How to Meet Santa Claus WITHOUT a Park Ticket in Disney World!

What are you looking forward to this holiday season in Disney World?

Hollywood Studios Christmas Tree

Maybe it’s the giant gingerbread displays, the snoap, or the festive treats, but no matter what it is that you’re looking forward to, there’s a LOT to do this year during the holidays! A staple of the holiday season is meeting and getting pictures with Jolly Old Saint Nicholas (AKA Santa!) and we’ve got more details on how you can meet him without a park ticket!

Sure, meeting Santa in any mall is fun. But why not meet Santa IN Disney World?! You don’t need a park ticket either — he’ll be meeting guests at Disney Springs this holiday season. However, you won’t be waiting in a traditional line!

Santa at Once Upon a Toy in 2021

Disney announced that the Santa meet and greet will be using a virtual queue at the Disney Springs location. We saw this last system last year and it can save you some time waiting in line. Santa will be located at Once Upon a Toy in Disney Springs from November 11th to December 24th.

Virtual queue in Disney Springs

So how do you use the virtual queue? Well, you’ll want to open the My Disney Experience app and head to the virtual queue section of the app. You will have multiple opportunities to enter the queue for Santa at 9AM, 12PM, 3PM, and 6PM. You must be at Disney Springs to enter the virtual queue.

Meet Santa at Once Upon a Toy 2021

One person in your group will get a notification when its time for you to return to Once Upon a Toy. Then you’ll just scan the digital entry code that pops up and voila! It’s time to meet Santa Claus! If you want to see how the virtual queue worked last year, click here.

Virtual Queue 2021

If you are visiting the parks, there will be plenty of places to see Santa. He’ll be in each of the Disney World parks where you’ll spot him in parades and on flotillas!

The holidays are a busy time in Disney World, so be sure to check out our post on how to avoid holiday crowd burnout. There are also a ton of festive treats coming to the parks — make your list now so you’re prepared for your next visit! Stay tuned to DFB for more holiday happenings in Disney World.

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