Santa Claus is back at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and this year he has a brand-new spot to call home. The new Santa’s Holiday Grove opens today across from Finding Nemo theater, with Santa greeting guests through Christmas Eve. Disney has also posted the first set of times for his visits. Here’s the latest.
Santa’s Holiday Grove at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Dates and Meet Times
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- When Santa greets guests at the Grove and how long he stays.
- Where to find Santa’s Holiday Grove inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
- How the Grove follows Santa’s two holiday seasons in DinoLand USA.
Walt Disney World’s holiday season kicks off today, and Animal Kingdom’s Santa now has a setting made just for the occasion. As we reported when Disney first announced Santa’s Holiday Grove, guests follow a trail with intermittent snow flurries to reach Santa himself. Disney says the Grove also has specialty food and beverage items and a seasonal soundtrack to keep your toes tapping.
Santa’s Meet Times and Dates
Santa greets guests at the Grove from November 13th through December 24th, according to Disney’s listing. Today’s schedule shows four times for Santa: 10:00am, 12:15pm, 2:45pm, and 5:00pm. Those windows are spread across the whole day, so families can work a visit in around a morning safari or an afternoon show.
Christmas Eve is Santa’s final day at the Grove, the same last day he had during his 2025 season. Walt Disney World’s holiday season continues through January 6th, 2027. Disney hasn’t said whether the snowy trail and seasonal treats stay open after Santa heads back to the North Pole.
A New Home After DinoLand USA
Santa spent the last two holiday seasons at an all-new meet-and-greet on the Restaurantosaurus patio in DinoLand USA, including one final season there in 2025. Before that, he sailed around the park’s waterways during holiday cavalcades. DinoLand USA closed permanently on February 2nd, 2026, making way for Tropical Americas.
The Grove puts Santa right next to the reimagined Finding Nemo stage show. That makes it easy to pair a visit with one of the day’s performances. With the Merry Menagerie back on Discovery Island too, Animal Kingdom has a full slate of holiday stops this year.
Story So Far
- October 15, 2024: Santa Claus Returns to Dry Land at All-New DinoLand USA Meet & Greet This Holiday Season
- November 5, 2025: Santa Claus Meet and Greet Returns to Restaurantosaurus in DinoLand USA This Year
- February 2, 2026: DinoLand USA closed permanently to make way for Tropical Americas
- October 2026: New Offering, Santa’s Holiday Grove, Debuts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom This Holiday Season
- November 13, 2026: Santa’s Holiday Grove opens, with Santa greeting guests through December 24.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!