Disney Jollywood Nights 2026 opened November 7 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and we were there for opening night. The biggest changes are shows that start before the party, the new Checkin’ It Twice Lounge in Animation Courtyard, Donald, Daisy and Genie in Glisten!, and PhotoPass lines that moved faster than ever. The party runs 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on select nights through January 5, 2027, and tickets are $169 to $199 plus tax. It is still our favorite party of the year.
The tree lighting: The night started at Echo Lake with the Christmas tree lighting. Mickey and Minnie were not there in person, but they led the countdown over the speakers, and the whole tree lit up at once. This took place at 5:50 pm.
Check-in: We checked in inside Walt Disney Presents. The other check-in inside the park is at the entrance to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Start early: Our night started at Theater of the Stars with Disney Holidays in Hollywood, starring Kermit and Miss Piggy, with Mickey, Minnie, Belle, and Tiana. The party starts at 7:30 p.m., but this show has a 7:00 p.m. performance for guests with party tickets and wristbands. The first show of the whole night is What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along at the Hyperion Theater, at 6:30 p.m. That is our first tip. Catch one of these shows before 7:30, and you have more party time for characters, drinks and food.
New characters: After the Muppets, we went to meet George Sanderson and Needleman from Monsters, Inc. They meet next to ABC Commissary, not at the Pixar dance party. It is a fun early look at the monsters before Monstropolis opens in 2027.
Faster PhotoPass lines: This is where we noticed the change to Disney PhotoPass. Photographers are aiming for three photos, one solo and two group shots, unless you have a bigger group. Families with kids got a little more time. That made the lines move much faster than in years past. By the end of the night, we met at least nine characters, and none took more than five minutes.
Who you can meet: The event guide lists Baloo or King Louie from TaleSpin, Bing Bong, Lotso, Phineas and Ferb, Stitch dressed as Santa, the Mandalorian and Grogu, Mickey and Minnie, Max as Powerline, George and Needleman, Chewbacca, Duffy dressed as Santa, Chip ‘n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers, Scrooge McDuck, Partysaurus Rex, and José Carioca or Panchito from The Three Caballeros.
Checkin’ It Twice Lounge: The next big thing we tried was the new Checkin’ It Twice Lounge inside Clubhouse Disney in Animation Courtyard. Inside, there is a DJ, old-school holiday decorations like vintage snowman blow molds, seating and two bars, one on the Naughty side and one on the Nice side. Check the big list in front of the DJ to see which one you made. Two new characters walk around talking with guests and put on mini shows all night. Next to the earlier show times, this may be the best addition this year.
The Lump of Coal: Of course we tried the new Lump of Coal, made with Ghost spicy blanco tequila, lime and spicy agave with a salt and pepper rim. It was good, but it was spicy. The lounge menu:
- Lump of Coal: $11
- Fizz the Season: $11
- Snow-hopper: $9.50
- Candy Cane Cooler, non-alcoholic: $5.49
Tune-In Lounge: The rest of the night was spent eating and drinking our way through Jollywood. At the Tune-In Lounge, we tried the new Bauble & Bright for $13. It comes in an ornament souvenir cup, while supplies last, and it has a great cranberry flavor. We also went back for the Holiday Dill-light for $11. It was our favorite drink of 2025, and it still holds up. The Tinsel Twist, Sugar Cookie Martini and In Holiday Fashion are also on the menu.
Glisten!: The skating show now has Genie, Donald and Daisy. Do the characters add something? Yes. Do they skate? No. Is the show good? It is fine, and it keeps getting better every year.
The rest of the night: We have seen Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!, What’s This? and the other shows before, and they are all great ways to fill the night. We love standing in front of the Tower of Terror to watch the projections on that giant building, and standing in the snow on Sunset Boulevard.
Opening night showtimes: Times can change, so check the My Disney Experience app on your night.
- What’s This? Sing-Along: Hyperion Theater, 6:30, 7:30, 8:30, 9:30 and 11:30 p.m.
- Disney Holidays in Hollywood: Theater of the Stars, 7:00, 8:15, 9:15 and 11:00 p.m.
- Glisten!: Center Stage, 8:05, 9:05, 10:30 and 11:15 p.m., and 12:15 a.m.
- Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!: Hollywood Boulevard, 10:00 p.m.
- Sunset Seasons Greetings: Sunset Boulevard, all night.
- Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club: Courtyard of the Hollywood Tower Hotel, 7:30 to 11:50 p.m., about every 40 minutes.
- Grand Avenue Dance Party and Checkin’ It Twice Lounge: 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
- Pixar Disco: Pixar Plaza, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Bringing kids: The event guide has a Fun for Families page. It points to Woody’s Lunch Box, Rosie’s All-American Café and Catalina Eddie’s for kid-friendly food.
Merch and treats: We are not big merch people, but guests loved the new Gertie Loungefly. Speaking of Gertie, grab a Gertie cookie for fun.
Your free gift: As the night winds down, pick up your free Jollywood Nights ornament with Chip and Dale on your way out. Event photo downloads are included with your ticket too.
Our tips:
- Get in early and see a 6:30 or 7:00 p.m. show before the party starts.
- Meet characters. The new PhotoPass rules make the lines short.
- Check the Naughty or Nice list at the Checkin’ It Twice Lounge.
- Try the Lump of Coal if you like spicy, and the Holiday Dill-light if you want something different.
- Do not leave without your Chip and Dale ornament.
Jollywood Nights is still our favorite party of the year. The earlier shows and faster character lines make every hour of the party count, and the Checkin’ It Twice Lounge gives the night a fun new place to hang out.
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