Is Disney Jollywood Nights Good for Kids? Here’s What to Know!
I recently visited Disney Jollywood Nights with my husband, and while we originally planned it as a fun holiday date night (which it absolutely was), I walked away thinking: This event is fantastic for adults and kids (especially those who can stay up late)! Jollywood Nights has a different energy than other Disney holiday events —it feels stylish, relaxed, festive, and full of surprises without the pressure of trying to squeeze in a million things at once. So if you’re wondering whether Disney's Jollywood is worth bringing the kids or saving it for an adult-night out, read on and learn what to expect.
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Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy lead a star-studded holiday show during Disney Jollywood Nights!
Disney Jollywood Nights: Arrival and Entry
Jollywood Nights is held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This holiday event is ticketed separately and takes place 7:30pm-12:30am on select nights, November 8-December 22, 2025. Guests can enter the park as early as 5:30pm. Since my husband and I treated Jollywood as a date night, it was easy to arrive and enjoy the atmosphere before the official party entertainment kicked off.
For families, the aforementioned early entry is a huge perk! It gives kids time to warm up, settle in, and hit a couple of rides before the holiday party takes over. Lines at the entrance move smoothly, and the overall crowd feels calmer and less overstimulating than some other Disney after-hours events.
Running until 12:30am, this is definitely a late-night experience, so it works best for kids who can stay up late without turning into gingerbread gremlins!
Disney Jollywood Nights: Shows & Entertainment
Jollywood Nights really leans into the entertainment side of holiday magic. Think vintage, Hollywood flair meets festive music, themed lounges, and a holiday nighttime spectacular.
Disney Holidays in Hollywood
This stage show hosted by Kermit and Miss Piggy features music, dancing, and appearances from favorites like Tiana, Belle, Minnie, and Mickey. The performers are fantastic, and I highly recommend making time to see this show!

Sing along with the Pumpkin King to songs from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas.
What’s This? The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along
My personal favorite! We joined Jack Skellington for a sing-along featuring songs from Tim Burton’s classic film. It’s whimsical, musical, and perfect for fans of the Pumpkin King, both young and old.
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!
This nighttime spectacular lights up the Chinese Theater with fireworks, lasers, projections, and a playful holiday storyline. I loved the quirky mash-up of the Prep & Landing elves with The Nightmare Before Christmas; it gave the show a fun, unexpected twist. To be honest though, it didn’t wow us as much as some of the nighttime shows at other parks. If we went again, I’d likely skip the viewing and use that time for a few character meets instead, especially if you’re trying to make the most of a shorter night.
Pixar Disco
At this dance party featuring bubbles and glowing lights, guests can groove with Edna Mode, Frozone, Joy, Mike Wazowski, and more. We even saw Sadness (from Inside Out) getting into the holiday spirit!
Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club
This stylish, swing-era lounge experience features live music and fun holiday cocktails. It’s especially fun for date nights or ladies’ nights out, though kids are welcome too.
Glisten!
Glisten is a beautiful ice-skating show taking place right in front of the park’s Chinese Theater, featuring champion skaters performing to holiday hits and classic Disney songs.
Sunset Seasons Greetings
This colorful projection show on the Hollywood Tower Hotel (Tower of Terror exterior), runs from sunset until park closing. It transforms the tower with holiday-themed visuals, including gingerbread and toy hotel designs, festive animations, and falling “snow” on Sunset Boulevard. It’s a quick, easy-to-catch show that adds extra holiday magic while you’re walking between attractions!
Disney Jollywood Nights: Character Meet & Greets
Jollywood Nights features more than 20 character meet and greet opportunities, including rare favorites (think Partysaurus Rex, Phineas and Ferb, and Max Goofy as Powerline) and exclusive holiday outfits you won’t find during regular park hours. This is a huge draw for families, and honestly one of the most kid-friendly parts of the event.
Here’s the honest heads-up: Some of the character lines were really long. If characters are a top priority for your family, you’ll want to plan ahead and decide which ones are must-dos early in the night. Since I went with my husband, the character meets weren’t at the top of our list, so we opted to skip them. But if I had my kids with me, I absolutely would have waited —the lineup is that good! Families who love unique character interactions will find this one of the biggest highlights of Jollywood Nights.
Disney Jollywood Nights: Rides
One of the biggest perks of Jollywood Nights, whether you’re visiting as adults or with kids, is the noticeably shorter ride wait times. With the event’s limited capacity, many attractions have waits of just 10-20 minutes, and several are complete walk-ons. Even the most popular rides stay surprisingly manageable. Slinky Dog Dash typically sees the longest lines of the night, sometimes reaching around 40 minutes, but other major attractions like Rise of the Resistance, Tower of Terror, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway often hold steady at 30 minutes or less. For families with thrill-loving kids, this makes the night feel incredibly productive without any of the usual park pressure and almost no wait at all.

Enjoy the sweet treats at Jollywood Nights, like the Kermit Mint Whirl and Miss Piggy Strawberry Glam.
Disney Jollywood Nights: Food
For adults, the food and beverage options are a highlight. There are specialty cocktails, themed bites, and beautifully presented holiday desserts in pop-up lounges and dining spots across the park.
Kids will enjoy the sweets—cookies, festive treats, and warm snacks—though some menus do skew more “foodie” than “kid food.” Still, there’s plenty to nibble on. Note: Mobile ordering is not available during the event.
Some treats sell out later in the evening, so grab must-try snacks early if you’re visiting with eager little ones.
Disney Jollywood Nights: Photo Ops
Hollywood Studios goes full sparkle mode during Jollywood Nights. Think glamorous holiday backdrops, rare character photos, and exclusive PhotoPass magic shots. Many guests went all out with their outfits—and honestly, it’s the perfect excuse to do so!
My husband and I loved the retro-Hollywood photo areas; they felt perfect for a holiday date night. But these spots are also wonderful for getting family holiday card photos, especially with the lower crowds. Bonus: Your event ticket includes digital downloads of all your PhotoPass photos and videos from the evening!
Disney Jollywood Nights: FAQ
Q: Is Jollywood Nights good for kids?
A: Yes! Especially for kids who enjoy rides, characters, and staying up late. It’s less structured and less parade-focused than Mickey’s Very Merry and easier to navigate.
Q: What ages will enjoy Jollywood most?
A: Elementary age and up, plus teens, and of course adults, tend to get the most out of the event. Younger kids can still enjoy it but may struggle with the late hours.
Q: Is it good for adults only?
A: Absolutely! It’s one of the best Disney holiday experiences for a grown-up night due to the great entertainment offerings, vibes, and an elevated atmosphere.
Q: How does Jollywood compare to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?
A: Mickey’s Very Merry offers classic holiday magic with parades, cookies, and nostalgic kid-focused moments—but also comes with full schedules and higher energy. Jollywood Nights feels more relaxed and flexible, with stronger adult appeal and lower ride waits.
Q: How much is Disney Jollywood Nights, and is it worth the price?
A: Event tickets vary depending on the date, $159-$199 per ticket, plus tax. If your family loves Hollywood Studios, holiday entertainment, and the idea of a late-night party with short lines and rare characters, then yes, it’s worth the cost. For adults or groups of friends, it’s an easy yes!
Q: Can I buy tickets at the gate?
A: It is highly recommended to purchase tickets in advance, as this is a limited-capacity event and may sell out.
Unless otherwise noted, all photos courtesy of WDW.
Places featured in this article:
Walt Disney World - Hollywood Studios
