Hallmark Wraps Filming on First Ever Disney World Christmas Movie
Hallmark has confirmed that filming has wrapped on Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True, the first-ever Christmas movie shot on location at Walt Disney World. The production, which began in early December 2025, concluded in late February 2026 after approximately three months.
The movie will premiere during Hallmark Channel’s 17th annual Countdown to Christmas in 2026.
The Story
The film stars Lacey Chabert as Lindsey, who heads to Walt Disney World with her extended family to spend a magical Christmas together. The dream of a jolly holiday gets complicated when she discovers her hotel room is next door to Philip, played by Travis Van Winkle, a disastrous first date she recently had, who is also there on a family trip.
As Lindsey and Philip’s paths cross throughout their Walt Disney World vacation, the frost starts to thaw as they learn they are not so different from each other. Thanks to the magic of Disney, the holiday wish Lindsey made in Cinderella fountain just might turn their rivalry into romance.
The cast includes Richard Kind, Christy Carlson Romano, Bryce Durfee, Taegen Burns, and Asher Alexander, with Patrick Renna in a cameo role. Ryan Landels serves as writer and director.
The Disney World Filming Locations
Based on social media sightings, Magic Kingdom served as the primary filming location. Multiple reports placed crews around Cinderella Castle and the Wishing Well, which makes sense given the plot mentions Lindsey making a wish in Cinderella fountain.
Crews were spotted filming a “glass slipper moment” between the leads near the wishing well in mid-January, with the full principal cast present. The production worked quickly during park operating hours, temporarily blocking off small sections before reopening areas to guests.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios also hosted filming, with crews spotted in Toy Story Land. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort was confirmed as another location, which fits the plot since the story involves the main character discovering her hotel room is next door to her first date.
Unusually Long Timeline
The approximately three-month filming timeline is unusually long for Hallmark movies, which are famously produced on tight schedules with limited budgets. What made this production unique was the complexity of filming in active theme parks and resorts during one of the busiest seasons rather than on closed sets or in easily controlled small towns.
Filming likely did not last an uninterrupted three months. Some December filming probably captured B-roll during the holiday season with full Christmas decorations. Principal photography likely kicked into high gear in January after Christmas crowds subsided, giving the crew time with decorations still up plus additional weeks with the vanilla parks.
The Partnership
This marks the first collaboration between Hallmark Channel and Walt Disney World on an original movie, though the partnership between the companies dates back decades. Hallmark’s founder J.C. Hall and Walt Disney developed a friendship based on a shared Kansas City connection, leading to Hallmark’s first licensed products including the first greeting card featuring Mickey Mouse.
Darren Abbott, Chief Brand Officer at Hallmark, stated the company is thrilled to expand the relationship beyond products and onto the screen. Sally Conner, VP Global Content at Disney, emphasized that storytelling is at the heart of both Disney and Hallmark, and that magic shines brighter during the holidays.
Expected Impact on Disney World
The Walt Disney World movie is likely to be the blockbuster of Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas 2026. The original announcement remains pinned on several Hallmark social media channels, and the reaction dwarfed other company posts.
This is marketing for Walt Disney World, so Disney likely paid a portion of production costs while allowing expanded after-hours park access. Between Disney’s financial contribution and wider audience appeal, expectations include far bigger budget and production quality than typical Hallmark movies.
The film features Hallmark heavy-hitter Lacey Chabert and a strong cast by Hallmark standards, suggesting significant investment in making this production stand out from the network’s usual offerings.
For Hallmark fans, the movie will likely deliver predictable plotting, heartwarming moments, romantic tension resolving into happy endings, and the right amount of cheesiness. The Disney World setting adds unique visual appeal with the parks’ existing Christmas magic during November and December.
