.

• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Walt Disney Presents (November 13–December 24).
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Santa’s Holiday Grove, across from Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond (November 13–December 24).
• EPCOT: CommuniCore Hall (November 27–December 24).
• Magic Kingdom: Storybook Circus in Fantasyland (November 26–December 24).
• Disney Springs: Santa’s Marketplace (confirmed November 13–December 24).

Let’s take a closer look at each location!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

This year, Santa can be found inside Walt Disney Presents at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Guests will feel like they’ve stepped straight into Santa’s workshop, complete with festive decorations and a cozy North Pole atmosphere that’s perfect for holiday photos.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet Santa, share your Christmas wishes, and capture a little holiday magic during your visit to Hollywood Studios.

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.

Be sure to add this stop to your holiday plans!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Santa is settling into a festive new location!

You’ll find him at Santa’s Holiday Grove, across from Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond at Theater in the Wild.

And this isn’t just an ordinary Santa meet-and-greet! Guests can enjoy intermittent snow flurries, specialty food and beverages, and a seasonal soundtrack while taking in the holiday atmosphere.

Showtimes are:

• 10:00 a.m.
• 12:15 p.m.
• 2:45 p.m.
• 5:00 p.m.

Santa will be meeting here until December 24. After that date, Guests will find Santa Goofy from December 25, 2026 through January 3, 2027.

EPCOT

At EPCOT, you can find Santa as part of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays!

Santa is meet Guests inside CommuniCore Hall beginning November 27.

And don’t forget to check out the incredible Spaceship Earth gingerbread display while you’re exploring the park!

Looking for even more holiday cheer? Head over to The Odyssey, where Santa Goofy will be available.

Magic Kingdom

If you’re hoping to meet Santa at Magic Kingdom, we’ll have to wait a little longer for Disney to share its 2026 plans.

Santa is meeting Guests at Storybook Circus in Fantasyland beginning on Thanksgiving Day until December 24.

Disney Springs  

Don’t have a theme park ticket? No problem! You can still get in on the holiday fun at Disney Springs.

Santa will be meeting Guests at Santa’s Marketplace, making this a great option for families who want a little Christmas magic without visiting one of the theme parks.

However, there’s something important you’ll want to know before heading over: Disney uses a virtual queue for this experience. There is no traditional standby line.

Guests can use the My Disney Experience app to join the virtual queue at the following distribution times:

• 9:00 a.m.
• 11:00 a.m.
• 1:00 p.m.
• 3:00 p.m.
• 5:00 p.m.

Be sure to have the My Disney Experience app ready so you don’t miss your opportunity to join the queue!

This is one of the most popular holiday photo opportunities at Walt Disney World, so planning ahead is a good idea.

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Meet Santa at Walt Disney World!

Whether you’re visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, or Disney Springs, meeting Santa is a wonderful way to add a little extra Christmas magic to your Walt Disney World vacation.

Remember, Santa’s appearances are seasonal, and he’ll be wrapping up his Walt Disney World visits on December 24 before heading out to deliver presents around the world!

So be good, stay merry, and start thinking about what you’d like to ask Santa!

Ho ho ho!

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