Parents' Guide to

Christmas with Walt Disney

By Sabrina McFarland, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Child shares fond memories with famous dad in holiday docu.

Movie NR 2023 50 minutes
Christmas with Walt Disney movie poster: The film's title appears in white letters at the bottom on a reddish maroon background that features three scenes from the documentary, the first is Walt Disney speaking with Santa at Disneyland, the second is a gift wrapped purple and beige hat box with a white bow beside a Christmas tree from the animated film Lady and the Tramp, and the third is a scene with a chipmunk standing on a decorated Christmas tree branch from the animated movie Pluto's Christmas Tree

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • Still from Christmas with Walt Disney: In the background to the right is a decorated Christmas tree, and in the foreground to the left stands award-winning animator Walt Disney who faces the camera to speak about the holiday season, wearing a white shirt, black tie, and blue suit
  • Still from Christmas with Walt Disney: Black-and-white scene from the 1932 Walt Disney short Mickey's Good Deed. Mickey Mouse is disguised as Santa Claus and looks at a bed filled with sleeping cat cartoon babies who are poor and later delivers holidays treats to them for Christmas
  • Still from Christmas with Walt Disney: In the background to the left is a decorated Christmas tree and to the right a filled bookcase and wall with plaques, and in the foreground Walt Disney is seated at a desk holding a wrapped holiday gift, wearing a white shirt, black tie, and gray suit

Community Reviews

See all

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

Narrated by Walt Disney's eldest daughter Diane, CHRISTMAS WITH WALT DISNEY is a documentary that showcases the famous family's lives during the holiday season throughout the years, as well as the animator's role as a visionary filmmaker, dad, and husband. The film also features home movies, interviews, and highlights scenes from more than a dozen animated and live-action classic Christmas-themed Disney films.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This delightful vintage holiday treat highlights the family life of Walt Disney. "He was a wonderful dad," recalls daughter Diane in Christmas with Walt Disney. "He was so affectionate." For the Disneys, explains Diane, "Christmas morning was always very, very special, very exciting and full of beauty and wonderment." There's a home movie of 1-year-old Diane "surrounded by wind-up toys," she says, "and all kinds of things."

At age 7, Diane gets a real watch from Walt with the engraved message 'To Diane, From Daddy.' She and her younger sister Sharon also receive a kid's playhouse that has running water and a telephone that rings. Santa Claus gives the siblings a call and asks how they like their playhouse. Diane admits that the playhouse was something that they "loved" for years. Families can add Christmas with Walt Disney to their holiday movie list as another festive Disney film to watch and discuss.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the communication of the cast in Christmas with Walt Disney. How do they also demonstrate perseverance and teamwork? Why are they important character strengths?

  • How would you describe Walt Disney's role as dad to Diane and Sharon?

  • What do you think about the holiday gifts given to Disney's daughters?

  • What's your favorite holiday movie, and why?

Movie Details

Inclusion information powered by

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended movie lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate