Our 1-night itinerary for Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios presents a step-by-step Christmas social gathering plan for minimizing time ready in traces for character meet & greets, seeing fireworks, all three stage exhibits and leisure acts, and avoiding crowds throughout Walt Disney World’s laborious 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) through the vacation season. It begins in mid-November and runs till the week earlier than Christmas, and is a 5-hour vacation social gathering from 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM–company with Christmas social gathering 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.
In truth, Disney Jollywood Nights is lots like an After Hours occasion, minus the “free” refreshments however with numerous leisure added. Whereas we’re going to deal with what’s distinctive to the Christmas social gathering right here, simply know that you can additionally decide to do rides as a substitute–most may have waits of beneath 10-Quarter-hour. Slinky Canine Sprint is perhaps the one exception–we’d suggest saving that for later within the night to attenuate ready.
If you need the occasion information and our evaluate of whether or not it’s definitely worth the cash, see our Disney Jollywood Nights Christmas Occasion 2024 Overview: Wow, What a Distinction a Yr Makes! It is a social gathering plan or itinerary, targeted solely on maximizing time on the occasion for attendees.
One thing we should always disclose up-front is that this Disney Jollywood Nights Christmas social gathering plan may be very a lot tentative. We’ve solely attended DJN twice ever (with a 3rd social gathering booked for December). And truthfully, what we discovered from social gathering #1 is sort of solely irrelevant, because the occasion modified a lot from final 12 months to 2024. So actually, this 1-night itinerary is predicated on just one evening. Usually, I love to do numerous discipline 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 sources for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Occasion (MVMCP). We’ve been attending that occasion yearly since 2007, and in some circumstances have gone 4-5 instances in a single 12 months. (It was once a a lot cheaper occasion and we love Christmas…don’t choose!) Not solely that, however MVMCP doesn’t change a lot from 12 months to 12 months, so what we discovered a decade in the past nonetheless roughly applies.
The one saving grace with this DJN social gathering plan is that we’ve executed lots 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 at the very least partially, which is one thing so that you can additionally have in mind in the event you’ve executed that however are a newcomer to Disney Jollywood Nights. With that out of the best way, let’s begin the night at DHS!
Arrive Early – Buying an occasion ticket to Disney Jollywood Nights provides you entry to DHS beginning at 6 PM. This overlap with common park hours, generally known as the occasion mix-in, is scaled again as in comparison with MVMCP, nevertheless it’s nonetheless bonus time and you need to take full benefit–it’s an excellent alternative to do issues that aren’t distinctive to the Christmas social gathering 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 possibly can enter even earlier by way of the non-event turnstiles and get your wristband inside relatively than the entrance of the park. Not like at MVMCP, this isn’t crucial. Even on the bought 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 have been shocked by simply how easy it went.
Additionally in contrast to MVMCP, the mix-in time throughout Disney Jollywood Nights isn’t notably busy. Experience wait instances are already beginning to lower, doubtless owing to company–each day and social gathering attendees–being pulled to the lone exhibiting of Fantasmic. When you’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, take into account doing one thing aside from Fantasmic–it’ll be busier than regular.
That is all topic to vary 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 social gathering at Magic Kingdom vs. Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Suffice to say, that is just about an After Hours occasion–in contrast to 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 capable of 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 effectively earlier than 7:30 pm, making mix-in an excellent time to eat.
Another choice, and possibly a greater one, could be consuming a daily meal earlier than the mix-in begins. I’ll by no means go up a possibility to suggest one in all 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 Seaside Resort. I’d suggest the earliest potential reservation for Sebastian’s Bistro in the event you decide to do this.
Skip Characters – One other means that Disney Jollywood Nights is in contrast to MVMCP is that not one of the marquee characters begin assembly early throughout mix-in. At the very least, not materially early. I can’t be in every single place directly, however in doing laps of the park, I noticed lengthy traces 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 through the occasion. Through the Disney Jollywood Nights that I attended, the entire meet & greets–each single one–had longer traces through the first hour than later.
After all, in the event you’re one of many first to line up, you gained’t wait as lengthy as soon as the characters do seem. However you’ll nonetheless be ready–it’ll simply be that you simply’re pulling that ahead to the mix-in. Whether or not that is the correct determination for you actually is dependent upon what number of characters you need to meet. Sooner or later, it turns into a math drawback–you possibly can solely meet so many through the last 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 – It is a likelihood 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 comply with two associates 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 gained’t need to allocate precious social gathering 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 possibly can all the time go across the entrance row and loop again to the tip.) Not solely does this provide you with a greater view of Jack Skellington, nevertheless it makes for a sooner and simpler exit. That is perhaps vital with the subsequent step.
