Meeting Santa Claus at Disney World – What You Need to Know

Santa Claus is an American holiday tradition that goes back to the founding of the country through the influence of Dutch settlers in New York (there are other versions of Santa that can be found in Epcot, specifically France and the UK pavilions). For many children, getting the chance to meet Santa Claus is a highlight in anticipation of what Santa might bring them on Christmas Eve night. If you visit Disney World in November and December, you’ll be able to meet Santa! You can meet or wave to Santa in a few different places. Here is what you need to know.

1 – If Santa is Real, He’s Working at Disney World

The first thing you need to know is that meeting Santa at Disney World is going to be as good as it gets. I don’t know where Disney finds them, but there are no pillows under the coats or fake beards here. Disney World Santas are as realistic as they get.

2 – Storybook Circus, Magic Kingdom

New this year is Santa’s Christmas Carnival at Storybook Circus. It’s a great location where kids can have fun with crafts or write letters to Santa while their parents wait in line. The meet-and-greet is open daily and also during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Times vary, so please check the My Disney Experience app for up-to-date visiting times.

3 – The Odyssey Pavilion, World Celebration, Epcot

You could find Santa in the American Adventure in World Showcase in past years. This year, like last year, Santa can be found in the Odyssey Pavilion in World Celebration. Greet Santa now through December 24. Again, times vary, so please check the My Disney Experience app for up-to-date visiting times.

4 – It’s a Wonderful Shop, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

It’s a Wonderful Shop has not been open as a merchandise location since March 2020. Disney has again temporarily reopened the shop as a Santa greeting location. You can find the shop tucked behind the Muppetvision 3D theater. When arriving, you’ll be added to a digital waiting list, where you give your phone number and be texted when he’s ready to visit with you. It’s like a Virtual Queue, but you don’t join the app; you need to sign up with Cast Members. Inside the shop, you’ll find a gorgeously decorated area and Santa! Be sure to stop by!

5 – Restaurantosaurus, Disney’s Animal Kingdom

After three years of waving to Santa on the Discovery River, guests can finally greet with Santa on the patio of Restaurantosaurs. The students and faculty of the Dino Institute are hosting an amazing Dino Christmas party, and Santa is the guest of honor! The space is perfectly themed and if you’re a DINOSAUR fan, you definitely want to visit for all the fun nods to the attraction! Check the My Disney Experience app for greeting times.

6 – Santa’s Marketplace, Disney Springs

Meeting Santa at Disney Springs is a fantastic option for those looking to meet Santa without having to visit a theme park. Santa is available to visit at the new Santa’s Marketplace near Disney Pin Traders daily through December 24. To manage the queue to visit Santa, guests need to enter a Virtual Queue. Once you are at Disney Springs, join the Virtual Queue using the My Disney Experience app. One person in your party can request to join for the entire party (maximum of ten guests).

There will be multiple opportunities to enter the virtual queue throughout the day, including:

• 9:00 AM
• 11:00 AM
• 1:00 PM
• 3:00 PM
• 5:00 PM
• 7:00 PM

The app will give you an estimated wait time and assign you a “Welcoming Group.” When your group is called, you’ll receive a push notification to your phone. Once called, head to Santa’s Marketplace, where you’ll have a short wait to greet Santa.

7 – Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Magic Kingdom

You can also see Santa at the conclusion of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. You can catch this parade twice during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at 8:30 pm and 11:00 pm. If you are visiting during Christmas week, you can also see this parade during the day. In 2024, the parade will be offered during the day from December 21-December 31 at 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm.

8 – Capture the Moment

Disney PhotoPass photographers are on hand to capture the moment. If you have Disney’s Memory Maker Package, your PhotoPass photos with Santa are included. As always, you may use your own camera!

9 – Meet & Greet Etiquette

The standard Disney World Character meet & greet etiquette applies when meeting Santa. Be sure to have autograph books and Sharpies ready if you are looking for an autograph. The same goes for cameras. While you should never feel rushed, be sure that you are mindful of the people in line behind you as far as how much time you and your children spend with Santa. We observed in a couple of locations for about a half-hour each. Santa was fantastic about talking with the children, asking what they were hoping to receive for Christmas, getting a great picture, and then gently ending the experience when it was time for the next guest.