The two schools shown are named after the families in popular Christmas movies. McAllister Elementary is named after the McAlister family of Maman, j'ai raté l'avion ! (1990) and Griswold Middle School is named after the Griswold family in Le sapin a les boules (1989).
The first time Albert is seen getting served hot cocoa at The North Pole, the song in the background is a swedish Christmas drinking song called "Hej Tomtegubbar slå i glasen" (orig. mid 1800's), the singing of which is usually concluded by the downing of an alcoholic shot of some sort.
This is the first Disney Channel Original Movie to premiere in November since Le Geek Charmant (2011) 12 years prior.
This is only the 2nd Christmas themed DCOM to premiere less then 10 years after the previous.