Where To Find Santa Claus At Disney World For The 2024 Christmas Season

A big part of the Christmas season at Walt Disney World is meeting Santa Claus! Who doesn’t want to say hello to the big guy himself during the most wonderful time of the year?

But, where exactly can you find Santa Claus at Disney World? That is a very good question! And one that we’re here to answer.

In 2024, look for the holidays to kick off at Walt Disney World at Magic Kingdom with the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on December 8. Most other holiday themed events will start a few days after that, but Epcot will be last with the official kickoff for the Festival of the Holidays starting on November 29, 2024.

But when it comes to Santa, you have to act fast because not only is he a fan-favorite to meet, but as soon as December 25 hits, he heads back to the North Pole to prepare for next year’s festivities.

Now, where can you see Santa Claus at Disney World in 2024? Here’s a complete list!

Note: We have not received all the information for where to find Santa at Disney World in 2024. Most of the information below is from 2023. We expect things to look very similar in 2024 and will update this post with the latest info as soon as it is released by Disney.

Magic Kingdom

There are several places to see Santa at Magic Kingdom during official park hours and in the evenings when Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is held.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is part of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP), which kicks off on November 8 and runs on 25 select nights through December 20 in 2024.

Of course, you can spot Santa Claus as he waves hello from his sleigh during the parade.

The parade begins in Frontierland near Splash Mountain and works its way towards the end of Main Street, U.S.A.

During MVMCP, Santa meets at the Liberty Square Gazebo. If there’s bad weather, he won’t make appearances.

Typically, this line can get long due to Santa’s popularity, so plan accordingly.

Keep in mind that a Disney PhotoPass Photographer takes pictures here, which can make for a nice holiday photo!

Side note: You can also meet Santa Goofy at MVMCP! He appears inside the Storybook Circus Calliope Tent near Pete’s Silly Sideshow.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

At the end of December, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade will usually show during regular park hours outside of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Disney hasn’t officially released the times (and we don’t expect them to until November or December), but in 2024, this is our best guess for when we might see the parade move to the daytime:

• Dec. 21-31: 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for the latest schedule. The parade takes the usual route: starts in Frontierland by Splash Mountain and ends on Main Street, U.S.A. next to the Fire Station.

Liberty Square Gazebo

During the daytime at Magic Kingdom, you can usually meet Santa at the Liberty Square Gazebo, which is the same location he meets during the 2024 MVMCP.

Typically, he begins making appearances during the day in early December. We will let you know if this changes in 2024.

Times are posted in the My Disney Experience app. In 2023, he typically arrived between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. intermittently (stay tuned for 2024 times).

Epcot

Alongside the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays (runs from November 29 through December 30, 2024), there are plenty of opportunities to see Santa around the World Showcase, including a chance to have a Disney PhotoPass Photographer take your photo with him.

Odyssey Pavilion

Instead of meeting in the American Adventure Pavilion, like he once did in the past, Santa will once again meet inside the Odyssey Pavilion (between Test Track and Mexico).

You’ll be able to say hello to Santa here through December 24.

Santa is typically available every day for 60 minute windows. Here are the typical times you can find him there:

Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app to confirm schedules on the day of your visit.

World Showcase Storytellers

What makes Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays so special is the chance to learn about how different cultures celebrate the holidays, including how they view Santa Claus and what he means to them.

Stationed in the World Showcase pavilions are “Storytellers,” who share holiday traditions from across the globe.

Some of these Storytellers are Santa Claus’ from different countries, including the following. You can find showtimes for each of these Storytellers in the My Disney Experience app, and be sure to double-check the following showtimes when you’re visiting.

Important: The following times are from 2023. We will update with the 2024 schedule once Disney shares it.

France Pavilion

You can visit with Père Noël in the France pavilion and rediscover the magic of Christmas through the letter of a delightful child.

You can find Père Noël performing 15-minute shows Sundays through Saturdays:

Norway Pavilion

In the Norway pavilion, a mischievous magical Barn Santa visits Sigrid, an unsuspecting Christmas storyteller.

You can find the Barn Santa performing 15-minute shows Sundays through Saturdays:

United Kingdom Pavilion

Father Christmas makes an appearance in the United Kingdom pavilion and shares the traditions of the U.K. and good cheer.

