Everything You Need to Know Before Attending Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney Jollywood Nights is a special nighttime event that requires a separate ticket from general admission, and it's held on select dates throughout the holiday season, from November 9 to December 21 (see here for available dates). Hosted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Bay Lake, Florida, Jollywood Nights is like a five-hour-long holiday party with a glam, old Hollywood spin. From 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., you can enjoy all of the theme park's rides, along with some fun perks, like exclusive entertainment, seasonal treats and other surprises you wouldn't experience during the day. (Oh, and the whole place is festively decorated, really getting you into the holiday spirit.)

Upon entry, you’ll receive a special wristband indicating your participation (be sure it stays on tight, cast members will be checking throughout the night). From there, the park is your oyster. Grab a cocktail (or mocktail) and go on a snack crawl to try all the various Jollywood Nights treats—both sweet and savory. Or hunker down for a holiday spectacular hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggie (with special appearances by Tiana, Belle and Mickey himself), then head to Hollywood Boulevard to enjoy the new ice show Glisten! where skaters perform to a festive holiday soundtrack. And, of course, with fewer crowds (because capacity is limited for this event), you can expect significantly shorter wait times on all your favorite rides like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

Though still full and lively, the park felt significantly less crowded on its sold-out opening night, and on a fan-favorite ride that averages a 75+ minute wait time, I was through the queue in less than 15 minutes (that’s worth the entry fee alone).

If you plan on attending, feel free to pack your holiday best (psst, we have some suggestions here). Though not necessary, festive Hollywood holiday attire is encouraged (think velvet, vintage and sparkles galore) and many attendees choose to go all out—top hats, flapper dresses and faux fur coats included (yep, even in Florida).

Ticket prices vary between $159 to $179 per person, depending on your selected date. (If you’re hoping to save some money, avoid the busy weekends and stick to a weeknight.) Though the event doesn’t officially start until 7:30 p.m., ticket holders will be admitted into the park as early as 6 p.m.—meaning if you hustle, you can still catch the final showing of the nighttime spectacular Fantasmic!.

In addition to park entry, shorter ride wait times and general holiday merriment, there are a few key perks to take advantage of. Namely, there are 20 character meet-and-greet experiences (Santa Stitch!) and several specialty treats, snacks and beverages available for purchase (all, in my opinion, reasonably priced to stretch that tasting budget), as well as exclusive event merch, fun photo ops and a free sweet treat to end the night.

Despite the late hour, Jollywood Nights is a kid-friendly event, and while I was there I saw tons of little ones of varying ages enjoying their bedtime-free night (isn’t that what vacation is for?). Between the family-friendly shows and Disney character encounters, there are plenty of things your whole clan will enjoy. But as someone without kids, I loved how the event blended the upscale theme with some adult-friendly thrills like craft-made cocktails you could sip on while enjoying a live jazz band and swing dancers jitterbugging along to holiday tunes.

If you’ve already booked your flights (and bought your Mickey bucket hat), here are my top five, can’t-miss events from Disney Jollywood Nights:

• Glisten!: New to the entertainment lineup this year, hit the ice with championship skaters as they perform fun routines on Hollywood Boulevard set to holiday classics and Disney original songs like "Be Our Guest" and "When You Wish Upon a Star."
• Holidays in Hollywood: A star-studded show hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy? Say no more. In this family-friendly showstopper, Hollywood star power meets Disney magic. You can expect music, dancing and surprise appearances by Tiana, Belle, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
• Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!: A nighttime spectacular featuring fireworks, lasers, lights and projections, this once-a-night event showcases heartwarming holiday moments from classic Disney films, all brought to life on the façade of the park's iconic Chinese Theater.
• Pixar Disco: Head over to Pixar Place for a rockin’ DJ dance party with Pixar character legends like Joy from Inside Out, as well as Frozone and the iconic Edna Mode from The Incredibles.
• Twilight Soiree at the Tip Top Club: Experience Tower of Terror like you never have before. More festive than frightful, this swingin’ celebration kicks off at multiple times throughout the night in the courtyard of The Hollywood Tower Hotel. Sip on libations while you tap along to the live jazz trio as they play holiday tunes new and old. You’ll swear you were transported back to Hollywood, California in 1939.

See the full list of Disney Jollywood Nights events here.

If you’re anything like me, you love to map out your food plan before heading to the Disney parks (and if you don’t, congrats on being normal). With so many event-only food options available, I had to try them all. Here are the best food and drinks I tried from Disney Jollywood Nights:

• Agent P Croissant: Waffle croissant dipped in caramel chocolate topped with mint cream, a chocolate hat and M&Ms (The Trolley Car Café)
• Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls: Fried spring rolls served with a jalapeño ranch dipping sauce and fried rice noodles (Market)
• Chicken Empanadas with Street Corn: Chicken empanadas served with a side of street corn salad topped with chili peppers, lime and cotija cheese (ABC Commissary)
• Gingerbread Bites: The best of a gingerbread cookie in a soft, chewy bite-sized cube (The Trolley Car Café)
• In Holiday Fashion Cocktail: Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon, rosemary syrup, cranberry and lime juices and cinnamon (Market)
• Mexican Hot Cocoa Cheesecake: Chocolate cookie streusel, whipped cinnamon-chocolate cheesecake and spiced whipped cream topped with a churro marshmallow (ABC Commissary)
• PB&J Doughnut: Glazed doughnut with peanut butter and grape jelly filling dipped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with salt and vinegar chips (Fairfax Fare)
• Tinseltown Tini Cocktail: Cold brew coffee topped with Kahlúa Coffee Liqueur, Grey Goose Vodka, a touch of cream, creamy vanilla cold foam and cocoa (Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company)

See the full list of Disney Jollywood Nights food and drinks here.