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If you like the glitz and glamour of old Hollywood, you’ll love Jollywood Nights, a newer holiday party at Hollywood Studios during the Christmas season. Dress up like you’re stepping out of a fantastical, sparkly, glimmering movie and enjoy jazzy entertainment, special nighttime shows, and of course, limited-edition food.
There are opportunities to meet rare characters such as Phineas and Ferb, Max Goof, and Baloo, to hop on your favorite attractions with little wait, and meet Ollie the Gingerbread Man who only comes out during the party.
Tickets range from $159 to $179 per ticket, plus tax, but if you’re an Annual Passholder or Disney Vacation Club member there are savings of $10 per ticket valid on all event nights.
This party is actually great for adults or couples wanting a date night and although it is still family-friendly it is more adult-focused than other events held throughout Walt Disney property.
Before you continue reading though, I want to be clear that last year’s event was met with a lot of disdain, disappointment, and a desire for a lot of refunds. You may or may not want to attend this party for another year or two to see how Disney does with making this event worth the money they’re charging for it. Hot take.
Looking for discounted tickets to Jollywood Nights? Undercover Tourist helps you save $10!
When Does Jollywood Nights Run in 2024?
This party runs between November 9 and December 21, 2024 at Hollywood Studios between the hours of 7:30 PM and 12:30 AM. However, you can enter Hollywood Studios for the party at 6:00 PM if you have a ticket.
New to Jollywood Nights 2024
At this time, the only new thing to the party is the skating spectacular on Hollywood Boulevard with international champion skaters that will bring a surprising twist to a traditional ice show. I’m very curious to know what exactly that entails, so I’ll keep you updated.
Cheapest Days to Attend the Party
I’m not someone who is necessarily cheap, but if I can save a little money I’ll do it if it’s for the same thing. With only 13 dates available for the party, here are the cheapest dates to attend Jollywood Nights.
At the lowest price of $159, November 13th and 18th are your only dates.
However, at the $169 price point there are a few dates of November 9, 16 and December 2nd.
But the most expensive has the most dates, so coming in at $179, the dates of November 23, 25, 30 and December 7, 11, 14, 18, and 21.
Book your tickets now if you’d like to attend the party (if you’re not an Annual Passholder or DVC member, you can buy discounted tickets through Undercover Tourist).
I’m unsure at this point if I will be attending as these prices are a little bit too wild, even for me, at this stage, but if I had to I’d absolutely choose between the $159 and $169 tickets if those dates were still available by the time I decided.
Things to Do at Jollywood Nights
With this new event, there’s a lot to do at Jollywood Nights. From dance parties to a firework show there’s entertainment to keep you on your toes for the entire five hours.
Disney Holidays in Hollywood
A holiday show hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy at Theater of the Stars this show includes appearances from beloved characters like Tiana, Minnie and Mickie Mouse, Belle, and singers, dancers, and jazz musicians.
You can catch performances at 8:15 PM, 9:15 PM, 11:15 PM and 12:15 AM.
American Sign Language interpretation is available on November 13 and December 11, 2024. If you require more dates you can request then with at least 2 weeks notice by sending an email to request those additional dates. The Walt Disney Company will contact you to verify if interpreters are available.
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along
Conquer Oogie Boogie through songs from the popular Tim Burton film with Jack Skellington at the helm. This show is held at the Hyperion Theater.
Performances are at 7:30 PM, 8:30 PM, 9:30 PM, 11:30 PM and 12:30 AM.
American Sign Language interpretation is available on November 13 and December 11, 2024. If you require more dates you can request then with at least 2 weeks notice by sending an email to request those additional dates. The Walt Disney Company will contact you to verify if interpreters are available.
Throwback Bash
As a 90s kid, this party is nostalgia personified with characters like Max Goof, Baloo, and King Louie making an appearance over at Echo Lake. Phineas and Ferb come in hot representing the 2000s, so don’t worry if you’re craving a little bit of that, too.
Holiday Fiesta en la Calle
Over at Animation Courtyard, this Latin holiday street fair will have appearances by José Carioca and Panchio from The Three Caballeros. So, put on your dancing shoes, enjoy latin holiday music, and explore a little bit of the holiday in rich latin food.
Dance Party
Meet up with Edna Mode at Pixar Plaza with a little dance party.
Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club
Take a brief moment to relax, sip on a cocktail or two and listen to the crooning sounds of a live band at the Tip Top Club at The Hollywood Tower Hotel.
P.S. This was a standing only area in the exit area of the ride last year, so be prepared to have limited room to enjoy the live band.
Sets begin at 7:30 PM, 8:10 PM, 8:50 PM, 9:30 PM, 10:30 PM, 11:10 PM and 11:50 PM.
Skating Spectacular
New this year, there will be international champion skaters putting on a show with a twist to the traditional ice show over on Hollywood Boulevard.
Showtimes are 8:15 PM, 9:15 PM, 10:20 PM, 11:15 PM and 12:15 AM.
