Our 1-night itinerary for Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios gives a step-by-step Christmas occasion plan for minimizing time ready in strains for character meet & greets, seeing fireworks, all three stage exhibits and leisure acts, and avoiding crowds throughout Walt Disney World’s exhausting ticket vacation season occasion.
For many who are unfamiliar with it, Disney Jollywood Nights (DJN) is held on two evenings per week at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (DHS) in the course of the vacation season. It begins in mid-November and runs till the week earlier than Christmas, and is a 5-hour vacation occasion from 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM–company with Christmas occasion tickets could enter DHS as early as 6:00 PM. DJN is a limited-capacity, individually ticketed occasion that happens after hours, and options family-friendly enjoyable for company of all ages.
Actually, Disney Jollywood Nights is loads like an After Hours occasion, minus the “free” refreshments however with a variety of leisure added. Whereas we’re going to give attention to what’s distinctive to the Christmas occasion right here, simply know that you may additionally decide to do rides as a substitute–most may have waits of below 10-Quarter-hour. Slinky Canine Sprint may be the one exception–we’d suggest saving that for later within the night to attenuate ready.
If you would like the occasion data and our assessment of whether or not it’s well worth the cash, see our Disney Jollywood Nights Christmas Social gathering 2024 Evaluation: Wow, What a Distinction a 12 months Makes! This can be a occasion plan or itinerary, targeted solely on maximizing time on the occasion for attendees.
One thing we must always disclose up-front is that this Disney Jollywood Nights Christmas occasion plan could be very a lot tentative. We’ve solely attended DJN twice ever (with a 3rd occasion booked for December). And truthfully, what we discovered from occasion #1 is sort of completely irrelevant, for the reason that occasion modified a lot from final yr to 2024. So actually, this 1-night itinerary relies on just one night time. Usually, I love to do a variety of area testing and analysis earlier than releasing itineraries and technique guides, however that merely isn’t potential (but) right here.
That is additionally a pointy distinction to our planning assets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Social gathering (MVMCP). We’ve been attending that occasion yearly since 2007, and in some instances have gone 4-5 instances in a single yr. (It was a a lot cheaper occasion and we love Christmas…don’t decide!) Not solely that, however MVMCP doesn’t change a lot from yr to yr, so what we discovered a decade in the past nonetheless roughly applies.
The one saving grace with this DJN occasion plan is that we’ve accomplished loads of Walt Disney World particular occasions through the years, and lots of the planning ideas are moveable. The teachings we’ve discovered from MVMCP apply right here a minimum of partly, which is one thing so that you can additionally take into accout in case you’ve accomplished that however are a newcomer to Disney Jollywood Nights. With that out of the way in which, let’s begin the night at DHS!
Arrive Early – Buying an occasion ticket to Disney Jollywood Nights offers you entry to DHS beginning at 6 PM. This overlap with common park hours, referred to as the occasion mix-in, is scaled again as in comparison with MVMCP, but it surely’s nonetheless bonus time and it is best to take full benefit–it’s a very good alternative to do issues that aren’t distinctive to the Christmas occasion itself.
We suggest planning to get to DHS by 5:45 pm. If you have already got admission for at the present time within the park, you may enter even earlier by way of the non-event turnstiles and get your wristband inside fairly than the entrance of the park. Not like at MVMCP, this isn’t essential. Even on the offered out DJN date we attended in 2024, the check-in and wristband course of on the entrance of the park was seamless. It’s potential that’ll change sooner or later, however we had been stunned by simply how clean it went.
Additionally not like MVMCP, the mix-in time throughout Disney Jollywood Nights isn’t notably busy. Experience wait instances are already beginning to lower, probably owing to company–each day and occasion attendees–being pulled to the lone displaying of Fantasmic. For those who’ve by no means seen that present and that is your solely (partial) day in DHS, we’d extremely suggest it. In any other case, contemplate doing one thing apart from Fantasmic–it’ll be busier than regular.
That is all topic to alter as Walt Disney World ‘tweaks’ the attendance cap for Disney Jollywood Nights, however that also requires greater demand for the occasion (which hasn’t been the case but). That is in all probability the distinction between a Christmas occasion at Magic Kingdom vs. Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Suffice to say, that is just about an After Hours occasion–not like MVMCP, which not guarantees low crowds.
Eat Early – We discovered that counter service eating places round Disney’s Hollywood Studios started serving the particular Disney Jollywood Nights menus previous to the occasion starting. I used to be in a position to eat the above unfold (fortunate me) at PizzeRizzo as of ~6:30 pm. I additionally noticed different eating places and snack stands able to roll nicely earlier than 7:30 pm, making mix-in a very good time to eat.
An alternative choice, and possibly a greater one, can be consuming an everyday meal earlier than the mix-in begins. I’ll by no means move up a chance to suggest certainly one of my private favorites, Sebastian’s Bistro, which is a good worth (higher than ‘Ohana) and a brief Skyliner journey away from DHS over at Caribbean Seashore Resort. I’d suggest the earliest potential reservation for Sebastian’s Bistro in case you decide to do this.
