It is actually kind of wild that we haven't seen a new Prep and Landing special in over a decade. Most holiday specials either become ancient relics that grandmas force you to watch—looking at you, Frosty—or they just sort of evaporate into the ether of basic cable. But the Prep and Landing movies did something weird. They managed to be cynical, high-tech, and incredibly heartwarming all at the same time without feeling like a marketing gimmick for toys that don't exist.
Wayne and Lanny aren't your typical sparkly elves. Wayne is a guy who has been passed over for a promotion and is basically "quiet quitting" before that was even a TikTok trend. He's bitter. He wants the corner office. Instead, he gets stuck with Lanny, an idealistic rookie who is way too into the "Big Guy" (Santa) and the whole "Christmas cheer" vibe. It is a corporate workplace comedy dressed up in tinsel and night-vision goggles.
The Secret Sauce of the Prep and Landing Movies
When Disney Animation released the first special in 2009, it was a bit of a gamble. This was right around the time the studio was finding its feet again under the leadership of John Lasseter and Ed Catmull. They brought in Kevin Deters and Stevie Wermers-Skelton to direct, and honestly, the attention to detail is what saved it from being just another generic CG short.
The world-building is intense. You aren't just looking at a North Pole workshop; you're looking at a tactical command center. There’s a reason people still search for the Prep and Landing movies every December. It’s because the technology feels like it actually works. The Sparkle-Stick, the "Naughty or Nice" scanner, the way they secure a landing zone—it’s like Mission: Impossible but with cookies.
Most people don't realize how much the voice acting carries the weight here. Dave Foley as Wayne is perfect. He has that specific brand of exhausted, mid-level management sarcasm that makes him relatable to adults, while kids just think he’s a funny elf who is grumpy. Derek Richardson brings this frantic, golden-retriever energy to Lanny that should be annoying, but somehow isn't.
Wait, How Many Prep and Landing Movies Are There Anyway?
This is where it gets a little confusing for people trying to binge the series. You’ve basically got two main specials and a handful of shorts.
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The original Prep & Landing dropped in 2009. It set the stage. We meet the duo, Wayne almost ruins Christmas because he’s pouting about a promotion, and they have to land the sleigh in a massive blizzard. Simple. Effective.
Then came Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice in 2011. This one raised the stakes. We get introduced to Wayne’s brother, Noel, voiced by Rob Riggle. This is where the lore gets deep. We see the "Coal Bucket" division. We see what happens when a kid is actually "naughty" and how the North Pole handles cyber-security. It’s genuinely funny stuff.
But don't miss the "Tiny Adventures." There’s Operation: Secret Santa and Tiny’s Big Adventure. They’re short, sure, but they fill in the gaps of the North Pole hierarchy. Honestly, Operation: Secret Santa is crucial because it features Mrs. Claus (voiced by Betty White, rest in peace), and she is terrifyingly efficient.
Why the Animation Style Still Beats Modern Shorts
Check the textures. Look at the fur on the elves' hats or the way the snow looks under the moonlight. For 2009-2011 television budgets, this looked like a feature film. Disney didn't cheap out. They used the same rendering pipelines they were developing for movies like Tangled.
The character design is also top-tier. The elves aren't just tiny humans; they have these distinct, slightly caricatured silhouettes that make them move differently. When Wayne is sneaking through a house, he moves like a commando. When Lanny is "preparing" a room, he’s a blur of Christmas spirit. It's high-energy but readable.
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The Realistic Side of the North Pole
What's great is that the North Pole feels like a real company. Magee, the coordinator (voiced by Sarah Chalke), is constantly stressed, drinking what I assume is high-octane cocoa, and dealing with technical glitches. We’ve all been Magee. We’ve all had to deal with a boss who is a literal legend but is never actually in the office when the printer breaks.
The "Big Guy" himself is rarely seen in full. He’s a presence. A silhouette. A pair of boots. This was a smart move. By keeping Santa as this mythic figure, the focus stays on the "working class" elves who actually make the holiday happen. It’s a tribute to the people behind the scenes.
Where to Find Them Now
If you're looking for the Prep and Landing movies, Disney+ is the obvious home. They usually keep them front and center during the "Happy Holidays" collection. Sometimes you can find them on digital storefronts like Vudu or Apple TV, but usually, it's a streaming play.
Interestingly, there were rumors for years about a third special or even a full-length feature. It never materialized. Maybe it's better that way. We have two near-perfect specials and a couple of great shorts. Why risk the "shrek-ification" of the franchise where it just goes on too long?
Common Misconceptions About the Series
- "It's just for kids." Wrong. The jokes about corporate promotion, burnout, and "The Fruitcake Step" (it's a real tactical maneuver in the show) are 100% for the parents.
- "There's a full-length movie." There isn't. People often mistake the two specials aired back-to-back as a movie. Each is about 22 minutes long without commercials.
- "It's part of the Frozen universe." I’ve seen this theory online. It isn't. Though, Disney loves an easter egg, so keep your eyes peeled for hidden Mickeys.
The Legacy of Wayne and Lanny
It is rare for a TV special to win an Emmy. The first Prep & Landing actually won the Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program, beating out heavy hitters. That doesn't happen by accident. It happened because the writing was tight and the world felt lived-in.
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When you sit down to watch these, pay attention to the gadgetry. The "Silent Night" boots. The "Cranberry" sensors. It’s a masterclass in taking a trope—elves making toys—and flipping it on its head. It’s not about magic; it’s about logistics. And in a weird way, that makes the "magic" feel more earned.
How to Do a Prep and Landing Marathon Right
If you want the full experience, don't just watch the big ones. Follow this order to see the character arcs actually progress:
Start with the original Prep & Landing. It’s the foundation. You need to see Wayne at his lowest to appreciate where he goes. Then, hit Operation: Secret Santa. It’s a bridge. It shows the team actually working together after their initial friction. Move on to Naughty vs. Nice. This is the "Empire Strikes Back" of the series—it’s bigger, more emotional, and introduces the family dynamics. Finally, catch the Tiny's Big Adventure short if you can find it; it's just a nice little dessert.
Actionable Insights for Your Holiday Viewing
If you're planning on introducing the Prep and Landing movies to your family this year, here is how to make it stick:
- Watch for the Background Details: The North Pole is full of signs, posters, and monitors that have actual jokes written on them. You'll need to pause to see them.
- Explain the "Tactical" Element: If you have kids who like superheroes or spy movies, frame it as a "Christmas Spy Movie." They’ll be hooked instantly.
- Check the Credits: Look at the names. Many of these people went on to direct some of the biggest Disney hits of the 2010s. It’s a "who’s who" of modern animation.
- Use the Disney+ "Extras" Tab: Often, the shorts like Operation: Secret Santa are buried in the "Extras" or "Suggested" sections rather than having their own main tile.
The best way to enjoy these is to appreciate the craft. In an era of AI-generated content and rushed animation, these specials represent a time when a studio sat down and said, "Let's make the best 22 minutes of television possible." They succeeded. Wayne and Lanny aren't just characters; they're the holiday heroes we didn't know we needed.
Go ahead and add them to your watchlist before the December rush. You'll find that they hold up a lot better than the stuff you remember from childhood. Trust me, the joke about the "Year-End Performance Review" hits a lot harder once you've actually had one.