Where to Find Santa Across Walt Disney World
The 2025 holiday season is in full swing at Walt Disney World. Guests can find Santa across all four theme parks and Disney Springs through December 24. Each location offers a unique setting, shorter lines at select times, and themed backdrops that change the feel of every meet-and-greet. These are the confirmed locations for this year.
Santa at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Santa’s stop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is inside Walt Disney Presents. This new setup replaces the former Muppets Courtyard spot. The space features warm lighting, classic decorations, and nods to early Disney holiday animation, including touches inspired by the 1932 short Santa’s Workshop. Cast members created a toy‑shop feel with vintage artwork that brings the holidays to life. Santa appears here daily until December 24.
EPCOT will host Santa inside CommuniCore Hall for the first time. This move aligns with the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, which begins November 28. Guests can step into a wintry backdrop that surrounds a detailed Spaceship Earth gingerbread display. Santa typically appears at scheduled times throughout the day, Santa Goofy is also meeting guests inside The Odyssey during the festival.
Santa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom keeps things playful at Restaurantosaurus in DinoLand U.S.A. This stop is filled with dino‑themed holiday touches, from tiny parachuting dinosaurs to themed stockings hung by paleontologists. The location runs from November 14 through December 24. This will also be the final year Santa appears in DinoLand before the area transitions to Tropical Americas in 2026.
Santa at Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom remains the most nostalgic place to see Santa. Starting Thanksgiving Day, guests can meet him at Storybook Circus. This area now includes new decorations made for the meet‑and‑greet experience. During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Santa appears in Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade as he waves from his sleigh. Guests attending the party will find this to be the best way to see him without waiting in line.
Santa at Disney Springs
Disney Springs offers one of the most popular Santa stops and does not require a park ticket. Santa meets near Disney’s Pin Traders in the Marketplace until December 24. A virtual queue is used at set times throughout the day. This system helps manage the wait and gives families time to shop or enjoy live entertainment.
Helpful Tips for Meeting Santa
Cast members across the resort work months ahead to prepare each Santa location. Every detail supports a specific theme. Designers choose artwork, props, and lighting to match the personality of each park. These touches create the warm anticipation guests feel as they walk toward Santa’s chair. Many setups use vintage cards, letters, and artwork to help build the holiday atmosphere.
Families should use the My Disney Experience app to confirm daily times. Some locations use a virtual queue, while others operate on a first‑come basis. PhotoPass photographers support all Santa stops, making it easy to download holiday photos. With Memory Maker, guests can download every image without extra cost.
