Okay, the holiday season is officially here at Walt Disney World. Disney Jollywood Nights and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party both kick off this weekend; the decorations are up, and the peppermint everything is flowing. And now? Santa’s coming to town. Or, well, to Hollywood Studios.
Disney just announced the dates and hours for Santa Claus at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and if you’re traveling with little ones this holiday season, you’re definitely going to want to add this to your plans.
Here’s When You Can See Santa
Santa will be meeting guests every single day from November 13 all the way through December 24. That’s six weeks of Santa time, people.
He’ll be there from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily. But heads up, those hours can change, so check the My Disney Experience app the day you go.
And the best part? You don’t need a special party ticket. Just regular park admission. Easy.
Where to Find Him
Santa is setting up shop at Walt Disney Presents, which is in the Walt Disney Studios Lot. So basically, he’s taking over the North Pole’s Hollywood headquarters for the season.
Wait, Where’s Ariel?
If you’ve been to Walt Disney Presents before, you probably know it as the spot to meet live-action Ariel. Well, she’s scooting over for Santa.
For the holidays, Ariel is meeting guests at Echo Lake, near 50’s Prime Time Café. So don’t panic if you walk into Walt Disney Presents and find a big guy in a red suit instead of a mermaid. She’s just around the corner.
There’s Stuff to Do While You Wait
Let’s be real, waiting in line with tiny kids can be rough. But Walt Disney Presents actually has some fun stuff to keep everyone busy.
There’s a special “Disney Takes a Holiday” exhibit you can check out, plus classic winter-themed short films playing. So the kiddos can watch some cartoons while you inch closer to Santa. Win-win.
Going to Jollywood Nights? Meet Santa Duffy!
Here’s a fun little twist. If you’re going to Disney Jollywood Nights, the separate ticketed holiday party at Hollywood Studios, Santa Claus won’t be the one at Walt Disney Presents during party hours.
Instead, you’ll get Santa Duffy! Yep, Duffy in a Santa outfit. Honestly, that might be the cutest thing ever. Duffy fans, you know what to do.
Why This Is a Must for Little Ones
If you’ve got small kids, meeting Santa at Disney World is next-level magic. They get to tell him what they want for Christmas, give him a hug, and you get the sweetest holiday photo. Those are the moments you’ll be looking back on for years.
And since it happens during regular park hours, you can fit it into any day at Hollywood Studios without buying anything extra.
How to Skip the Super Long Lines
Okay, real talk. Santa lines can get really long, especially the closer you get to Christmas. Here’s how to make it easier.
Go earlier in the season if you can, because November is usually way less crowded than late December. If you’re going later, try to be there right at 10:00 AM when Santa opens. Check the wait times in the app before you head over. Talk to your kids ahead of time about what they want to say so they’re not shy when it’s their turn. And try to plan around nap time, because a cranky toddler and Santa don’t always mix.
The Holidays Are Here
Between Jollywood Nights, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and Santa showing up at Hollywood Studios, it’s officially the most wonderful time of the year at Disney World.
So get those wish lists ready, charge your phone, and go see the big guy.
What’s your little one asking Santa for this year?
