Inside Disney’s Jollywood Nights: This Grown-Up Christmas Party is Worth the Extra Ticket!
From ice skating spectaculars to Muppets musical magic, this event is pure holiday bliss
Looking to experience snow falling on the Florida palms, an ice skating extravaganza, special seasonal treats and cocktails, as well as Mickey and Minnie Mouse singing your favorite holiday classics? Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the place to be this Christmas season.
For years, families have flocked to Walt Disney World in Orlando to enjoy the holidays at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a celebration at Magic Kingdom that always sells out. Now, Jollywood Nights is providing an experience to be savored by the 21+ crowd.
“There is so much our guests love about Disney Jollywood Nights,” Jackie Swisher, Vice President of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, tells Woman’s World. “This year, we added a bit more excitement to Glisten!, a dazzling ice-skating show in front of the Chinese Theater with holiday music and projections. This is being called a ‘must-see’ for its Broadway-level production values.
“We also returned a fan favorite with Disney Holidays in Hollywood,” she continues. “[It’s] a musical revue at Theater of the Stars featuring Kermit, Miss Piggy, Belle, Mickey, Minnie and Tiana with a live band. Guests are describing it as ‘a glamorous throwback to old Hollywood with a festive twist.’”
A night to dress up: guests go all-in on Tinsel Town glam
The glamorous Tinsel Town vibes are another unique feature of Jollywood Nights, and people definitely get in the spirit. Swisher loves seeing guests get creative with their holiday attire.
“Beyond the festive sweaters and light-up necklaces, one of the most unusual looks I spotted was a full vintage Hollywood glam ensemble—complete with a faux fur stole and sparkling headpiece. It felt like they stepped right out of a 1940s movie premiere,” she says. “Another standout was someone dressed as a walking Christmas tree, complete with battery-powered ornaments and a star on top. It really captured the playful spirit of Jollywood Nights.”
Alexander Gonzalez, Manager of Theme Parks and LOB Strategy, says Jollywood Nights continues to grow each year. “It was mainly created with a young adult focus, but it still caters with everyone,” he says of the event, now in its third year. “It’s still growing because it’s fairly new and I’m happy to say that it’s slowly becoming a staple. People have been receiving it with a lot of good energy and excitement.”
The holiday food & drinks that keep guests coming back
Of course, festive food is always a big part of any holiday celebration, and Jollywood Nights offers a variety of tasty sweet treats, filling savory bites and specialty cocktails. There are more than 80 exclusive food and drink items, including more than 35 new offerings.
“Some of the most popular food and beverage items include a returning favorite of the Birria Taco from the ABC Commissary that some guests describe as one of the best savory items at the event,” Swisher says. “We also have the iconic Christmas Gertie Cookie: The brontosaurus-shaped treat from Dinosaur Gertie’s Ice Cream of Extinction. Finally, new this year, we have the Miss Piggy Strawberry Glam & Kermit Mint Whirl Sundaes: Festive Muppets-themed sundaes at Hollywood Scoops where guests love the souvenir cups featuring Kermit and Miss Piggy.”
The Duffy Brownie is also a guest favorite featuring cherries and white chocolate chips, decorated with fudge buttercream and topped with a chocolate paw print. For savory lovers, the meatball and polenta is a hearty hit — and it pairs perfectly with the Stroopwafel Bourbon Coffee, made with Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon, salted caramel syrup, half & half, cold brew and caramel sauce, garnished with crushed waffle pieces.
Nighttime shows and entertainment you can only see at Jollywood Nights
During the day, guests at Hollywood Studios flock to For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration. But on Jollywood Nights evenings, a totally different experience takes over as Jack Skellington hosts What’s This? Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along.
Before the event begins at 7:30 p.m., cast members transform the park, swapping signage and lighting to create an immersive Christmas environment.
Faux snow, gingerbread towers and more magical holiday touches
The atmosphere during Jollywood Nights is pure holiday enchantment. The official mascot of the event is Ollie, a festive gingerbread man who appears throughout the park. Faux snow drifts over the palm trees, the Tower of Terror transforms into a giant gingerbread house, and at 10 p.m. sharp, guests are treated to Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!, a spectacular fireworks show at the Chinese Theater.
The event also features more than 20 unique character experiences, dazzling décor and an immersive soundtrack that fills every corner of the park.
Is Jollywood Nights worth the extra ticket?
Jollywood Nights requires a separate ticket from regular park admission, but many visitors don’t realize nighttime events offer a more relaxed, less crowded experience.
“When people think holidays at Disney, some don’t know that there are separate ticketed events that also take place. They think it’s all one big thing,” Gonzalez says.
“We’re trying to let people know that there’s different ways to experience our parks and each one will offer different things. The beauty of Jollywood Nights and other events that happen during nighttime is you’re out of the sun. You’re not fighting big crowds because there’s a limited quantity [of tickets sold]. One night gives you enough time to do most of the bucket list because of the capacity level.”
Dates and details for 2024 Jollywood Nights
Jollywood Nights takes place from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on the following dates:
- November 22, 24, 29
- December 1, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 22
It’s one of the best ways to experience the magic of Disney this holiday season!
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