Disney Relocates Animal Kingdom Santa Meet-and-Greet for 2026
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park is bidding farewell to a beloved holiday tradition as part of its 2026 plans. The park's longtime Christmastime meet-and-greet with Santa Claus has been relocated to a new area, Santa's Holiday Grove, situated across from Finding Nemo: The Big Blue … and Beyond! at Theater in the Wild. This change comes after the closure of Restaurantosaurus, the previous meeting spot, which shut down in February to make way for the upcoming Pueblo Esperanza area.
Santa's Holiday Grove will offer a festive experience featuring a magical trail with snow flurries, specialty food and beverage options, and a holiday soundtrack. While an opening date hasn't been announced, the new setup is part of Walt Disney World Resort's broader holiday offerings, which run from November 13, 2026, through January 6, 2027. The park is also introducing new ride overlays and returning limited-time entertainment during this period.
As in past years, Santa is expected to wrap up his meet-and-greet schedule by Christmas Day, though Disney has not confirmed if a stand-in character will take over afterward at Animal Kingdom. The park's holiday season will include other events such as Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights, ensuring plenty of festive activities for visitors.