This year has been a big one for the long-standing relationship between Disney and Hallmark, as this collaboration has expanded to a new holiday collection inspired by the upcoming Hallmark Channel original movie, Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True, filmed at Walt Disney World. Disney and Hallmark are expanding on their partnership that began 100 years ago.
There are multiple ways to celebrate this relationship between Disney and Hallmark this year, making this holiday season an exciting one for fans of both. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including new perks for Disney+ subscribers and a popular Disney World restaurant added to the refurbishment calendar.
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Hallmark’s Historical Relationship with Disney
Disney and Hallmark have a nearly century-long relationship, dating back to the early days of both companies. In 1931, Walt Disney and Hallmark J.C. Hall established a business relationship when Hallmark secured a license to use Disney characters on greeting cards. The first Disney character featured on the Hallmark greeting cards followed in the early 1930s, which featured characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The image above shows Walt Disney and Hallmark founder J.C. Hall together at a People to People International event in Kansas City on October 9, 1966.
The relationship grew beyond greeting cards as Hallmark became a longtime Disney merchandise licensee, with Hallmark stores operating at Disneyland in 1960 and at Disney World in 1974. One of the biggest milestones was in 1977 when Disney characters were first featured on Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. You can see an example of these below.
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Now Hallmark has created a massive Disney ornament collection featuring everything from animated films, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, and Disney Parks attractions. More ornaments are set to debut as part of the October ornament release coming soon and more Disney Parks attractions, including Sleeping Beauty Castle, are announced for next year.
The new merchandise collection available now is inspired by the upcoming Hallmark Channel original movie, Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True, filmed at Disney World and features items inspired by Disney Parks attractions and iconography. According to Darren Abbott, Hallmark Media president & chief brand officer at Hallmark, “As iconic brands, Hallmark and Disney both share a common starting point: connection, family and tradition. This collaboration gives families a connected holiday experience, extending a story beyond just a single touchpoint – whether they’re watching our movie, visiting Disney Parks or unwrapping a Hallmark Keepsake Ornament, everything points back to the same meaningful story.”
New Hallmark Channel Original Movie Filmed at Disney World
The merchandise collection is inspired by and also featured in the new Hallmark Channel original movie, Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True. The movie is premiering as part of Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas, with the world premiere airing Saturday, Nov. 28 at 8/7c on Hallmark Channel and streaming next day on Hallmark+.
The movie follows Lindsey (Lacey Chabert) and her family during a trip to Walt Disney World where her wish at Cinderella Fountain may just bring her the “magical Christmas romance she’s hoping for.” The movie, along with the new merchandise collection, creates an “integrated experience that brings Disney Parks magic into holiday traditions year after year.”
New Disney Springs Pop-Up Store
Hallmark’s pop-store at Disney Springs is now open and offers guests the opportunity to shop the new collection. The shop is located in the Town Center section of Disney Springs. You can find it between the Everything But Water store and Gateway to Discovery – A Disney Vacation Club Welcome Home Center.
The collection will also be available inside the Disney Parks, marking the return of Hallmark products to the theme parks for the first time since the 1980s. The collection is also widely available at Kohls, Walmart, and on Hallmark’s website.
Highlights of Disney and Hallmark’s New Collection
The collection includes greeting cards, ornaments, gift wrap, home décor, gifts, and apparel. It also features Disney Parks-inspired designs, Mickey and Minnie merchandise, interactive and recordable ornaments, holiday kitchenware, blankets and plush, plus pajamas, slippers, sweatshirts, bags and drinkware from brands including Loungefly, Vera Bradley, Spirit Jersey and Corkcicle.
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This new collection also features a brand-new Jingle Cruise-themed ornament, which will be released as part of Hallmark’s October ornament release on October 10. The $32.99 Keepsake ornament features Mickey as the skipper of a vintage-style Jingle Cruise boat and features sound inspired by the popular attraction.
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