We Rewatch This Underrated Disney Christmas TV Special Every Single Year
Every year right around now my family pulls out the “list”. Just last night we were debating what should be on and off the “list” this year with our more limited time together as a family.
The “list” I am talking about is of course our list of Christmas movies that we choose to rewatch every single year. Amazingly there is a Disney Christmas television special that sits at the top of the list for me and my dad each time.
READ MORE: See the best Disney Christmas movies and shows on Disney Plus here.
The special is a completely original story and save for a two second flash of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck on the screen, this short doesn't feature any previously existing Disney characters. We need more shorts like this one which so perfectly captures the Christmas spirit.
Best Disney TV Special We Watch Every Year
The Disney TV special that we watch every single year is “Prep and Landing”. This animated 22 minute tv special tells the story of the elves that prepare houses around the world for the arrival of Santa Claus.
The short is succinct, heartwarming, and joyful all in one. This endearing special is totally underrated and deserves a watch or rewatch. It perfectly captures the spirit of putting others first during the holidays and delivers a heartwarming message.
Disney's official synopsis describes the short: “On Christmas Eve, a high-tech team of elves from an elite unit known as Prep and Landing ensures homes around the world are prepared for Santa's visit. But after working tirelessly for 227 years, an elf named Wayne is upset when he doesn't receive a promotion to be Director of Naughty List Intelligence. Instead, he is partnered with Lanny, an idealistic rookie.”
Throughout the short there are fantastic classic Disney references and incredible music. There is one moment in the short where it looks like the main characters have made a grave mistake and Wayne springs to life to make it right and save Christmas.
I literally can't avoid tearing up when the combination of the dialogue and music blast through our speakers every single year. Moments like this don't exist for me in many places.
I am also always blown away by the animation sequence of Santa Claus taking off in his sleigh. The combination of the animation and music is exhilarating.
The music, as I note above, is beautifully done and some of the best orchestration for a Christmas movie. The emotion the music evokes is rivaled only by the finale scene from “Elf” where Santa Claus is soaring out of Central Park with Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf waving.
Generally “Prep and Landing” nails the spirit of the holiday with an integration of classic Christmas music, lovable characters, a wonderful story, and an uplifting original musical score.
During the short look out for a flash of animation on the television from “Mickey's Christmas Carol” and also a dog that uses the same animation structure as the dog from “Bolt”.
This is an article that I think about writing every single year at this time and particularly wanted to write this year to give credit to the Walt Disney Animators, musicians, and other contributors that worked on delivering this very special story. To all of those creators that may see this article, thank you for this modern Christmas classic. We truly do look forward to seeing this every single year.
There are also a couple of sequels and follow-ups to Prep and Landing. Of the sequels we like the “Prep & Landing Stocking Stuffer: Operation: Secret Santa” followup more than the “Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice” full length episode follow-up though both are lots of fun.
What's On Your Christmas Movies List?
My other personal favorite Christmas movies including “The Santa Clause”, “Miracle on 34th Street” (the original only), “Home Alone 2”, “Polar Express” (for the music), “12 Dates of Christmas” (One of the best cheesy Christmas movies that somehow made it onto our rewatch list), “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, and “A Year Without a Santa Claus”.
While I was tempted to put “Die Hard” on here to be in on the joke that it's a Christmas movie, it just doesn't quite make our list for every single year. It might be on deck for us to watch this year though.
What are your favorite Christmas movies that make your “list” every single year? Does Prep and Landing make the cut? Please comment your thoughts.
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Emmett Otter’s Jugband Christmas is my favorite Christmas special. I love the simple story about this little otter family. HBO used to broadcast it every year, and my family would watch it. It showed the true meaning of the season without being too preachy.