2023 is the official inaugural year of Disney’s new holiday celebration “Jollywood Nights” at Hollywood Studios! This brand-new, special ticketed nighttime party is happening on select nights from November 11 to December 20, 2023. “Step into a shimmering holiday scene with dapper décor and themed celebrations—where you can dance the night away. Delight in yuletide entertainment, including live bands, an all-new stage show, and the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! nighttime spectacular. Enjoy your favorite attractions with lower wait times during this limited-capacity event. Plus, meet some beloved Characters for spirited season’s greetings.”
After having attended this event TWICE now, we thought it best to share our personal experiences with you so that you can best plan out your party time to do & see the best of the best! If you’re a Disney party veteran, you know it’s impossible to tackle EVERYTHING on the list, so we hope this little recap review helps you pick the offerings that fit your party crew the best!
First up let’s talk event-exclusive shows; there are two stage shows (with multiple viewing times) and one firework show at 12:30 am per party!
Disney Holidays in Hollywood – We thought this show was SO cute; definitely worth seeing! We would queue up early (maybe even for the first showtime) to knock it right off your list!
“Behold an all-new stage show inspired by the glitz and glamour of vintage Hollywood TV specials—with a contemporary twist and some holiday magic—at Theater of the Stars. See the holidays through a fresh lens in this star-studded series of jolly vignettes. Enjoy appearances from special guest stars, including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Tiana, Belle, Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse—accompanied by a talented cast of singers, dancers and jazz musicians.”
What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along- VERY cool if you’re a Nightmare Before Christmas fan! The show is really well done.
“Join Jack Skellington at Hyperion Theater for a dreamlike adventure inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Sing along with the Pumpkin King to beloved songs from the film as you follow 2 friends on a larger-than-life journey. You’ll discover the peculiar magic of wonder in unlikely places, conquer the Oogie Boogie man himself and stay curious when things are not quite as they seem.”
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! – A great firework show brought back from a previous firework holiday display. There is only one showtime, however, and its very late: 12:30 am. (at the close of the party)
“Wrap up your evening of festive fun with this dazzling nighttime spectacular—returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios only during Disney Jollywood Nights. Watch in awe as heartwarming holiday moments from favorite Disney films are brought to life on the façade of the park’s iconic Chinese Theater. It’s a stunning display of fireworks, lasers, lights, projections and merry music.”
Entertainment and experiences are subject to change.
Tip Top Club
This is SUCH a cool 1920s-themed soiree that takes place right underneath the iconic Tower of Terror attraction! Join the ghostly holiday band as they sing Christmas tunes, sip a themed cocktail & enjoy dancing the night away under the stars! PRO TIP: If you just want to enjoy or see the club and music up close, you do NOT have to wait in the drink line to get in! You can pass by the queue for the bar and just go in to see the set-up and enjoy the band.
Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby
Having missed out on this offering the first night, we decided to queue up for the Brown Derby before the party started so we would be sure to get in! After waiting in line for a bit we were added to a virtual walk-up list & received a text message about 45 minutes later that our table was ready! After the first group of party guests go into the restaurant at the official start of the party, the virtual walk-up queue will reopen (and will continue to do so) throughout the night based on table availability. If you’re looking to sit down, sip a cocktail, and enjoy a little holiday jazz then this is a great option for you! While we loved our drinks and the live music, we will say that the food was a bit of a letdown. The prices were high and the portions small; I truly enjoyed the quick service food out in the park much more than any food item we had here. I do however highly recommend the Margarita Flight!
Foodie Favorites
We had some amazing party dishes from the little quick service stands that we’re still dreaming about! Here’s what they are & where you can find them!
Photo Opportunities
Be sure to take full advantage of any character greeting or Photopass photographer you see during the party! ALL Photopass photos are included with the price of your party ticket; you can download all your professional photos at the end of the night for free! A few characters are listed on the party map, but keep your eyes open for surprise friends all over the park! We bumped into our pal, Pinocchio!
Walk-On Attractions
Typically for me, I don’t ride many attractions during a ticketed party like this, HOWEVER at Hollywood Studios, it was a much different story. Attractions like Slinky Dog Dash, Rise of the Resistance, Smugglers Run, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway which usually have an hour+ queue were WALK ON’S just about all night long. Seriously this alone was worth the cost of the ticket to me; it was so cool to walk right onto Slinky Dog Dash & get to ride it at night all lit up with an empty park! Definitely an unforgettable experience!
To see more coverage, previews of the shows, and even more fun information, be sure to click HERE and watch our “Jollywood” highlight on our Instagram! It’s packed FULL of helpful party info!
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