The elves are back on duty — and chaos is back on the Christmas schedule! Disney just released the official trailer for Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol, the long-awaited fourth installment of the Emmy® Award-winning animated holiday franchise. The new special arrives on Disney+ on November 28, 2025. This follows its Thanksgiving night debut on Disney Channel.
A Frosty Mission Returns
It’s been over a decade since Disney fans last saw Wayne and Lanny, the elite Christmas elves who prep homes worldwide for Santa’s annual visit. This time, their high-tech holiday operation faces unexpected glitches. These glitches could turn Christmas Eve into complete mayhem. The trailer teases snow-covered mishaps, gadget malfunctions, and the kind of buddy-elf humor that made the original Prep & Landing a holiday favorite.
The new special reunites the voices of Dave Foley (Wayne), Sarah Chalke (Magee), and Derek Richardson (Lanny), alongside new cast members Manny Jacinto, Dulcé Sloan, Danny Pudi, and Christopher Swindle as Santa himself. The project is produced by Disney Television Animation, with executive producers Kevin Deters and Stevie Wermers-Skelton returning to helm the series.
When and Where to Watch
The festive rollout begins November 27 at 7:00 p.m. EST/PST on Disney Channel. The special will then stream the next day, November 28, exclusively on Disney+. Families can also revisit earlier entries in the series — Prep & Landing (2009), Operation: Secret Santa (2010), and Naughty vs. Nice (2011) — all now available on Disney+.
But that’s not all. ABC and Freeform are joining the fun with a full Prep & Landing programming block:
- Nov. 30: ABC will air all three previous specials followed by The Snowball Protocol at 9 p.m. EST/PST.
- Dec. 13: The special joins Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas lineup, airing at 2:40 p.m. EST/PST.
The Disney Difference
Since its debut in 2009, Prep & Landing has become a beloved part of Disney’s holiday tradition. Its blend of humor, heart, and high-tech elf adventure helped redefine the modern Christmas special. Now, with The Snowball Protocol, Disney brings that magic to a new generation. It features upgraded animation, fresh storytelling, and plenty of snowball-fueled surprises.
