Disney Jollywood Nights, the brand-new after-hours holiday party at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, kicked off on November 11. The four-hour party runs from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on 10 nights between November 11 and December 20, 2023.
Inspired by Hollywood’s golden eras from the 1920s to today, Disney Jollywood Nights includes themed areas with dedicated entertainment, specialty food and drinks and photo ops, character meet-and-greets in party-exclusive costumes, and lower wait times for popular attractions. Two new stage shows also debuted for the event and the park’s holiday nighttime spectacular, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!, returns for the first time since the pandemic, exclusively for party guests.
Guests are encouraged to don their “holiday best with an old Hollywood Flair,” and with the fireworks finale kicking off at 12:30 a.m. and no kid-specific ticket offered, the event is definitely geared toward adult guests.
There’s a lot happening during this four-hour party and with demand high for many offerings, you definitely won’t be able to do it all, so you’ll want to prioritize. I attended the first soiree of the season — here’s a recap of how it went and what to know before you go.
Sip and Savor Strategically
There’s an extensive menu of well over 50 different party-exclusive foods and drinks served at various locations throughout the park, from Holiday Turkey and “Just the Sides” Popovers (both immensely popular and highly rated) and a Mistletoe Martini at Fairfax Fare, to plant-based Gingerbread Bites and a Sugar Cookie Martini served at various locations around the park. But on opening night, some lines for food and drinks clocked in at 45-plus minutes — which could cut too far into your time if you also want to catch the best of the fete’s new entertainment.
Maximize your time by reviewing the menus and choosing your favorites at a few different locations, but avoid having your heart set on any one item. If the line stretches too far, skip it and come back later or try your next choice. If you don’t care about event-exclusive food, even better. Eat beforehand or just grab your snacks at the shortest lines and focus on everything else the party has to offer.
What Not to Miss
Jack Skellington at Disney Jollywood Nights. (Photo Credit: Brooke McDonald)
“What’s This?” A Frightfully Festive Sing-a-Long
The standout debut of the evening was "What's This? Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along" at the Hyperion Theater. Physical sets and special effects, including lights, projections, fog and snow, transform the theater into a frightfully festive, otherworldly stage for the dreamlike show.
Two performers lead the musical journey after “waking from a dream state to take you on this wild ride,” Tom Vazzana, Creative Director with Walt Disney World Live Entertainment, previously shared. While the show is presented like a sing-a-long, with the film’s most famous musical scenes played on a screen along with the words to each song, the physical performances on stage are the main focus. The two main performers don’t speak, instead using physical props and emotive body language to communicate the show’s new — yet familiar — story.
The biggest surprise during the show’s debut was the use of an impressive life-sized Jack Skellington puppet like the one seen on stage during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Oogie Boogie also wows, delivering a physically expressive, remarkably athletic performance.
This show was by far the best offering of the night and is my top must-do.
Showtimes:
- 8:30 p.m.
- 9:30 p.m.
- 10:30 p.m.
- 11:30 p.m.
Disney Jollywood Nights. (Photo Credit: Brooke McDonald)
Holiday Nostalgia Meets Muppet Magic
Muppet merriment takes center stage in Disney Holidays in Hollywood, the party’s other main show. Inspired by vintage Hollywood TV specials and packing some serious Muppet star power via hosts Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, the show blends nostalgia and contemporary flair in a series of vignettes bringing more beloved characters to the Theater of the Stars stage.
Kermit and Miss Piggy, joined by Tiana, Belle, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, and a dynamic ensemble of singers and dancers in beautiful new costumes, perform a cheerful, festive mix of holiday classics and new originals.
Showtimes:
- 8:45 p.m.
- 9:45 p.m.
- 10:45 p.m.
- 11:45 p.m.
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ popular holiday nighttime spectacular, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!, is finally back after a long break since Jan. 5, 2020. But the only way to see it this year is with a ticket to Jollywood Nights. First debuted in 2016, the 15-minute show centers around elves Wayne and Lanny from “Prep and Landing” on a mission to find Santa Claus. The show features projections, fireworks, and festive music, blending scenes from Disney holiday films like "Mickey’s Christmas Carol" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas."
With a 12:30 a.m. start time, which is also the party’s official end time when everything else closes, you won’t have to trade anything but sleep to see this show.
Prioritizing the Themed Areas Around Jollywood Nights
Moving on to the party’s themed locations around the park, it’s definitely possible to visit them all with a quick pass-through, but you’ll again want to prioritize where to spend the most time. Here’s a bit more about each to help you decide.
A Spirited Soirée at the Tip Top Club
In the courtyard of the Hollywood Tower Hotel, home to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, a party pays homage to The Tip Top Club, which, according to the attraction’s fictional lore, occupied the thirteenth floor of the infamous hotel.
A live band is the main focus of this “other-worldly soiree,” which Vazzana said is intended to make guests feel like they “have one foot in 2023 and one foot in the Twilight Zone.” The glitzy, glamorous band was one of the highlights of the entire event, performing jazzy holiday classics in the shadow of the tower.
