Holiday Magic After Dark: Walt Disney World’s Jollywood Nights & Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Two of the most anticipated special events of the season are Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Both promise unforgettable entertainment, exclusive experiences, and plenty of Disney holiday magic — but they each have their own unique vibe.

I just got back from experiencing both of these special events and have a few thoughts to share!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Magic Kingdom)

A timeless classic, this event is all about nostalgia and tradition. Guests can enjoy:

• Exclusive holiday entertainment like Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks

• Complimentary holiday treats and drinks around the park

• Shorter attraction wait times and special character meet & greets

• Snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A. — yes, in Florida

I of course went in with a plan to hit as many party exclusive offerings as possible, and left feeling happy with the amount I got done, and yet felt like I should’ve done more. Highlights of the night included being first in line to Belle in her Enchanted Christmas dress, front row viewing of Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, watching Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade in front of the Main Street U.S.A. Train Station while eating specialty items from Casey’s Corner, dancing with Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps at Club Tinsel, and riding Jingle Cruise to end the night.

My biggest lessons learned:

• Pick your top character and meet them first thing or last 30 minutes of the event

• Although viewing of the parade down Main Street U.S.A. is beautiful, these spots fill up an hour ahead of time for both parades, a spot though around the flag post in front of the Train Station 30 minutes ahead of time, much easier to grab, and you still get to experience the snowfall

• I don’t need to watch fireworks in front of Cinderella’s Castle again, next time I’ll go hang out in Fantasyland watch them from there while grabbing a snack or meeting a character with a short line

Vacation Specialist Tip: For this party, the highlight is without a doubt Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, but the earlier parade will be busier than the later. If you aren’t wanting to sacrifice too much time to grab a spot, head to Frontierland for the second parade. Set up 15 minutes ahead of time, watch the parade and then move on and enjoy the end of the party. 

Disney Jollywood Nights (Hollywood Studios)

Relatively new to the holiday lineup, Jollywood Nights offers a glitzier, more Hollywood-inspired celebration — think vintage glam meets modern festive fun. Expect:

• Stylish entertainment and live music with an old-Hollywood twist

• Special holiday photo ops and themed snacks plus alcoholic drinks

• Access to select attractions and after-hours fun

• Dress-to-impress vibes (perfect for those who love a themed outfit or retro look)

After waiting 2 hours for Santa Duffy (6:30 pm-8:30 pm), I was able to move on with my party night and experience all of the festivities, even though I was behind on my perfectly planned schedule. My favorite experiences of the night were dancing with José Carioca and Panchito, watching Belle sing at the Disney Holidays in Hollywood, and getting a hug from Lotso! 

My biggest lessons learned:

• There is a lot of small-scale entertainment to see, be sure to do a loop of the park to see a bit of each one

• The speciality characters, that rarely make an appearance at Walt Disney World, will have longer wait times throughout the night, so unless you only want to be doing character meet and greets for 5 hours, pick your top 2 and simply walk by the others so you can see them

Vacation Specialist Tip: The marquee sign is a must-do photo spot, but the line at the beginning of the night is horrendous, save this for later in the evening, we waited 10 minutes at 11:45 pm. There are so many other great photo spots to take advantage of, such as in front of Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, featuring Ollio the gingerbread man! 

Which Holiday Party Is Right for You?

If you love classic Disney holiday nostalgia, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party might be your top pick. If you prefer a more adult, glam, or trendy night out, Jollywood Nights could be your style. My favorite was Jollywood Nights! The focus on adults, variety of drinks and constant entertainment offerings made our night very full and constantly moving. 

Either way, these after-hours events bring extra sparkle to any Walt Disney World vacation! Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for 2025 has sold out, but there are still Jollywood Nights tickets available. And as a note for 2026, tickets will go on sale between June and July, so stay tuned for more details!

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Hey there! I’m Emma Hancock-Bontempo, your guide to a trip filled with magical moments! After traveling to Walt Disney World countless times growing up, I decided to put all this “Disney knowledge” to good use and help others plan their vacations to the most magical place on earth. After becoming a planner in 2022, I discovered a love for curating vacations for couples, families and groups of friends, all with different wants and needs. Now married and mother to a little girl, I’ve learned how to best set up my clients for success, because as Edna Mode says. “Luck favors the prepared”, and my clients are always prepared to a tee!