Lacey Chabert Talks Disney Holiday Movie and Family Traditions

Lacey Chabert knows how to make the holidays feel magical on screen, but her latest Christmas update comes with a twist even longtime fans might not expect: a Disney World adventure, an awkward reunion, and a festive fast-food partnership. Speaking with Parade in an interview published November 7, the Hallmark favorite opened up about the traditions she treasures with her daughter, why she starts decorating early, and the upcoming movie that made her feel like a kid again. With Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True arriving November 28 on Hallmark Channel, Chabert has plenty of reasons to get into the spirit early.

Lacey Chabert Is Starting the Holidays Early—and She Has No Regrets

Ever wondered whether Chabert loves Christmas as much as her movie characters do? Her approach to celebrating makes the answer pretty clear. Away from the cameras, she embraces familiar traditions, early decorations, and plenty of family time.

The Family Traditions Keeping the Magic Alive

Chabert told Parade that her daughter is especially enthusiastic about Elf on the Shelf, and writing letters to Santa is part of their holiday routine, too. These childhood rituals make the season feel special at home. The actress prefers to keep things relaxed rather than turn every celebration into a production.

My daughter is really into Elf on the Shelf [and] we’re writing letters to Santa, so the magic of the holidays is really special to us, she shared. She also emphasized that the holidays are, above all, a chance to spend time with her family, including her parents and siblings.

That combination feels right for someone whose holiday movies often celebrate connection. Her real-life plans may not need a romantic plot twist, but the emotional centerpiece is familiar: being with the people who matter most.

Why She Wants Christmas to Last as Long as Possible

Some people wait for a specific date before bringing out the decorations. Chabert is happy to start early. She wants the holidays to last as long as possible.

There Is Something More Meaningful Behind the Decorations

Her enthusiasm is about more than stretching out the sparkle. Chabert described the season as a rare chance to slow down and reflect on what matters, from the memories her family has made to the moments they’re creating now.

It’s really the one time of year we all slow down, and I always take stock of what’s most important, she told Parade. She added that she’s been thinking a lot lately about shared experiences, new memories, and memories from the past.

Her Festive Season Also Includes a Nostalgic Sonic Moment

Before her new Hallmark movie makes its debut, Chabert has already been celebrating with another holiday project. She traveled to New York to partner with Sonic Drive-In for the release of its Santa Slush Float.

Why This Partnership Had a Personal Connection

The collaboration connected with her childhood. Chabert grew up in Mississippi and told Parade that Sonic was her favorite place to visit, so the opportunity was particularly exciting.

She also named two familiar favorites: tater tots and cherry limeade. For fans used to seeing her surrounded by festive movie scenery, those everyday preferences offer a different kind of nostalgia. They’re also a reminder that a holiday-season treat doesn’t have to be elaborate to feel special.

Her reflections on seasonal movies followed a similar theme. I just love the festive and cozy feeling of the holidays and the nostalgia that we get to create in these movies, she said, adding that the experience has become comforting to her.

The Disney World Movie That Made Her Feel 7 Again

Of course, the biggest screen-related reveal is Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True. The upcoming Hallmark holiday film was shot on location in all four Walt Disney World parks, giving Chabert an unusually memorable setting for her latest seasonal romance.

A Childhood Dream Became Part of the Job

Chabert described the experience with unmistakable delight. It was a childhood dream come true. I felt like I was 7 years old again walking down Main Street, she told Parade.

That reaction hints at what the production meant to her beyond another film credit. For an actress so closely associated with creating holiday nostalgia for viewers, this project also let her experience some of that wonder herself.

A Dream Vacation Comes With One Very Awkward Neighbor

The setting may sound idyllic, but the story has a complication ready for its leading lady. Chabert plays Lindsey, who visits Disney World with her family and discovers that an uncomfortable piece of her dating history is much closer than she’d like.

Meet the Bad Date Next Door

That complication is Philip, played by Travis Van Winkle. Lindsey went on a bad date with him before, and now he’s staying in the hotel room next to hers. It’s an awkward reunion right in the middle of her family vacation.

Chabert called the movie a beautiful family story and described it as really romantic. Christy Carlson Romano and Richard Kind also join the cast, bringing family togetherness and romantic possibility to the story.

Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True premieres November 28, 2026, on Hallmark Channel. Between the real Disney World locations and that inconvenient next-door neighbor, Chabert fans have a fresh holiday setup to look forward to. And if her enthusiasm is any indication, the magic was already working long before premiere night.