Santa and Friends Bring Dino-Sized Holiday Cheer to Disney’s Animal Kingdom

If you hear jingle bells and dinosaur roars echoing through Disney’s Animal Kingdom this season, don’t panic. That’s just Santa trading in his sleigh for a little prehistoric flair over in DinoLand U.S.A. The holidays have officially gone Cretaceous, and the character meet and greets might be the cutest this side of the fossil record.

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Let’s take a little stroll through the park and check out who’s decking the trails with boughs of holly and a whole lot of personality.

Santa is holding court one last time on the patio at Restaurantosaurus, rocking his classic red velvet suit while surrounded by the most delightfully quirky decorations. Think flannel patchwork, presents, garland, and yes, a Christmas tree topped with a dinosaur. Santa swapping reindeer for raptors is exactly the kind of holiday chaos we can get behind.

Donald and Daisy are next door showing off fresh upgrades to their beloved Dino-Bash outfits. Donald is leaning into the season with a deeper green jacket layered over a red waistcoat, plus a brand-new light-green sash dotted with holly. Even the feathers on his cap have been replaced by sprigs of greenery. Daisy is serving full dino-diva energy with a bold new green-and-red scale blouse and a festive fringed shawl that’s basically perfect for a holiday runway. Their meet-and-greet spot on Cretaceous Trail now sparkles with rose-gold Christmas trees and matching décor.

Chip ‘n Dale wandered a little further down the Upper Cretaceous Trail and somehow found a way to make their purple and green dino suits even more adorable. Dale wrapped his Triceratops horns in Christmas lights, while Chip went full Rudolph with reindeer antlers perched over his scales. Their area glows with twinkling lights they apparently put up themselves, so give them some appreciation for their decorating hustle.

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Over near The Oasis, Pluto may not be sporting a dino outfit, but he’s rocking a holiday collar lined with Christmas lights that tangle perfectly with his explorer gear. Our good boy is always ready for festive adventure.

These meet and greets feel extra special this year since DinoLand U.S.A. will officially close in February 2026 to make way for Tropical Americas. That means this is one of your final chances to snap a selfie with these pals in their prehistoric holiday best.

So which character is making your Christmas card shortlist? Santa with a dino tree topper? Holly-styled Donald and Daisy? Chip ‘n Dale with their dino-flare? Or Pluto with those light-up vibes?

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