Disney Reveals Jollywood Nights Details

The new after-hours event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will debut in a matter of days. In the lead-up to the debut of Disney Jollywood Nights, park officials just released new details. Meanwhile, a daytime talk show accidentally caused some confusion while hyping the effort. So, let’s talk about Jollywood Nights and perform a quick rumor killer, too. 

Jollywood Nights Arrives in November

First, let’s talk about what Jollywood Nights is and when it debuts. Disney has announced an after-hours ticketed event at Hollywood Studios, which may sound familiar to some of you. The park has tried something like this a couple of times in the recent past, most notably with Villains Unleashed. 

While nobody knows for sure, Jollywood Nights sounds more like a spiritual successor to that event than Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. I say this because Disney celebrated its centennial on Good Morning America. 

During the full conversation, the hosts repeatedly referred to Jollywood Nights as an adults-only event. That’s technically incorrect, as the park will allow children. However, Disney isn’t offering discounts because it’s not encouraging kids to attend. The target demographic here is decidedly adult.

Hollywood Studios will host Jollywood Nights on ten nights in November and December, starting on November 11th. Here’s the full list of dates:

• November 11th
• November 18th
• November 20th
• November 27th
• November 29th
• December 4th 
• December 6th
• December 16th
• December 18th
• December 20th

Jollywood Nights will last from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. each night, which again hints that it’s a grown-up affair. Tickets cost $159-$179 per person plus tax. Also, at least two events have already sold out, so the interest in the event is significant.

What’s Available at Jollywood Nights?

One of the primary selling points of Jollywood Nights is that you can visit Hollywood Studios at a time when it’s closed to the general public. You’re paying for the privilege of exclusive access. 

Specifically, the following attractions will operate during Jollywood Nights:

• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Last week, all these attractions had hourlong waits and sometimes significantly longer. That behavior will definitely prove similar in November and December. So, you’ll get to ride these things when the lines are much shorter.  

Disney has also promised plenty of characters and events as part of the proceedings. For starters, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy will co-host a musical variety show at Theater of the Stars. Tiana will also appear at this event!

Meanwhile, the Hyperion Theater will host a sing-along version of Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas. Disney will also perform the park’s standard Christmas nighttime event, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! during Jollywood Nights.

We’re getting four other unique offerings. One is a “throwback bash” at Echo Lake, another is a Jazzy Party at The Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant, and the third is an “otherworldly soiree” by the Hollywood Tower Hotel. 

Also, guests can enjoy a “lively Latin street fair” at Commissary Lane. We recently learned that the name of this event is Holiday Fiesta En La Calle. And Disney just told us about the food, too…

Let’s Talk about Drinking and Dining at Jollywood Nights 

You can think of Jollywood Nights as counterprogramming to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. At Hollywood Studios, you’re there to have an entirely different kind of holiday fun: the drinking, dancing, and dining kind. 

Here are the various dining options:

Holiday Fiesta en la Calle at ABC Commissary

• Chicken Empanadas with Street Corn: Chicken empanadas served with a side of street corn salad topped with chili peppers, lime, and cotija cheese
• Yuca con Chicharrón: Fried pork belly, yuca, red pickled onions, and chili pepper-lime seasoning with a yellow pepper aïoli
• Mushroom Taco: Chili-roasted Mixed mushrooms, avocado crema, baby gem lettuce, and garnished with sliced radish (Plant-based Item)
• Birria Taco: Shredded short rib and Monterey jack served with beef consommé for dipping
• Tembleque: Coconut rice pudding with caramel rum sauce and cinnamon
• Mexican Hot Cocoa Cheesecake: Spiced chocolate cheesecake on a chocolate cookie base topped with vanilla whipped cream and cocoa powder with a chocolate handle
• Mangonada: Frozen mango beverage with mango-chili pepper-lime sauce and chili pepper-lime seasoning on top (Non-alcoholic)
• Zero-Proof Piña Colada: Lyre’s Spiced Cane Spirit, coconut, pineapple, and lime
• Oaxaca Old Fashioned: Casa Dragones Blanco Tequila, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, agave nectar, Mexican chocolate, and orange bitters served over ice garnished with an orange

Baseline Taphouse

• Tuna Ceviche: Marinated ahi tuna, pico de gallo, and avocado cream topped with cilantro
• Charcuterie Cup: Manchego, chorizo, serrano ham, pickled vegetables, olives, and toasted focaccia bread
• Beer Margarita: Blend of Patrón Silver Tequila, Cointreau Liqueur, and lime juice topped with Scrimshaw Pilsner over Ice

Dockside Diner

• Spicy Pimento-Kimchi Dip topped with chives and served with fresh house-made wonton chips
• Roasted Eggplant Dip topped with chives and served with warm pita bread (Plant-based Item)
• Poutine Tots: Potato barrels topped with gravy, brisket, mozzarella curds, and chives
• Christmas Tree Cookie Stack: Vanilla cookie stack filled with pistachio buttercream, cranberry, and raspberry jam topped with sprinkles and a yellow candy star
• Sandy Claws Hot Cocoa: “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas”-inspired dark chocolate hot cocoa topped with cherry whipped cream (Non-alcoholic)
• Naughty or Nice: Crown Royal Whisky and ginger mixed with orange, cranberry, and grapefruit juices topped with fresh cranberries

