A look at the new physically distanced Santa Claus meet and greet area at Once Upon A Toy in Disney Springs

By WDWMAGIC Staff · Thursday November 11, 2021 2:53pm ET · "Disney Springs"
A look at the new physically distanced Santa Claus meet and greet area at Once Upon A Toy in Disney Springs
Santa Claus will be meeting guests again this year at Disney Springs.

The Santa Claus meet and greet opens tomorrow November 12 2021 at Disney Springs, and this year it moves to a new location at Once Upon a Toy in the Marketplace.

The set takes over the majority of the store, with a small indoor queue space to hold guests waiting for Santa. It looks as though guests will be separated from Santa by the row of gifts.

A virtual queue will be in operation, which you can enter once at Disney Springs via My Disney Experience. You can find out details in a previous article.

Guests at Disney Springs will be able to meet Santa Claus for a photo opportunity at Once Upon a Toy at the Marketplace from the following dates.

November 12 - December 14 2021: 10am to 9pm.
December 15 - December 24 2021: 10am to 11pm.

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I can’t remember if Epcot is usually decorated over two days or not, but most interior locations have not received any holiday decor. Not sure if this is normal and it’s still coming or a cutback. This happened last year in many places, the outside was decorated but the inside never got the regular holiday package.
A look at the new physically distanced Santa Claus meet and greet area at Once Upon a Toy in Disney Springs
https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/disney-springs/news/11nov2021-a-look-at-the-new-santa-claus-meet-and-greet-area-at-once-upon-a-toy-in-disney-springs.htm
↩ replying to castlecake2.0
Which Interior places did you visit? I remember some being decorated and some not. I know the world showcase shops usually are and some of the country stores.
↩ replying to Crazydisneyfanluke
Interiors of restaurants in world showcase was what I noticed yesterday
Very jealous of the Muppet Christmas Carol Coach that Disneyland has now. Would love to see that at WDW.
↩ replying to MisterPenguin
I love to go see 80’s bands play their top five hits! I used to have to spend hundreds of dollars and endure lots of aromatic smoke before Eat to the Beat came along 😀
↩ replying to Notes from Neverland
The thematically appropriate character overlays are infuriatingly jealousy-inducing. They get the princes on their float, as well as what looks like a fully-staffed dance crew (which ALSO performs on normal days.) Hans, Oaken and the Duke of Weselton are out, as well as Elsa in her blue holiday dress and… the Frost Fairies from Fantasia, apparently?! The Mickey’s Christmas Carol variants are out there, too. Total madness. They’re also doing what is essentially the Tiana dessert party they used to have for free with live entertainment several times an evening. Jack and Sally (and the Mansion overlay).

What does WDW have that this one doesn’t? Fireworks, I guess. And, even as a big fireworks guy, I’d say that this one positive does not come close to competing.
Christmas music playing
↩ replying to wdwmagic
Wow. That’s like regional mall-not top tier, but “Santa’s down by JCPenny” -BAD. Pipe and drape? Some wrapped boxes? Wow.
Yahhhhh that doesn’t look great. He usually greets outside in his chalet though. This looks to maybe be a test to see if this system works better before committing to it? Also very surprised they took half a store offline at Christmas to host this.
↩ replying to Brenthodge
Do you stand on the other side of the stanchion and shout at Santa? How does this even work?
↩ replying to Nick_A
At that rate, you might as well just write him a letter.
↩ replying to Disneyson
I’ve been looking for a place to discuss this. WDW as a whole resort makes much more money then DLR. I would assume that comes with a larger budget for things like this, so does anyone in the know have an understanding if it’s just how TDA vs TDO choose to spend their money? Or is TDO just sitting on piles of money instead of investing into their parks?? I’m just confused