Dubbing Disney Jollywood Nights a “hidden gem” is hyperbole of the highest order, but “significantly less popular due to misunderstanding the nature of the event and a ‘sticky’ negative first impression” doesn’t roll off the tongue quite the same. Regardless, Walt Disney World is bringing back its counterprogramming Christmas party to Hollywood Studios in 2025.
Normally, it would not be noteworthy that an annual event is returning, in and of itself. However, this one for Jollywood Nights is noteworthy because it wasn’t a sure thing the Christmas Party would return for a third year. Last year, Jollywood Nights only sold out four nights–November 9, plus December 7, 14 & 21. That was the first party, and 3 of the final 4. So at least it finished strong!
By contrast, Jollywood Nights sold out 6 nights in its inaugural year. It was a rocky road to get there, as ticket sales were initially strong but got derailed by negative night one reviews before a rebound as Disney reworked and improved the event. Bigger picture, Jollywood Nights is significantly less popular than Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom, which has sold out every single night since its return (and also most nights back in 2019).
It’s not surprising that Walt Disney World is giving Jollywood Nights another chance to find its audience. As we’ve seen with After Hours and other parties, it takes time for these events to gain traction. In the case of Jollywood Nights, in particular, mixed reviews haven’t helped–and the party probably will need a good 5 years before it cultivates a fan following.
I also wouldn’t be surprised if the party still hasn’t broken even, as the development costs were probably significant. Still, some special events have underperformed expectations to the point that Walt Disney World pulled the plug prematurely. We’re happy to not see that happening with Jollywood Nights. Here’s hoping that, instead, Disney finds more ways to iterate and improve upon the concept for 2025!
We’ve attended both of the first two years of Disney Jollywood Nights are happy to report that last year was a massive improvement over the inaugural season of the new Christmas party. If you’re planning ahead for 2025, it’s worth reading Disney Jollywood Nights Christmas Party Year-Two Review: Wow, What a Difference a Year Makes!
The first night ever were absolutely atrocious. It made Madame Web sound good by comparison. If you’re curious for whatever reason, our experience at the inaugural night of the event is covered in Disney Jollywood Nights Christmas Party Review: Good, Bad & Ugly. That’s now obsolete for planning purposes since so many changes were made.
Walt Disney World management and entertainment teams deserve kudos for taking the negative year one reviews panning the party to heart, and making major changes for its second season. From a planning perspective, we also have a 1-Night Disney Jollywood Nights Itinerary, if you already know all about the event, don’t need an overview, and just want tips & tricks.
Let’s start with the basic details that we already know about the 2025 Disney Jollywood Nights (DJN) from Walt Disney World’s official announcement.
This event will be held on select nights in Disney’s Hollywood Studios (DHS), offering a more refined holiday vibe, sights of sparkling décor, sounds of modern beats over classic holiday songs, tastes of craft cocktails and decadent dishes. It’s nostalgic and it’s glitz and glam galore. During Disney Jollywood Nights, DHS sparkles with performances, elegant décor, specialty food & drinks, exclusive entertainment, and lower ride wait times.
Disney Jollywood Nights is a separately ticketed, limited-capacity holiday event on 13 select nights from November 8, 2025 through December 22, 2025.
Party dates: The 2025 Disney Jollywood Nights will be held on the following evenings:
- November 8, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29
- December 1, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 22
Note that November dates are set for select Saturdays and Mondays, while December dates fall on select Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Also be advised that the November 8, 2025 Jollywood Nights is before Christmas officially starts at Walt Disney World, which is something to keep in mind if you’re planning a trip. You won’t see the daily entertainment that’s included in admission until the following Friday.
2025 Jollywood Nights Ticket Prices: Event tickets are $159 to $199 per ticket, plus tax (prices vary by event date).
For those keeping score at home, this is the same starting price as last year, and a $20 increase on the high end (previously $179). Our expectation is that those final two parties hit $199, and possibly the one during Thanksgiving week.
Event Times: This special event takes place from 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM.
You can get a head start on the festive fun! Jollywood Nights ticketholders will be admitted to Disney’s Hollywood Studios as early as 5:30 PM on the valid date of their ticket. That’s 30 minutes earlier than last year! These date-specific event tickets do not require an additional day theme park ticket or theme park reservation.
Purchase Tickets Soon: Special event tickets may be purchased starting July 22, 2025. Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can purchase tickets early—starting July 16, 2025—for event dates during their stay. This advance purchase window is available to guests of:
- Disney Resorts Collection hotels
- Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
- Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
- Shades of Green at Walt Disney World Resort
Tickets are limited and may not be available for purchase on the day of the event (or earlier). Purchase Jollywood Nights tickets online or call the Disney Reservation Center at 407-934-7639.
Discounts: Jollywood Nights discounts for all event nights are available for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members. (Last year it was $10 off; no word yet on 2025, but we’d assume it’s at least the same amount, if not more, given the struggle with selling out more dates last year.)
