As the holiday season begins at Walt Disney World, visitors arriving over Thanksgiving weekend in 2025 will find a notable update: Santa Claus will start greeting guests at Magic Kingdom during regular park hours beginning on Thanksgiving Day (November 27th). Santa’s daytime meet-and-greet in Storybook Circus will operate under normal operating hours of the park. This will continue through Christmas Eve, December 24th.
Santa also makes appearances at Magic Kingdom every year, including during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a separately ticketed after-hours event. During those party nights, he meets in Storybook Circus in a location referred to as “Santa’s Christmas Carnival.”
Other Santa Locations at Walt Disney World
During the 2025 holiday season, Santa will meet guests at several locations across Walt Disney World in addition to his Magic Kingdom appearances.
At EPCOT, he will greet visitors inside CommuniCore Hall as part of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. His schedule at this location runs daily from November 28th through December 24th, and the meet-and-greet typically features a simple indoor backdrop designed for photos and short interactions.
Tally the Elf checking Santa’s List at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in 2024 – YouTube, blusmeraldo
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At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Santa will appear in the Walt Disney Presents attraction space through December 24th. This area functions as a queueable indoor walkthrough exhibit, giving guests a defined line and climate-controlled environment while waiting for their turn. The decor is themed to Christmas movies such as The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Santa Clause, and more.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Santa will meet guests on the outdoor patio of Restaurantosaurus in DinoLand U.S.A. through December 24th. The setup here usually involves a small staging area beside the restaurant entrance, where guests can approach for greetings and photos.
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus Arrive in the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade, Credit: La Reina Creole
At Disney Springs, Santa will appear at Santa’s Marketplace near Disney’s Pin Traders. This meet-and-greet uses a virtual queue accessed through the My Disney Experience app, allowing guests to secure a return time and explore the shopping district until their group is called.
Considerations for Thanksgiving Weekend Visitors
Thanksgiving weekend is typically one of the busiest times at Walt Disney World. While the new daytime Santa appearances offer flexibility, guests should still expect potentially long lines.
The Osborn Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights in Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Photo Credit: Follow The Bradleys’ Fun
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Because Santa’s availability can change, checking the My Disney Experience app frequently on the day of your visit is recommended. Meeting Santa during regular park hours may offer different lighting and surroundings compared to evening party nights.
Magic Kingdom’s Christmas Offerings
Magic Kingdom incorporates several seasonal elements during the 2025 Christmas period. One of the season’s primary entertainment features is Frozen Holiday Surprise, during which characters from the Frozen franchise appear on the Castle Forecourt Stage before Cinderella Castle is illuminated with winter-themed projections and decorative elements. The Jingle Cruise overlay also returns, adding holiday props and seasonal jokes to the Jungle Cruise attraction.
The Jingle Cruise Sign at Magic Kingdom at Christmas time – Disney Parks Blog
On select nights from November 7th through December 21st, Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a separately ticketed event featuring multiple entertainment programs. During these evenings, guests can see Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, and the “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration” stage show.
Party nights also include complimentary holiday snacks, such as hot cocoa and cookies. Outside of the party, additional festive music, lighting, and themed PhotoPass opportunities generally appear throughout the park during regular operating hours, supporting the broader holiday environment. As of the publication of this article, all available dates are sold out.
Mickey and Minnie at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom – Photo Credit: That Park Place
Will your family be telling Disney Santa your Christmas list this Christmas season at Magic Kingdom? Which is your favorite spot to find him? Let us know in the comments below.
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