With that mentioned, if characters do actually matter and also you need to meet over a half-dozen, take into account 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. When you go for characters, you need to do the final exhibiting of “What’s This” at 12:30 am. It is a good strategy 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 similar to Tiana, Belle, Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse—accompanied by a proficient 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 exhibiting 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 provides you a relatively 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 – It is a swingin’ celebration within the courtyard of The Hollywood Tower Resort. Right here, you possibly can sip cocktails and unwind in type whereas a stay band swoons and croons vacation tunes. The following showtime is 8:50 pm.
Whereas the window is a tad tight between What’s This and Holidays in Hollywood, this must be simple. In truth, you need 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 have got nearly an hour to do no matter. I’d suggest taking this time to knock out a few characters and/or try the opposite ancillary dance events (Pixar Disco and Vacation Fiesta en la Calle). You may even kill two birds with one stone, doing each on the similar time–it’s simple to take pleasure in 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 also be an excellent time to satisfy Santa Duffy. Through the social gathering 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 concept 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, take into account knocking out a meet & greet or two (time allowing) round Echo Lake. Once more, that is what I did and it labored effectively to satisfy Disney Afternoon characters with ~10 minute lengthy traces. You don’t have to fret about staking out a spot for Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM with this plan.
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! – It is a nighttime spectacular that may make spirits shiny. 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 go up the chance to see it. I don’t, nonetheless, put in a ton of effort. My favourite spot for watching is round Echo Lake. It is a nice view for the pyro and different results, and is the perfect picture spot (10/10 Disney photographers agree).
It’s not, nonetheless, an excellent view of the projections on the entrance of Grauman’s Chinese language Theater. If these are a must-see for you (they completely usually are not for me), head to Hollywood Boulevard. It’s nonetheless pretty simple 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 chief place to leap in line for a personality as soon as the fireworks finish and earlier than the push arrives.
A few of these characters proceed assembly throughout the fireworks, so you can technically multi-task and wait in line whereas watching the fireworks. (Simply make sure whichever one you do has a clear view over the water in direction of the theater/Runaway Railway. In any other case, your view is perhaps blocked by bushes.
Extra Characters Across the Park – Following that, it’s an excellent time to satisfy 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.
Word that lots of the characters do their last units effectively earlier than the tip of the occasion, so you can’t wait till 11:30 pm or later to knock all of them out.
Glisten – It is 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 unique 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 through the earlier showings on the Disney Jollywood Nights we attended. By the ultimate two performances, it was pretty empty. You can technically see it every time–it’s not drawing really large crowds at any efficiency–however the views get lots higher with the ultimate two performances. I like to recommend seeing it at 11:15 pm to release the tip of your night.
Final Name for Characters – Anticipate 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 Crimson Carpet Desires.
When you e book it from Glisten over to Santa Sew, you may have the ability to meet him and leap 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 bought out?). Specializing in whichever meet & greet is higher-priority to you might be the smarter strategy.
Free Time – This leaves concerning the final Quarter-hour as free time. When you actually loved Holidays in Hollywood, you need to have time to catch the ultimate (12:15 am) efficiency. When you skipped What’s This? earlier, that exhibits at 12:30 am.
This may additionally be an excellent time to seize PhotoPass Magic Pictures, of which there are a number of at Disney Jollywood Nights.
Finally, you need 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 Occasion plan. We actually take pleasure in 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 you need to have a satisfying evening even in the event you don’t strictly comply with this 1-night itinerary.
That’s in all probability price underscoring. Not like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Occasion, which just about “requires” savvy technique to keep away from crowds and have an excellent time, Disney Jollywood Nights is way more laid again. You don’t have to strategy this social gathering like a army incursion with a purpose to have enjoyable.
You don’t even have to strictly stick 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 possibly can see him later in beneath 10, what you are able to do is take the broad contours outlined right here and match them to your individual wants.
As you possibly can in all probability inform by our preferences and suggestions, what we actually love is the party-specific leisure. Hopefully this Christmas Occasion plan offered a balanced night, with time for character meet & greets, exploring the park, getting pictures, 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 an excellent quantity of flexibility, particularly in the event you’re occurring an evening that Disney Jollywood Nights doesn’t promote out–or in the event you don’t actually care about uncommon characters.
In the long run, Disney Jollywood Nights is dear, however can supply numerous bang to your buck. Go in with life like expectations, however attempt to do as a lot as you possibly can–characters, fireworks, each stage exhibits. This itinerary also needs to reveal why we don’t suggest doing common sights through the Christmas Occasion, 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 executed! Wherein case, every thing else is icing on the cake.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study resorts on our Walt Disney World Inns Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a singular take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every thing it’s worthwhile to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever attended this 12 months’s Disney Jollywood Nights Christmas Occasion? Which character meet & greets and different leisure are your high priorities? Did you meet Santa Sew/Duffy, Disney Afternoon characters, or Fab 5 associates of their vacation finery, or have been the traces too lengthy for you? Do you disagree with something in our 1-night DJN plan? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
