Disney World Jollywood Nights is a festive holiday celebration held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This after-hours event transforms the park into a vibrant holiday wonderland filled with shimmering lights, themed decorations, and an array of exclusive entertainment. Designed to capture the glitz and glamour of classic Hollywood during the holiday season, Jollywood Nights blends nostalgic charm with modern Disney magic.
While Jollywood Nights offers unique experiences for guests of all ages, we found this event to be decidedly adult oriented. In fact, adults dominated the attendance roster, many dressed in their Hollywood finest.
Keep reading our Disney World Jollywood Nights review to see what this event may have in store for you.
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Overview of Disney World Jollywood Nights
Launched as a reimagined way to enjoy the holiday season at Disney World, Jollywood Nights features exclusive stage shows, rare character meet-and-greets, and beloved attractions enhanced with holiday theming.
For instance, laser projections dress up the Hollywood Tower Hotel (aka The Tower of Terror) in festive scenes, diminishing its otherwise abandoned appearance. Special lighting outside Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster also brings an unexpected holiday flair. Even the Chinese theater gets in on the festive excitement, donning an all new façade that changes throughout the event.
Guests can revel in this joyful atmosphere while savoring seasonal treats and beverages crafted especially for the event. With limited-capacity tickets, shorter wait times for rides, and exclusive entertainment offerings, Disney Jollywood Nights provides a more intimate holiday experience compared to the general park hours.
While Jollywood Night theming and event offerings are family friendly, the festivities really do appeal more to an adult crowd. In contrast to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom, this after-hours extravaganza focuses on adult enticements.
You’ll find pop-up street bars throughout the event, featuring a wealth of adult libations and special alcoholic concoctions. Entertainment also tends to emit an adult feel, highlighting music and characters from the heyday of old Hollywood. When it comes to Disney’s star lineup, you’ll find traditional characters as well as old favorites, many who sport a decidedly millennial appeal.
That’s not to say that younger guests won’t appreciate walk-on waits at popular Toy Story Land Star Wars attractions, but most of the entertainment, including dance parties and character experiences, are geared to adults over 21. When compared to the child-friendly focus at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, parents may feel let down if they opt for Jollywood nights over the Magic Kingdom event. On the night we attended, the number of adults far outnumbered the few children we saw.
Disney World Jollywood Nights Event Dates and Ticket Information
Disney World Jollywood Nights is scheduled to take place on select evenings from November 9 to December 21, 2024, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This special event runs from 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM, with ticket holders permitted to enter the park as early as 6:00 PM on the event night.
Event Schedule and Operating Hours
The 2024 event dates are as follows:
- November: 9, 13, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
- December: 2, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21
Each event night begins at 7:30 PM and concludes at 12:30 AM. Guests with event tickets can enter Disney’s Hollywood Studios starting at 6:00 PM on the day of their ticketed event. They do not need to hold a separate Hollywood Studios park ticket.
Jollywood Ticket Pricing and Purchase Options
Ticket prices for Disney Jollywood Nights vary by date, ranging from $159 to $179 per person, plus tax. Tickets are available for purchase through the official Walt Disney World website and authorized Disney Vacation Planners.
Disney World Jollywood Party Entry Policies
To join in the fun at Disney World Jollywood Nights, you’ll need a special event ticket just for this magical celebration—standard park admission tickets won’t cover it. The good news? You may enter the park as early as 6:00 pm with your party ticket.
However, if you’d like to explore Disney’s Hollywood Studios earlier in the day before the party begins at 6:00 PM, you’ll need both a regular park ticket and a Jollywood party ticket for that day.
Disney World Jollywood Special Offers and Discounts
Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members are eligible for a $10 discount per ticket on all event nights. To receive the discount, tickets must be purchased through the appropriate channels, and valid membership identification may be required at the time of purchase.
Jollywood Nights Entertainment and Attractions
Disney World Jollywood Nights is bursting with entertainment and attractions designed to immerse guests in holiday cheer and Hollywood glamour.
Exclusive shows take center stage, featuring festivities that blend classic holiday music with Disney magic. Fans of character interactions will be thrilled to meet rare Disney characters dressed in their holiday best, while popular attractions like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror are enhanced with seasonal touches to add extra sparkle to the night.
Themed dance parties and roaming performers bring an interactive flair to the event, ensuring there’s never a dull moment.
Exclusive Shows and Performances
Disney World Jollywood Nights offers a lineup of exclusive shows that bring the holidays to life. At the Theater of the Stars, “Disney Holidays in Hollywood” dazzles with a spirited holiday musical hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. Joined by beloved characters like Tiana, Belle, Minnie, and Mickey Mouse, along with a talented ensemble of singers, dancers, and jazz musicians, this star-studded show is a must-see.
Over at Hyperion Theater, “What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along” invites guests to sing along with Jack Skellington to iconic songs from the film. This enchanting journey through Halloween Town culminates in a showdown with Oogie Boogie. With multiple showtimes throughout the night, you’re sure to fit one of these performances into your schedule.
