Disney World Is Trying to Save Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios With These Changes

When Disney Jollywood Nights debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2023, it was supposed to be a glamorous new holiday tradition. Disney promised a festive Tinseltown atmosphere, live entertainment, special treats, and unique character encounters, all wrapped up in a vintage Hollywood holiday theme. It sounded like a dream for Disney fans looking for something different from Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. But from opening day, the event faced plenty of backlash.

Guests had issues with the event almost immediately. Long waits, operational frustrations, and a sense that the party didn’t fully deliver on its price tag left many attendees disappointed. For a separately ticketed event, those problems were hard to overlook. Disney made changes during that first season and continued to adjust in 2024, but for a lot of fans, Jollywood Nights has never quite shaken its rocky start.

Now, as the event heads into its fourth year, Disney has rolled out a list of new additions and changes for 2026. There are new characters, a new lounge, upgrades to entertainment, special merchandise, and even more dates than ever before. So the big question is: could this finally be the year Jollywood Nights becomes the event Disney always wanted it to be? Let’s take a look at what’s new and whether it might be enough to make the party worth it.

A Look Back at Jollywood Nights’ Rough Start

Jollywood Nights debuted in 2023 with a lot of hype, but its first year wasn’t without hiccups. Many guests felt frustrated by the experience, and Disney started making changes before the first season was even over, adding more character encounters and adjusting operations.

By 2024, the event had improved in several ways. Disney added:

• An extra hour to the party
• An ice-skating show
• Livelier character experiences
• A much-improved arrival process

Those changes helped Jollywood Nights find its own identity. The focus on live entertainment, vintage Hollywood style, and rare character meet-and-greets started to set it apart from Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Still, for many fans, the question has remained whether the party is worth the cost.

What’s New for Jollywood Nights 2026

Disney is adding several new experiences this year. Here’s a quick look at the biggest changes:

• George Sanderson and Needleman from Monsters, Inc. join the character lineup
• Checkin’ It Twice Lounge adds a new entertainment and drink spot
• Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and Genie join the Glisten! ice-skating show
• A reimagined Kermit sundae, creative non-alcoholic sodas, and exclusive Passholder drinks
• New Gertie merchandise, a Kermit straw clip, and a complimentary Chip and Dale ornament
• The event extends into January for the first time

New Characters Join the Party

One of the most talked-about additions is the arrival of two new Monsters, Inc. characters: George Sanderson and Needleman. They’ll join returning favorite Mike Wazowski.

These are some of the rarest character meets at Walt Disney World, and the timing is fun too, with Monstropolis currently under construction at Hollywood Studios.

Rare characters have become one of Jollywood Nights’ biggest draws, but they can also mean long lines. Whether these new additions improve the experience may depend on how Disney manages wait times.

Glisten! Gets More Disney Magic

Glisten!, the holiday ice-skating show added in 2024, is getting a big upgrade. Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and Genie from Aladdin are joining the show this year.

Adding classic Disney characters could make Glisten! feel more connected to the Disney brand, which is something some guests felt was missing before.

A New Lounge at Animation Courtyard

Checkin’ It Twice Lounge is a new addition in the Walt Disney Studios Lot, formerly known as the Animation Courtyard, featuring specialty drinks, a DJ, and entertainment.

One of the drinks on the menu is the Candy Cane Cooler, a non-alcoholic festive lemonade made with mint, pomegranate, and sweet cream. With more non-alcoholic options across the event, Jollywood Nights is becoming more appealing for guests who don’t drink.

The new lounge joins other popular spots, such as the Tune-In Lounge and the Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club near Tower of Terror.

Returning Favorites

Some of the event’s best-reviewed experiences are coming back, including:

• Disney Holidays in Hollywood: A stage show featuring Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and a lineup of Disney characters
• What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along: A show with puppetry and theatrical effects
• Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets: Obligatory Holiday Overlay: A festive twist on the coaster
• Alien Swirling Saucers holiday makeover: A seasonal update to the Toy Story Land ride

These shows have become some of the strongest parts of the event, and many guests consider them highlights of the night.

PhotoPass Downloads Included

One perk that continues to stand out is that Disney PhotoPass digital downloads are included with Jollywood Nights admission. For guests planning to dress up and meet characters, that adds real value to the ticket.

More Dates Than Ever

For the first time, Jollywood Nights will extend into January. That gives guests more opportunities to attend and may help spread out crowds across the season.

So, Is It Finally Worth It?

More offerings don’t automatically mean a better night. Character wait times, entertainment schedules, and the overall atmosphere will ultimately decide whether 2026 is truly Jollywood Nights’ best year.

Still, it’s hard to ignore how much Disney has added. The new characters, upgraded Glisten! show, new lounge, and expanded dates show that Disney is clearly investing in making the event better.

For guests who were let down in past years, 2026 might be worth a second look. For first-timers, it could be the strongest version of the event yet.

What do you think? Is Jollywood Nights finally worth the ticket price?