Santa returns to Walt Disney Presents on Nov. 13, five days later than he showed up last year, and he's listed from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Jollywood Nights, a Santa-suited Duffy takes the shift.
Santa Claus has his parking spot at Disney's Hollywood Studios locked in for 2026.
He'll meet guests at Walt Disney Presents in Animation Courtyard from Nov. 13 through Dec. 24, WDW News Today reported Friday, Nov. 6. His listed hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., though WDWNT said to check the My Disney Experience app for current times.
That's the same building as last year, with a later start on the calendar. In 2025, WDWMagic reported Santa started greeting there on Nov. 8, ahead of Walt Disney World's official holiday season. This year's listed start lines up with the season's Nov. 13 kickoff. WDWNT said it's not clear yet whether Santa will sneak in early again.
On party nights, the big guy hands off the room. During Disney Jollywood Nights, Santa Duffy meets at Walt Disney Presents instead, WDWNT reported. The bear has range.
Here's a first look at Christmas 2026 at Hollywood Studios:
Where is Santa at Hollywood Studios?
Walt Disney Presents sits in Animation Courtyard. It's the attraction-meets-museum space with Walt Disney artifacts, and for the holidays it also has the "Disney Takes a Holiday" exhibit and a lineup of winter short films, WDWNT said.
Santa moved in last year after his old spot, It's A Wonderful Shop, closed. WDWMagic reported in 2025 that the space Santa took over had been home to Ariel's meet-and-greet.
Ariel is shuffling again, too. For the holidays, she moves to Echo Lake near the 50's Prime Time Cafe, the same switch she made last year, according to WDWNT.
What are Santa's hours at Hollywood Studios?
Dates: Nov. 13 through Dec. 24, 2026
Listed hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily
Jollywood Nights: Santa Duffy at Walt Disney Presents during the party
WDWNT didn't mention Lightning Lane or reservations for this one. Mornings are usually the smart move for any big holiday meet, before the lines catch up with the cocoa.
The rest of the park is dressed for the season already. We covered Santa Gertie and the giant tree on Echo Lake earlier Friday.
Where else can you meet Santa at Disney World in 2026?
Santa keeps a busy schedule in Central Florida. Here's where else he's booked, based on Disney's announcements and fan-site reporting.
Disney Springs: Santa's Marketplace near Disney's Pin Traders, Nov. 11 through Dec. 24. There's no standby line; you need a virtual queue spot in the My Disney Experience app, with join times at 9 and 11 a.m. and 1, 3 and 5 p.m., BlogMickey reported. We covered that setup Nov. 1.
Disney's Animal Kingdom: New this year, Santa's Holiday Grove takes over the former Rivers of Light seating area across from Theater in the Wild, Nov. 13 through Jan. 6. Expect a trail with "intermittent snow flurries," LaughingPlace reported.
Magic Kingdom: Santa greets at Santa's Christmas Carnival in Storybook Circus during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, which needs a separate ticket. The first party is Sunday, Nov. 8.
EPCOT: During the Festival of the Holidays, Nov. 27 through Dec. 30, Santa roams World Showcase and greets in CommuniCore Hall, the Disney Parks Blog said. Pere Noel visits France, Barn Santa shows up in Norway and Goofy plays Santa at The Odyssey.
So yes, you can meet Santa at all four parks and Disney Springs. Whether your kids believe the same guy got around that fast is between you and them.
When does the holiday season start at Hollywood Studios?
Walt Disney World's holiday season runs Nov. 13 through Jan. 6. At Hollywood Studios, that means the "Sunset Seasons Greetings" projection show on the Hollywood Tower Hotel, a holiday finale for the Frozen sing-along with Olaf, Toy Story pals in holiday outfits and Minnie's Holiday Dine at Hollywood and Vine, WDWNT reported in June.
Disney Jollywood Nights, the separately ticketed party, starts earlier, on Nov. 7.
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:
WDW News Today (Nov. 6, 2026), Santa's location, dates and hours, Santa Duffy during Jollywood Nights, Ariel's move and the Walt Disney Presents exhibit
WDWMagic (Nov. 5, 2025), last year's Nov. 8 start and the former Ariel space
BlogMickey (Oct. 30, 2026), Santa at Disney Springs and the virtual queue
LaughingPlace (Oct. 6, 2026), Santa's Holiday Grove at Animal Kingdom
Disney Parks Blog (June 24, 2026), EPCOT Festival of the Holidays dates and Santa appearances
WDW News Today (June 24, 2026), the Hollywood Studios holiday lineup, season dates and Santa at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
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