Epic Eats

• Spicy Korean Chicken Funnel Cake: Spicy fried Korean chicken with pickled vegetables served on a mini funnel cake
• Brisket Reuben Funnel Cake: Beef brisket and sauerkraut slaw topped with thousand island dressing served on a mini funnel cake
• S’mores Funnel Cake: Giant roasted marshmallow with chocolate and marshmallow sauce, topped with chocolate curls and cinnamon cereal served on a mini funnel cake
• Samuel Adams Winter Lager: Spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and orange peel for a deep flavor and malty finish

Fairfax Fare

• Holiday Turkey Popover: Roasted turkey and creamy mashed potatoes topped with gravy, cranberry chutney, and chives in a house-made popover
• ‘Just the Sides’ Popover: Macaroni & cheese and savory collard greens with ham topped with cornbread crumbs in a house-made popover
• PB&J Doughnut: Glazed doughnut with creamy peanut butter and grape jelly dipped in dark chocolate topped with crushed house-made salt and vinegar chips
• Kermit’s Frozen Banana Bliss: Frozen banana and white chocolate with caramel swirls topped with matcha whipped cream and sprinkle (Non-alcoholic)
• Mistletoe Martini: Tito’s Handmade Vodka and St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur mixed with cranberry juice and topped with fresh cranberries and mint leaves

Gertie’s Ice Cream of Extinction

• Christmas Gertie Cookie: Sugar cookie with mint icing (Also available with mint soft-serve)

Market

• Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls: Fried spring rolls served with a jalapeño-ranch dipping sauce and fried rice noodles
• Frozone’s Snowball Macaroons: Coconut macaroons drizzled with blue vanilla frosting and topped with white snowflake sprinkles
• Spiced Apple Cider: Apple cider and cinnamon with an apple chip garnish (Non-alcoholic)
• Zero-Proof Apple Cider: Lyre’s Spiced Cane Spirit, apple cider, Angostura Bitters, and cinnamon topped with an apple chip and cinnamon rim
• In Holiday Fashion: Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon, rosemary syrup, cranberry and lime juices, and cinnamon

PizzeRizzo

• Meatball and Polenta: Giant meatball with marinara and creamy cheese polenta
• Olive and Goat Cheese Flatbread: Olive oil-toasted flatbread, creamy goat cheese, rustic olive and tomato spread, balsamic glaze, and lemon watercress
• Antipasto Flatbread: Fresh mozzarella, salami, peperoni, country ham, olives, peppers, onions, pepperoncini, and marinara
• Tiramisù Puff: Sweet-and-savory with flavors of espresso, chocolate, and a coffee-infused custard and mascarpone cream
• Benvolio Pinot Grigio
• Banfi Chianti Superiore
• Peroni Nastro Azzuro Lager Draft
• Heineken 0.0 Non-Alcoholic Lager

Twilight Soirée at The Tip-Top Club

• The 5th Dimension Royale: Teremana Blanco Tequila, Cointreau Liqueur, desert pear, agave nectar, and lime juice topped with Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut and garnished with a dehydrated blood orange wheel
• Twilight Daiquiri: Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, ube, lime juice, and a splash of shimmer
• Sparkling Pomegranate-Apple Cider: Pomegranate-green tea topped with sparkling apple cider and pomegranate seeds
• Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut

The Trolley Car Café

• Ornament Mousse: Dark chocolate-cherry mousse

Outdoor Vending Locations

• Gingerbread Bites (Plant-based Item)

Bar Locations

• Zero-Proof Gingerbread Spritzer: Lyre’s Spiced Cane Spirit, gingerbread syrup, and club soda garnished with a gingerbread bite
• Sugar Cookie Martini: Stoli Vanil Vodka, Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur, and DISARONNO Originale Liqueur mixed with milk and sugar in a sprinkle-rimmed glass with a sugar cookie garnish

Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby

• Oyster Rockefeller: Spinach foam, shaved parmesan, rocoto pepper relish, and salmon caviar
• Crispy Duck Drumettes: Spicy orange glaze, carrots, and kumquats
• Charcuterie: House-made cured meats and accompaniments, blue cheese mousse, and toasted sourdough
• Shrimp Cocktail: Classic cocktail sauce, citrus pearls, avocado mousseDerby Slider: Bison and pork belly blend, taleggio cheese sauce, and fig stout jam
• Tuna Carpaccio: Mezcal pickled vegetables, salsa macha, and avocado crema
• Pork Belly Bao: Korean BBQ, cucumber slaw, and soy vinaigrette
• Tofu Bao: Seared tofu, cucumber slaw, and soy vinaigrette
• An assortment of classic cocktails, zero-proof and non-alcoholic beverages, wine, and beer

Final Thoughts on Jollywood Nights

Jollywood Nights doubles as a food festival that’s only available on certain nights in November and December. In hospitality industry terms, it’s like a series of pop-up restaurants at a bazaar. I think of it as a food truck court without the trucks themselves. 

The one potential drawback here is that the event seemingly targets foodies. I’m not sure the combination of tuna ceviche and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster/Twilight Zone Tower of Terror makes sense. Personally, I’m addicted to after-hours Disney events and have attended them countless times. I’ve got some concerns about Jollywood Nights, but I also think it’s a potentially brilliant counter to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. So, I’m in wait-and-see mode about the reviews. 

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