There is so much to do at Walt Disney World Resort during the holiday season. In addition to special decorations and offerings during the day, two of the parks have special, ticketed, evening events. Both Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios have something special for the most wonderful time of the year. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom is a classic, long running event while Jollywood Nights is just in its second year and changing. So which event is right for you and your travel party? Are Mickey’s Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights similar? Are they worth it? Let’s take a look at Jollywood Nights vs the Christmas party and compare the details.
Disney World Holiday Events: Jollywood Nights vs Christmas Party
These are the main points you will probably want to consider when deciding on attending Jollywood Nights vs the Christmas Party.
| Event Information | Jollywood Nights | Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party |
| Theme Park | Disney’s Hollywood Studios | Magic Kingdom |
| Ticket Price | $159 to $179 | $169 to $219 |
| Event Length | Five hours | Five hours |
| Event Hours | 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM | 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM |
| When you can enter the park | 6:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| Total potential time in park | Six hours, thirty minutes | Eight hours |
| Special parade | No | Yes |
| Special fireworks | No | Yes |
| Special shows | Yes | Yes |
| Complimentary treats | No | All night throughout the park |
| Gift for attending | A gourmet marshmallow | An ornament or poster in the past |
| Starts in 2024 | November 9 | November 8 |
| 2024 event dates | November 9, 13, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30 December 2, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21 | November 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22 December 1, 3, 5 |
Which should I go to: Jollywood Nights vs Christmas Party
If you already have a trip booked during this time of year, there’s one easy way to pick which event to attend. Check the events dates for Jollywood Nights and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and make sure there are nights for each that work with your schedule. There may only be one that works with your trip dates.
Jollywood Nights vs Christmas Party: Are they different enough?
If you’re considering attending both Disney Jollywood Nights and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you should. While quite pricey, Disney puts on some great holiday events. The offerings at these events are different enough that you could attend both and feel satisfied. The shows are quite different. Jollywood Nights has more sophisticated food and beverage offerings and the Christmas Party has the classic parade and festive fireworks.
Jollywood Nights vs Christmas Party vs Epcot Holiday Festival
To explore even more of the holiday offerings, we’re adding Epcot into the mix. People have varying time and budget constraints so we’re looking at this from all angles. Is it worth purchasing Jollywood Nights and Christmas Party tickets over just enjoying the holiday additions at the parks during the day? This is a tough one. Over at Epcot, you can enjoy an amazing holiday event with loads of entertainment, seasonal foods available for purchase and lots of Christmas decorations. The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays is included with your park ticket. There’s no additional cost to celebrate in a big way at the Epcot holiday festival. If budget is a concern, the Epcot festival is a great way to get holiday park time without additional ticket costs.
Jollywood Nights vs Christmas Party Event FAQs
Will Jollywood Nights return in 2024?
Yes, Disney Jollywood Nights is back in 2024. Disney says the holiday event will receive some major upgrades this year with added entertainment.
Does Jollywood Nights have complimentary treats?
Sadly, Jollywood Nights doesn’t have the same kind of hospitality that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party does when it comes to complimentary treats. This event has themed exclusive, dining opportunities but there isn’t a guarantee you’ll be able to enter the venues if they have reached capacity.
Is there ice skating at Disney World? Is there ice skating at Jollywood Nights?
There is no ice skating at Disney World at any point during the year. There was a summer of ice skating at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the Frozen Summer Fun event. This was a temporary offering and is long gone. Disney Jollywood Nights has a special ice skating show in the middle of the park. Guests are not able to use this for recreation.
Which Disney World holiday event is more family friendly?
Almost everything at Walt Disney World Resort is family friendly excluding a few things like spas and some food and beverage experiences. Both of these Disney World holiday events are suitable for guests of all ages. However, Jollywood Nights is marketed a bit more toward adults. The late night atmosphere hosts multiple lounge style offerings. These are a big part of Jollywood Nights for many visitors. Disney also encourages guests to dress up for Jollywood Nights. This is a little different from Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party where you’ll see some guests dressed in matching Christmas pajamas. The Christmas party also goes late into the night so attending either really depends on how late your little ones stay up.
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