Where can you meet Santa Claus at Disneyland Resort? You’ve come to the right place; we’ve got options both inside and outside the parks to make your holiday wishes come true.
Meet Santa Claus at Disneyland Resort
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort begins early November and wraps up in early January. You can meet Santa Claus himself along with his merry little helpers throughout the Disneyland Resort until Christmas Eve, then Goofy Santa will be available for meet and greets.
Meet Santa at California Adventure
California Adventure is my favorite spot to meet Santa Claus because it’s a very beautiful, woodsy and traditional set up. Be sure to check the Disneyland App for specific times to meet Santa Claus here at this Disneyland Resort location.
Inside Disney California Adventure, turn right off Buena Vista Street and make your way to Grizzly Peak’s Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
When you get in line to visit Santa Claus, grab a map of the area so your little ones can decide what other activities they’d like to do after their meet and greet. The map is also a fun way to keep them engaged and entertained while waiting.
After getting your map and securing your spot in line, make sure to sign your name on the nice list!
You’ll then make your way to greet Santa Claus! I met up with one of my high school besties and her boys to meet Santa Claus. Can you tell which one was a little unsure of meeting Santa? It’s great that this bench can fit many people so little ones can be comfortable.
In 2021 Santa sits at a desk and families join in the photo in front.
After you meet Santa, be on the lookout for fun holiday themed activities along this backwoods trail, too!
Nestled in these woods, you can participate in one or all of the following:
- Meet Santa Claus and take photos with your own phone and a PhotoPass photographer.
- Interact with Santa’s elves while waiting in line to meet Santa. They are hilarious and very fun, helping to get the kids excited and comfortable meeting Santa.
- Meet Chip & Dale in their holiday attire, bring your phone for a photo.
- Fly with reindeer as you explore the offerings of Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
- Run over the jingle bells bridge in Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
- Decorate holiday cookies, “treats for Santa” at a festive corner of Redwood Creek.
Want a short wait to snap a picture with Santa Claus at California Adventure? Another great spot is where Santa’s sleigh flies overhead in Hollywood Land. There’s usually a PhotoPass Photographer set up here too.
Meet Santa Claus at Disneyland
The main place to find Santa Claus at Disneyland is back in Critter Country close to Pooh Corner and Splash Mountain.
This is a much smaller area to meet Santa Claus, but still completely adorable. Stop at this snow-inspired version of Winnie the Pooh and Piglet while waiting in line for Santa.
At this location, guests need to be in line during the time frame mentioned on the Disneyland App. You can arrive a few minutes before the time begins as well to ensure a spot. The closer it gets to Christmas, the more popular Santa’s visits become.
At Disneyland Park you can also spot Santa during the daily processional of “A Christmas Fantasy” parade which runs along Main Street, U.S.A. and near “it’s a small world” Holiday. Read our guide about this magical holiday parade with the best viewing areas too!
After the second showing of the parade, you won’t want to miss the nighttime snowfall along Main Street, U.S.A. during “Believe . . . in Holiday Magic” fireworks finale.
Meet Santa at Downtown Disney
Catal closed in April 2023 and will not be hosting breakfast with Santa in 2023. Catal Restaurant hosts breakfast with Santa during December. Reservations go quickly and include many extras like:
Stuffed animal given to each child from Santa himself!Family-style breakfastBottomless mimosas (21yrs +)Hot cocoa cartPersonalized stockings for each childCharles Dickens carolersInteractions with Santa’s elvesCookies & milk station
This has become a holiday tradition for many local families, so if you’re visiting definitely get your reservations now.
Meet Santa Claus at the Disneyland Resort Hotels
Disneyland Resort hotels have limited meet and greets with Santa during the holidays. I recommend calling your hotel for specific times to meet Santa.
Santa Claus meets guests in the lobby of the Grand Californian in front of the stunning Christmas tree. At Disneyland Hotel, you’ll find him in the Fantasy Tower with a more mid-century modern, retro style meet and greet. This photo is courtesy City Stroller Rentals, serving all of Anaheim.
Staying at Paradise Pier Hotel? Santa arrives in style here too! The photos below are courtesy City Stroller Rentals, serving all of Anaheim.
Between surf sessions at the beach, Santa is around most of the day at Paradise Pier Hotel.
Remember after Christmas Eve Santa heads back to the North Pole but you can still meet Goofy Santa at most locations until the holiday season ends at Disneyland Resort.
What a magical way to celebrate! Did you meet Santa while at Disneyland this year?
