Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol

The beloved Prep & Landing series makes its return in the post-Lasseter Disney era - and it shows.

The first major change is the art style. None of the characters' personalities have translated into the new style and appear notably bland and sterilized. Wayne and Lanny do not look like scrappy worker elves hopping chimneys, but babyfaced and standard Disney cute. Magee seems to be getting some sleep and broke her coffee addiction, so basically everything that made her character charming has been removed.

You know the one thing that really bothers me about the modern animation industry? Too many cooks. For the runtime they typically use to tell one story, they mash two together. The first one about rescuing a baby seal is what you'd expect: a lazy, rushed, absent-minded plot. The beach one? It should've never been made. I would've rated this special higher if it just had the dumb baby seal plot, but I can't tell you how much I DESPISE Hawaiian vacation themes in Christmas specials (Grandma's gonna sue the pants off of Santa, anyone?). It completely kills the Christmas mood or what little festivity this special already had. It's obvious that they failed to meet the runtime and slapped it on 2/3 of the way into the special. If you're gonna do short stories, why not make three? That's the magic number.

Now to address the elephant in the room. This is the first Prep & Landing to have an all-female writing team. This is evident in the character Magee, who has far more prominence here than in the previous specials. I'm sorry Disney, but your writers did not improve Magee at all - they completely BUTCHERED her. As previously stated, she's no longer the sleep-deprived, neurotic coffee addict on a tight schedule we all know and love. Instead, she's written as a commanding boss who seems to get a thrill out of antagonizing Wayne and Lanny. It would be one thing having her as the straight man, however, she's also breaking the rules by illegally harboring a baby seal and having Wayne and Lanny take care of it under duress. So really, she's an unscrupulous girlboss on a power trip. If only this flaw was addressed in the beach plot, but instead we get an out of left field musical number by Magee about how brat she is (completely random, forgettable song btw) and how all the elves would be doomed without her. All hail Magee!

This is the direct to DVD sequel era of the "Prep & Landing" series. This feels like the scrapped remains of a ditched Disney+ TV series. The "short" is set up like a clip show with two distinct halves. Neither one of the stories is all that funny nor heartwarming. It might be entertaining for little kids, but not much else.

As someone who has been wishing for a new installment in the Prep & Landing universe for the last 14 years, this is so not tinsel.

As always, amazing voice cast, but that is where the compliments end. The animation is shiny and unsettling by being so close to the original designs yet slightly off in an unnerving way. There is an unnecessary amount of new side characters (one of which is borderline creep to Magee). The seal hijinks were unfunny, and had no clear purpose in the story. There's barely any Christmas happening at all in the short, and it feels more like the first episode of a P&L themed series for Disney jr. For a short titled Prep & Landing, you would think there would be some prep or landing happening in the story. You would be wrong. Instead, we get a baby seal wild goose chase and a day at the beach. Because what says Christmas more than building sandcastles?

This short's predecessors: Prep & Landing, Secret Santa, and Naughty or Nice, have great animation that still holds up almost 15+ years later. The characters are quippy and silly, but fully realized, relatable and lovable. The one liners still make me giggle through every minute. These shorts have Christmas magic. The joy, humor, and true heart of the stories is what makes these shorts so special. They make you feel something!

On the other hand, the only thing this addition made me feel was disappointment and annoyance. The singing... really? Classic Disney- bait with nostalgia and deliver with the absolute bare minimum effort and zero story/character integrity. It's empty and meaningless, and, to top it off, looks pretty bad next to the 2009

As far as I am concerned, this does not exist. I will not be rewatching as I couldn't even finish the last 5 minutes. Truly awful. I assume they're trying to adjust to the shortening attention spans of children, but it seems more like an insult to their intelligence. I watched all of the pre existing shorts right before watching the newest one; This "Snowball Protocol" installment genuinely wiped the smile off of my face. I only ever laughed out of pure disbelief as to how bad it was.

Please, erase this short from existence. It's what Santa would want.

Prep & Landing: Snowball Protocol is a standout installment in Disney's beloved Prep & Landing series, offering a perfect blend of holiday cheer, humor, and heart. The short continues to showcase the incredible dynamic between Wayne and Lanny, two elves whose personalities balance each other beautifully. Wayne's dry wit paired with Lanny's earnest enthusiasm creates a duo that feels both charming and genuinely engaging, making the story immediately captivating for viewers of all ages.

The plot, while concise, is clever and full of surprises. Santa is portrayed in a slightly flustered role, highlighting the pressures of his Christmas Eve responsibilities, while the elves navigate their own challenges. Wayne's accidental spilling of secrets injects a playful tension into the story, keeping the audience entertained while emphasizing the stakes of the mission. The narrative moves quickly, yet it never feels rushed, allowing each comedic or heartfelt moment to resonate fully.

Animation-wise, this short is a visual treat. The crisp, colorful design brings the North Pole to life in a way that feels expansive despite the brief runtime. Every frame is meticulously crafted, from the elves' expressive movements to the detailed environments of Santa's workshop, making it feel like a feature-length production condensed into a short format. The attention to detail reinforces the magic of the Prep & Landing universe and underscores Disney's commitment to quality storytelling.

Voice acting is another strong point. The performers bring their characters to life with energy and nuance, ensuring that both the comedic beats and the more sentimental moments land effectively. The interplay between characters is natural and engaging, giving the audience a true sense of connection to the world of Prep & Landing. The humor, while lighthearted and family-friendly, also contains clever nods that older viewers can appreciate.

The short excels at balancing humor with warmth, delivering a story that is as emotionally satisfying as it is entertaining. It is easy to see why these characters have resonated so deeply with audiences, as they embody the spirit of teamwork, loyalty, and holiday magic. Each scene contributes meaningfully to the narrative while reinforcing the established lore of the Prep & Landing universe.

Overall, Prep & Landing: Snowball Protocol is a delightful addition to the series, blending humor, holiday spirit, and heart with the meticulous animation Disney is known for. It is a short that could easily be expanded into a feature-length story, yet it works perfectly in its condensed format. For both longtime fans and new viewers, it is a must-watch holiday experience that will leave audiences smiling, laughing, and eager for the next installment.

This is only the second out of the four Prep & Landing specials I have seen but I am already sensing a pattern. It appears that Disney is trying to educate our future workforce by prepping them to land their first job. In The Snowball Protocol, Disney tackles issues such as accountability and interpersonal relationships in the workplace. They also discuss the importance of rules and the fact that these rules don't always apply to superiors. If this was their intent, then I say bravo as these are lessons I wish I had learned before entering the workforce.