By Jim Carchidi
November has just begun but the holiday vibe has already settled in at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This year’s Jollywood Nights event schedule kicked off Saturday, Nov. 8, with all the sights, sounds, and many flavors of the season.
A jolly holiday
Disney Jollywood Nights began in 2023 as an addition to the resort’s ticketed seasonal celebrations. Exclusive entertainment, merchandise, and menus run from 7:30 p.m. to midnight with admission allowing pre-event park access at 5:30 p.m.
Theme park icons like the Chinese Theater and Tower of Terror get a dose of holiday magic with special projections during Jollywood Nights. Photos by Jim Carchidi
Character photo ops include old favorites like Scrooge McDuck and new additions like Chewbacca, dressed in the traditional robes of the Wookiee holiday, Life Day; a reference to the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special.
“Disney Holidays in Hollywood” features song and dance numbers along with appearances by Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog.
The Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! spectacular offers plenty of lasers, projections, and fireworks.
Opening night crowds packed the entry queue well before rope drop and the streets were bustling right up ‘til closing time. Entertainment ranged from the "Glisten!" ice-skating show to the “Disney Holidays in Hollywood” stage production. Dance parties included Holiday Fiesta en la Calle with live Latin music, and the Pixar Disco. The Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! nighttime spectacular featured lasers, projections, and a sky full of fireworks. And character photo ops included Chewbacca in a reference to the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special.
Festive feasting
Jollywood Nights, billed as “Hollywood glam meets holiday cheer,” is a more grown-up alternative to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. And there’s plenty of cheer on the menu with 24 savory selections, 14 different desserts, and 44 drinks (with and without alcohol).
Yuca con Chicharrón
Cauliflower Taco and Birria Taco
Among the savory temptations is Yuca con Chicharrón at ABC Commissary, with fried pork belly, yuca fries, red pickled onions, chili-lime seasoning, and a yellow pepper aïoli.
The special menus also include two taco selections: Cauliflower Taco with chili-lime seasoned fried cauliflower and plant-based chipotle cashew crema, and the Birria Taco with seasoned, shredded beef, Monterey Jack cheese, and a side of beef consommé.
Holiday Turkey Popover and “Just the Sides” Popover
A more traditional holiday feast is presented at Fairfax Fare on Sunset Boulevard. The Holiday Turkey Popover features roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry chutney in a hearty popover pastry. The “Just the Sides” Popover is filled with mac & cheese and collard greens topped cornbread crumbs.
Reservations are recommended for the special Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby service. Among the selections are charcuterie, sliders, pork belly bao, shrimp cocktail and a cocktail menu featuring 11 creations.
Holly Jolly Bread Pudding
Dessert could be the main course with the Holly Jolly Bread Pudding from Backlot Express: warm bread pudding swirled with chocolate-hazelnut spread. Mexican Hot Cocoa Cheesecake from ABC Commissary includes whipped cinnamon-chocolate cheesecake on chocolate cookie streusel “crust” topped with spiced whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon and mini marshmallows.
Cookies are always on the menu, no matter the season, and the Taco ‘bout a Holiday Cookie! is its own celebration with cranberry cheesecake-filled chocolate cookies dipped in cranberry-white chocolate and topped with pistachio whipped cream and holiday sprinkles. A frosted sugar cookie in the image of Gertie the Dinosaur from Dinosaur Gertie's Ice Cream of Extinction is too sweet to pass up.
Disney Jollywood Nights take place on select nights through December 22. Long onto Disney.Go.Com for more information on park events and tickets.
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