Disney Introduces New Santa Experience at Animal Kingdom for 2026 Holidays

Walt Disney World Resort has unveiled its plans for the 2026 holiday season, introducing a new Santa Claus meet-and-greet experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The event, called Santa’s Holiday Grove, will replace the previous location at Restaurantosaurus, which permanently closed in February to make way for the upcoming Pueblo Esperanza land.

Santa’s Holiday Grove will be set up across from Finding Nemo: The Big Blue … and Beyond! at Theater in the Wild. Guests can expect a magical trail with intermittent snow flurries and the opportunity to share their holiday wish lists with Santa. The experience will also feature specialty food and beverage offerings, as well as a festive soundtrack to enhance the holiday spirit.

The holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort is scheduled to run from November 13, 2026, to January 6, 2027. While the exact opening date for Santa’s Holiday Grove has not been announced, it is expected to be a limited-time experience. Typically, Santa Claus leaves his meet-and-greet locations by Christmas Day, often being replaced by a character like Santa Goofy, though it remains unclear if this tradition will continue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.