by Beth Keating
News
DisneyBizJournal.com
June 25, 2024
When I was a little kid, we used to have Christmas in July parties in the pool in our backyard. We’d set up the fake Christmas tree on the pool deck, play Christmas carols, and crank up the oven and make Christmas cookies to munch on. We’d throw some garland around the pool fencing, and hit start on the blow up snowmen, and call it a party. Occasionally, friends would think it a bit weird, but we had fun all the same.
Seems like Disney is aiming for the same vibe. They’ve just announced that it is “Halfway to the Holidays,” and with that comes the arrival of party dates and such. Ummm, they just announced the dates for the Halloween spooktaculars at Disneyland, including Oogie Boogie Bash, four days ago. Tickets for that event begin trickling out to various groups today (June 25). I’m beginning to get my holidays mashed!
So, if you are ready for the next set of Disney holidays, throw on a few Christmas carols in the background, and let’s get down to the details:
Disney Jollywood Nights is back at Hollywood Studios
Despite having a few bugs to work out in the beginning, the Jollywood Nights events at Hollywood Studios, by all accounts, seemed to be well-received by park guests, who were thrilled to get dressed up in their holiday finery for a fun night out. As a result, Disney is bringing back Disney Jollywood Nights on select nights November 9 through December 21. This festive, separately ticketed after-hours event runs from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and provides lower crowd access to the rides, as well as special event shows and live music.
This year, there will be a new skating spectacular, set to holiday music, on Hollywood Boulevard. Disney says, “Several times each evening, take in the grace and skill of international champion skaters in an awe-inspiring twist on the traditional ice show.”
There will also be more than 20 unique character experiences during the evening, including Phineas and Ferb, Santa Duffy and Santa Stitch, Bo Peep, Lotso, Baloo, King Louie, and Jose Carioca and Panchito from The Three Caballeros. Even if you didn’t sign up for the Memorymaker packages for your trip, PhotoPass digital downloads for the party are included in your event ticket.
“What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along,” “Disney Holidays in Hollywood,” and “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM” will all be back, and the Holiday Fiesta en la Calle will move to Animation Courtyard. “The Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club” in the Tower of Terror Courtyard and Jazzy Holidays at the Hollywood Brown Derby will also be returning.
Guests of select Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels and Shades of Green can purchase tickets starting on July 2. For all other guests, tickets will go on sale July 10. To purchase tickets, visit DisneyWorld.com/Jollywood or call 407-934-7639.
Jollywood Nights 2024 will run:
• Nov. 9, 13, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
• Dec. 2, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21
And if you aren’t heading to Hollywood Studios on a Jollywood Nights event, there are still holiday offerings for you: The yuletide projection show on the Hollywood Tower Hotel is returning, and Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear will be in their festive attire in Toy Story Land. (Look for the Christmas cookie of Hamm hidden along the path… he’s a family favorite decoration!)
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
The OG Christmas celebration at Disney World, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, will welcome parkgoers on more than two dozen nights in November and December. (The park closes early to regular guests on those nights, so if you are traveling to Disney World in November and December, don’t get caught off-guard – check those park hours early and often!)
These separately ticketed after hours parties run from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. on the following nights:
• Nov. 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29
• Dec. 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show and Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration castle stage show will all be back during the parties, and you can continue to fill up on the complimentary cookies and cocoa throughout the party. Love those toy soldiers and dancing reindeer in the parade!
Guests of select Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels and Shades of Green can purchase tickets starting on July 2. For all other guests, tickets will go on sale July 10. To purchase tickets, visit DisneyWorld.com/VeryMerry or call 407-934-7639.
And for those heading to the Magic Kingdom on non-party nights, the Magic Kingdom will once again be “Frozen” over – It will offer up the “Frozen Holiday Surprise” show in front of Cinderella Castle, featuring Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and those cute little Snowgies.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Starting November 29 and running through December 30, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is a great way to usher in the season with your family and friends. Around World Showcase, you’ll find a nod to traditions from around the world with holiday storytellers, delicious dishes and childhood favorites from the Holiday Kitchens (food booths), and lots of unique entertainment for the season.
Perhaps the most anticipated event at EPCOT, though, is the sights and sounds of the traditional Candlelight Processional at EPCOT. A beloved part of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, the Candlelight Processional features a celebrity narrator telling the Christmas story, accompanied by a full orchestra and massed choir tiered on the stage. This year’s lineup of narrators will be released at a future date.
Animal Kingdom’s Salute to Winter Animals
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, the Merry Menagerie never fails to delight my family. The artisan-sculpted winter animal puppets will be brought back to life by their amazing puppeteers. (You’ll probably forget the puppets aren’t “real” animals, they are that skillfully handled, and you’ll find yourself reaching out to pet them!). The blue, silver and white décor on the buildings brings a snowy feel to warm weather Florida.
Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs
Disney Springs has become a favorite haunt for our family during the holidays. There’s lots of places to pick the perfect Christmas present, many of the restaurants offer holiday treats and specialty drinks, and it even “snows” on some evenings in the Town Center. (And we don’t have to shovel it to get to work in the morning!)
The best, though, is spending an afternoon (or evening, if you prefer the lighted version of the trees) taking in the dozens of themed trees along the Disney Springs’ Christmas Tree Stroll. Each tree is decorated to a specific Disney movie, ride, or location, and a daytime stroll will give you better visibility of the many unique details on the trees, while a nighttime stroll is more lit up and sparkly. You can also pick up a map to find all the trees spread out throughout the complex, and even earn yourself a little prize if you find them all and put the right stickers on your guide map.
Oh, and if you are looking for the Big Guy himself, Santa Claus always puts in a few appearances at one of the shops (typically Once Upon a Toy, but check back as the holidays get closer – there’s usually a virtual queue to set up a slot to meet him.)
Sometimes, you’ll find him sneaking in a stop in the theme parks as well. Never know where you’ll find that very busy elf that time of the year, so keep your eyes peeled!
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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.
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