The band and setting make this a must-visit spot, but on night one, the line was very long for the bar, which serves up sparkling sips like the 5th Dimension Royale, made with Teremana Blanco Tequila, Cointreau Liqueur, desert pear, agave nectar and lime juice, topped with Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut and garnished with a dehydrated blood orange wheel. If you don’t have your heart set on something on the menu here, consider grabbing a drink first from a spot with a shorter line then heading to the courtyard to enjoy the tunes.
Disney Jollywood Nights. (Photo Credit: Brooke McDonald)
Echo Lake Holiday Celebration
Calling all ‘90s kids, some of your favorite classic Disney Channel friends have put up Christmas trees and are meeting around Echo Lake. Here you’ll find Chip ‘n’ Dale as Rescue Rangers, Phineas and Ferb, and Max as Powerline. Each meet in front of a Christmas tree they’ve decorated in their own style.
Although Max and Chip ‘n’ Dale were both previously meeting day guests in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, all of these characters are currently exclusive to the party. Phineas and Ferb had the longest line on opening night, with quoted wait times of up to two hours at one point, likely because they are the rarest of the bunch and are meeting in holiday costumes.
Steps from Phineas and Ferb is another of the party’s most popular spots — Dinosaur Gertie’s Ice Cream of Extinction. Here, guests were queuing in hordes all night beneath giant Gertie in her Santa hat for the Santa Gertie cookie, which, while adorable, is probably not the best use of your time during the party.
A Flavorful ‘Fiesta en La Calle’ on Commissary Lane
Billed as a “lively Latin street festival,” Commissary Lane, illuminated in red and green with festoon lights strung overhead, is home to "Fiesta en La Calle." Live Latin bands set a musical backdrop and ABC Commissary serves up Latin-inspired dishes like Chicken Empanadas with Street Corn and Yuca con Chicharrón. Lines were long most of the evening in ABC Commissary but we spotted shorter waits around the corner at BaseLine Tap House, which also offered a few party exclusives, like a Charcuterie Cup and a Beer Margarita.
Meet Mickey and the Gang Decked Out in Their Holiday Best
In Animation Courtyard, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto are all spruced up in new holiday attire, fresh from the set of their new holiday movie. Mickey and Minnie, Donald and Daisy, and Pluto and Goofy take turns meeting, so if you have your heart set on one from the pair, be aware that they could swap out before you reach the front of the line.
Snacks at Disney Jollywood Nights. (Photo Credit: Brooke McDonald)
Holidays a La Mode at Pixar Plaza
Find the shortest character waits of the night near Animation Courtyard in Pixar Plaza where you can meet Edna Mode and Frozone.
What to Skip: Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby
During Disney Jollywood Nights, The Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant transforms into “a smooth jazz joint where you can enjoy holiday music, craft cocktails and an exclusive menu of light bites,” according to Disney’s description.
Unfortunately, this spot missed the mark for us, as it felt too similar to a regular day at the restaurant. Minimal holiday decor, recent Disney music from films like Toy Story and Moana rather than holiday tunes, and the absence of any background music during performer breaks, along with slow service that took too much time out of the evening, made this one skippable for us. For those still interested, guests need to be physically near the restaurant to join the walk-up list, which opens at 8:15 p.m., via the Walt Disney World app.
Take Advantage of Complimentary Photos
Disney PhotoPass Photographers are absolutely everywhere at this event, ready to snap photos of character meet-and-greets and in front of iconic locations and special backdrops like a dazzling Jollywood Nights neon sign at the park entrance. Take note of gingerbread man Ollie on the sign, then look out for him elsewhere around the park too. Ollie is a new original Disney character created for the event.
Downloads of Disney PhotoPass digital photos and videos are included with your event ticket.
A Different Strategy: Prioritizing Rides
The entertainment, characters, and holiday food and drink are definitely the big draw for Jollywood Nights, leaving demand for attractions during the party extremely low. This means if you choose to spend your time on rides, you’ll enjoy seriously reduced wait times for even the most popular ones.
There are no party-exclusive offerings in normally crowded Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, leaving it quieter than ever for those who choose to visit and experience the land’s two popular attractions — Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (join the virtual queue at 8 p.m. to ride) and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, available via standby queue. Droid Depot, Savi’s Workshop, and Oga’s Cantina are all open during the party as well, offering unprecedented walk-up availability throughout the evening.
Considering the event's duration (an hour longer than typical After Hours events), prioritizing rides could offer great value for some guests who are happy to forgo the longer waits for food, drinks, and characters. The shorter wait times for attractions, coupled with unique shows like “What’s This?” and Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!, can make for a fulfilling evening for guests eager to knock out as many rides as possible alongside some extra holiday entertainment.
Practical Matters
On opening night, guests with day admission who had already entered the park experienced long waits for check-in and wristband distribution inside the park. A more efficient approach is to collect your wristband at the event-specific entrance at the front gate. Try to arrive by 6 p.m. to ensure you have your wristband and are inside the park at 7 p.m. or soon after, maximizing your time before the party’s official start at 8:30 p.m.
Once inside the park, help ensure you make the most of every minute once the party starts by queuing, ideally by 7:45 to 8 p.m., for your highest priority experience — we’d recommend lining up and knocking out one of the two main shows during their first showing, leaving your evening more free to visit more experiences that don’t have timed starts.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit disneyworld.com
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