Disney World and Disneyland holiday details revealed, including the return of Jollywood Nights
Editor's Note
It may seem too soon for talk of Santa, snowmen and holiday spirit, but we're officially more than halfway to the holidays. Disney is unwrapping the details of upcoming winter holiday celebrations at Walt Disney World in Orlando and Disneyland in Anaheim, California. This includes the return of an exciting after-hours party that debuted last year at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Holidays at Walt Disney World
Each holiday season, Disney World outdoes itself with more lights, decorations and ways to celebrate all that's merry and bright. This year is no exception.
Visitors will enjoy resortwide holiday decor, festive character costumes, limited-time seasonal treats and the opportunity to meet Santa at all four theme parks. Additionally, Disney announced that Disney Jollywood Nights will return to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Between that and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Disney World visitors are in for a double dose of after-hours merriment.
Even if you don't attend one of Disney World's after-hours parties, every park and resort hotel will have decor, special treats and festivities to ring in the holiday season.
Planning to go to Disney World? Let a free Disney Vacation Planner do the work for you via TPG's partner Mouse Counselors.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a separately ticketed event at Magic Kingdom after the park closes to daytime guests. The party starts at 7 p.m., but guests can enter Magic Kingdom up to three hours early to sneak in a few attractions before the party officially begins.
This year, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will take place on 25 select nights beginning Nov. 8 and running through Dec. 20. Ticket prices vary based on the date you select but range from $169 to $219 per person. (Disney World annual pass holders and Disney Vacation Club members can save $10 on tickets.)
Related: Here are the best hotels at Disney World
Tickets are on sale now. All dates are available as of the time of writing. Official event dates include:
- November: 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29
- December: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20
During the party, guests can experience holiday stage shows like "Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration," "Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks" and "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade." Each evening at 8:15 p.m., guests can join Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and the adorable Snowgies as they illuminate Cinderella Castle during "Frozen Holiday Surprise."
There will also be two dance parties in Tomorrowland: Disney Junior Jingle Jam at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe for young kids and Club Tinsel at the Rockettower Plaza Stage with Disney characters in their holiday best. Plus, there will be photo opportunities, character meet-and-greets and opportunities to ride Magic Kingdom attractions, including the new Tron Lightcycle / Run coaster, with shorter waits during the event.
Disney Jollywood Nights
Each holiday season, Disney's Hollywood Studios goes "holiday glam" with glitzy decor and nostalgic holiday tunes. Last year, the movie-themed park took the vintage vibes to the next level with a new after-hours party called Disney Jollywood Nights.
This year, Disney Jollywood Nights returns on 13 select nights in November and December. This separately ticketed party runs from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. after daytime guests have cleared out. That means you'll get access to party-specific offerings and Hollywood Studios' top attractions without the long waits.
Returning entertainment includes:
- "What's This? Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along"
- "Disney Holidays in Hollywood," featuring Kermit and Miss Piggy
- "Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam!" fireworks and projection show
- The Twilight Soiree at the Tip Top Club located in the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror courtyard
- Jazzy Holidays musical dining experience at the Hollywood Brown Derby
New this year, guests can meet more than 20 Disney characters — including rare ones such as Santa Duffy, Santa Stitch, Lotso and Bo Peep from "Toy Story." Champion ice skaters will also perform on Hollywood Boulevard throughout the evening. If you recall the adorable Gertie the Dinosaur cookie that guests were head-over-heels for last year, Disney has already assured us it will be available again this year.
Tickets are on sale now, with prices ranging from $159 to $179. As of the time of this writing, all dates are still available. Official party dates are as follows:
- November: 9, 13, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
- December: 2, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21
Holidays at Disneyland Resort
Disneyland does not host a separately ticketed after-hours party, but it still goes all-in on the holiday fun. Beginning Nov. 15, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park get decked out for the holidays with decor, live entertainment, festive treats and more.
Disneyland will transform into a magical winter wonderland with holiday decorations, twinkling lights and a nightly snowfall. Some of Disneyland's most iconic attractions also receive holiday makeovers. These include the "it's a small world" Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday, which adds characters from "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas" to the not-too-spooky ride.
Guests can see favorite Christmas characters, including Santa himself, alongside Disney characters, new and old, in "A Christmas Fantasy Parade." At night, the "Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks spectacular will light the sky above Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Disney California Adventure also celebrates Christmas with ride overlays, decor and a holiday version of the "World of Color" nighttime spectacular. It honors wintertime holidays from around the globe during the Disney Festival of Holidays and Disney ¡Viva Navidad!
In addition to Christmas, Disney Festival of Holidays honors Navidad, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day with festive foods, character meet-and-greets and live entertainment. Disney ¡Viva Navidad! is held daily throughout the holiday season in Paradise Gardens Park; it features a lively street party with music and dancing and special appearances by Mickey and Minnie.
Related: From Diwali to Hanukkah: How theme parks celebrate holidays around the world
Bottom line
Ready or not, here come the holidays ... or at least the planning part.
Disneyland still requires guests to make advance theme park reservations for 2024. (Disney World guests with date-based tickets no longer need reservations.) The parks still occasionally reach capacity on busy days during the holiday season, and holiday party tickets at Disney World are also known to sell out as Santa's big day approaches.
If your only wish this year is to be at Disney for the holidays, plan your trip now — even if it's still much too warm to break out those ugly Christmas sweaters.
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