Experience the Magic of the Season at Disney’s Jollywood Nights

By: Maggie Ballantyne, Team Lead & Travel Advisor
November 6, 2025

Jollywood Nights is back for its third year of celebrations in 2025! Over the years, this event has evolved and improved, especially after receiving some early mixed reviews. I can honestly say I’ve been a fan since the very beginning, and I love seeing how Disney continues to enhance the magic year after year. It’s wonderful to see more guests and my clients discovering the charm of this event and making it a part of their holiday traditions, including my own!

From sparkling lights to festive entertainment, this Christmas-themed event transforms the park into a holiday wonderland. Here are my reasons that Jollywood Nights has become one of my favorite seasonal events:

Exclusive Evening Access

Enjoy select areas of the park after regular hours with smaller crowds and shorter lines. No need to purchase Lightning Lanes or reserve return times for rides, just walk on!

Holiday-Themed Entertainment

Each year, Disney adds more entertainment to the lineup at this event. My favorite show is Glisten! Glisten is an outdoor, show-stopping ice-skating show (yes, in Florida!) with vibrant dancing and skating, beautiful costumes, and catchy original music to accompany some Disney classics. It will put you in a good mood all night long! I also love Disney Holidays in Hollywood and I know I have friends and clients who love What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along. My clients all receive tips on which shows to go to, how to work them into their evening schedule, and tips for getting great seats!

Festive Decorations and Lighting

The décor doesn’t change too much between regular theme park hours and Jollywood Hours; however, I do think Hollywood Studios is beautiful at night and even more beautiful when it is lit up for Christmas. There is a great photo op with a light up Jollywood sign typically towards the front of the park. There are also multiple photo ops around the Christmas tree at the center of Echo Lake.

Dress Up

Think festive and fun! Think Hollywood glitz and glamor! While I usually dress comfortable and casual for the parks, I love dressing up in my holiday best for this event! Dressy casual or cocktail attire works perfectly. I have seen everything from sparkly tops, elegant dresses, or comfy Disney Park clothes with some holiday accessories. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes since you’ll be on your feet as you walk through the parks, attend dance parties, and more!

Meet Exclusive Characters

Encounter special characters throughout the park. In the past, I enjoyed meeting Santa Duffy, Jose Carioca and Panchito, Jiminy Cricket, Mike Wazowski, and more! This year Disney has confirmed there will be 25+ characters around the park for meet and greets. And keep your eyes peeled because you never know who may show up unannounced. Last year, Dr. Strange traveled through a portal onto Grand Avenue to greet guests.

Seasonal Treats and Snacks

Jollywood Nights is for the foodies! Indulge in holiday-inspired food and drinks that you can only enjoy during this event. Some of my favorites from last year’s lineup include Baseline Taphouse’s Charcuterie Cup, the Caramel Mocha Napoleon, the Chicken Empanadas with Street Corn, and Baseline’s Beer Margarita. While not my favorite, the cutest Christmas cookie you will ever purchase is the Gertie Christmas Cookie! There are also specialty cocktails for sale at the Tip Top Club outside of the Tower of Terror. Here you will find live music, dancing, and fun drinks. These cocktails come in affordable souvenir glasses. This is a practical and pretty souvenir to bring home with you! I love it!

Exclusive Merchandise

Let’s be honest, it really wouldn’t be a trip to a Disney event without a trip to a gift shop. Like other special events, Jollywood Nights gives guests the opportunity to purchase Jollywood Nights–themed souvenirs that are perfect keepsakes or gifts. I love my Ollie mug from last year’s event and use it for the whole holiday season!

Added Inclusions

Not only do you receive a small souvenir as a memento for attending this event, each person in attendance also receives Memory Maker for the evening! I LOVE that photos are included because in my opinion, capturing memories is really the best souvenir.

While I do think that this event could be geared more towards an older crowd (or there is just more for adults to do at this event in comparison to others), there really is fun for all ages. Short wait times on rides, fun characters to meet, entertaining shows… there really is something for everyone!

To learn more about Disney’s special events, Disney’s After Hours Events, or Disney during the holidays, please follow me at www.facebook.com/wishesfamilytravelmaggie. When you are ready to plan your next vacation, you will receive my planning services for free! Just reach out to me at maggie@wishesfamilytravel.com to get started.

My Jollywood tickets are purchased at the retail rate available to the public.