Skip Characters – One other means that Disney Jollywood Nights is not like MVMCP is that not one of the marquee characters begin assembly early throughout mix-in. At the least, not materially early. I can’t be in all places without delay, however in doing laps of the park, I noticed lengthy strains however no characters between 7 pm and seven:20 pm.
This results in one of many largest items of recommendation this Disney Jollywood Nights 1-night itinerary has to supply: skip characters early on in the course of the occasion. Throughout the Disney Jollywood Nights that I attended, all the meet & greets–each single one–had longer strains in the course of the first hour than later.
After all, in case you’re one of many first to line up, you received’t wait as lengthy as soon as the characters do seem. However you’ll nonetheless be ready–it’ll simply be that you just’re pulling that ahead to the mix-in. Whether or not that is the precise choice for you actually relies on what number of characters you need to meet. Sooner or later, it turns into a math drawback–you may solely meet so many in the course of the remaining couple of hours, and it’s not potential to get to all of them then.
What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas Sing-Alongside – This can be a probability to hitch Jack Skellington at Hyperion Theater for a stage present impressed by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas. Sing together with the Pumpkin King to beloved songs from the movie as you observe two mates on a larger-than-life journey.
“What’s This” is a must-see, and it’s the piece of marquee leisure with the earliest showtime: 7:30 pm. We discovered demand for this stage present to be decrease than absolutely anything else on the 2024 Disney Jollywood Nights, which is exactly why we suggest doing it first. You received’t need to allocate helpful occasion time later within the occasion to this when crowds are beginning to skinny out.
We’d suggest sitting on the far aspect of the theater. (If individuals are stopping within the center, you may at all times go across the entrance row and loop again to the top.) Not solely does this offer you a greater view of Jack Skellington, but it surely makes for a quicker and simpler exit. That may be essential with the subsequent step.
With that stated, if characters do actually matter and also you need to meet over a half-dozen, contemplate prioritizing one or two of these (getting in line for a well-liked one earlier than 7 pm) and slotting in “What’s This” later. For those who go for characters, it is best to do the final displaying of “What’s This” at 12:30 am. This can be a good method for extending the occasion.
Disney Holidays in Hollywood – Hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, this star-studded vacation extravaganza contains appearances from Characters akin to Tiana, Belle, Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse—accompanied by a gifted forged of singers, dancers and jazz musicians.
That is the opposite marquee stage present throughout Disney Jollywood Nights, and my favourite a part of the occasion, interval. The primary displaying of Holidays in Hollywood is at 8:15 pm, which is 45 minutes after What’s This? The earlier stage present ends at 7:52 pm, which supplies you a fairly slim window to make it to Theater of the Stars on Sundown Boulevard. It ought to take you lower than 8 minutes to stroll between the 2, which is a 15-minute (give or take) buffer. We discovered that to be greater than ample, however your mileage could fluctuate.
Twilight Soirée on the Tip High Membership – This can be a swingin’ celebration within the courtyard of The Hollywood Tower Resort. Right here, you may sip cocktails and unwind in fashion whereas a reside band swoons and croons vacation tunes. The subsequent showtime is 8:50 pm.
Whereas the window is a tad tight between What’s This and Holidays in Hollywood, this needs to be straightforward. Actually, it is best to have loads of time to seize drinks from the bar earlier than the band comes on–or mingle with the previous Hollywood characters within the crowd.
Characters & Dance Events – Between the Twilight Soirée and Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!, you will have nearly an hour to do no matter. I’d suggest taking this time to knock out a few characters and/or take a look at the opposite ancillary dance events (Pixar Disco and Vacation Fiesta en la Calle). You’ll be able to even kill two birds with one stone, doing each on the identical time–it’s straightforward to get pleasure from Vacation Fiesta en la Calle whereas in line for José Carioca or Panchito, and you may snag selfies with Pixar buddies at that disco.
After about 9:30 pm can be a very good time to fulfill Santa Duffy. Throughout the occasion I attended, he had a 70 minute posted wait initially of the occasion, and was a literal walk-on solely a few hours later. My working principle is that there’s a comparatively restricted pool of Duffy diehards that prioritize him as #1, however most different company don’t care. As soon as that preliminary rush is labored by way of, there’s solely a trickle of company all through the remainder of the occasion.
Following Santa Duffy, contemplate knocking out a meet & greet or two (time allowing) round Echo Lake. Once more, that is what I did and it labored nicely to fulfill Disney Afternoon characters with ~10 minute lengthy strains. You don’t have to fret about staking out a spot for Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM with this plan.
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! – This can be a nighttime spectacular that can make spirits vivid. Watch in awe as heartwarming vacation moments from favourite Disney movies are dropped at life on the façade of the park’s iconic Chinese language Theater. It’s a show of fireworks, lasers, lights, projections and merry music.
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM is just not my favourite nighttime spectacular at Walt Disney World, to be completely trustworthy with you. Nonetheless, it’s seasonal fireworks and I by no means move up the chance to see it. I don’t, nevertheless, put in a ton of effort. My favourite spot for watching is round Echo Lake. This can be a nice view for the pyro and different results, and is the perfect picture spot (10/10 Disney photographers agree).
