Hallmark and Disney World Unite for Magical 2026 Christmas Movie

Christmas just got a whole lot more magical. In a move that’s got both Disney and Hallmark fans buzzing, Walt Disney World and the Hallmark Channel are teaming up for the first time ever to create a brand-new holiday movie: Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True.

Set to premiere during Hallmark’s 17th annual Countdown to Christmas in 2026, this collaboration promises to blend the heartwarming charm of a Hallmark romance with the pixie-dusted wonder of Disney’s most beloved destination.

Starring Hallmark favorite Lacey Chabert alongside Travis Van Winkle, Richard Kind, Christy Carlson Romano, Bryce Dufee, Taegen Burns, and Asher Alexander—with a cameo from Patrick Renna—this film is shaping up to be the ultimate cozy holiday treat for fans of both brands.

Directed and written by Ryan Landels, the movie will be filmed entirely on location at Walt Disney World. That alone makes it one of the most ambitious Hallmark holiday productions yet.

The Magic of Two Holiday Powerhouses Colliding

Hallmark and Disney have had a quiet creative friendship for decades, going all the way back to Kansas City when Hallmark’s founder J.C. Hall and Walt Disney first worked together on Mickey Mouse greeting cards.

Now, almost a hundred years later, that relationship is jumping from paper to screen in the most festive way you could imagine. This marks the first-ever original movie partnership between the two companies, and both sides are calling it a celebration of storytelling, joy, and holiday spirit.

Hallmark’s Chief Brand Officer Darren Abbott says this film is the best of both worlds—the heartfelt emotion Hallmark fans love and the immersive magic only Disney can deliver.

Disney’s VP of Global Content, Sally Conner, echoed that, pointing out that storytelling is at the heart of both brands and that this movie will showcase the unique holiday experiences that unfold daily across Walt Disney World’s parks and resorts.

A Story Sprinkled with Disney Magic

At the heart of Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True is Lindsey, played by Lacey Chabert. She heads to Walt Disney World with her extended family for a dream Christmas vacation.

But things take a turn when she finds out her hotel room is right next door to Philip (Travis Van Winkle), a disastrous first date she’d rather forget. As fate—and a bit of Disney magic—would have it, their paths keep crossing throughout the trip.

The frosty tension between them? It starts to melt, bit by bit. Lindsey’s holiday wish at Cinderella’s fountain just might turn an awkward encounter into something genuinely enchanting.

It’s the kind of romantic setup Hallmark fans expect, but with the extra sparkle of Cinderella Castle in the background.

Filming at the Most Magical Place on Earth

Production is expected to kick off soon, with filming set for multiple Walt Disney World locations in Florida.

Unlike most Hallmark films, which usually shoot in the summer, this one will take advantage of Disney’s real Christmas decorations that start appearing in November. That means genuine holiday lights, real park décor, and the unmistakable atmosphere of a Disney Christmas will be captured on film.

Insiders say filming could continue into early 2026, pausing briefly for the holiday rush before wrapping up in January.

One of the biggest questions fans are already asking: which resort will serve as the main setting? The top contenders are Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

The Grand Floridian, with its Victorian elegance and massive gingerbread house, seems like a perfect fit for Hallmark’s upscale holiday look. Meanwhile, the rustic charm and cozy fireside atmosphere of Wilderness Lodge scream Hallmark romance.

But who knows? Disney could throw a curveball and pick somewhere less obvious, like Old Key West or Port Orleans, depending on what works best for the story and the crew.

Why This Movie Could Be a Game-Changer

Hallmark Christmas movies are famous for their formula: a small-town setting, a meet-cute gone wrong, and a heartwarming resolution that ties it all together at the end.

But Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True might break the mold. With Disney involved, fans can expect higher production values, gorgeous visuals, and a setting that’s already dripping with magic and nostalgia.

Even the most cynical viewer might find themselves swept up by Cinderella Castle, Main Street snowfalls, and Hallmark’s signature sentimental storytelling.

For Disney, this film doubles as a love letter to the parks—an invitation for viewers to experience the holidays at Walt Disney World firsthand. For Hallmark, it’s a chance to take its brand beyond small towns and snowy cabins to a place everyone recognizes.

The crossover potential here is huge. Families who already tune in to both Hallmark’s Christmas lineup and Disney’s holiday specials might just find a new tradition.

The Hallmark Formula Meets Disney’s Storytelling Power

Hallmark movies have a loyal fanbase because they’re predictable in all the right ways. Cozy, sentimental, safe—sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

But add Disney’s storytelling magic, and suddenly that formula could hit a new level. Director Ryan Landels is known for balancing heartfelt emotion with light comedy, which feels like a good fit for this project.

Expect plenty of twinkling lights, musical cues, and maybe even a few hidden Mickeys for the eagle-eyed fans.

There’s also a chance this movie could set a new standard for holiday specials filmed at Walt Disney World. Some longtime fans might remember the golden era of Disney TV specials in the ’80s and ’90s, when the parks were the backdrop for everything from sitcoms to musical extravaganzas.

Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True could bring back that tradition for a new generation, mixing nostalgia with a fresh story.

What Fans Can Expect

While plot details are pretty simple, fans can count on a few things based on Hallmark’s reliable patterns:

• A heartwarming redemption arc – Lindsey and Philip will probably go from awkward enemies to realizing they’re right for each other.
• Plenty of park magic – There’ll be scenes around Cinderella Castle, EPCOT’s World Showcase, and maybe even a romantic fireworks finale.
• Family-centered themes – As always, the movie will focus on togetherness, forgiveness, and rediscovering the joy of the season.
• Cozy holiday aesthetics – Think twinkling lights, hot cocoa, and snow flurries in Florida—because if anyone can make it snow in Orlando, it’s Disney.

Will It Be a Cult Classic or a Holiday Miss?

With any Hallmark film, the key is balance. Fans love the low-budget charm and slightly cheesy tone that give these movies their cozy feel.

If it’s too polished, it could lose that warmth. Ideally, Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True will land somewhere in the sweet spot—fancy enough to show off Disney’s grandeur, but still grounded in the simplicity that makes Hallmark so comforting.

Entertainment insiders are already guessing this could become one of the most-watched Hallmark premieres ever. After all, it’s not every day you see two of America’s favorite holiday brands share the same screen.

With so much fanbase overlap—Disney adults and Hallmark holiday devotees—this crossover could be enormous. Honestly, it’s hard not to be at least a little bit curious.

A New Holiday Tradition in the Making

If you grew up watching Disney’s Christmas Day Parade or catching Hallmark marathons every December, this movie is basically a dream come true. It’s a nostalgic callback to a time when holiday specials were something you actually planned your evening around.

If the film lives up to the hype, it might just sneak its way into your yearly rotation—right up there with The Santa Clause and Home Alone. That’s a bold claim, but hey, stranger things have happened.

Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True isn’t just another Hallmark movie. It’s a celebration of everything that makes the holidays feel special: family, forgiveness, and maybe a little sprinkle of magic.

Whether you’re a die-hard Disney fan, a Hallmark devotee, or just someone who melts for a good Christmas love story, this 2026 release is worth circling on your calendar. When Hallmark’s cozy vibes meet Disney’s sparkle, well, it’s hard not to get your hopes up.