• by Danielle Oster , 2 hours ago

 John Goodman has been a Disney regular over the years, voicing animated Disney characters including Sulley from Disney and Pixar's “Monsters, Inc.” and “Monsters University,” Pacha in Disney’s “The Emperor's New Groove,” and Big Daddy La Bouff in “The Princess and the Frog.”

So it’s not a surprise that Disney turned to the star for “A Disney Holiday Short: Best Christmas Ever.” Directed by Academy Award winner (“JoJo Rabbit”) Taika Waititi, the animated video tells the story of a young girl’s drawing on a letter to Santa coming to life, with the character Doodle voiced by John Goodman. It ends with the family bringing Doodle along for a Disney theme park trip. “Best Christmas Ever” is featured on platforms including Disney+ and YouTube.

"What makes this story uniquely Disney is the fact that it's set in the world of a kid,” Waititi said in a statement. “It's a kid and her new best friend, navigating the complex world together, and doing it just with the power of friendship and imagination,"

It’s the second consecutive year Disney turned to Waititi to direct a holiday short, following up last year’s Emmy-nominated “A Disney Holiday Short: The Boy & The Octopus.”

Walt Disney Animation Studios animator Eric Goldberg, creator of Disney characters including “Genie” from “Aladdin,” also acted as an advisor in the animation process, working in collaboration with Untold Studios, production company hungryman, and creative agency adam&eveDDB.

The video kicks off Disney’s “Make Someone’s Holiday Magic” campaign. The company will also embark on a Holiday Magic Tour featuring community and experiential activations across more than 20 cities, including visits to offer “magical moments” to local schools, children’s hospitals, and nonprofit organizations, with exclusive movie screenings, and a “surprise Broadway cameo.” Disney will also continue the company’s longtime partnership with Toys For Tots with this year’s “Disney Ultimate Toy Drive” calling on audiences to make a toy donation to Toys for Tots through Dec. 24, or in-person at a Disney Store location, Disneyland Resort, or Walt Disney World Resort through Dec. 14.

Disney will promote its “Holiday Magic” on Disney network programs including “Dancing with the Stars,” “Good Morning America,” “Live with Kelly and Mar,” and “Wheel of Fortune.”

Special Disney events will also return to Disney Parks and Resorts to drive visits during the holiday season, and Disney+ will feature new and returning holiday movies and shows, including the upcoming “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie,” which begins streaming on Disney+ Nov. 14.