The Best Disney Deep Cuts That Make Jollywood Nights a Holiday Must

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The holiday parties at Disney parks are a long-standing tradition for visitors. For many years, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom was the only Christmas event, but it eventually led to other special ticketed events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. These events offer exclusive shows, character meet-and-greets, themed food, and unique experiences. As these parties became more popular, Disney added a second Christmas celebration, which debuted at Hollywood Studios in 2023.

I’m really loving Jollywood Nights! It feels so different from the Very Merry parties – much more glamorous and like stepping back into Old Hollywood, but with a festive Disney twist. What’s amazing is how much detail there is! As a longtime Disney Parks fan, I keep spotting little nods to classic movies and park history – it’s full of hidden gems for those of us who really know our Disney! It feels like they packed so much in, you could visit multiple times and still discover something new.

Here are the clever references that make Jollywood Nights a special treat for Disney lovers.

Drinks at the Tip Top Club from the Tower of Terror

As someone who has a soft spot for the original Tower of Terror ride – and yes, even that Steve Guttenberg/Kirsten Dunst TV movie – I was thrilled to find myself completely immersed in the glamorous, slightly spooky atmosphere of Jollywood Nights. While the event has plenty of tempting treats and drinks, the real standout is the Twilight Soirée. Set right under the Hollywood Tower Hotel, complete with a gorgeous nighttime light projection, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a themed cocktail – I highly recommend the 1939 Royale or Top Floor Daiquiri, both served in lovely souvenir flutes. The live jazz really completes the experience, transporting you back to that fateful night in 1939… thankfully, without any actual ghosts!

Rare Character Costume Appearances

You might be used to seeing Chewbacca at Walt Disney World, but Jollywood Nights offers a special treat: Chewie dressed up for Life Day, a reference to the classic (and often joked about) 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special. And over in Toy Story Land, Rex gets into the holiday spirit as Partysaurus Rex, decked out in festive clothes and a necklace of twinkling Christmas lights.

The Nightmare Before Christmas Live Show

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is famous for its shows, and Jollywood takes that to the next level with two exclusive performances. You can catch a festive holiday revue starring Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, complete with songs, dances, and appearances from beloved characters like Mickey and Minnie. But the real highlight is a lively, shortened version of The Nightmare Before Christmas told through a sing-along and dance party – similar to the popular Frozen Sing-Along Celebration held in the same theater.

The show includes a massive, realistic puppet of the Pumpkin King, and the performer playing Oogie Boogie was a clear hit with the audience.

Gertie the Dinosaur

I absolutely love seeing Gertie the Dinosaur whenever I visit Hollywood Studios! She’s this huge, green brontosaurus that’s actually an ice cream stand, and she overlooks Echo Lake. It’s amazing to think she’s been there since the park first opened in 1989, when it was Disney-MGM Studios. I recently learned that Gertie isn’t just a Disney creation – she was originally a star in one of the very first animated films, made way back in 1914 by Winsor McCay! Even though she’s not a traditional Disney character, her impact on animation was so huge that Imagineering decided to honor her. And if you’re lucky enough to be there during Jollywood Nights, she gets all dressed up for the holidays with a Santa hat and even holds a Christmas ornament! They also sell a special Christmas Gertie cookie which is adorable.

Disney Jollywood Nights took place on select nights between November 8th and December 22nd, 2025, and was very popular – it’s already sold out for this year! Keep an eye out for its return in 2026.

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2025-12-19 22:10