The Huge Disney Christmas Collection That You Can Join

Are you like us, and feel well and truly in the holiday spirit, now that November is here? It’s no doubt that all of the Disney Christmas news has gotten us feeling festive! With the Disney Parks being decorated for the Holiday season, and the gingerbread displays being constructed in the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, it’s only right that we’re feeling inspired to get a little festive. That being said, we are definitely trying to resist the urge to put the Christmas decorations up, for at least just a couple more weeks… Give it till the middle of November, and we’ll most certainly have given in!

But not only are we thinking about the Christmas decorations, we’re also thinking about the presents we intend on giving too. From shopping for family members, to buying those special presents for loved ones, and seeking out the perfect gift for friends too, there’s plenty to add to your shopping list. Of course, once you have bought all of your gifts, there’s then the fun of Christmas wrapping. After you’ve chosen your wrapping paper, obviously! Don’t forget to consider bows, ribbon, present labels, gift bags… the list goes on! And all before, Santa Claus comes!

Maybe you’re also looking to help somebody in need too, this holiday season. If you are, then you may want to know about the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive. After all, Christmas really is the season of giving.

What is the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive?

The Walt Disney Company are supporting the Marine Toys for Tots, to collect as many donations as possible, in order to help bring a little Christmas magic to children who need it the most. The Disney Ultimate Toy Drive will be accepting donations from Guests, with the aim of supporting communities in need. Additionally, the Disney Movie Club will be donating over 2000 toys to the Toys for Tots, Wisconsin. The Disney Ultimate Toy Drive also includes commercials across their streaming platforms and television networks, including Disney Channel, Disney Junior and and Disney XD, to encourage viewers to participate.

Who are the Marine Toys for Tots?

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is, this year, celebrating its 75th anniversary. Founded in 1947 by Major Bill Hendricks, the Toys for Tots program collected and distributed 5000 toys to less fortunate children at Christmas. Since then the campaign has grown, with many different well-known companies making donations, such as Hasbro, Hallmark, and Build-A-Bear. Famous faces have also contributed to the annual program, including First Lady Michelle Obama, Tim Allen, and Billy Ray Cyrus, to name just a few.

The Toys for Tots has continued to run as an annual program since beginning, and each year aims to provide as many toys as possible to children who are less fortunate during the Christmas season. The Walt Disney Company supports Toys for Tots each year to help bring toys to millions of children. 

The Walt Disney Company has been involved with the Foundation for some time, and roots back to 1947, when Walt Disney designed the original Toys for Tots train logo. The following year, Walt Disney designed the first national poster for Toys for Tots. Since then, the Christmas posters have become part of the annual program, and have been known to feature beloved Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.

How can you join in?

The Disney Ultimate Toy Drive has officially begun, and will run through to December 24, 2022. Are you looking to play a part in helping to create a little Christmas magic this year? If so, there are several ways in which you can do so. 

Why not donate a toy online? All you have to do is visit shopDisney, and select the ‘Ultimate Toy Drive’. From there, you select the toy that you wish to donate. There are several to choose from, currently ranging from $15 to $29.99. Once you have selected your toy, click ‘add to donation bag’. Once you’ve finished, you complete the checkout as normal, receiving confirmation that your payment has been processed. Your donation will then automatically be added to the shopDisney collection of donations.

If you’d prefer to make a donation in person, you are very welcome to do so. All you have to do is take a brand-new, unopened and unwrapped toy to a select location by December 12. Your in-person donations are being collected at the following locations:

• Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort – find collection bins at World of Disney, Star Wars Trading Post, and the Disneyland Resort hotels. Additionally, US Marines will be accepting donations at the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage on December 10 and 11, from 11 a.m. through to 4 p.m.
• Disney Springs at Walt Disney World – find collection bins at World of Disney, Marketplace Co-Op, Star Wars Galactic Outpost, and the Disney Springs Welcome Center. Cast Members will also be collecting donations backstage throughout the season, as well as participating in Disney VoluntEARS opportunities at local Toys for Tots warehouses.

• Your local Disney Outlet store or Disney Store. The Disney Store in Times Square, New York is also collecting donations. To find out about participating stores, make sure to check the shopDisney website. You don’t have to be visiting the Walt Disney World Resort or the Disneyland Resort to join in the Christmas giving!

Are you feeling a little inspired to help somebody this Christmas? If you are in a position to do so, then you can be sure that you are helping to put a smile on somebody else’s face, at a time that can be really difficult for some. There’s nothing quite like the magic of Christmas, and allowing others to feel it only adds to the magic of this special time of year.