We’re just about to the holidays at the Disney Parks! Walt Disney World has revealed what’s in store while visiting the most magical place on earth during the wintertime, including an all-new after-hours holiday party. Here’s what’s coming to all four Walt Disney World parks this holiday season!
Updated on October 30, 2023, to add a food guide for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
NEW Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
In my humble opinion, Hollywood Studios has the best holiday decor of the Disney parks. Almost every building is lined with sparkling silver tinsel, with touches of retro kitsch throughout. Now imagine a holiday party chock full of holiday nostalgia, glitz, and glimmer? COUNT ME IN. In the biggest bit of WDW holiday news, there’s a new nighttime holiday party set for Hollywood!
Disney invites guests to dress up in their best holiday glam or festive flair and take in the sights and sounds of a merry Tinseltown. Disney Jollywood Nights is a separately ticketed event and will include a plethora of new and returning holiday entertainment:
- A jolly DJ will spin a mix of holiday tunes, and Commissary Lane will come to life with lively Latin Street Fair. Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy will host a live holiday special at Theater of the Stars with some of their Disney friends(!!). And… what’s this? Hyperion Theater will host a Nightmare Before Christmas sing-along – more details to come!
- Encounter glitz and glamor galore at two limited-capacity entertainment experiences – a jazz lounge at The Hollywood Brown Derby and a spooky soiree at The Hollywood Tower Hotel Courtyard.
- Wrap up the night and enjoy the return of a festive favorite (first time back since 2019!), “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!”, a nighttime spectacular jam-packed with music, fireworks, special effects, and dazzling projections.
- Meet favorite characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and the rest of the iconic gang in Animation Courtyard on a hot set with holiday props, visit throwback friends like Powerline Max and Phineas and Ferb at Echo Lake, and strike a pose with some Edna Mode and some of her Incredible friends at Pixar Place.
- Access favorite Hollywood Studios attractions, including Slinky Dog Dash, Rock N’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and more. (Star Wars: Rise of Resistance will use a virtual queue during Disney Jollywood Nights.)
- Indulge in delicious holiday dishes and sips exclusive to the party (available at an additional cost):
Disney Jollywood Nights is a limited-capacity holiday event. Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can buy tickets starting June 29. Tickets may be purchased by all guests starting July 6 on the Walt Disney World website. Ticket prices will range from $159 – $179 per person.
Disney Jollywood Nights event dates:
- November: 11,18, 20, 27, 29
- December: 4, 6,16,18, 20
It’s tough to imagine such a large holiday party at the Studios park without the Osborne Lights, but Disney would need to sort out a new location for them as the Streets of America was an ideal spot, and there are a few little Star Wars items in the way… oh well, a nostalgic girl can dream.
Magic Kingdom
On 25 select nights from November 9th through December 25th, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns, inviting all to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at Magic Kingdom. Festive favorites are set to return, including Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration stage show, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. Select Magic Kingdom attractions are open during the event, including the newly-opened TRON Lightcyle / Run (which will utilize a virtual queue during the event).
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a separately-ticketed event. Tickets are limited and can be purchased online beginning July 6. Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can begin purchasing tickets as early as June 29. Ticket prices will range from $159-$199 per person.
2023 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party dates:
- November: 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 30
- December: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22
NEW! Meet the Very Merry Party Menu
Disney released their food guide for this year’s party on October 30. Here is a look at the seasonal sweets and savories that partygoers can sample!
Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies
- Reindeer Chow Sundae: Chocolate soft-serve, pretzels, cereal, M&M’S chocolate candies, and hot fudge (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party AND regular park hours)
- Lump of Coal in your Stocking: Cookies ‘n cream milkshake topped with whipped cream, cookies ‘n cream crumbles, and a chocolate doughnut hole (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
Casey’s Corner
- Candy Cane Tart: Chocolate tart filled with peppermint ganache and topped with festive meringue (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
Cool Ship
- Magic Holiday Tree: Coconut, pecans, and M&M’s chocolate candies on a graham cracker crust (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
- Holiday Pot Roast Melt: Slow-cooked beef on thick toast with cheddar and provolone cheese and beef gravy (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
- Holiday Turkey Burger: Turkey burger topped with traditional stuffing, provolone cheese, and cranberry chutney on a brioche bun (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
- Christmas Cookie Cake: Christmas cookie cake roll with buttercream and topped with holiday sprinkles (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
The Friar’s Nook
- Holiday Ham Fried Pie: Flaky pastry filled with baked ham, candied sweet potatoes, and spiced pecans served with pineapple glaze (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
- Italian Beef Tots: Tots covered in slow-cooked beef, cheese curds, zesty giardiniera, and pot roast gravy (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
- Peppermint Snowman: Chocolate brownie topped with cookies ‘n cream peppermint mousse (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
- Winter Milk Shake: Creamy coconut milkshake topped with whipped cream, toasted coconut, cinnamon, and crisp pearls (Non-alcoholic beverage) (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
Golden Oak Outpost
- Orange Gingerbread Shake: Orange cream slushy layered with gingerbread cookie crumbles and topped with whipped cream, gingerbread spice (Non-alcoholic beverage) (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
- Gingerbread Cake layered with cream cheese frosting and dulce de leche ganache topped with a gingerbread man chocolate piece (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
Main Street Bakery
- Minnie-shaped Cinnamon Roll: Cinnamon roll topped with red icing, holiday sprinkles, and a chocolate bow (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party AND regular park hours)
- Letter To Santa: Flourless chocolate cake, hot cocoa mousse, and marshmallows topped with chocolate pieces (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe
- Chicken Tamale served “Christmas-style” with mild red chile and green chile-pumpkin seed sauces, cilantro rice, pinto beans, and queso fresco (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
- Chocolate Eggnog Reindeer: Chocolate tart topped with eggnog mousse and chocolate antlers (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
- Orange-Cranberry Pineapple Punch with a hint of “smoke” from the fireplace (Non-alcoholic beverage) (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
- Peppermint Brownie Sundae: Peppermint ice cream, hot fudge, and candy cane sprinkles served on a brownie (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party AND regular park hours)
Sleepy Hollow Refreshments
- Holiday Waffle Sundae: House-made red velvet waffle topped with M&M’S chocolate candies, peppermint ice cream, and hot fudge (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
- Milk and Cookies for Santa: Brown sugar cookie cake topped with chocolate chip cookie dough mousse, milk mousse, and chocolate chip cookies (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
Storybook Treats
- Sugar Plum Sundae: Sugar plum soft-serve atop sugar cookie crumbs and topped with whipped cream, crisp pearls, and cotton candy (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
Sunshine Tree Terrace
- Santa’s Belt Buckle: Pistachio mousse with a dark chocolate truffle center and a chocolate buckle (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ONLY)
- Cranberry Citrus Float with Orange-Vanilla Soft-serve Twist: Orange-vanilla soft-serve twist with Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry and fruity boba pearls (Non-alcoholic beverage) (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party AND regular park hours)
Outdoor Vending Locations Near Cinderella Castle
- Red Velvet Wreath: Doughnut topped with buttercream and holiday sprinkles (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party AND regular park hours)
- Hot Cocoa Churro: Churro rolled in hot cocoa powder and topped with marshmallows and peppermint candy pieces (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party AND regular park hours)
And for the first time in forever, join Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and the Snowgies in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom for Frozen Holiday Surprise, a brand new “Frozen”-inspired entertainment experience that will “illuminate the castle in a whole new way”. The new holiday castle stage show can be seen during regular park hours and during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Stay tuned as Disney releases more details in the near future!
Could the Castle Dream Lights finally be coming back or are we left with holiday projections again?
EPCOT
EPCOT will once again host the traditional Candlelight Processional during the park’s International Festival of Holidays, November 24th through December 30th.
And with EPCOT hosting the Disney100 celebration later this year, along with a new fireworks spectacular, there may be more holiday magic coming soon…
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Amidst the glowing holiday décor, a Merry Menagerie of winter animals will return to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the form of artisan-sculpted puppets.
Disney Springs
Take care of some Christmas shopping while enjoying the dazzling décor and the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll. You may even see some “snowfall” through the Town Center area!
Ho-Ho-Hold Up! Did You See This?
Take a peek at some of the adorable holiday merchandise that has already made its way to the Disney Parks!
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Let’s Hear from You
Is this news getting you excited for the holidays at Walt Disney World? Are you excited for the new Jollywood Nights event, or are you sticking with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party? Would you like to see the return of the Castle Dream Lights or Osborne Lights, or is it time to just move on? Let us know in the comments below!
Originally published on June 15, 2023.
Updated on October 30, 2023, to add a food guide for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.