On Hollywood Boulevard, “Glisten!” presents a stunning skating spectacular featuring internationally acclaimed skaters performing dazzling routines to holiday music and Disney classics like “Be Our Guest” and “When You Wish Upon a Star.” With showtimes spaced throughout the evening, these interactive elements keep the holiday spirit alive wherever you go.
Meanwhile, the Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club offers a classy escape with cocktails and live swing music in the courtyard of the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Each venue delivers a distinctive and unforgettable holiday vibe.
Disney World Jollywood Night Character Appearances
Rare character appearances are a highlight of Disney Jollywood Nights, giving guests the chance to meet Disney favorites in their holiday attire. Many of the more unique sightings will appeal to millennials who are most likely to remember the shows and movies in which these special actors starred.
Head to Echo Lake for a nostalgic bash featuring throwback characters like Phineas, Ferb, Max Goof as Powerline, and Baloo and King Louie from Talespin. Characters such as the Mandalorian have been spotted in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge while Bo Peep or Lotso have popped up in Toy Story Land and Joy has made her way to Pixar Place. Guests should also be on the lookout for the mischievous Santa Stitch terrorizing…er visiting, Echo Lake.
Jollywood Night Parades and Fireworks Displays
The night wouldn’t be complete without a dazzling display, and “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” is the grand finale you won’t want to miss. This nighttime spectacular lights up the façade of the Chinese Theater with projections of holiday moments from Disney films, synchronized with fireworks, lasers, and a holiday inspired soundtrack. This exclusive display captures the spirit of the season in a way only Disney can.
Interactive Experiences and Street Parties
Interactive experiences and street parties ensure that the energy never dies down at Disney Jollywood Nights.
The Animation Courtyard transforms into the “Holiday Fiesta en la Calle,” a vibrant street fair with Latin holiday tunes, festive décor, and appearances by José Carioca and Panchito from The Three Caballeros.
At Pixar Place, the Pixar Disco invites guests to groove alongside Edna Mode, Frozone, Joy, and other Pixar favorites. We found this event to be the one happening focused on delighting the under 12 guests.
Disney Photopass Pictures
If you really want to commemorate the event, you’ll have the chance with Disney PhotoPass photographers stationed at key points within the park to snap your photo. Best of all, these digital, high quality images can be downloaded for free as part of the cost of your event ticket.
While we did not find any special surprises hiding in our downloaded photos, special effects are often added to pictures snapped at key locations.
Disney World Jollywood Nights Exclusive Merchandise
Disney Jollywood Nights will feature an exclusive line of merchandise for attendees in 2024. The collection centers around Ollie, a whimsical gingerbread man created to reflect the nostalgic charm of the event’s vintage Hollywood theme.
Key items include a Spirit Jersey adorned with an all-over Ollie print and the phrase “Happy Ollie Days 2024” on the front, accompanied by the event logo on the back. A graphic tee showcasing Ollie walking along Sunset Boulevard aligns with the event’s Tinseltown theme. Accessories include a specially designed ear headband featuring embroidered plush Ollie ears, a satin bow, and an event marquee, marked with “2024” to commemorate the year.
Additional merchandise includes a Lug bag tailored for convenience during the event, a retro-inspired mug featuring Ollie and event branding, and a collectible trading pin designed for Disney pin enthusiasts. A decorative ornament depicting Ollie and the Jollywood Nights logo is also available, catering to those seeking keepsakes for holiday décor.
These items are exclusively available to attendees of Disney Jollywood Nights. The merchandise can be found at designated locations, including the Stage 1 Company Store and Once Upon a Time shop within Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the event dates. Further details and insights about Ollie and the merchandise collection are accessible on the Disney Parks Blog.
Disney World Jollywood Nights Dining and Beverage Options
No Disney holiday party would be complete without a staggering array of special treats, and Jollywood Nights won’t disappoint.
Some of the more interesting options include:
- Agent P Croissant: A waffle croissant dipped in caramel-chocolate, topped with mint cream, a chocolate hat, and M&M’S Milk Chocolate Candies.
- Holiday Turkey Popover: Roasted turkey and creamy mashed potatoes topped with gravy and cranberry chutney in a house-made popover.
- PB&J Doughnut: A half-glazed doughnut with creamy peanut butter and grape jelly, dipped in dark chocolate, served with house-made salt and vinegar chips.
- Kermit’s Frozen Banana Shake: A non-alcoholic frozen banana and white chocolate shake with caramel swirls, topped with matcha whipped cream and sprinkles.
- Mistletoe Martini: A festive blend of Tito’s Handmade Vodka and St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur mixed with cranberry juice, garnished with fresh cranberries and mint leaves.
- 1939 Royale: A sophisticated blend of Teremana Blanco Tequila, Cointreau Orange Liqueur, desert pear, agave nectar, and lime juice, crowned with Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut and served in a souvenir Disney Jollywood Nights Champagne Flute.
- Holiday Mickey Hot Cocoa: A rich house-made hot cocoa topped with whipped cream, caramel-chocolate brownie Mickey ears, and festive sprinkles.
