How to Use the Virtual Queue to Meet Santa in Disney World

It’s the holiday season in Disney World, which means tasty treats, festive decorations, and new merchandise.

Over in Disney Springs, you can celebrate with even more delicious goodies, the Christmas Tree Stroll, and a visit with the jolly fellow himself, Santa Claus! Here’s a step-by-step guide to meeting Santa in Disney Springs.

Like other meet and greets in Disney World right now, meeting Santa Claus looks a little different this year. You can head to Once Upon a Toy in Disney Springs to get started on your jolly journey.

When you arrive, you should see signs for the Santa Claus meet and greet, including one with instructions for joining the virtual queue.

You’ll see on the sign that Santa is available from 10AM to 9PM on most days (but he’ll be around later from December 15th through December 24th, when his hours are 10AM to 11PM).

Scan the QR code on the sign and follow the instructions that pop up on your phone in order to join the virtual queue. You’ll be called back when it’s your turn! In the meantime, you can walk around and see all the amazing Christmas trees, get started on that holiday shopping list, or head off to find a festive snack.

When your group is called, you’ll have a one-hour window to get back to Once Upon a Toy to meet Santa. You can head into the store to join the short physical queue.

And then you’ll be called up to meet Santa! Like other meet and greets in Disney World, you can’t hug Santa or ask for his autograph. But you can chat with him and let him know what you’d like him to leave you under the tree this year.

And there is a PhotoPass photographer on the scene to snap your picture, which you can then purchase and download on the My Disney Experience app.