Hallmark has confirmed that filming has wrapped on Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True, the first Christmas movie shot at Walt Disney World. Production lasted about three months, from early December 2025 to late February 2026, which is unusual for Hallmark movies that typically film in just a few weeks. The extended timeline was due to the challenges of filming in busy theme parks during the holiday season, unlike the more controlled environments of closed sets and smaller towns. The movie is set to premiere during Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas in 2026.
The Disney World Plot Is Classic Hallmark
The movie stars Lacey Chabert as Lindsey, who heads to Walt Disney World with her extended family to spend a magical Christmas together, but the dream of a jolly holiday gets completely ruined when she discovers her hotel room is next door to Philip, played by Travis Van Winkle, who is a disastrous first date she recently had and is also there on a family trip. As Lindsey and Philip’s paths keep crossing throughout their Walt Disney World vacation, the frost starts to thaw as they learn they’re not so different from each other after all, and thanks to the magic of Disney, the holiday wish Lindsey made in Cinderella fountain just might turn their rivalry into romance.
The cast also includes Richard Kind, Christy Carlson Romano, Bryce Durfee, Taegen Burns, and Asher Alexander, with Patrick Renna stepping in for a cameo role. Ryan Landels is the writer and director, and it’s a lineup that blends beloved Hallmark personalities with familiar faces creating what’s expected to be the blockbuster of Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas 2026.
Where They Actually Filmed at Disney World
Magic Kingdom was the main filming location for the movie, with crews spotted around Cinderella Castle and the Wishing Well, where Lindsey makes a wish. They filmed a “glass slipper moment” near the wishing well in January with the full cast, including Richard Kind.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios also saw filming in Toy Story Land, an odd choice for a romantic movie given its chaotic atmosphere, likely a move to promote newer areas.
Additionally, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort was confirmed as a location since it features in the plot, where the main character’s hotel room is next to her disastrous first date. This setting also serves as free marketing for the new Island Tower, still in Disney Vacation Club sales.
The Timeline Was Unusually Long
Three months is a long timeline for Hallmark movies, typically filmed in a few weeks on tight budgets. Filming at Disney World was complicated by the park’s hours, which provided limited shooting time. It’s likely that not all three months were continuous; some December filming may have focused on B-roll footage capturing holiday decorations. Principal photography likely ramped up in January, benefiting from a couple of weeks of festive decor before moving to the parks’ regular settings.
Why This Is a Big Deal
This marks the first collaboration between Hallmark Channel and Walt Disney World on an original movie, building on a long-standing partnership since Hallmark’s founder J.C. Hall and Walt Disney developed a friendship. Disney likely contributed to production costs and provided exclusive after-hours access to the parks. As a result, the movie is expected to have a larger budget and higher production quality than typical Hallmark films, featuring Lacey Chabert and a strong cast.
The announcement has garnered significant attention on Hallmark’s social media, indicating heightened audience interest. Fans can expect the usual elements of the genre, predictable plots, heartwarming moments, and romantic resolutions, paired with the magic of Disney World during Christmas.
