The holiday season is officially kicking off at Walt Disney World, and with it comes one of the most magical traditions of the year: meeting Santa Claus. For many families, a visit with Santa is the moment that makes the season feel real. Kids line up with their wish lists, parents snap photos they’ll treasure for years, and everyone gets a little dose of holiday joy. And when that visit happens at Walt Disney World, the magic feels even bigger.For families and Central Florida locals alike, seeing Santa at Disney World has become a beloved holiday tradition. Some families visit him at the same spot every year. Others hop between parks to see him in different settings. Either way, knowing where to find Santa ahead of time can make planning your holiday visit a whole lot easier.This year, Santa is meeting guests at all four Walt Disney World theme parks and at Disney Springs. Disney has confirmed where to find him at each location, along with the dates. There’s even a brand-new Santa experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Here’s your complete guide to meeting Santa at Walt Disney World this holiday season.Credit: Disney Santa’s 2026 Walt Disney World LocationsHere’s a quick look at where and when to find Santa:Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Santa’s Holiday Grove, November 13 through December 24Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Walt Disney Presents, through December 24EPCOT: CommuniCore Hall, November 27 through December 24Magic Kingdom: Storybook Circus, November 26 through December 24Disney Springs: Santa’s workshop near Disney’s Pin Traders, through December 24Every location wraps up on December 24, when Santa heads out for his busiest night of the year.Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Santa’s Holiday GroveSanta has a brand-new home at Disney’s Animal Kingdom this year. Santa’s Holiday Grove opened on November 13 and is located across from Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! at Theater in the Wild.Guests walk along a trail filled with holiday music and occasional snow flurries on their way to meet Santa. The Grove also offers specialty food and drinks, making it a festive stop for the whole family.Disney designed the Grove as a stop on Santa’s journey around the world. James Silson, Show Director at Disney Live Entertainment, explained that Santa has made “a special stop along the Discovery River.” Guests can spot handcrafted toys, sculptures, tools, and even navigational maps Santa uses to plan his travels.Santa previously met guests in DinoLand U.S.A., which closed on February 2, 2026, to make way for Tropical Americas.Goofy Takes Over After ChristmasSanta’s last day at the Grove is December 24. From December 25 through January 3, Goofy dressed as Santa will take over. That’s great news for families visiting between Christmas and New Year’s who still want a festive photo.Credit: DisneyDisney’s Hollywood Studios: Walt Disney PresentsAt Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Santa is meeting guests inside Walt Disney Presents through December 24.The meet-and-greet room is designed to feel like Santa’s cozy toy shop, with Disney holiday artwork from past years near the entrance. There’s also a new holiday installation about how Walt Disney World decorates for the season.While you wait, the theater is showing classic holiday shorts for a limited time, including Pluto’s Christmas Tree and The Art of Skiing with Goofy.Guests attending Disney Jollywood Nights may also spot Duffy dressed as Santa.EPCOT: CommuniCore HallAt EPCOT, Santa arrives with the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays on November 27. He’ll meet guests in a wintry setting inside CommuniCore Hall through December 24.CommuniCore Hall will also feature a Spaceship Earth gingerbread display during the festival.And Santa isn’t the only holiday visitor at EPCOT. Goofy dressed as Santa will pose for photos at The Odyssey, and World Showcase holiday storytellers include Père Noël in France and Barn Santa in Norway.Credit: DisneyMagic Kingdom: Storybook CircusSanta’s Magic Kingdom meet-and-greet opens on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, in Storybook Circus. Disney calls it a dedicated spot for Santa, and it’s open to all guests, not just those attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.Santa also rides his sleigh in Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, which takes the place of the Starlight parade on party nights.Disney Springs: Santa’s WorkshopAt Disney Springs, Santa is meeting guests in his workshop near Disney’s Pin Traders through December 24.To see him, you’ll need to join a virtual queue in the My Disney Experience app. There’s no standby line. Disney says there will be multiple chances to join throughout the day, so if you miss one, check back later.Since Disney Springs has free admission and free parking, it’s an especially great option for locals.Credit: DisneyCapture the MemoriesDisney PhotoPass photographers will be working at Santa locations across the four parks and Disney Springs, with limited-time holiday props and Magic Shots.If you plan to visit more than one Santa this season, Memory Maker covers downloads of all those photos.Tips for Meeting SantaVisit early in the season. Lines tend to grow closer to Christmas.Check the app. Look for wait times, hours, and virtual queue options.Plan around naps. Happy kids make for better photos.Bring your wish list. Santa loves hearing what’s on it.Consider multiple Santas. Each location offers a different setting and experience.Make Santa Part of Your Holiday TraditionWhether you meet Santa at his new Holiday Grove, his cozy toy shop, a wintry corner of CommuniCore Hall, Storybook Circus, or his workshop at Disney Springs, it’s a holiday moment your family won’t forget.Where will your family be meeting Santa at Walt Disney World this year?The post The Ultimate Guide to Finding Santa at Walt Disney World appeared first on Inside the Magic.