This holiday season, Disney invites audiences to embrace the spirit of giving through its campaign, Make Someone’s Holiday Magic. At the forefront of this celebration is the debut of A Disney Holiday Short: Best Christmas Ever, an original film by Academy Award winner Taika Waititi, now available on Disney+ and online. The heartwarming short is designed to inspire joy and connect families during the festive period.
Extending the Holiday Cheer Globally and Locally
Beyond the new short, Disney is set to take its holiday magic on the road next month with the Holiday Magic Tour, planned to visit more than 20 cities worldwide. This tour will offer special surprises, community events, and donations aimed at bringing joy to children and families in various communities. Throughout the season, Disney Parks and Resorts will also host a variety of festive experiences tied to the holiday spirit, highlighted through films, merchandise, and collectibles.
Joanna Balikian, Senior Vice President of Brand Management at Disney, emphasized the company’s longstanding role in holiday traditions:
“For generations, Disney has been part of how families celebrate the holidays — through the impact we have in communities, the stories we share, and the lifelong memories we help create that bring people together,”
Joanna Balikian said.
This year, Disney is continuing that legacy of making magic during the holidays all over the world.
A New Tale of Friendship in Taika Waititi’s Holiday Short
For the second consecutive year, Disney has partnered with Taika Waititi to present an original holiday story. A Disney Holiday Short: Best Christmas Ever tells the story of a young girl and her imaginative doodle, who magically comes to life on Christmas Day after Santa mistakes her drawing for a holiday wish. This narrative explores the themes of friendship and wonder through the eyes of a child.
The character of the Doodle is voiced by Disney Legend John Goodman, known for his iconic roles such as James P. Sullivan in Disney and Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. and Monsters University, Pacha in The Emperor’s New Groove, and Big Daddy La Bouff in The Princess and the Frog. His involvement adds a familiar and comforting presence to the film.
Walt Disney Animation Studios animator Eric Goldberg, creator of notable Disney characters including Genie from Aladdin, served as an animation advisor. His expertise, together with collaboration from Untold Studios, producer hungryman, and the creative agency adam&eveDDB, helped bring the short’s animation to life.
Continuing a Tradition of Celebrated Holiday Shorts
This year’s film follows last year’s Emmy-nominated A Disney Holiday Short: The Boy & The Octopus, also directed by Waititi. Taika Waititi is renowned for his body of work, which includes Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder, as well as the Oscar-winning Jojo Rabbit.
Waititi reflected on the unique qualities of this story, saying:
“What makes this story uniquely Disney is the fact that it’s set in the world of a kid. It’s a kid and her new best friend, navigating the complex world together, and doing it just with the power of friendship and imagination,”
Taika Waititi stated.
Disney’s Widespread Holiday Activities and Community Engagement
Alongside the holiday short and tour, Disney’s Holiday Magic Tour aims to spread cheer through various community-focused activities, including visits to schools, children’s hospitals, and nonprofit organizations. The tour features special events such as toy deliveries by VoluntEARS, exclusive movie screenings, and even a surprise Broadway appearance. Prominent shows on Disney’s networks—including ESPN’s First Take and SEC Nation, as well as ABC programs like Dancing with the Stars, Good Morning America, The View, Live with Kelly and Mark, Tamron Hall, and Wheel of Fortune—will help amplify the message of giving and joy.
Longstanding Partnerships and Opportunities to Give
Disney’s relationship with the Marine Toys for Tots program has spanned over 75 years, a tradition initiated by Walt Disney himself to bring happiness and hope to children during the holidays. This year, Disney invites the public to participate in the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive by donating toys through December 24, 2025, either online or in person at Disney Stores, Disneyland Resort, or Walt Disney World Resort by December 14, 2025.
Disney’s Consumer Products division plans to support this effort with special shopping events across all 50 states. A notable event in Detroit will feature a community toy distribution in partnership with Toys for Tots and local retailers, delivering meaningful holiday experiences to families.
Bringing Beloved Characters to the Holiday Season
As part of its extensive holiday offerings, Disney Consumer Products is spotlighting Stitch from the popular franchise with the theme Unleash the Holidays. The playful blue alien, along with characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars, will feature heavily in toys, collectibles, fashion, and accessories, providing appealing gift options that cater to fans of all ages.
Looking Ahead to Another Season of Magic and Family Connection
With Taika Waititi’s Taika Waititi Holiday Short leading the way, Disney continues to deepen its connection with audiences through stories that celebrate imagination, friendship, and the true spirit of the holiday season. The combination of traditional community outreach, exciting new entertainment, and exclusive experiences across various platforms ensures that Disney’s holiday magic remains a central part of celebrations around the world.
For those interested in participating in Disney’s Make Somebody’s Holiday Magic campaign or finding out more, further details are available on Disney’s official holiday website.
