(Interview) The hidden Disney details in Hallmark’s “Holiday Ever After” costumes

Disney Princess-inspired outfits, hidden character references and a little holiday magic are woven throughout Hallmark’s upcoming Christmas movie, “Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True.”

In an exclusive interview with Attractions Magazine, costume designer Alyson Hancey revealed how she dressed the film’s stars and hundreds of extras, worked with Disney to recreate authentic theme park looks, and incorporated special details that even devoted Disney fans might miss.

Sitting down with Alyson Hancey, even over Zoom, is like talking with someone who radiates the joy and warmth that Hallmark Christmas movies are known for. Her enthusiasm for Hallmark, Disney and the little details that make a costume special was evident throughout our conversation.

Designing the “Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True” costumes

For Hancey, working on “Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True” was more than another costume design assignment. She called it a dream come true, and as she shared stories about everything from hidden Disney Princess references to dressing Jungle Cruise cast members, it was easy to understand why.

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“Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True” premieres Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. ET on Hallmark Channel and streams the following day on Hallmark+.

Disney World cast members helped bring the Jungle Cruise scene to life

One of the more surprising details Hancey shared involved the Jungle Cruise. Her team worked closely with Disney to ensure cast members appeared in authentic costumes appropriate to their locations throughout Walt Disney World.

For the Jungle Cruise sequence, production used actual attraction cast members, along with additional performers dressed with some holiday touches added.

Hancey teased that Disney fans are going to love the Jungle Cruise scene. We’ll have to wait until the movie premieres Nov. 28 to see exactly what she means.

Each Disney World park inspired a different wardrobe

As I’ve gotten older and focused more on keeping our theme park visits comfortable for my son, my park wardrobe has become more about function than fashion. Still, I enjoy dressing to match the park we’re visiting, or at least the season.

Hancey took a similar approach when designing the wardrobe for “Holiday Ever After,” drawing inspiration from the distinct atmosphere of each of Walt Disney World’s four theme parks.

At Magic Kingdom, she drew inspiration from traditional Disney characters and fairy tales. Epcot called for more stylized looks, reflecting the DisneyBounding outfits guests often wear there.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios brought opportunities for Toy Story Land-inspired clothing, while Disney’s Animal Kingdom inspired the use of animal prints.

Hidden Disney Princess details you might miss

Not every Disney Princess reference in “Holiday Ever After” is obvious. Hancey incorporated nods to characters such as Rapunzel through color, along with bows, lace, pearls and familiar fairy-tale silhouettes.

For the Cinderella-inspired look, she used an A-line skirt to suggest the shape of a Princess ball gown. She also pointed out a tiny bow appliqué on the inside pocket of a denim jacket, a detail viewers would never see on screen but one that reflects her approach to creating a Princess-inspired look. Even the smallest touches can make an outfit feel special.

Rhinestone bow brooches and pearl accents brought additional touches of Disney Princess style to otherwise everyday clothing.

Hallmark’s holiday pajamas weren’t even available yet

One of Hancey’s favorite experiences involved the matching holiday pajamas featured in the movie. The pajamas are part of Hallmark’s Disney holiday merchandise collection, but they hadn’t been manufactured when the production needed them. Hancey’s team received the design file and had the pajamas made specifically for filming.

She was thrilled with the finished print and loved the design enough to get a couple of pairs for herself.

Finding the right balance between Florida and Hallmark Christmas

Hancey said she literally scoured the country looking for Disney merchandise that could work in the movie as part of the wardrobe. But creating a believable Disney World Christmas vacation with a touch of cozy Hallmark came with an interesting challenge: Florida isn’t exactly known for snowy holiday weather.

Hancey had to balance practical vacation clothing with the cozy sweaters, festive colors and nostalgic holiday looks audiences expect from Hallmark.

How to create your own Disney Princess-inspired holiday outfit

For Disney fans hoping to recreate the movie’s looks, Hancey’s advice is refreshingly simple: Start with something that makes you feel special.

Color is a big part of that. Choose a shade you love, then look for small details that evoke your favorite Disney Princess. An A-line skirt can suggest Cinderella’s ball gown, while a pearl accessory, lace trim or rhinestone bow brooch can add a fairy-tale touch to an otherwise ordinary outfit. You don’t need an elaborate costume or an entirely new wardrobe. Sometimes a tiny bow on a pocket is enough.

And while Hancey hopes audiences appreciate those details, her biggest wish is that viewers experience the joy and magic of the movie itself.

For her, the project was a dream come true, combining her love of Disney with the warmth and nostalgia of Hallmark Christmas movies. She hopes it reminds audiences that Disney is a place where anyone can feel like a kid again, regardless of age. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a Hallmark Christmas movie without a little romance and the possibility that a holiday wish might just lead to happily ever after.