Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol

Disney animated Christmas special

Prep & Landing: The Snowball ProtocolOfficial release posterGenreAnimated Christmas specialBased onPrep & Landingby Kevin DetersStevie Wermers-SkeltonChris WilliamsScreenplay byHilary HeldingDirected byShane ZalvinStarring Dave Foley Derek Richardson Sarah Chalke Manny Jacinto Dulcé Sloan Danny Pudi Christopher Swindle Music byChristopher WillisCountry of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishProductionExecutive producers Kevin Deters Stevie Wermers-Skelton Producers Melissa Kurtz Carson Loveday Shea Wageman Running time22 minutesProduction companies Disney Television Animation ICON Creative Studio Original releaseNetworkDisney ChannelReleaseNovember 27, 2025 (2025-11-27) Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol is an American animated television special, produced by Disney Television Animation, and directed by Shane Zalvin, from a screenplay by Hilary Heldin. It premiered on November 27, 2025, on Disney Channel, and the following day on Disney+. The special is the third 22-minute Christmas special, and the fifth short film in the Prep & Landing series, after Prep & Landing, Tiny's Big Adventure, Operation: Secret Santa, and Naughty vs. Nice. It stars Dave Foley, Derek Richardson, Sarah Chalke, Manny Jacinto, Dulcé Sloan, Danny Pudi, and Christopher Swindle.

[edit] After creating a mess during their most recent outing, Wayne tells Lanny that he is issuing the Snowball Protocol (i.e. do not mention what happened to anyone). When they return to base, Magee tells the two that Santa wants to see them, concerning them. Lanny is called in first and leaves, having told Santa something. When Wayne is called in, Santa tells him that Lanny had informed him of some kind of secret. Trying to deter him from learning about their recent mishap, Wayne recalls two previous incidents he and Lanny were involved in. Four weeks earlier, Magee asks Wayne and Lanny to watch over her pet seal, Nog, while she goes to a meeting for an hour. Wayne and Lanny immediately lose him and chase him throughout the workshop and all over the North Pole before catching him after he devours a fruitcake. Despite Nog vomiting into Wayne's hat, Magee returns from the meeting none the wiser to their misadventure. Back in January, the elves go on vacation to Yuletide Island where Wayne insists on relaxing, while Magee wants everyone to follow a heavy vacation schedule. To get her off his back, Wayne sets Magee up with Renato, a massage therapist elf who teaches her to relax. Unfortunately, without Magee's guidance, the elves fall into disarray. Wayne owns up to his mistake and gets Magee to come back and help set things right. When Santa explains that neither of these things were what he was talking about, he reveals that Christmas day also happens to be Wayne's birthday, something that Wayne intentionally overlooks as he doesn't like getting too much attention. Wayne is given a birthday card signed by everyone, except Magee because Lanny forgot to tell her, and he heads to Lanny's house to celebrate.

[edit] Dave Foley as Wayne, a world-weary, but dedicated elf and Lanny's partner. Derek Richardson as Lanny, Wayne's partner. Sarah Chalke as Magee, the ambitious command center coordinator, who is obsessed with eggnog lattes Manny Jacinto as Renato, the massage therapist and holistic healer of Spa Navidad at the North Pole Dulcé Sloan as Janice, a post office clerk at the North Pole and Wayne's ex-girlfriend Danny Pudi as Chef Geoff, the master chef at the Fruitcake Factory Christopher Swindle as 'The Big Guy' Santa Claus. Swindle replaces the late W. Morgan Sheppard.

[edit] In a 2011 interview promoting the fourth entry in the series of Christmas specials, Naughty vs. Nice, creators Kevin Deters and Stevie Wermers-Skelton stated that there were plans for a fifth entry in the series, but that they could not reveal any more about the project. The project ultimately never made it to broadcast, and the two were instead assigned to a different Christmas short, Olaf's Frozen Adventure, in 2016; by this point, the two spoke of the series in the past tense. At the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June 2024, it was announced that the franchise was revived at Disney Television Animation with a new 22-minute special called Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol, written by Hilary Heldin and directed by Shane Zalvin, while the original franchise creators would serve as executive producers. It was animated by Canadian animation studio ICON Creative Studio. By September 2025, Dave Foley was cast to reprise his role of Wayne, alongside Sarah Chalke as Magee and Derek Richardson as Lanny, while newcomers include Manny Jacinto as Renato, Dulcé Sloan as Janice, Danny Pudi as Chef Geoff, and Christopher Swindle as Santa Claus. Swindle replaces W. Morgan Sheppard, who voiced Santa Claus in the previous entries but died in 2019.

[edit] The special was released on November 27, 2025 (Thanksgiving night) on Disney Channel, the first of the series to debut via that channel, and the following day on Disney+. The special was also rerun on ABC on November 30, and on Freeform as part of the 25 Days of Christmas.

The Snowball Protocol extends the beloved Prep & Landing universe with a fresh, bite‑size adventure that fits perfectly between the traditional Christmas movie marathon and the festive cartoons kids adore. Its 22‑minute runtime means you can slot it in between a roast dinner and the evening news without sacrificing narrative depth. The episode’s focus on the elves’ behind‑the‑scenes logistics adds a humorous, almost bureaucratic twist to Santa’s operation, making it relatable for adults who spend December juggling work and gift‑buying. The star‑studded voice cast, including familiar British‑favoured names like Danny Pudi, also gives the special a cross‑Atlantic appeal that resonates with UK audiences who love a good laugh over a hot cup of tea.

Although the special debuted on Disney Channel and Disney+ in the US, UK viewers can access it via the Disney+ subscription, which includes all Prep & Landing entries in its holiday catalogue. For those who prefer physical media, keep an eye out for a limited‑edition DVD release slated for the post‑Christmas market; these often bundle the special with behind‑the‑scenes featurettes and original concept art, adding value for collectors. When purchasing, check the region code – Disney+ streams globally, but DVDs may be Region 2. If you’re building a festive library, consider buying the complete Prep & Landing box set, which usually offers a discount compared to individual titles.

The Snowball Protocol is peppered with Easter eggs that reward longtime fans. Keen viewers will spot a brief cameo of Tiny, the tiny elf from the original Prep & Landing, peeking from behind a snowbank, and a subtle reference to the "Operation: Secret Santa" code phrase hidden on a conveyor belt. These nods aren’t mere fan service; they reinforce the continuity of the elf‑bureaucracy universe, making each viewing feel like a puzzle to solve. Spotting them adds an extra layer of enjoyment, especially for families watching together – you can turn it into a quick game of "find the reference" before the credits roll.