After the opening evening meltdown, whether or not Walt Disney World would convey again its controversial new Christmas social gathering for 2024 was an open query. There was hypothesis that it’d be one other one and completed–the second straight time Hollywood Studios had tried and failed at internet hosting a seasonal occasion.
Our expertise on the inaugural evening of the occasion, as lined in Disney Jollywood Nights Christmas Get together Assessment: Good, Unhealthy & Ugly, was heavy on the unhealthy and ugly. Nonetheless, as we mentioned in that prolonged assessment, the bones of the social gathering–the leisure–had been improbable. Bits and items had been actually good, and there have been kernels of nice concepts that had been incomplete or wanted extra time (and cash) to incubate.
That’s why we had been pleased to listen to that Walt Disney World administration took the evening one evaluations panning the social gathering to coronary heart and instantly made modifications. Some minor, some main. Despite the fact that my expertise was adverse and the assessment mirrored that, Disney Jollywood Nights had quite a lot of potential. From the sounds of it, the social gathering went considerably smoother because the season progressed. All of this is the reason we’re happy to see Disney Jollywood Nights return for 2024.
Let’s begin with the essential particulars that we already know concerning the 2024 Disney Jollywood Nights (DJN) from Walt Disney World’s official announcement. This occasion will probably be held on choose nights in Disney’s Hollywood Studios (DHS), providing a extra refined vacation vibe, sights of glowing décor, sounds of recent beats over traditional vacation songs, tastes of craft cocktails and decadent dishes. It’s nostalgic and it’s glitz and glam galore.
Prepare to decorate in your vacation glam greatest or festive aptitude, dance the evening away to merry mashups, take pleasure in divine treats and effervescent spirits, and snap selfies with iconic characters throughout Disney Jollywood Nights. For an additional dose of vacation cheer, the social gathering wraps with the return of the nighttime spectacular, “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” You’ll be in fa la la la la la la la land earlier than you may say Tinseltown!
Disney Jollywood Nights is a individually ticketed, limited-capacity vacation occasion on 13 choose nights from November 9 by means of December 21, 2024. You will get holly and jolly for 5 festive hours from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. throughout this restricted capability, individually ticketed occasion.
Prepare to assemble on Hollywood Boulevard for a new dazzling skating spectacular set to your favourite vacation tunes. A number of occasions every night, take within the grace and ability of worldwide champion skaters in an awe-inspiring twist on the standard ice present.
Are uncommon character hugs in your vacation want checklist? You’re in luck – the 2024 Disney Jollywood Nights occasion contains over 20 distinctive character experiences that includes each new and returning favorites.
Reunite with beloved characters like Phineas and Ferb, Santa Duffy and Santa Sew, and look ahead to recent new faces equivalent to Bo Peep, Lotso, Baloo, and King Louie from TaleSpin. Don’t neglect PhotoPass digital downloads are included in your occasion ticket!
OG Disney Jollywood Nights followers will bear in mind Ollie, essentially the most dapper gingerbread man in Hollywood. This 12 months, Walt Disney World is introducing a brand new merchandise assortment impressed by Ollie, that includes gadgets like a Minnie Mouse ear headband and festive attire.
Returning culinary favorites – together with the long-lasting Gertie cookie! – will probably be obtainable alongside new treats. Upon exit, every visitor may also obtain one candy deal with created by Wondermade!
Along with assembly your favourite characters, indulging in scrumptious treats and purchasing, the evening will probably be filled with entertaining reveals like What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas Sing-Alongside, Disney Holidays in Hollywood, and Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!
The Vacation Fiesta en la Calle will transfer to Animation Courtyard and there you’ll have the ability to spot Jose Carioca and Panchito from The Three Caballeros! In the meantime, The Twilight Soirée on the Tip High Membership positioned within the Tower Courtyard may have you dancing all through the evening.
