With Christmas at Walt Disney World Resort tends to focus on the fun of the theme parks, all decorated for the holiday season. Or on meeting favorite Disney characters, who may also get dressed up for the holiday. But for many families it’s just not the holiday season without the opportunity to see Santa Claus.
Luckily, on Nov. 25, Santa began making appearances at Epcot, one of the spots around Walt Disney World where guests can enjoy a holiday meet and greet, with children providing Santa with their wish lists and pose for photos. Here’s where to find jolly old St. Nick.
At The American Adventure pavilion in Epcot, Santa appears daily during the theme park’s “Holidays around the World.” He appears, along with Mrs. Claus, for meet-and-greets through Dec. 24.
But he's not the only Santa to appear. Many of the World Showcase countries have their own version, such as Father Christmas in the U.K. or Pere Noel in France. They join storytellers and other performers for Epcot’s annual holiday celebrations, which explores global holiday traditions and includes Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah.
Guest who seek out Santa Claus as part of their Magic Kingdom experience can visit him and Mrs. Claus between Dec. 1 and Dec. 24 at the Tour Guide Gardens near City Hall at Main Street, U.S.A. He appears regularly between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Plus, each year good old St. Nick takes part in meet and greets during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, where he also enjoys a special spot at Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.
At Downtown Disney Marketplace, one of the more low-key areas of Walt Disney World, guests can visit Santa’s Chalet now through Dec. 24, from noon to 10 p.m. Between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, Santa Goofy will offer meet and greet times from 3 p.m to 10 p.m.
This location is a highly recommended for getting kids’ photos taken with the big guy in red, especially earlier in December.
And for those hoping for an extra-special Christmas Eve at Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Santa appears at most hotel lobbies as well as Crockett’s Tavern at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Lodge between 5 and 9 p.m. Check with the hotel concierge for details.
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