Disney Jollywood Nights is updating “Glisten!” for 2026, and for the first time, the holiday skating show will feature Disney characters. Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and Genie are joining the world-class skaters on the rink in front of the Chinese Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios when the event returns November 7. Opening night is already sold out.
Disney says guests should watch for appearances from all three characters as the skaters glide across the rink, adding more Disney character moments to the production. That is new territory for the show. “Glisten!” debuted at Jollywood Nights in 2023 with a cast of international champion skaters, and the 2025 version brought new gold and teal costumes, a light-up snowflake set and a juggling act. Neither year included Disney characters. Genie is a fitting addition, too, since an Aladdin segment joined the show last year.
What Disney has not said is how the characters will be part of it. We do not know yet if Donald, Daisy, and Genie will skate the way characters do in Disney On Ice, or if they will appear in the show without lacing up. Donald and Daisy already know their way around a rink. They are two of the hosts of Disney On Ice presents Spotlight Magic, which we saw at its Orlando debut in September.
We have watched “Glisten!” every year since it opened, and we always walk away saying the same thing. The skaters are amazing, but the show itself was missing something, and these characters are exactly it. Seeing Donald, Daisy and Genie share the rink with skaters at this level is the update we have been hoping for, and it gives guests a bigger reason to stop at the Chinese Theater this year.
If you had your eye on opening night, the November 7 event is now sold out. That is earlier than last year, when opening night sold out on October 18. Disney has 14 more event nights on the calendar through January 5, 2027, the first time Jollywood Nights has run into January. Saturday, November 14 is $179, and Monday, November 16 is the lowest-priced night of the season at $169, plus tax. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members save $10 per ticket on every event night.
“Glisten!” is not the only change coming to the event. The new Checkin’ It Twice Lounge opens in Animation Courtyard with specialty drinks, a live DJ and entertainment throughout the evening, and Disney will share the menu when its Jollywood Nights Foodie Guide arrives. Mike Wazowski returns to Pixar Plaza, and George Sanderson and Needleman from Monsters, Inc. will meet guests at the event for the first time. We are giving each of those its own article, so watch FLN for the full details.
We have our tickets for night two on November 14 and cannot wait to bring you our own photos of “Glisten!” and the rest of Jollywood Nights 2026.
