Walt Disney World’s holiday festivities have officially kicked off, bringing the return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party—and with it, a familiar character who’s sparking a new round of conversation online. Tally the Elf, the breakout performer from last year’s event who went viral for his over-the-top antics and hilarious guest interactions, is back at the Magic Kingdom this season. But fans were quick to notice a major change: the character has been recast.
According to attendees, Disney World has made a noticeable change to this character, as seen during the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party of the season. While the character used to be played by one very iconic male cast member, the role has now been reassigned to a female cast member.
The update marks a surprising twist for fans who followed Tally’s rise to internet fame last year. Once a little-known parade performer, Tally the Elf became a viral sensation during the 2023 holiday season, amassing millions of views across social media platforms. Guests adored his exaggerated dance moves, expressive gestures, and lively interactions during the parade, with many calling him one of the best parts of Walt Disney World’s holiday lineup.
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Yes I know this IS Tally the elf with her clipboard. This post if for all the people who asked if Tally would be telling people if they are naughty or nice this year! This performer was so lovely and looked amazing! What do you think!? Did social media cause this change?! #MickeysVeryMerryChristmasParty #MickeysVeryMerryChristmasPartyTips #onceuponachristmastimeparade
♬ original sound – DISNEY TIPS AND TRICKS✨
From Parade Performer to Viral Celebrity
Tally’s popularity began as a simple moment of holiday joy. During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party—a special after-hours event featuring themed entertainment and exclusive parades—the performer behind Tally transformed a background role into a highlight of the show. His cheerful, larger-than-life personality resonated with fans both in person and online.
Clips of Tally quickly spread across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. In these videos, the performer waved dramatically, struck exaggerated poses, and interacted playfully with guests along Main Street, U.S.A., embodying what many described as “pure Disney magic.” By the end of the season, the performer behind Tally had reached near-celebrity status—something virtually unheard of for park entertainers who typically remain anonymous.
Disney World Changes Viral “Tally the Elf” Character For 2025 Holiday Season
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A New Face Behind the Elf
This year’s version of Tally the Elf has reignited fan debate. The female cast member now taking on the role debuted during the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party of the season. While she maintained the same choreography and charm associated with the character, parkgoers immediately noticed the difference—and social media lit up with reactions.
As one post summarized, many fans are expressing their sadness over this change, with many blaming the obsessing behavior of certain Disney fans for the reason for this cast member’s removal from the parade.
Many longtime fans speculated that the previous performer’s viral fame led to unintended consequences. Some noted that the attention had grown so intense last year that fans began tracking the performer’s parade schedule, tagging him by name, and discussing his real-life appearances. Others suggested that Disney made the change to protect cast members’ privacy and refocus attention on the character itself rather than the person portraying them.
Credit: Disney
Disney’s Delicate Balance
The change highlights a challenge Disney increasingly faces in the social media era—how to preserve the magic of its characters while managing the realities of viral fame.
Over the past few years, several Disney park performers have gained massive online followings, from Haunted Mansion butlers to Tower of Terror bellhops. While these viral moments often delight fans, they also raise questions about boundaries, privacy, and how much visibility is too much.
In Tally’s case, the performer’s unexpected fame blurred the line between the fictional world of Disney and real-world celebrity. What began as a spontaneous, crowd-pleasing performance evolved into a social media phenomenon, where fans became invested not only in the character but in the person behind it.
As seen with this recasting, Disney appears to be taking steps to refocus the story on the experience rather than the performer—a move consistent with its long-standing philosophy of keeping character portrayals immersive and anonymous.
Eva was born and raised in the beautiful state of Oregon but has since relocated and lives in New York City. Since she was young, Eva has loved to perform in musicals, especially Disney ones! Through performing, Disney’s music became the soundtrack of her childhood. Today, Eva loves to write about all the exciting happenings for the Walt Disney Company. In her free time, Eva loves to travel, spend time in nature, and go to Broadway shows. Her favorite Disney movie is ‘Lilo and Stitch,’ and her favorite Park is Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
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