Walt Disney Studios Animated Shorts

Prep & Landing

Prep & Landing is a half-hour long, computer animated short created by the Walt Disney Animation Studios. The holiday special features Lanny & Wayne, two of Santa's elite preparation elves. Prep & Landing premiered on the ABC network on December 8, 2009.

Image © Walt Disney Studios

Prep & Landing - Magee's Tree

The little Christmas tree in Magee's office is reminiscent of Charlie Brown's lonely tree, a wispy branch decorated with a single red ornament.

Image © Walt Disney Studios

Prep & Landing - Deters Dairy

As a disillusioned Wayne fixes himself a cup of coffee, the Deters Dairy milk carton in the background refers to Prep & Landing co-writer and co-director, Kevin Deters.

Image © Walt Disney Studios

Prep & Landing - Christmas TV Specials

While Lanny gets to work, Wayne flips through a few Christmas specials on the Terwelp's television. A not-so Hidden Mickey appears on the television from the Disney classic, Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983).

Image © Walt Disney Studios

Prep & Landing - Timmy's Room

As Lanny & Wayne try to get Timmy back into bed, a pair of dinosaurs appear on Timmy's dresser. The large plant-eating sauropod and carnivorous Tyrannosaurus skeleton were hidden in anticipation of the upcoming Disney-Pixar untitled Dinosaurs animated feature.

Image © Walt Disney Studios

Prep & Landing - Timmy's Room

In addition to the dinosaurs, two more Hidden Disney references may be found in Timmy's bedroom. Goofy, as he appears in How to Hook Up Your Home Theater (2007) and Nessie, from The Ballad of Nessie (2011) are on the bookcase just behind Wayne.

Image © Walt Disney Studios

Prep & Landing - Hidden Disney License Plate

As Lanny & Wayne try to prep the runway, they bounce off a station wagon with a Hidden Disney license plate. The tag reads 12501WED - paying homage to Walter Elias Disney, whose birthday was December 05, 1901.

Prep & Landing - Drop Zone GPS

As the North Pole command center tracks Santa via GPS, the actual longitude and latitude on this monitor pinpoint the location for the Walt Disney Animation Studios (WDAS) in Burbank, California.

Prep & Landing - Jingle Bells

As Wayne stops in to see the big guy, Santa's secretary, Holly, keeps herself busy by typing the lyrics to Jingle Bells.

Prep & Landing - Santa's List

Santa's List of names includes Stevie and Kevin, referring to co-writers and co-directors Stevie Wermers-Skelton and Kevin Deters.