For a more comprehensive look at the exclusive food and beverage treats offered at Disney World Jollywood Nights in 2024, you can check out this Disney Parks Blog article.
Visitor Reviews and Testimonials: Disney World Jollywood Nights 2024
As previously stated, adults attending Disney World’s Jollywood Nights in 2024 should enjoy the experience. Hollywood Studios is one of the most visited parks in the Disney Florida lineup, so it’s hard to resist a chance to experience lower crowds. This is particularly the case earlier in the season.
Our Jollywood night took place in mid-November, with few crowds and no wait on any attraction with the exception of Slinky Dog Dash. Here, we timed a posted wait of 35 minutes at only a 10 minute continuously moving queue. We even rode twice.
The lower crowd levels, particularly when attending early in the season, really highlight the festive atmosphere and provide more guests a chance to participate in the celebration. Special events, such as Glisten, are offered multiple times a night, allowing more guests to participate without large crowds.
Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam was the only portion of the night that was crowded. Since this finale presentation was offered once, that wasn’t surprising. The good news is, it’s a great time to visit other areas of the park that are typically more crowded if you aren’t interested in the show. We watched for a bit and then headed over to the Tower of Terror to pick up our 1939 Royale in souvenir glass.
When compared to the holiday fireworks show at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party, this show is a bit of a sleeper. However, if you’ve never been to any of Mickey’s holiday extravaganza’s at the Magic Kindom, the splendor of the holiday projections and quirky story line could suit your festive mood—if you can find a place to see the Hollywood Theater clearly.
We were riding Slinky Dog Dash when guests began staking out space to watch the show. By the time we ambled in with 2 minutes to showtime, there was really nowhere to stand where we could see the show well enough, given our shorter statures. A word to the wise: make sure you find a good spot to watch the show at least 15 minutes before it stars, earlier if the event seems a little more on the crowded side.
What We Loved about Disney World Jollywood Nights
Despite some less than satisfactory reviews for the 2023 premier of Jollywood Nights, we found the event offered some real positives that will appeal to many guests:
- The over 20 crowd will enjoy the adult oriented theming of this event and the chance to dress up like the Hollywood stars of the 40s if they choose.
- Since crowds are lower at Jollywood Nights than you’ll experience during typical park hours, it’s a chance to experience the Hollywood theming, particularly on Sunset Boulevard where we could stroll crowd free for much of the night.
- Low wait times on rides are one of the biggest highlights of the event. We walked on and off rides all night, with the exception of Slinky Dog Dash, which had a 10 minute queue later in the evening.
- There is much to do at Jollywood Nights. Whether you want to focus on rides, enjoy the shows or dance the night away, you’re bound to find something to amplify the spirit of the holidays.
- The party is long. A run time from 7:00 to 12:30 am provides guests with the opportunity to fit in much of their must-do experiences.
- Some treats may be given away for free at closing time. We visited Starbucks right as the event ended and were offered some free confectionaries, since they’d be thrown out otherwise.
Drawbacks to Disney World Jollywood Nights in 2024
As with any extravaganza, there are bound to be a few downsides. We didn’t find much to dim our enjoyment, but here are a few things we found regrettable.
- It isn’t possible to do everything at Jollywood Nights. If you focus on rides, you’ll miss many of the shows or character experiences and vice versa. We suggest selecting some must-dos before heading out and prioritizing those experiences first.
- To keep people flowing through the attractions, many ride preshows are skipped. This could seriously impact your enjoyment of attractions such as Star Wars Rise of the Resistance, so think twice about making your only visit to Hollywood Studios during Jollywood Nights.
- You’ll wait in lines to meet characters. While we didn’t wait any longer than 10 minutes, those queues do add up over the course of the night. If you want to visit any of the rides or shows, be sure to have an idea of which character visits you’d like to prioritize.
- Exclusive merchandise was hard to find. We scoured every shop on Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards, only to find out at closing time that we should have visited Stage One Company Store across from Mama Melrose’s Ristorante. Since this is a seldom visited area of the park, at least by us, we never made it there to find the exclusive party merch. If you’re interested in purchasing party exclusives, be sure to ask a cast member early in the evenings where these can be found.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Disney World Jollywood Nights Review 2024
Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios provides a distinct holiday experience with anostalgic Hollywood charm and more adult-oriented atmosphere. Unlike the festive energy of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Jollywood Nights leans into a more refined and stylized celebration focused on the glitzy glamour of old Hollywood.
From themed entertainment like Glisten! and the Twilight Soirée, the event feels tailored for guests seeking a unique take on Disney’s holiday magic. While there are opportunities to enjoy popular rides and attractions, it’s the overall atmosphere—one that channels the glamour of classic Tinseltown—that sets this event apart.
For those seeking an alternative to the bright cheer of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Jollywood Nights offers a quieter, more stylized celebration. While it’s not without its drawbacks, it’s an enjoyable addition to Disney’s holiday lineup, particularly for those looking for a change of pace from the usual festive Disney offerings.
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