Disney Jollywood Nights: A Magical Holiday Party You Should Definitely Experience
- Nicole Pierce
- Dec 12
- 6 min read
If you’re looking for something new and different to do during the holiday season at Walt Disney World, look no further than Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! This separately ticketed after-hours event is swanky, sparkly, and full of holiday charm. From the exclusive entertainment and rare character meet-and-greets, to themed treats and old-Hollywood ambiance, Jollywood Nights is a celebration you won’t find anywhere else in the parks.
Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning for another year, this guide will take you through everything you need to know and help you plan the perfect holiday night.
Event Basics: What to Know Before You Go
📍 Where: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World
📅 When: Select nights November through December
🕒 Event Time: 7:30 PM - 12:30 AM (subject to change)
How Early Can I Get In?
Guests with Disney Jollywood Nights tickets can enter the park as early as 5:30 PM, giving you plenty of time to check in and get your event wristband, grab a snack, take photos, and get your bearings before the event officially kicks off.
Is Anything Else Included?
Yes! All Disney PhotoPass digital downloads taken during Jollywood Nights are included with your event ticket. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of the exclusive holiday photo ops, Magic Shots, and unique backdrops available only during the party.
Do I Need a Day Ticket?
No! Jollywood Nights is a separately ticketed event, so if your only goal is the party, you do not need daytime admission.
What If I Already Have a Day Ticket?
If you do visit Hollywood Studios earlier in the day, you’ll also need a party ticket to stay past closing. Day guests staying for the event can pick up wristbands inside the park - you do not need to return to the front entrance. Cast Members will begin checking wristbands as 7:30 PM approaches.
Note: Staying in the park during mix-in means you’ll likely bypass the red-carpet photo op, so you may want to head back to the entrance if this photo op is a priority.
Rare Character Meet-and-Greets at Jollywood Nights
One of the biggest draws of Jollywood Nights is the lineup of exclusive and hard-to-find characters - and many appear in seasonal outfits you won’t see during the day.
New for 2025
• Life Day Chewbacca
• Partysaurus Rex
• Bing Bong (Inside Out)
• Miguel (Coco)
Returning Favorites
• Baloo or King Louie (TaleSpin)
• José Carioca or Panchito (The Three Caballeros)
• Lotso
• Bo Peep
• The Mandalorian & Grogu
• Joy
• Phineas & Ferb
• Max Goof as Powerline
• Chip & Dale (Rescue Rangers)
• Duffy dressed as Santa
• Stitch dressed as Santa
• Edna Mode & Frozone
• Mike Wazowski
• Scrooge McDuck
• Donald, Daisy, Goofy & Pluto
• Mickey & Minnie Mouse
Some characters - like Joy, Frozone, and the classic Fab 5 Disney pals - meet during the day, but during the party you’ll find some of them roaming or dancing and interacting with guests differently than they do during daytime hours.
A Few Tips
✔️ Characters typically begin meeting around 7:30 PM.
✔️ Popular meet-and-greets often have lines forming well before the event begins.
✔️ Prioritize 2–3 characters so you don’t spend your whole night waiting in line.
How early should I line up for a must-meet character?
This is a common question, and the answer is… it depends on how important meeting a specific character is to you!
Meeting Life Day Chewbacca was non-negotiable for me. I jumped in line a little after 6 PM and ended up very close to the front, which meant that once he began meeting at 7:30 PM, I only spent about 10 minutes of actual event time in line. The line exploded around 6:45 PM, which confirmed that my early arrival paid off, yet I found myself wishing I’d spent just a little more time wandering, taking photos, and enjoying the pre-party ambiance before committing to the queue.
So here’s my advice - if a specific meet-and-greet is a must-do, get in line early. But don’t be afraid to give yourself an extra 20 - 30 minutes to soak in the atmosphere first. You want to arrive early, just not extra early. If you’re close by, take a look at the queue before continuing to explore.
Entertainment You Won’t Want to Miss
Jollywood Nights truly shines with its entertainment lineup. If you love stage shows, festive music, and immersive atmosphere, make sure these are on your list.
✨ Disney Holidays in Hollywood - A variety-style show featuring music, comedy, and beloved characters - with Kermit and Miss Piggy as hosts.
🎄 What’s This? A Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along - A lively, theatrical sing-along with Jack Skellington and friends.
❄️ Glisten! - Professional ice skaters perform dazzling routines set to a holiday soundtrack—both classic and contemporary.
🎆 Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! - This nighttime spectacular transforms the Chinese Theatre area with projections, fireworks, and festive effects. I only caught the finale while passing by, and I instantly regretted not watching from the front - don’t skip this one!
Dance Parties & Lounges Across the Park
From the Pixar Disco to the Tip Top Club, there are dance parties and live entertainment everywhere. Characters and performers rotate throughout the night, keeping the energy high.
Pro Tip: If you can stay until midnight, the final performance of Glisten! is wonderfully uncrowded. I walked up minutes before the last performance and had no trouble finding a spot right in the front row.
Food & Beverage Highlights
Jollywood Nights offers special holiday menus across the park, with savory bites, sweet treats, cocktails, and other festive beverages you won’t find during normal park hours.
Here were my favorites from this year:
• Christmas Gertie Cookie
• Holiday Turkey Popover
• Mistletoe Martini
• Jolly Gingerbread Mini Churros
• Sugar Cookie Martini
• Warm Spiced Chai Cocktail
Pro Tip: Grab dinner before the event starts - lines get long and stay long for much of the night.
Ride Strategy - Yes, You Can Ride… But Don’t Make It the Focus
While many attractions have wait times under 20 minutes during the event, Jollywood Nights is not (in my humble opinion) designed to be a ride-focused evening - and you simply won’t have time for everything else that makes this event special if you focus on rides.
Short waits typically include:
✔️ Tower of Terror (often a literal walk-on)
✔️ Slinky Dog Dash
✔️ Rise of the Resistance
If attractions are your top priority, you’re better off dedicating a full day to Hollywood Studios and treating Jollywood Nights as the festive bonus that it is. Think of rides as extra magic, not the main event.
Real Talk: You Can’t Realistically Do It All - And That’s OK
Between characters, shows, dance parties, treats, photo ops, and rides, it is impossible to do everything in one night. The key is prioritizing what matters most to you.
I recommend:
⭐ Choosing 2 or 3 character meets
⭐ Ranking your entertainment priorities
⭐ Studying the foodie guide in advance
⭐ Leaving room for spontaneity - some of the most fun moments happen unexpectedly
If building a strategy feels overwhelming, you know where to find me - I love helping guests create personalized party plans so they can enjoy the event without stress.
My Experience - What Worked & What I’d Change Next Time
What Worked:
• Entering early with my Annual Pass
• Picking up my wristband right away
• Grabbing something to eat long before the party started
• Lining up early for Life Day Chewbacca
What I’d Do Differently:
👉 Spend more time exploring the park at dusk
👉 Join Chewbacca’s line about 30 minutes later, snack in hand
👉 Create a shortlist of must-try food and drink items ahead of time
⭐ Watch Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! from in front of the Chinese Theatre
Your Night, Your Plan, Your Magic
Disney Jollywood Nights isn’t about doing it all - it’s about having a joyful, festive, memorable night filled with the experiences that matter most to you. Whether you’re meeting rare characters, watching top-tier entertainment, or savoring seasonal treats, there’s magic in every corner of Hollywood Studios.
If you’re thinking about planning a trip to Walt Disney World during the holidays - or want help purchasing event tickets and designing the perfect Jollywood Nights strategy - I’d love to help you plan something magical!
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