Santa returns to Disney Springs on Nov. 11 at Santa’s Marketplace, and you’ll need to join a virtual queue in the My Disney Experience app. Here are the join times and what changed from last year.
Santa Claus is coming back to Disney Springs on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and he’s keeping the virtual queue. Visits run through Thursday, Dec. 24, at Santa’s Marketplace, next to Disney’s Pin Traders, according to BlogMickey, Fantasy Land News and KennythePirate.
There’s no standby line. You join a virtual queue in the My Disney Experience app, and you have to be at Disney Springs to do it.
You may have seen this headlined as Disney World bringing back a virtual queue with “no walk-up access.” That’s true, but the attraction in question is Santa, and the queue isn’t new. Disney used the same system last year.
Here’s a look at Disney Springs decked out for Christmas last year from YouTube channel Let’s Walk The World:
How does the Santa virtual queue at Disney Springs work?
The queue opens five times a day: 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., according to BlogMickey and Fantasy Land News. Spots are limited.
Here’s the process, as those outlets describe it:
Head to Disney Springs and turn on location services. ResortsGal reported you have to be there to join.
At one of the join times, open the My Disney Experience app and join the Santa queue.
One person can join for the whole party, up to 10 people.
When it’s your turn, that person gets a push notification with a digital entry code. You can also find it in the app’s menu under Virtual Queues.
Spots can go fast, sometimes within seconds, ResortsGal and Fantasy Land News reported. Have the app open and ready a minute early.
Do you need a park ticket to see Santa at Disney Springs?
No. Disney Springs is free to enter, and you don’t need a theme park ticket to meet Santa, KennythePirate reported.
None of the outlets we checked listed a price for the visit or said how photos work this year, so check the app for details before you go.
What’s new with Santa at Disney Springs in 2026?
A few things, compared with last year:
He’s starting earlier. Santa started Nov. 13 in 2025. This year it’s Nov. 11.
The last join time is earlier. In 2025, WDWNT reported join times of 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. This year’s last one is 5 p.m.
There’s a new sponsor. Dairy Does More is hosting this year, with fresh milk and cookies, Fantasy Land News reported.
When WDWNT tried the queue last year, the writer joined at 11 a.m. and got called back at 12:05 p.m., with an hour to return. You show your code to a cast member to get in. Guests using wheelchairs and ECVs can keep them during the visit, Fantasy Land News reported.
The virtual queue goes back further than last year, too. BlogMickey said Disney used one for Santa in 2021, with just two join times a day.
When is the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll in 2026?
Same day. The Christmas Tree Stroll starts Wednesday, Nov. 11, and runs through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027. PNP covered it on Oct. 31.
New trees this year include Bluey, Monsters, Inc. and a Hallmark tree tied to the movie “Holiday Ever After.” Favorites like Villains, Encanto, Frozen, Lilo and Stitch, Star Wars and The Nightmare Before Christmas are back, too.
So Nov. 11 is a big day at Disney Springs. Plan to get there early if you want both.
What else is happening for the holidays at Disney World?
Plenty. The Jingle Cruise starts at Magic Kingdom on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is selling out more nights by the week.
Disney Springs is the cheap seat for all of it. No ticket, no party price, just a tree walk and a guy in a red suit who apparently prefers app notifications to a long line.
Honestly, smart man. Santa’s got a busy month.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
BlogMickey (Oct. 30, 2026), Santa dates, location and virtual queue times
Fantasy Land News (Oct. 30, 2026), the new host and queue details
KennythePirate (Oct. 31, 2026), no park ticket needed
ResortsGal (Oct. 30, 2026), location services and how fast spots go
WDWNT (Nov. 14, 2025), last year’s Santa visit
Let’s Walk The World, the Disney Springs Christmas walk-through video
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