Jazzy Holidays on the Hollywood Brown Derby will return–and proceed requiring a reservation because of restricted house. Keep tuned to DisneyWorld.com/Jollywood for extra data on e-book that spot (particulars will probably be shared in September 2024).
Get together dates: The 2024 Disney Jollywood Nights will probably be held on the next evenings:
- November 9, 13, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
- December 2, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21
With extra Saturday dates added, there are many alternatives to affix within the vacation enjoyable. Don’t miss out on this swanky vacation celebration at Disney Jollywood Nights!
Ticket Costs: Occasion tickets are $159 to $179 per ticket, plus tax (costs fluctuate by occasion date).
Occasion Instances: This particular occasion takes place from 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM.
You will get a head begin on the festive enjoyable! Jollywood Nights ticketholders will probably be admitted to Disney’s Hollywood Studios as early as 6:00 PM on the legitimate date of their ticket. These date-specific occasion tickets don’t require a further day theme park ticket or theme park reservation.
Buy Tickets Quickly: Particular occasion tickets could also be bought beginning July 10, 2024. Company of choose Walt Disney World Resort lodges should buy tickets early—beginning July 2, 2024—for occasion dates throughout their keep. This advance buy window is out there to Company of:
- Disney Resorts Assortment lodges
- Walt Disney World Swan Resort
- Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
- Shades of Inexperienced at Walt Disney World Resort
Tickets are restricted and might not be obtainable for buy on the day of the occasion (or earlier).
Reductions: Annual Passholders and Disney Trip Membership Members can save $10 per ticket to Disney Jollywood Nights, legitimate for all occasion nights.
For individuals who missed the inaugural DJN, Disney Holidays in Hollywood is a star-studded selection present within the grand custom of Tinseltown’s most beloved vacation specials – all with a twist of at this time’s Hollywood magic.
Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Tiana, Belle, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are among the many particular visitor stars, and there are many surprises in retailer – together with a brand-new authentic music by Tiana. Singers, dancers and stay jazz musicians spherical out the gifted solid of entertainers on this dazzling efficiency. Jolly vignettes remind everybody that the vacations imply one thing particular to each one in all us.
Jollywood Nights attendees additionally gained’t wish to miss “What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas Sing-Alongside.”
Enter a dreamlike journey in The Hyperion Theater the place Jack Skellington takes us on an ethereal exploration of “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas.” Sing alongside to beloved songs from the long-lasting movie and uncover peculiar magic in sudden locations. Alongside the way in which, you’ll conquer Oogie Boogie and be inspired to observe your curiosity.
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and associates are sporting glitzy outfits completely for Disney Jollywood Nights – and so they invite you to do the identical. The outfits are impressed by the social gathering’s classic vibe, which celebrates the glitz and glam of Hollywood.
Artwork administrators, present producers and designers labored collectively to land on simply the correct mixture of colours and material for these particular appears. Delve into any outdated assortment of ornaments from the ‘30s, ‘40s or ‘50s, and also you’re certain to seek out an array of colourful pastels. And that’s precisely what we see right here!
Mint inexperienced and comfortable reds in luxurious materials set the tone as you encounter Mickey & Buddies Vacation Greetings in Animation Courtyard. The gang has simply wrapped on the set of their new vacation movie, and also you’re invited to catch a glimpse of the magic!
One other spotlight is Twilight Soirée on the Tip High Membership within the courtyard outdoors the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Walt Disney World advertises this as a swingin’ celebration within the courtyard of The Hollywood Tower Resort. Right here, you may sip cocktails and unwind in fashion whereas a stay band swoons and croons vacation tunes.
Final 12 months, there was additionally “Vacation Fiesta En La Calle” on Commissary Lane (it’s transferring to Animation Courtyard for 2024). This options vacation road honest with energetic vitality and Latin vacation music will fill the air as musicians play alongside the walkways. Drinks and treats on this space will probably be impressed by Latin vacation traditions.
