At both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, thousands of guests wrapped up the holiday season this week with one of the most predictable yet sentimental transitions of the year: Santa Claus has now officially left the parks for the season. His disappearance marks the yearly end of Christmas entertainment across Disney properties, a moment that arrives swiftly as December 25 slips into the calendar’s rearview. No matter how many times it happens, the change strikes a nostalgic chord. One evening, Santa greets visitors, waves from parade floats, and poses for photos amid snowfall effects and orchestral holiday soundtracks. Then, as scheduled, he’s gone overnight, leaving the parks to shift back toward standard winter operations.Credit: Kevin Baird, FlickrA Sad DepartureThe departure occurred exactly as planned, with the company having previously announced his seasonal run months in advance. In a statement listed on the Disneyland website, Disney confirmed, “Santa and the reindeer arrive on November 14th and will stay at the Resort through Christmas Eve.” That detail set expectations early for guests planning vacations, festive family meet-and-greets, and classic Christmas card photos featuring Santa, Main Street garlands, and castle lights.Now that Christmas Day has passed, Santa’s 2025 season at Disney is officially complete. While it is almost certain that he will return next year—Disney’s holiday traditions rarely disappear—the company has not released any formal schedule or details for his 2026 appearance. Until then, the jolliest character in the parks has stepped back through the North Pole’s metaphorical gate.Holiday Endings Always Hit Differently at DisneyAnyone who visits Disney parks during the holiday season knows that Christmas is more than a single date on the calendar. It’s a full sensory takeover. Parks come alive with wreaths, projections, themed treats, snow on Main Street, and parades accompanied by toy soldiers and marching reindeer. Santa, in many ways, has become the emotional anchor of that experience.Which is why his exit—even when expected—always feels like a switch flipping.One day the parks sparkle with red-and-green decor and holiday soundtracks, and the next morning, subtle changes begin. Meet-and-greet schedules shift, cavalcade lineups adjust, and Christmas overlays begin winding down. Some areas keep their decor a little longer, especially at Walt Disney World where full removal takes time, but Santa’s departure is the clearest indicator that the season is officially ending.Disney fans often describe this moment as bittersweet. Many build vacations around the chance to meet Santa in the parks, especially those traveling with young children. His appearances become part of family traditions, matching holiday pajamas in resort photos, and festive character breakfasts that book up months in advance.This year, as always, guests lined up to see Santa one last time during the final days leading into Christmas Eve. By December 26, he was gone.Credit: DisneyWhere Guests Typically Found Santa in 2025Although offerings vary slightly between the coasts, Santa at Disney is more than a stationary meet-and-greet. He appears throughout both resorts in multiple formats that change annually based on entertainment schedules.At Disneyland Resort, Santa met guests inside Disney California Adventure and Disneyland Park, visited resort hotels, and headlined appearances at the Festival of Holidays. His schedule often includes Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, Storybook photo spots, and seasonal character meet areas designed around holiday storytelling aesthetics.At Walt Disney World Resort, Santa generally appears across multiple parks including EPCOT’s World Showcase storytellers, Magic Kingdom holiday events, and Disney Springs photo locations. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party featured him prominently, culminating in parade floats and meet opportunities that frequently saw long lines during peak nights.With Santa now gone, these offerings shift to standard programming. Characters return to regular attire, storytellers transition roles, and events pivot toward New Year’s celebrations and early spring previews.No Plans Announced Yet for His 2026 ReturnAlthough Santa’s return is considered a holiday guarantee by most Disney fans, Disney has not yet announced dates, seasonal details, or entertainment expansions for next year. Historically, holiday details release in mid–to late summer, often aligned with party ticket drops, merchandise previews, and seasonal food guides.Fans will likely watch for signs such as:• permit activity for holiday decor and show changes• entertainment auditions featuring Christmas roles• updates to Disneyland.com seasonal schedules• announcements tied to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party or Festival of HolidaysGiven how strongly Disney leans into seasonal programming, Santa is expected to return, but the company has yet to formalize timelines.What Happens Next in the Parks?The end of Santa appearances marks a pivot point. For visitors in the final days of December, holiday ambiance remains but gradually transitions. Decorations don’t vanish instantly—Magic Kingdom decor often remains into early January—but entertainment begins winding down, meet schedules adjust, and cast shifts move toward New Year’s Eve operations.January also marks refurbishment season, meaning certain attractions rotate into downtime while Disney prepares for spring break crowds and festival openings. EPCOT Festival of the Arts sits around the corner, followed by Valentine’s offerings, Dapper Day, and the beginning of the next event cycle.Christmas is one of Disney’s longest, most elaborate offerings each year, but it ends fast. Santa’s removal is the very first domino.Credit: DisneyThe Magic of the Holiday Season Lives On (Just Without Santa for Now)For guests who already miss him, Santa’s presence remains in memories, photos, holiday videos, and vacation stories families will share for years. Many will spend the next eleven months anticipating his return. Others have one final chance to soak in the holiday ambiance if visiting before decor officially clears out.Until then, Disney continues the transition into its next themed season, leaving behind one final question:How early will Santa return in 2026—and what surprises might come with him? Because if history tells us anything, Disney loves a good holiday twist.The post Disney Removes Christian Symbol From All Disney Parks, Effective Immediately appeared first on Inside the Magic.