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!
The nighttime fireworks show over at the Chinese Theater will have projections, music, lasers, and lights of holiday moments from Disney films happening at 10:00 PM on event nights.
Snacks & Treats You’ll See at Jollywood Nights
This year’s menu hasn’t dropped yet and it most likely won’t drop until two weeks prior to the party starting.
Until then, let’s chat about the options that did appear during the inaugural year (2023). Remember what I said about this party being more adult-focused? As you look at the menu you’ll see how the menu is geared more toward an adult palette as well.
I hope that the 2024 menu follows suit.
2023 Menu
Holiday Fiesta en la Calle at ABC Commissary
- Chicken Empanadas with Street Corn: Chicken empanadas served with a side of street corn salad topped with chili peppers, lime, and cotija cheese
- Yuca con Chicharrón: Fried pork belly, yuca, red pickled onions, and chili pepper-lime seasoning with a yellow pepper aïoli
- Mushroom Taco: Chili-roasted Mixed mushrooms, avocado crema, baby gem lettuce, and garnished with sliced radish (Plant-based Item)
- Birria Taco: Shredded short rib and Monterey jack served with beef consommé for dipping
- Tembleque: Coconut rice pudding with caramel rum sauce and cinnamon
- Mexican Hot Cocoa Cheesecake: Spiced chocolate cheesecake on a chocolate cookie base topped with vanilla whipped cream and cocoa powder with a chocolate handle
- Mangonada: Frozen mango beverage with mango-chili pepper-lime sauce and chili pepper-lime seasoning on top (Non-alcoholic)
- Zero-Proof Piña Colada: Lyre’s Spiced Cane Spirit, coconut, pineapple, and lime
- Oaxaca Old Fashioned: Casa Dragones Blanco Tequila, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, agave nectar, Mexican chocolate, and orange bitters served over ice garnished with an orange
Baseline Taphouse
- Tuna Ceviche: Marinated ahi tuna, pico de gallo, and avocado cream topped with cilantro
- Charcuterie Cup: Manchego, chorizo, serrano ham, pickled vegetables, olives, and toasted focaccia bread
- Beer Margarita: Blend of Patrón Silver Tequila, Cointreau Liqueur, and lime juice topped with Scrimshaw Pilsner over Ice
Dockside Diner
- Spicy Pimento-Kimchi Dip topped with chives and served with fresh house-made wonton chips
- Roasted Eggplant Dip topped with chives and served with warm pita bread (Plant-based Item)
- Poutine Tots: Potato barrels topped with gravy, brisket, mozzarella curds, and chives
- Christmas Tree Cookie Stack: Vanilla cookie stack filled with pistachio buttercream, cranberry, and raspberry jam topped with sprinkles and a yellow candy star
- Sandy Claws Hot Cocoa: “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas”-inspired dark chocolate hot cocoa topped with cherry whipped cream (Non-alcoholic)
- Naughty or Nice: Crown Royal Whisky and ginger mixed with orange, cranberry, and grapefruit juices topped with fresh cranberries
Epic Eats
- Spicy Korean Chicken Funnel Cake: Spicy fried Korean chicken with pickled vegetables served on a mini funnel cake
- Brisket Reuben Funnel Cake: Beef brisket and sauerkraut slaw topped with thousand island dressing served on a mini funnel cake
- S’mores Funnel Cake: Giant roasted marshmallow with chocolate and marshmallow sauce, topped with chocolate curls and cinnamon cereal served on a mini funnel cake
- Samuel Adams Winter Lager: Spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and orange peel for a deep flavor and malty finish
Gertie’s Ice Cream of Extinction
- Christmas Gertie Cookie: Sugar cookie with mint icing (Also available with mint soft-serve)
Fairfax Fare
- Holiday Turkey Popover: Roasted turkey and creamy mashed potatoes topped with gravy, cranberry chutney, and chives in a house-made popover
- ‘Just the Sides’ Popover: Macaroni & cheese and savory collard greens with ham topped with cornbread crumbs in a house-made popover
- PB&J Doughnut: Glazed doughnut with creamy peanut butter and grape jelly dipped in dark chocolate topped with crushed house-made salt and vinegar chips
- Kermit’s Frozen Banana Bliss: Frozen banana and white chocolate with caramel swirls topped with matcha whipped cream and sprinkle (Non-alcoholic)
- Mistletoe Martini: Tito’s Handmade Vodka and St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur mixed with cranberry juice and topped with fresh cranberries and mint leaves
Market
- Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls: Fried spring rolls served with a jalapeño-ranch dipping sauce and fried rice noodles
- Frozone’s Snowball Macaroons: Coconut macaroons drizzled with blue vanilla frosting and topped with white snowflake sprinkles
- Spiced Apple Cider: Apple cider and cinnamon with an apple chip garnish (Non-alcoholic)
- Zero-Proof Apple Cider: Lyre’s Spiced Cane Spirit, apple cider, Angostura Bitters, and cinnamon topped with an apple chip and cinnamon rim
- In Holiday Fashion: Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon, rosemary syrup, cranberry and lime juices, and cinnamon
