Walt Disney World has a brand-new vacation occasion … and it is one that’s geared towards adults.
Many Disney followers already return 12 months after 12 months to the Magic Kingdom for the beloved Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Occasion, the place sizzling cocoa and characters are plentiful, however this 12 months, Disney World has launched a brand new occasion: Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Disney’s Jollywood Nights is model new for 2023 and will probably be held for simply 10 evenings this 12 months. It is uniquely focused towards Disney adults and marketed as a swanky vacation soiree. There are vacation specialty meals, stay leisure and character meet-and-greets you’ll be able to solely discover right here. It additionally occurs to be considered one of Disney World’s most costly occasion choices.
I attended the inaugural night of the brand new Jollywood Nights occasion. Here is what it was like, plus every thing it’s worthwhile to know if you wish to go.
What to anticipate from Disney’s Jollywood Nights
This celebration is meant to be a throwback to old-school Hollywood — and attendees are inspired (although not required) to decorate the half. It options loads of Fifties vacation glam, two specialty stage reveals carried out 4 occasions an evening, fireworks, distinctive vacation character conferences, limited-time lounges and road leisure.
The occasion will probably be hosted on choose nights by means of Dec. 20, 2023. Similar to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Occasion, it is a individually ticketed occasion. Costs vary from $159 to $179 per ticket, plus tax. The official occasion time is 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., with mix-in (that is Disney-speak for if you find yourself allowed to enter the park with some day company nonetheless there) at 7 p.m.
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Specialty experiences solely at Jollywood Nights
With the “of-age” crowd as the main target, the cornerstone (and most hyped portion) of the occasion is 2 specialty lounges: Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby and the Twilight Soiree at The Tip Prime Membership.
Throughout the occasion, the enduring Disney eating spot, The Hollywood Brown Derby, transforms right into a jazz membership with stay leisure and a specialty meals and beverage menu. It is working on a cell walk-up digital queue that opens at 8:15 p.m. inside the Walt Disney World app.
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Visitors should be close to the restaurant to entry this digital waitlist, and the crowds have been in full pressure on opening evening. It was harking back to the early days of making an attempt to attain a Rise of the Resistance digital queue, with loud cheering from the fortunate ones within the crowd who landed a reservation.
After snagging a spot on the waitlist, my occasion was instantly seated, whereas others who secured a waitlist slot on the similar time needed to wait as much as two hours to be seated. Suffice it to say, there are some “new occasion” points and inconsistencies that did make themselves recognized at occasions within the evening.
As soon as inside, the expertise — which you’ll count on to final a minimum of an hour — was kind of just like a daytime go to, with the addition of a stay pianist and vocalist. Throughout our time, he caught to principally Disney classics, however we might like to see a full vacation playlist to contribute to the spirit of the occasion.
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The Twilight Soiree on the Tip Prime Membership is themed after the fictional bar from The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror lore. Held within the adjoining courtyard exterior the attraction, the occasion includes a stay band and a small pop-up bar with specialty cocktails. This proved to be an immensely common spot, and the road for drinks prolonged properly over an hour.
Since there is not desk service for this expertise, it would serve you higher to seize a drink from one other stand or simply go to to benefit from the environment and band.
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Leisure and characters accessible at Jollywood Nights
Along with the specialty experiences, this occasion options two stage productions: “Disney Holidays in Hollywood” at Theater of the Stars and “What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas Sing-Alongside” on the Hyperion Theater.
Every efficiency was solely provided 4 occasions throughout the occasion, and the room reached capability forward of the beginning time for every present. Whereas I used to be in a position to get a seat at “Disney Holidays in Hollywood,” arriving early for “What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas Sing-Alongside” nonetheless did not give me sufficient time to get inside.
“Disney Holidays in Hollywood” is a spread show-meets-musical manufacturing, with appearances from beloved Disney characters, together with Belle in her Christmas outfit. It is hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.
“What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas Sing-Alongside” is a spirited group manufacturing filled with fan-favorite songs from the now iconic film led by Jack Skellington.
Along with these reveals, company can partake in an indicator of any Disney after-hours occasion: particular meet-and-greets with uncommon characters and Disney favorites in vacation apparel.
Every meet-and-greet typically garnered traces with wait occasions between 30 and 60 minutes, with the preferred being Phineas and Ferb, which required ready as much as two hours. The Fab 5, together with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, donned new vintage-inspired Hollywood glam outfits that served as a spotlight.
To recollect the second, you will have entry to complimentary PhotoPass downloads, particular MagicShots and new picture experiences.
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In Commissary Lane, you will discover one other event-specific expertise: Vacation Fiesta en la Calle. This road expertise options stay Latin music celebrating Central and South American vacation traditions that proved to be a enjoyable spot to calm down and hearken to the sounds. There’s additionally a DJ spinning vacation tracks close to the entrance of the park.
Sundown Seasons Greetings additionally returns all through the evening, remodeling the Tower of Terror with a vacation projection present as “snow” falls upon Sundown Boulevard.
Lastly, the occasion culminates with a exhibiting of “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” at 12:30 a.m. This festive nighttime spectacular is really a fan favourite that we’re joyful to see return, because it combines projections, music, lasers and fireworks set to the gorgeous backdrop of the Chinese language Theater. Sadly, it rained throughout our go to, which resulted in less-than-ideal circumstances for watching the present.
Restricted-time meals at Jollywood Nights
Disney curated a strong meals and beverage program for this occasion, with a mixture of savory and candy goodies accessible from numerous eating areas all through the park. Nevertheless, word that not one of the treats are included in the price of admission right here — there’s an additional cost for each merchandise you want to pattern.
The lovable Gertie cookie (modeled after the park’s beloved inexperienced dinosaur) was a favourite within the dessert class, and the savory vacation turkey popover was a transparent savory winner.
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A favourite cocktail was the fifth Dimension Royale from the Tip Prime Membership. This brightly-hued drink is a fruity twist on a margarita topped with prosecco.
Understand that wait occasions for specialty meals and drinks can fluctuate from 20 minutes to 45 minutes, primarily based on our expertise, so if having fun with the occasion’s treats is vital to you, plan accordingly.
Wait occasions for points of interest at Jollywood Nights
Many will probably be happy to know that almost all points of interest are open throughout the occasion. One of many highlights of our night was with the ability to stroll on to a number of fan-favorite rides, together with Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Toy Story Mania! and Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith. It was even simple to safe the digital queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, which opened its queue at 8 p.m.
Whereas all Disney after-hours occasions have a restricted capability, I have not seen speedy entry to points of interest earlier than attending Jollywood Nights. This might be as a result of the occasion is a brand new occasion and company have been actually targeted on the party-only choices, but when this continues, it might be a giant promoting level and even a purpose to return for a uncommon probability to expertise your favourite rides time and again while not having to buy Genie+.
Is Disney’s Jollywood Nights value it?
As with every Disney Parks after-hours occasion, it is completely as much as your tastes and what issues to you.
If getting dressed up in festive apparel and attending a Disney occasion that was created primarily for adults (although kids are welcome) feels like a fantastic evening out in your crew, then go for it. For many who love Tim Burton or The Muppets, that is an apparent selection. The identical goes for company who love seeing uncommon characters and Disney favorites of their limited-time vacation apparel.
That mentioned, I counsel having real looking expectations for what you’ll do once you’re spending prime greenback to be there. Strategizing and prioritizing are key for a lot of Disney parks occasions, and this new occasion isn’t any exception. With the brief timeframe of the occasion, it is not possible to expertise all of the characters, leisure and specialty eats that the occasion has to supply.
Hopefully, among the waits will even out as Disney hosts a number of extra of those events.
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