Meet Santa at Walt Disney World (Every Location in 2023)

If you plan a trip to Walt Disney World over the holiday season, you’ll probably want to know where to meet Santa. Santa meets daily at multiple locations between the parks and Disney Springs. Below, we’ll review the details for each Santa Claus meet-and-greet at Walt Disney World. As of this update, Santa is already meeting at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

His Epcot meet-and-greet is scheduled to open on November 24, 2023. You’ll wait in line or in a virtual queue to meet Santa at each location. Then, when it’s your turn, you can personally meet Santa, talk with him, and take your photo.

*Santa will be available at each location through December 24, 2023.

Santa Locations at Walt Disney World

Here is a list of Santa locations during the 2023 holiday season.

It’s a Wonderful Shop (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
The Odyssey Pavilion (Epcot)
Enchanted Glade Gazebo (Magic Kingdom)
Once Upon a Toy (Disney Springs)
Blizzard Beach (Pop-Up Appearances)

Meet Santa at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Santa’s motorcade did not return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this holiday season. Instead, we see the return of a traditional meet-and-greet. Santa meets daily at Hollywood Studios between 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

it's a wonderful shop where Santa meets at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Guests can join the queue for Santa outside of his location, the former It’s a Wonderful Shop. The shop is located toward the back of Muppets Courtyard next to Mama Melrose. You’ll provide your name and number to the cast member in the area. When it’s your turn to join the queue, they’ll text you.

Santa Claus debuts at his Hollywood Studios meet-and-greet

When you return, you’ll wait in a short line to meet Santa Claus. He has a beautiful setup inside the shop. A PhotoPass photographer is available at this location to take photos.

Meet Santa at Epcot

Santa returns to the Odyssey Pavilion in World Celebration this Christmas season. His meet-and-greet will begin on November 24, 2023, and he’ll be at this location through Christmas Eve.

Santa will likely meet intermittently throughout most of the day. Last year, his times were listed in the My Disney Experience app. We’ll update you when we know more about this location.

Meet Santa at Magic Kingdom

Santa Claus meets at the Enchanted Glade Gazebo behind Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom. He meets intermittently throughout the day and during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

This is an excellent location for a family holiday photo. You can also see Santa at Magic Kingdom in the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, which will be available to all guests during the week of Christmas. It is also performed twice nightly at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Meet Santa at Disney Springs

Lastly, Santa Claus has a meet-and-greet available at Disney Springs. This meet-and-greet is a little different because it offers a virtual queue. Guests can use the My Disney Experience app to enter a virtual queue at the following times:

9:00 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
2:00 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.

Unfortunately, there won’t be a standby queue for this location. However, a virtual queue eliminates the long process of standing in line. That can only be good at a venue as large as Disney Springs. We visited Disney Springs to provide a complete walk-through of this Santa meet-and-greet.

Meet Santa at Blizzard Beach

Santa Claus also makes surprise appearances at Blizzard Beach during the holiday season. You might run into him if you visit the waterpark during the holidays! He’s usually not far past the park’s entrance. He’ll be the one in the tropical suit!

Final Thoughts on Meeting Santa at Disney World

Hopefully, these tips and photos will help you locate Santa at Disney World this holiday season. Most of these meet-and-greets will make for fun family photos and memories you’ll cherish for years to come. For more details on experiencing Christmas at Walt Disney World, you might enjoy our entire guide: The Resorts Gal Guide to Visiting Walt Disney World at Christmas.

In the Comments

Which Santa meet at Walt Disney World looks like your favorite? Do you take the time to meet Santa Claus when you visit?

Meet Santa at Walt Disney World (Every Location in 2023)