On Saturday, November 11th, Disney launched a new special event at Hollywood Studios. Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios is a hard ticket event, after hours, that is all about the glitz & glamour of the golden age of Hollywood mixed with the beauty and wonder of the holiday season.
Magical Memory Planners has all the details for you about this new event and things to consider when deciding whether or not to include this event in your vacation plans.
Cost
The price of this special event ranges from $159-$179 per person. Pricing is ages 3+. Unlike the other special events on the Disney Resort property, there is no specialty prices for guests under 10.
Appropriate Ages
While the party is “technically” for all ages, the price point being what it is, we feel this event is more suited for adults vs the young’ens.
Also, due to the late hour of the start time and the more grown up options, ie alcohol, bands playing jazz music, children will find themselves bored. We saw many a child asleep in their stroller and heard a few different parents saying the kids didn’t have anything to do.
The main draw for this event is the glam of Hollywood. So, think shimmering drinks, yummy desserts and bites as well as entertaining music and just strolling and enjoying the magic of Hollywood Studios at night.
With November 11th, the night we attended, being the first night of this new event, we knew things would be “rough around the edges”. We do have high hopes for Disney ironing out the kinks and rough edges and feel like this event can truly be a special one.
What to Wear?
You will find a range of attire on the guests at this event. From formal dresses to pajama pants, we saw it all. The “Golden Age of Hollywood” seemed to really shine in the guests that attended. But don’t feel bad if you don’t have anything like that to wear. I wore shorts and didn’t feel at all underdressed. BUT..if you long to put that flapper dress to use, then DRESS UP! You will be glad you did.
Entrance
The event takes place from 8:30pm to 12:30am. Party ticket holders are allowed entrance beginning at 7pm. If you enter 7pm or after, you will go through a special queue to enter (to the right of the 100th Anniversary sign) where they will scan your ticket (or magic band) and then you will receive a wristband, then a lanyard with a placard on it that has the QR code with the event guide. The maps are handed out by a Cast Member after you enter.
If you are already in the park and are staying for the party, the queue is inside the park entrance. Please note: This line can get extremely long.
Photo’s
The photo pass for any photos taken at the event are included in the price of your ticket. This makes the Photo Pass lines a little long. BUT, they do have some extremely CUTE magic shots!
Character photos and ride photos are included also.
Food
There are a few food options available. Mobile ordering is not available at this event (at time of publishing this blog, we will update if this changes).
Jazzy Holidays at the Hollywood Brown Derby: this location requires you join the Walk Up List. You can request to join Walk Up List at 8:15pm. Our recommendation is that if this location is a MUST do, then start requesting walk up right at 8:15pm. This is not a quick meal option. It is a sit down table option and the walk up list does not mean you’ll get in right at your call back time. On the opening night, people were reporting that they were waiting an hour or longer after they were called back. This might be a kink they iron out, we sure hope so, the food options looked DELISH there.
Latin Fare at the ABC Commissary and BaseLine Tap House: both counter service options. We tried the birria taco, which was super yummy, but you will want more than one if you’re hungry.
Cost of food wasn’t terrible, but the menu (at least at the first event) could not be accessed via the app. Not to worry! We have the menu for you!
Italian Cuisine: located at PizzaRizzo and features Italian wines and beer as well as flatbreads and Tiramisu Puff.
Tip Top Club: located at the Tower of Terror Courtyard. This location is extremely popular. The waits to reach the specialty drink bar were pushing 2 hours. We recommend heading there first if you want to experience the Tip Top Club.
The jazz band at the Tip Top Club was extremely good. Very limited space, though, so pack your patience.
Epic Eats & Dockside Diner: artisan funnel cakes and also a good plant based option
Fairfax Fare & Market: snack type foods including popovers, PB&J doughnut and buffalo chicken spring rolls.
The lack of mobile ordering really seems to be the fly in the ointment with the food options. The lines were extremely long and with the party being short on time, this can eat a lot of your jolly time up. Example: We waited for 50 minutes at ABC Commissary.
For more information on food offerings check out Disney Foodie Guide
Entertainment
Disney Holidays in Hollywood: a brand new, original show at the Beauty and the Beast theater. In one word, AMAZING!
We won’t spoil it for you, but, we can say Tiana, Belle, Ms Piggy and Kermit are ALL there. As well as Mickey & Minnie in their holiday best.
What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing a long: This show is located at the Hyperion Theater (Frozen Sing a long theater) and has 4 show times. 8:45, 9:45, 10:45 and 11:45.
Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam!: fireworks show that takes place over Hollywood Boulevard. Revisits favorite Disney films. If you’ve seen the Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam! show at Hollywood Studios before, you’ll recognize much of this show. They recycled many parts for this “new” version.
Holiday Fiesta en la calle: located at Commissary Lane. This latin band is lively and fun.
Twilight Soiree at the Tip Top Club: jazz band at the Tower Courtyard
Character Greetings
There are several character options for you at the event.
Chip & Dale as Rescue Rangers
Phineas & Ferb
Max as Powerline
Edna Mode
Frozone
As well as the favorites:
Goofy or Pluto
Donald Duck or Daisy Duck
Mickey Mouse or Minnie Mouse
Please note, for the fab 6, they take turns. For example Goofy is there for 30 minutes, then he leaves and Pluto comes out.
Disney does advise that characters are subject to change without notice.
PRO TIP:
If meeting any of these characters is a TOP priority, then be sure and jump in those lines ASAP. Due to popularity, lines are long.
Attractions
Lines for the attractions had extremely low wait times as it appears everyone wants to experience the food/drinks/entertainment. There is a virtual queue option for Rise of the Resistance but everything else was walk on.
Jollywood vs Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Aside from the obvious difference, one is in Hollywood Studios and one is in Magic Kingdom, one big difference is the target audience. Jollywood’s target audience is adults whereas Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, while can be fun for adults who love Mickey Mouse, is geared for families.
Another big difference is what is included in the event ticket. At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ticket there are cookie and hot cocoa/cider/egg nog stations around the park. At Jollywood, there is no food or beverages included in the event ticket. Every food/drink option is an additional cost.
At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party you receive a commemorative ornament when you arrive. For Jollywood we received 2 drink coasters when we left. Pretty cool for adults, but a kid might be kinda bummed.
Hours of the party is another large difference. MVMCP starts at 7pm and ends at 12am and you can enter at 4pm. Jollywood doesn’t start until 8:30 and lasts until 12:30am and you can enter at 7pm.
Thoughts
We had high hopes for this new event. Disney needs an adult option for those of us who grew up going to MVMCP and still love Disney but don’t want to go to MVMCP again.
Jollywood has the potential to be JUST the event us “Disney adults” are craving.
We do feel that this inaugural year has big room for improvement, however. We’re excited to see how Disney grows and improves this event and if it will return for a second year.
For more information on other Disney special events check out Special Events at Walt Disney World
