Your Guide to Disney’s Jollywood Nights

Dec 3

Jollywood Nights is a new ticketed event at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios for the 2023 holiday season. As a guest of this event, you will get access to exclusive character meet and greets, snacks and drinks, and more. This event is new this year so this blog can serve as your guide if you are attending in 2023!

When is Jollywood Nights?

Select nights from November 11 to December 20, 2023 from 8:30pm to 12:30am. Guests can enter as early as 7:00pm with this ticket. Some event exclusive activities may begin before 8:30pm, but that is subject to change.

What is the cost of Jollywood Nights?

$169 per person (adult or child)

Jollywood Nights Overview

As a part of the event, there are two new stage shows, unique character meet and greets (Phineas and Ferb, Santa Stitch, Chip and Dale in their Rescuer Rangers outfit, Max as Powerline, and more), fun photopass spots, so many event exclusive food and drink offerings, two pop-up bars, and access to most of the attractions throughout Hollywood Studios. The night ends with the Jingle Ball, Jingle Bam fireworks show.

*Gertie cookies were available at the event*

Who is this event for?

This event is geared more towards adults (especially with the two pop up bars and content creator based photopass spots), especially locals who like Hollywood Studios and new Disney events. I think Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is more geared towards families looking for the Christmas at Disney experience.

My Honest Review

Things I liked about Jollywood Nights:

The stage shows - both stage shows were cute. I wish the Nightmare Before Christmas Stage show was more of a true sing a long but the puppetry was cool and I loved seeing Oogie Boogie as we do not see him often in WDW. I liked the Holidays in Hollywood show as well but wish there were more Muppets.
Short lines for attractions - we walked right on to Toy Story Mania in the middle of the event which was nice
A lot of food and drink offerings - sometimes at these events the food offerings fall flat or it is just Mickey bars and popcorn. I liked how the food ranged from Holiday popovers to kimchi to sweets like a Holiday Cookie Tree
Everyone dressed up - I am a big fan of Dapper Day at Disney so it was fun to see guests dressed to the nines for this event

Things I didn’t like about Jollywood Nights:

Too few party things to disperse crowds - there were only a handful of event exclusive things that drew in party guests which meant the lines to do them were long. We waited 45 minutes to meet Phineas and Ferb and 30 minutes to meet Santa Stitch.

The advertising did not match the offerings - when this event was announced in August, it was advertised as this glitz and glam event featuring exclusive bars, shows, and the Muppets (this is what sold me) and it fell flat of meeting those expectations especially when you compare offerings to the price of admission

My Pro Tips

Star Wars Rise of the Resistance - This ride has a virtual queue only during this event. Plan on entering the virtual queue if you want to ride it during the event.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway - This ride closes early due to the fireworks so plan to do this before 11:30 pm.
Character lines - These may close before the event ends at 12:30 am if they are a popular character, so plan to get in the line before the event ends.

Overall, if you are looking for more of an after hours event where you can ride the rides at Hollywood Studios with little to no wait then this is for you. If you are looking for Christmas at Disney, I would go to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party instead of Jollywood Nights.

It is never too early to start planning! Contact us to plan your Christmas Disney vacation today!

FRANCES SHERLOCK

Shoreline Destinations Disney World contributor

Blog by: Frances Sherlock

Frances is an Orlando local who visits the Disney Parks weekly. She is a Disney College Program alum and a former Disney Store Cast Member. Frances is also an avid Disney pin trader and she and her fiancé enjoy trying new restaurants on Disney properties.

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