Throughout final 12 months’s Disney Jollywood Nights, visitors may additionally get pleasure from after-hours entry to a few of your favourite rides and coasters underneath the celebs. After-hours entry to a few of your favourite rides and coasters together with the next:
- Alien Swirling Saucers
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith
- Slinky Canine Sprint
- Star Excursions: The Adventures Proceed
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Toy Story Mania
Final 12 months, Star Wars: Rise of Resistance used a digital queue throughout Disney Jollywood Nights. No phrase but on whether or not that can return for 2024, however we hope not. It actually wasn’t wanted final 12 months and limiting visitors to 1 trip wasn’t needed–if that is how folks wish to spend the occasion, simply let ’em.
Turning to commentary, I might describe my outlook in the direction of Disney Jollywood Nights as cautiously optimistic, which is not the identical as my perspective on Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together. I’m overtly optimistic in the direction of that. Whereas there’s all the time the opportunity of main modifications or having an unfortunate night and a foul expertise consequently, MVMCP is a recognized amount. And for my part, it’s an important occasion. We wouldn’t have attended yearly since 2007 if it weren’t!
Whereas we’re wanting ahead to revisiting Disney Jollywood Nights and praised the corporate for appearing quick to salvage the season final 12 months, we wish to clarify that we nonetheless have some hesitations concerning the occasion. Disney made lemonade out of lemons with final 12 months’s DJN, which isn’t the identical as, I dunno, making a pleasant xmas log or sizzling chocolate or no matter. It was a basically flawed occasion with some daring and impressive concepts. Nevertheless it additionally had quite a lot of unhealthy concepts.
I needed to see Disney Jollywood Nights return within the hopes that the corporate would proceed the momentum of final 12 months’s tweaks, whereas going even additional to raise the great and decrease or eradicate the unhealthy. Our (cautious) optimism assumes Disney Jollywood Nights will proceed on the trajectory of final 12 months after evening one, however with extra time and different assets to make extra important modifications. If the 2024 Disney Jollywood Nights is just the identical factor as final 12 months, plus extra characters and with the operational meltdown mounted…that’s nonetheless not sufficient. Santa Duffy alone can’t save the day.
Clearly, we don’t know what all is altering past the official announcement. What I’ll say is that, although particulars are restricted, I like what they’ve shared up to now. Extra characters and a “new dazzling skating spectacular” on Hollywood Boulevard sounds improbable. In the event that they stick the touchdown with the ice skating spectacular, there’s the likelihood that the 2024 Disney Jollywood Nights occasion will surpass MVMCP. I’m not saying it can…however there’s an opportunity.
We’re going regardless–that’s the character of the running a blog beast. But when we had been common visitors, I’d most likely look ahead to extra particulars or–higher but–evaluations from the primary couple of nights earlier than shopping for tickets. (Or maybe not? Walt Disney World actually made an effort to show the occasion round throughout the season final 12 months, so I can solely think about what modifications they’ve made within the months since!)
With that in thoughts, you may begin by studying our Disney Jollywood Nights Assessment (ignore the operational points) and even rundown of potential issues in Why You Ought to NOT Do Disney Jollywood Nights Christmas Get together at Hollywood Studios. That covers every little thing from crowds to capability to leisure, and attracts parallels to one of many greatest disasters in Walt Disney World particular occasion historical past…which was additionally at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
Then again, there are loads to love about this new Christmas Get together, which we cowl in Why You Ought to Do Disney Jollywood Nights. The underside line is that we’re really torn. Think about these companion posts that collectively ought to make it easier to make an knowledgeable resolution about Disney Jollywood Nights.
The animating concept of Disney’s Hollywood Studios is an efficient one–a extra subtle vacation laborious ticket occasion that serves as counterprogramming to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together. However as with something, it’s very a lot contingent upon execution, and final 12 months was a bit scattershot.