PizzeRizzo
- Meatball and Polenta: Giant meatball with marinara and creamy cheese polenta
- Olive and Goat Cheese Flatbread: Olive oil-toasted flatbread, creamy goat cheese, rustic olive and tomato spread, balsamic glaze, and lemon watercress
- Antipasto Flatbread: Fresh mozzarella, salami, peperoni, country ham, olives, peppers, onions, pepperoncini, and marinara
- Tiramisù Puff: Sweet-and-savory with flavors of espresso, chocolate, and a coffee-infused custard and mascarpone cream
- Benvolio Pinot Grigio
- Banfi Chianti Superiore
- Peroni Nastro Azzuro Lager Draft
- Heineken 0.0 Non-Alcoholic Lager
Twilight Soirée at The Tip-Top Club
- The 5th Dimension Royale: Teremana Blanco Tequila, Cointreau Liqueur, desert pear, agave nectar, and lime juice topped with Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut and garnished with a dehydrated blood orange wheel
- Twilight Daiquiri: Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, ube, lime juice, and a splash of shimmer
- Sparkling Pomegranate-Apple Cider: Pomegranate-green tea topped with sparkling apple cider and pomegranate seeds
- Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut
The Trolley Car Café
- Ornament Mousse: Dark chocolate-cherry mousse
Outdoor Vending Locations
- Gingerbread Bites (Plant-based Item)
Bar Locations
- Zero-Proof Gingerbread Spritzer: Lyre’s Spiced Cane Spirit, gingerbread syrup, and club soda garnished with a gingerbread bite
- Sugar Cookie Martini: Stoli Vanil Vodka, Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur, and DISARONNO Originale Liqueur mixed with milk and sugar in a sprinkle-rimmed glass with a sugar cookie garnish
Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby
- Oyster Rockefeller: Spinach foam, shaved parmesan, rocoto pepper relish, and salmon caviar
- Crispy Duck Drumettes: Spicy orange glaze, carrots, and kumquats
- Charcuterie: House-made cured meats and accompaniments, blue cheese mousse, and toasted sourdough
- Shrimp Cocktail: Classic cocktail sauce, citrus pearls, avocado mousse
- Derby Slider: Bison and pork belly blend, taleggio cheese sauce, and fig stout jam
- Tuna Carpaccio: Mezcal pickled vegetables, salsa macha, and avocado crema
- Pork Belly Bao: Korean BBQ, cucumber slaw, and soy vinaigrette
- Tofu Bao: Seared tofu, cucumber slaw, and soy vinaigrette
- An assortment of classic cocktails, zero-proof and non-alcoholic beverages, wine, and beer
Jollywood Nights Dining Reservations
In 2023 there was no way to do advanced dining reservations, rather there was one limited-capacity event that you could sign up for similar to a virtual queue. In 2024 there is a way to do that in advanced and it is strongly recommended to reserve your place.
Last year’s inaugural year saw the Jazzy Holidays event fill up quickly.
The Hollywood Brown Derby hosts Jazzy Holidays with a variety of craft cocktails and light bites and the standard menu will not be available during this event. There’s also a pianist that’ll help to make the evening feel that bit more jazzy as well.
Booking opens in early September.
Jollywood Nights Planning & Tips
I’ve not had the pleasure of attending Jollywood Nights. It was a new event in the 2023 year and it did look like loads of fun, but for a new event I wanted others to be part of the guinea pig year. ? Sorry not sorry.
Since then, there are some tips I think others would like you to know when it comes to enjoying this party to its fullest. As we get closer to the party, I’ll deposit some more tips.
I’m unsure if I’ll be attending this year’s party – it’s very expensive, but I’ll keep you updated.
1 – Temper your expectations. The party was practically cordoned off to one part of the park and didn’t use the entire park to its fullest. For an expensive hard-ticket event that seems incredibly unfair and an egregious money-grab, but it’s your money, do what you want.
However, based on some of what I’ve been reading through they may have taken that criticism and they seem to be including locations that may not have been used last year. We’ll see. ??
2 – Last year you almost had to choose between what you wanted to do: rides, entertainment, or food. At the beginning of the new event there were a lot of problems, however as the party went along Disney improved. Since then, the party went from a start time of 8:30 PM to 7:30 PM, giving you more time to do at least one or two more things (which is great!).
I’d still recommend planning out what you want to do around the party. Holiday Fiesta? The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along? Maybe that advanced reservation at The Hollywood Derby?
Planning ahead is going to give you the advantage you’re looking for in getting a whole lot more done than if you didn’t.
Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas!
In its second year, we’ll see what Jollywood Nights is really like and the true vision of a swanky Hollywood Christmas party à la Disney. Until then, have a great day!
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