It isn’t, nevertheless, a very good view of the projections on the entrance of Grauman’s Chinese language Theater. If these are a must-see for you (they completely will not be for me), head to Hollywood Boulevard. It’s nonetheless pretty straightforward to get an honest spot last-minute.
Extra Echo Lake Characters – The opposite purpose I like watching Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM from Echo Lake is as a result of it places you in a first-rate place to leap in line for a personality as soon as the fireworks finish and earlier than the frenzy arrives.
A few of these characters proceed assembly throughout the fireworks, so you may technically multi-task and wait in line whereas watching the fireworks. (Simply make certain whichever one you do has a clear view over the water in direction of the theater/Runaway Railway. In any other case, your view may be blocked by timber.
Extra Characters Across the Park – Following that, it’s a very good time to fulfill remaining characters in your record. This contains higher-priority ones like Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy or Pluto on the walkway between Pixar Place and Toy Story Land, or Phineas and Ferb or Max Goof as Powerline in Echo Lake.
Notice that lots of the characters do their remaining units nicely earlier than the top of the occasion, so you can not wait till 11:30 pm or later to knock all of them out.
Glisten – This can be a gorgeous ice skating present on Hollywood Boulevard the place worldwide champion skaters carry out breathtaking routines set to a vibrant vacation soundtrack—together with authentic songs and Disney favorites like Be Our Visitor and When You Want Upon A Star.
As the large new factor for 2024, Glisten drew bigger crowds in the course of the earlier showings on the Disney Jollywood Nights we attended. By the ultimate two performances, it was pretty empty. You could possibly technically see it every time–it’s not drawing actually enormous crowds at any efficiency–however the views get loads higher with the ultimate two performances. I like to recommend seeing it at 11:15 pm to unlock the top of your night.
Final Name for Characters – Count on character meet & greet units to finish round midnight on the newest. On the Disney Jollywood Nights that I attended, this was the official final name for each Santa Sew and Minnie & Mickey (assembly collectively) at Pink Carpet Desires.
For those who e-book it from Glisten over to Santa Sew, you would possibly have the ability to meet him and bounce into line for Mickey and Minnie (proper across the nook) earlier than the clock strikes midnight. It actually relies upon upon attendance (is the DJN you’re attending offered out?). Specializing in whichever meet & greet is higher-priority to you might be the smarter method.
Free Time – This leaves in regards to the final Quarter-hour as free time. For those who actually loved Holidays in Hollywood, it is best to have time to catch the ultimate (12:15 am) efficiency. For those who skipped What’s This? earlier, that exhibits at 12:30 am.
This may also be a very good time to seize PhotoPass Magic Photographs, of which there are a number of at Disney Jollywood Nights.
In the end, it is best to have the ability to have an environment friendly night with loads of enjoyable and plenty of leisure (maybe an excessive amount of) by following this Disney Jollywood Nights Christmas Social gathering plan. We actually get pleasure from this particular occasion and had a blast throughout its sophomore season. There’s sufficient to do this leaves you wanting extra, however the crowds are additionally sufficiently low that it is best to have a satisfying night time even in case you don’t strictly observe this 1-night itinerary.
That’s in all probability price underscoring. Not like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Social gathering, which nearly “requires” savvy technique to keep away from crowds and have a very good time, Disney Jollywood Nights is rather more laid again. You don’t must method this occasion like a army incursion in an effort to have enjoyable.
You don’t even must strictly keep on with the step-by-step technique laid out right here! Whereas I’d personally not suggest ready in line 70 minutes for Santa Duffy when you may see him later in below 10, what you are able to do is take the broad contours outlined right here and match them to your personal wants.
As you may in all probability inform by our preferences and suggestions, what we actually love is the party-specific leisure. Hopefully this Christmas Social gathering plan offered a balanced night, with time for character meet & greets, exploring the park, getting images, and having fun with the ambiance. But when this strikes you as “an excessive amount of,” then merely skip steps or change issues up! Experience a pair rides, seize a couple of drinks and bites to eat. There’s a very good quantity of flexibility, particularly in case you’re happening an evening that Disney Jollywood Nights doesn’t promote out–or in case you don’t actually care about uncommon characters.
In the long run, Disney Jollywood Nights is pricey, however can provide a variety of bang in your buck. Go in with practical expectations, however attempt to do as a lot as you may–characters, fireworks, each stage exhibits. This itinerary must also show why we don’t suggest doing common sights in the course of the Christmas Social gathering, but when that’s all you care about, extra energy to you. A ticket to Disney Jollywood Nights is cheaper than Lightning Lane Premier Cross and you’ll get extra sights accomplished! During which case, all the things else is icing on the cake.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever attended this yr’s Disney Jollywood Nights Christmas Social gathering? Which character meet & greets and different leisure are your prime priorities? Did you meet Santa Sew/Duffy, Disney Afternoon characters, or Fab 5 mates of their vacation finery, or had been the strains too lengthy for you? Do you disagree with something in our 1-night DJN plan? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
