A Jolly Hollywood Christmas

Here’s a question for you – what do you get when you cross classic Hollywood glamour with a big helping of typical Christmas cheer? Why, Disney’s Jollywood Nights, of course, the latest evening party celebration from Walt Disney World, and an opening for a proper old festive shindig in the heart of movie country.

This November marks only the third year of this Disney’s Hollywood Studios separately ticketed after-hours event, and already it has become one of those parties which has a special place in the Walt Disney World firmament.

While the Magic Kingdom continues to dazzle with its Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party evening event (which is already completely sold out for this year), newcomer Jollywood Nights offers a complete alternative to Mickey and Co, instead featuring the likes of Jack Skellington and Phineas & Ferb in a more structured entertainment package that appeals primarily to older children and, especially, their parents.

What IS Jollywood Nights?

Like Mickey’s Party at the Magic Kingdom, this extra event takes place on select nights after (an early) closing time at the park (7pm instead of 9pm). You definitely need to buy tickets in advance (see below), and there are usually shorter queues for some of the park’s top attractions, like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Rock ‘n’ RollerCoaster starring Aerosmith and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

(Quick aside – you’ll want to avoid the Studios park on Jollywood Nights if you don’t have tickets for it, as you have to leave the park two hours before the usual closing time, although there is still a showing of the fab Fantasmic! show, at 6.30pm, before daytime guests have to leave).

The big draw of Jollywood Nights, though, is all the extra live entertainment, rare character appearances, limited edition merchandise and speciality food and drink. There are nightly “snowfalls” along Hollywood Boulevard, and a Latin-style street festival, Holiday Fiesta en Calle, with live music and dancing in the Coaster plaza.

The special live entertainment

Billing the event as a combination of 1920s Hollywood glamour and all the festive fun of the Christmas period is a master-stroke from Disney, as it provides a completely original vibe for the park, especially for adults. While there are still plenty of Disney characters to enjoy, the mood is more grown-up than child-based, which isn’t to say children won’t enjoy it, but it definitely has more adult appeal.

That is reflected in much of the live entertainment, which has all been specially designed for the Jollywood Nights programme and comes with a Hollywood red carpet style and flavour. It starts, suitably enough, with the Disney Holidays in Hollywood show in the Theater of the Stars four times each evening. Hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, this star-studded holiday extravaganza includes appearances from characters such as Tiana, Belle, Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse, all accompanied by a talented cast of singers, dancers and jazz musicians.

Then there’s Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along, a chance to join Jack Skellington on a musical adventure at Hyperion Theater. Guests will 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, with five showtimes from 7.30pm to 12.30am.

Dance Parties and Characters

For those in full party mode, this is definitely the time to break out your best dance moves and enjoy the festive occasion with some Disney nostalgia. The mix of other events include:

Echo Lake Holiday Celebration: A throwback bash that’s sure to stir up some keen memories of the 1990s and 2000s, along with character appearances from the likes of Baloo and King Louie, Phineas and Ferb, Chip ‘n’ Dale and Santa Stitch.

Holiday Fiesta en la Calle: Experience a lively street fair with musicians performing Latin holiday tunes. Plus, look for Disney pals, such as Miguel from Coco and José Carioca and Panchito from The Three Caballeros. This takes place from 7.30pm to 12.30am near the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

Pixar Disco: Celebrate at a rockin’ dance party with Edna Mode, Frozone, Joy, Mike Wazowski and other classic Pixar pals, with the dance floor open from 7.30 to 9.30 PM and 10.30 to 12.30.

Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club: Here, guests are cordially invited to a unique swingin’ celebration in the courtyard of The Hollywood Tower Hotel, with the chance to sip cocktails while a live band croons holiday tunes, with sets at 7.30, 8.10, 8.50, 9.30, 10.30, 11.10 and 11.50 (just remember, alcohol can only be served to those 21 or older in the US and must have ID to prove it!).

Perhaps the most eye-catching party offering, though, is Glisten!, a full-scale ice show on Hollywood Boulevard, featuring international champion skaters performing breathtaking routines set to a vibrant holiday soundtrack, including Disney favourites like “Be Our Guest” and “When You Wish Upon a Star.” This runs five times each evening, and it is all topped off at 10pm nightly with the fireworks extravaganza of Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM, guaranteed to make spirits bright with its lasers, lights, projections and merry music!

And finally…

It wouldn’t be a Disney party event without some fab festive food to go with it, and Jollywood Nights is no exception. This year, there are fully 82 exclusive bites to enjoy, more than 35 of which are brand new. There are also four all-new party locations, notably Backlot Express, Tune-in Lounge, KRNR Rock Station and Pretzel Palooza, each with exclusive Jollywood Nights offerings. Top treats include the Jolly Jam Slider at Backlot Express and Jolly Gingerbread Mini Churros at Ice Cold Hydraulics, while returning favourites include the hugely popular Christmas Gertie Cookie at Dinosaur Gertie’s Ice Cream of Extinction and the Sandy Claws Hot Cocoa at Dockside Diner. Finally, for that perfectly festive sweet treat to share with your loved one, don’t miss the Miss Piggy Strawberry Glam and Kermit Mint Whirl at Hollywood Scoops. It’s guaranteed to jingle your bells!

The details: Disney’s Jollywood Nights takes place on November 24 and 29, and December 1, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20 and 22. The party runs from 7.30pm to 12.30am, but guests are allowed to enter the park as early as 5.30pm. They then get to stay (with a special wristband) once official park closing is reached. For tickets, which cost from $179 to $199, see the official Disney website on this link.