You can find the Father Christmas performing 15-minute shows Sundays through Saturdays:

Animal Kingdom

Even at Animal Kingdom you can spot the one and only Santa Claus!

Santa Claus Festive Flotilla

Back in 2023, you could catch Santa Claus as he floated around in his festive flotilla and waved to guests along the Discovery River.

But, Disney has since cut the flotillas (which made us sad because we really loved them!), and we aren’t quite sure what exactly that will mean for Santa at Animal Kingdom, so stay tuned for that info!

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is yet another park where you can see the actual Santa Claus and a fan-favorite character who dresses up as Santa.

Santa meet and greet

Back in 2023, you could meet Santa from November 11 through December 24, at the It’s a Wonderful Shop on Grand Avenue in Hollywood Studios.

We expect to see something similar in 2024.

Minnie’s Holiday Dine

If you’re wondering about Santa Goofy, yes, he’s still around at Hollywood & Vine in Hollywood Studios.

During Minnie’s Seasonal Dine, aka Minnie’s Holiday Dine, Santa Goofy shows up alongside Minnie, Mickey, and Pluto, who are also all donning festive attire.

Disney Springs

If you happen to be shopping around Disney Springs, you’ll definitely want to take photos with Santa Claus, too.

Once Upon a Toy

Santa typically meets at Once Upon a Toy (in the Disney Springs Marketplace near Earl of Sandwich) for photos from around November 10 through December 24. We will update with the exact dates as soon as we get them for 2024.

A Disney PhotoPass Photographer will be available to take photos.

To meet Santa in Disney Springs, guests are required to join a virtual queue in the My Disney Experience app. A standby queue is not available here.

You have to be inside Disney Springs to join the virtual queue, which was available at the following times in 2023:

One person from your group will receive a push notification on their phone when it’s your turn. This push notification presents a link to a digital entry code.

There is usually a maximum party size of 10 people.

When it comes to joining the virtual queue, all you had to do is open the My Disney Experience app and then click the 3 lines at the bottom right of the screen.

Then, you select “Virtual Queues” before clicking “Join Virtual Queue.” You have to select the “Disney Springs” tab and follow the onscreen instructions.

In the app, you’re able to see the estimated wait time, which groups are being welcomed, and whether or not you’re eligible to join the queue.

Maria & Enzo’s

In the past, you’ve been able to have Breakfast with Santa. We don’t know yet if this fun event will be returning, but here are the 2023 details to help you plan just in case it does!

“Breakfast with Santa” allows you to hang with Santa and his elves throughout the holiday season.

What was included in 2023:

• Family-style breakfast (view menu)
• Meet and greet with Santa and his elves
• Family photo with Santa
• Takeaway treats for the kids
• Kid-friendly holiday activities
• Prosecco Mimosa (adult tickets)

Here were the 2023 dates for Breakfast with Santa:

• November: 24, 25, 26, 27
• December: 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24

You can select from 2 seating categories. There’s a Platinum or Gold package, with the former including priority seating at tables with the best views of Lake Buena Vista and the chance to be first in line to meet Santa.

Pricing began at $45 for children and $69 for adults (plus tax and gratuity) and also varies based on the date, time, and seating category. There was no charge for children 2 and under.

The experience is 90 minutes. You can make reservations online.

Blizzard Beach

At Blizzard Beach, guests are able to enjoy limited-time holiday offerings throughout the season.

Back for 2024 is the chance to meet Santa dressed in his “holiday-finest beachwear.” You should be able to find his daily meet and greet times in the My Disney Experience app.

Stay tuned for his 2024 appearance locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Allow us to answer some questions that may be on your mind!

How long does Santa make appearances?

Typically, Santa will begin making appearances at the beginning of the holiday season through December 24.

Does Santa Goofy still make appearances?

Yes, Santa Goofy still makes appearances, but only during Minnie’s Seasonal Dine at Hollywood & Vine in Hollywood Studios, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom, and usually inside the Odyssey Pavilion at Epcot beginning December 25.

Will Santa sign autographs?

While Santa doesn’t typically sign autographs, you can expect Santa Goofy to! But, more than likely, he’ll just sign “Goofy” not “Santa Goofy”.

Will Cast Members take photos for guests?

If there isn’t a Disney PhotoPass photographer with Santa or a character, more than likely a Cast Member will gladly take your photo for you.

All you have to do is ask!