A part of that was Disney not committing to the idea. And actually, we don’t actually blame them. Jollywood Nights ended up being each grownup and family-friendly, with loads of leisure and characters that appealed to youngsters in addition to the extra grownup choices. Ultimately, I’m unsure how a lot it was really counterprogramming to MVMCP, besides to the extent that it was one other vacation social gathering in one other park. However demographics-wise, there was appreciable overlap.
Regardless, I do recognize Walt Disney World making an attempt to do one thing extra subtle–and there have been parts of DJN that had been stylish, refined, and intimate–in contrast to what they might even conceivably do throughout MVMCP. As an entire, Jollywood Nights was very a lot within the spirit of outdated Hollywood, and targeted extra on stay music, performers, and environment than it does on well-liked characters and rides. That was a dangerous transfer–and one we appreciated!
So even when I’m just a little involved concerning the execution (once more) or whether or not there will probably be sufficient leisure to justify the price of admission (and maintain crowds occupied–even limited-capacity occasions can have points if ticket gross sales exceed compelling choices), I do have to present Walt Disney World props for taking a second crack at Disney Jollywood Nights. It’s completely different and extra grownup…and that’s all the time a threat. We’ve needed to see exactly one of these factor. Right here’s hoping it’s absolutely fleshed out and a success proper out the door.
One other large factor that’s price addressing is the impression that Disney Jollywood Nights may have on crowds all through Walt Disney World. Christmas is an extremely busy time of 12 months at Walt Disney World, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together already screws with crowds and attendance dynamics.
Based mostly on the announcement, it seems that Disney Jollywood Nights is beginning earlier in 2024, which implies it’ll have extra of an impression on attendance developments at Disney’s Hollywood Studios…and in all places else. One of many benefits of doing an After Hours occasion is that it has minimal impression on crowds since these occasions happen after common park closing. Day visitors thus don’t “plan round” After Hours, because it doesn’t actually impression them.
Households all the time complain about these occasions with later begin occasions, as their youngsters go to mattress earlier. Whereas that’s a good perspective, there’s additionally the bigger-picture of how laborious ticket occasions disrupt crowd dynamics throughout all of Walt Disney World. It’s a steadiness. Final 12 months, Disney Jollywood Nights didn’t throw a monkey wrench into crowds like MVMCP. We will see whether or not that’s nonetheless the case with the 7:30 p.m. begin time. Frankly, I believe Walt Disney World can solely ‘afford’ to have one occasion with the early begin time like MVMCP throughout the vacation season.
Finally, I hope that Disney Jollywood Nights finally ends up exceeding expectations in its sophomore season and correcting the entire first 12 months issues. As talked about above, the stage reveals throughout final 12 months’s social gathering had been actually good–no must mess with these in any main methods. Different ideas, like the vacation lounges had been good…however overpromised and underdelivered.
Past that, there are alternatives to include the entire areas of Disney’s Hollywood Studios into the occasion. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge may have a Life Day celebration and Toy Story Land may do one thing. All the leisure final 12 months was concentrated within the entrance of the park, making the remainder of DHS really feel useless throughout Disney Jollywood Nights. Right here’s hoping the leisure and operations groups took time to have a look at what labored and didn’t final 12 months, and made main modifications the place wanted and left properly sufficient alone what labored.
Both method, we’re each curious and cautiously optimistic. On the very least, Disney Jollywood Nights must be a lot improved in 12 months two, which doesn’t all the time occur! The mid-season modifications final 12 months recommend Walt Disney World knew the occasion was falling in need of visitor expectations. Right here’s hoping Disney Jollywood Nights really exceeds them for Christmas 2024!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Will you attend this Christmas social gathering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? If that’s the case, will you do it as an alternative of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together or along with it? What do you concentrate on Disney Jollywood Nights? What are your ideas on ticket costs? Will your loved ones be shopping for or sitting out the Christmas festivities? Are you excited for Christmas 2024 at Walt Disney World? Do you agree or disagree with our perspective on this? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