What’s New for 2025 Jollywood Nights: ‘Tis the season for sneak peeks of what’s new at Jollywood Nights, and Santa has told us that you’ve been good this year, so here are a few new bites, experiences, and characters to look forward to this year:
- Meet Miguel at Holiday Fiesta en la Calle in a new location near Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (my photo above is from DCA, not DHS)
- Enter the park earlier than before, at 5:30 p.m. before Jollywood Nights starts
- Enjoy two new shows, “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” and “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After”
- Snack on the new Backlot Express Restaurant specialty menu (presumably to replace PizzeRizzo, which filled that role last year but is now closed for Monstropolis construction)
- A new Jollywood Nights merch collection will premiere soon
Hopefully there are more announcements to come. None of this is really enough to move the needle on ticket sales, especially with the reduced ride roster (see below) for the 2025 Disney Jollywood Nights.
The marquee stage show during Jollywood Nights is Disney Holidays in Hollywood. This is a star-studded variety show in the grand tradition of Tinseltown’s most beloved holiday specials – all with a twist of today’s Hollywood magic.
Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Tiana, Belle, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are among the special guest stars, and there are plenty of surprises in store – including a brand-new original song by Tiana. Singers, dancers and live jazz musicians round out the talented cast of entertainers in this dazzling performance. Jolly vignettes remind everyone that the holidays mean something special to each and every one of us.
“Disney Holidays in Hollywood” will hit the stage at 8:15 p.m., 9:15 p.m., 11:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.
Jollywood Nights attendees also won’t want to miss “What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along.” This show will be performed in the Hyperion Theater at 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 11:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.
Enter a dreamlike adventure iwhere Jack Skellington takes us on an ethereal exploration of “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Sing along to beloved songs from the iconic film and discover peculiar magic in unexpected places. Along the way, you’ll conquer Oogie Boogie and be encouraged to follow your curiosity.
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) recognized “What’s This?” with the “Most Creative Winter Holiday Production” award at this year’s IAAPA Honors event. It beat out competitors from around the globe, including an excellent production at Universal Studios Japan. My personal view is that “What’s This?” is the second-best stage show at Jollywood Nights, but the sing-along does punch way above its weight. It’s also very artsy, making it perfect award-bait.
Last year, Glisten debuted as a new dazzling ice skating spectacular set to favorite holiday tunes in the center of the park, in front of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Several times each evening, take in the grace and skill of international champion skaters in an awe-inspiring twist on the traditional ice show.
Guess will be swept away by the grace of these skilled skaters as they perform breathtaking routines set to a vibrant holiday soundtrack including original songs and Disney favorites like “Be Our Guest” and “When You Wish Upon A Star.” Showtimes will be 8:10 p.m., 9:10 p.m., 10:30 p.m., 11:10 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. during the 2025 Jollywood Nights.
I enjoyed Glisten far more than expected. So much so, in fact, that I caught three separate performances of the show. Speaking of which, it’s incredibly easy to see thanks to its centralized location and informal viewing area—you can easily catch performances while crossing sides of the park.
Another highlight is Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club in the courtyard outside the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Walt Disney World advertises this as a swingin’ celebration in the courtyard of The Hollywood Tower Hotel. Here, you can sip cocktails and unwind in style while a live band swoons and croons holiday tunes.
This exclusive event transports guests to a 1930s-style jazz lounge, complete with live holiday music at 7:30 p.m., 8:10 p.m., 8:50 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m., 11:10 p.m., and 11:50 p.m.
“The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” will be open for under the sea showings, and you’ll have to vote for your favorite naughty list resident at “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After.”
Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby offers a refined, adult-oriented retreat within the Christmas atmosphere of Jollywood Nights. It’s an ideal choice for guests seeking a blend of culinary delights, live music, and a touch of holiday elegance.
There is limited space at this popular offering, so if soft jazz notes harken the holidays for you, then mark your calendar for September to make reservations.
Pixar Disco lights up Pixar Place with a holly jolly dance party featuring Edna Mode, Frozone, Joy, and other Pixar favorites. Come to Pixar Place from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., and between 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. to get moving.
For 2025, Holiday Fiesta en la Calle moves to the vibrant Coaster Courtyard on Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, offering a lively Latin-inspired holiday street fair. Soak up Latin holiday music performed by spirited musicians while enjoying colorful decorations that bring the fiesta to life.
Meet José Carioca and Panchito from “The Three Caballeros,” and new this year, Miguel from “Coco” is joining in the fun. Food and drink at the Holiday Fiesta en la Calle are inspired by traditional Latin holiday flavors, with unique desserts and beverages that really capture the season’s warmth and spice.
Last year, “Holiday Fiesta En La Calle” moved to Animation Courtyard in an attempt to make it more popular. It didn’t work. Coaster Courtyard (a term I’ve never heard before) is presumably in front of RnRC, and should get more foot traffic than the dead mall area of Animation Courtyard, so this is a savvy switch.
