Disney holidays: New Jollywood Nights event, Very Merry Christmas Party dates set

Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel
·2 min read
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Walt Disney World is adding another holiday party to its theme park lineup: Disney Jollywood Nights debuts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Nov. 11. The resort also has set the dates for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and announced other festivities, new and returning.

The new Hollywood Studios after-hours, extra-ticket event will be held 10 select evenings, winding up Dec. 20. It will include a live holiday special featuring Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy at Theater of the Stars, a singalong at Hyperion Theater and a “lively Latin Street Fair,” according to the official Disney Parks Blog. Joining the Muppet duo will be Tiana, Belle, Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse.

In addition, there will be limited-capacity events within the event at Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant (a jazz lounge) and at the Hollywood Tower Hotel Courtyard (“an other-worldly soiree,” Disney says).

Other Jollywood features will be character meet-and-greets with holiday props, including Powerline Max and Phineas and Ferb at Echo Lake. (Mickey and other icons will be stationed at Animation Courtyard).

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Some Hollywood Studios rides will be available during the event, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will use virtual queue.

Ticket prices will range from $159 to $179 per person. They’ll go on sale July 6 (or June 29 for guests at select Disney World hotels). Party dates are Nov. 11, 18, 20, 27, 29 and Dec. 4, 6, 16, 18 and 20.)

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be held at Magic Kingdom Nov. 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21,22, 26, 28, 30 and Dec. 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 22. Ticket prices will range from $159 to $199, and they will also go on sale July 6 (or, again, June 29 for guests at select Disney World hotels).

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The Very Merry lineup will include “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade,” “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration” stage show and “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.” Among the open rides will be Tron Lightcycle / Run roller coaster, which will use a virtual queue on Very Merry evenings.

Other holiday festivities revealed Thursday include “Frozen Holiday Surprise,” billed as a new way to illuminate Cinderella Castle. (This will happen during regular park hours and during Very Merry.) Returning moments are Epcot’s Candlelight Processional, the Merry Menagerie puppets at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Tower Hotel projections a la Sunset Seasons Greetings and “Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam” at Hollywood Studios and the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll.

SeaWorld Orlando says its holiday events will run on select nights starting Nov. 11. Universal Orlando has not posted a holiday schedule yet for 2023.

Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.