RAVEN-SYMONE, ISSAC RYAN BROWN
The first Disney Parks holiday special of the season debuted on the Disney Now app today. The Disney Parks Presents a Disney Channel Holiday Celebration is available to authenticated subscribers to Disney’s one-stop TV app now, but the show will also air on the Channel on December 1 at 8:30. Here is a rundown of what you can expect.
The show opens with a performance by Sofia Carson from the Cinderella Castle Stage at the Magic Kingdom. She sings a holiday version of “Chillin’ Like a Villain” from Descendants 2 called “Chillin’ Like a Snowman” which features an appearance of Olaf wearing his Olaf’s Frozen Adventure bowtie.
The Raven-Symone and Issac Ryan Brown from Raven’s Home take the stage as the hosts of the broadcast a rundown of the proceedings; musical performances from Disney Channel stars, a sneak peek at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Toy Story Land, and surprise Disney experiences for families that “share the joy.”
The first family was the Wall family who were surprised by Booboo Stewart at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. There were taken to the Tree of Life to see a performance from Andi Mack’s Asher Angel. He performed his new song “Snow Globe Wonderland”
The Wall family started Polished Girlz which goes to hospitals, nursing homes, and other places with girls with needs and does their nails. Booboo took the family to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see the Star Wars experiences at the park and spent the whole day with the family.
Next was the Esquivel family who met Isaac Ryan Brown at Epcot who took them to meet Anna and Elsa. The Esquivel family got involved with Toys for Tots when the family was having financial difficulties. After volunteering with the organization, they received gifts from the group and have been involved with the group giving 30 to 40 hours each week. The group went to Pandora – The World of Avatar with their extended family and then went to experience the new holiday offerings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The next performance from Disney’s Hollywood Studios was In Real Life, the winners of ABC’s Boy Band. They performed original holiday song “Feel this Christmas” from Sunset Boulevard.
Sofia Carson then returned to the Cinderella Castle Stage to perform “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” After that, her Descendants co-star Booboo Stewart returned to give a preview of Toy Story Land. Toy Story Land takes place in Andy’s backyard. He has left and the toys have come to play. Guests will be shrunken down to the size of a green army man and will experience the Slinky Dog Dash and the Alien Swirling Saucers attractions. Toy Story Land will open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios next summer.
BUZZ LIGHTYEAR, BOOBOO STEWART, WOODY
Back at the Magic Kingdom, Fitz and the Tantrums performed “Last Christmas.” The next family was the Adams family who met Ethan Wacker from Disney Channel’s Bizaardvark on the Disney Dream. The Adams family started Paper for Water. They sell paper ornaments to fund water wells in developing countries.
Back at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Booboo Stewart introduced Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly from the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie Zombies. They did introduced a zombie version of “Night Before Christmas” that teased the upcoming film. (Apparently they don’t eat brains.) The movie will debut in 2018. Manheim and Donnelly then performed “Wonderful Christmas Time” from the park and were joined by Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto.
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Radio Disney and Radio Disney Country partnered with St Jude Children’s Hospital for a new Christmas song, “Angels Among Us.” To celebrate the release of the song, Radio Disney will make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. They debuted a sneak peek at the music video for the song.
To wrap up the show, Dove Cameron performed “White Christmas” from the Cinderella Castle Stage, complete with snow. There are more Disney Parks tv specials coming as part of the 25 Days of Christmas:
November 30: The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration (9pm on ABC)
December 11: Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings: Holiday Magic (Freeform, 8pm)
December 18: Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic (Freeform, 8pm)
December 25: Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration (ABC, check local listings)