More than 20 classic and rarely seen characters who have gathered to join you for the 2025 Jollywood Nights. Here are a few spots you can find fan favorites:
Season’s Meet & Greetings at Echo Lake
- Phineas and Ferb
- Max Goof as Powerline
- Chip ‘n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers
- Stitch dressed as Santa
- Baloo and King Louie
Pixar Plaza Pals
- Mike Wazowski
- Edna Mode
- Frozone
- Joy from “Inside Out”
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Friends
- José Carioca and Panchito from “The Three Caballeros”
- Miguel from “Coco”
Duffy dressed as Santa will also be visiting the 2025 Jollywood Nights to say hello to everyone on the nice list (although presumably not in the same location since Muppets Courtyard is now closed). There will be more Jollywood Nights character greetings to announce, so stay tuned to find out where you can find Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto, The Mandalorian, and Lotso from “Toy Story.
During Disney Jollywood Nights, guests could also enjoy after-hours access to some of your favorite rides and coasters under the stars. After-hours access to some of your favorite rides and coasters including the following:
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After
- The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
- Slinky Dog Dash
Note that there are several changes to this list as compared to last year, with a few of the park’s more popular rides not being open for DJN. On the plus side, both new stage shows make the list.
While subject to change (meaning they could be added later), the following attractions appear to not be part of the 2025 Jollywood Nights ride roster: Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, Toy Story Mania, and Alien Swirling Saucers. Here’s hoping that changes, but our guess is that these “underperforming” attractions were cut to offset the higher operating expenses (with equity performers) of the two added stage shows.
As you probably gathered from the opening, Disney Jollywood Nights is one of two holiday season special events at Walt Disney World. The other is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. Although both are Christmas parties with limited attendance featuring entertainment and other offerings, there are just as many differences as there are similarities between the two events.
If you’re not sure which is right for your family, we’d highly recommend reading Disney Jollywood Nights vs. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. That’s our point-by-point comparison of the characters, fireworks, entertainment, crowds, and more at each event. That comparison is need of an update for 2025, so we’ll elaborate a bit here.
We’ll start by saying by you could easily attend both and have unique and memorable experiences–that’s how little overlap there is. If your budget allows and both sound appealing on paper, we would recommend doing both. That’s what we’ll be doing, but we’re also not the regular guests–we’re diehard fans who do this stuff year in and year out (and have a blog about it). If we were average Walt Disney World first-time families and could only do one, that would be Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Without a doubt.
As an annual attendee who hasn’t missed MVMCP since 2007, Disney Jollywood Nights is the more exciting and interesting of the two Christmas parties for me. A big part of this is that it changed more from its first to second year as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party has in the last decade.
The sophomore season of Disney Jollywood Nights was better than the inaugural event by leaps and bounds; there were at least four specific complaints that Disney remedied during year two of Jollywood Nights. It’s really satisfying to have the company listen to fans, implement improvements and make positive changes for once, instead of cutting corners and raising prices.
Between the two Christmas parties, I had a more enjoyable experience at Disney Jollywood Nights last year. If I could only choose one to attend this year as a Walt Disney World regular, it’d be DJN. It’ll also be fun to do MVMCP as a family as our toddler becomes more engaged with the parks, but that sense of excitement and discovery with MVMCP is gone for Sarah and me–MVMCP is a known quantity. Disney doesn’t need to change it because it sells out without fail and first-timers and fans alike love it. There’s zero incentive for changes–don’t mess with a good thing!
Personally, I’ll take flawed but interesting and ambitious, and that’s the vibe that Disney Jollywood Nights gives off. Like it’s being run by a hungrier and more passionate team than Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. DJN was dramatically different from its first to second year–and we anticipate more adjustments in 2025. That’s evident in all of the little things and incremental improvements, and as a contrast to the stagnation of MVMCP.
Disney Jollywood Nights tickets not selling out last year suggests to me that, unlike MVMCP, it will not become a victim of its own success. Walt Disney World has an incentive to keep iterating and improving upon it, instead of resting on their laurels and letting Disney Jollywood Nights stagnate.
The only “problem” here is that if Disney Jollywood Nights improves by half as much from last year to 2025 as it did from 2023 to 2024, it’ll be far and away the best Christmas event at Walt Disney World. Perhaps that’s a good problem to have!
Ultimately, I hope that Disney Jollywood Nights ends up exceeding expectations in its third season, continuing to correct all of the first year problems, and building on its successful sophomore season. There’s some excellent entertainment and kernels of great ideas with this Christmas party, it just needs a bit more refinement to really shine, stand out and sell out.
Beyond that, there are opportunities to incorporate all of the areas of Disney’s Hollywood Studios into the event. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge could have a Life Day celebration and Toy Story Land could do something. All of the entertainment last year was concentrated in the front of the park, making the rest of DHS feel dead during Disney Jollywood Nights.
Here’s hoping the entertainment and operations teams took time to look at what worked and didn’t last year, and made major changes where needed and left well enough alone what worked. Either way, we’re both curious and cautiously optimistic. Here’s hoping Disney Jollywood Nights exceeds expectations again in Christmas 2025!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Will you attend this Christmas party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? If so, will you do it instead of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party or in addition to it? What do you think about Disney Jollywood Nights? What are your thoughts on ticket prices? Will your family be buying or sitting out the Christmas festivities? Are you excited for Christmas 2025 at Walt Disney World? Do you agree or disagree with our perspective on this? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
