Hollywood Studios is home to Walt Disney World’s other Christmas party during November and December 2024, and we have high hopes for its sophomore season. But that’s not all to do at DHS during the holidays! This guide covers the decorations, overlays and entertainment–including what’s new for 2024–plus photos, info & tips for making the most of your visit.
For us, Christmas is a “difficult” time of year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights was our absolute favorite thing during the holidays at Walt Disney World, and losing that was a big blow. Nothing has come close to replacing that in our hearts, and honestly, I’d trade Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in a second to get those lights back for just two months of the year.
Speaking of which, it also doesn’t help that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge doesn’t really do anything to celebrate the holidays since the land is ‘in-universe.’ Even Toy Story Land, which could have an awesome Christmas overlay, only puts up a scattering of decorations. The good news is that in the last couple of years, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has really stepped up. The park has become a festive place to spend the holidays, with the front half of the park having pitch-perfect yuletide atmosphere…
As we cover in our Ultimate Guide to Christmas at Walt Disney World, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has added several things in an attempt to fill the void left by the Osborne Lights. The daily offering is known as “Flurry the Fun” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which basically enhances the festive ambiance in Echo Lake and on Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards.
The entertainment listed on the times guide is the draw, but what’s most endearing–and how you’ll spend the most time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the Christmas season, is simply soaking up the spirit of the season in these areas. The front of the park simply oozes holiday spirit.
These decorations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios evoke a sense of mid-century kitsch, the Christmas music is memorable, and the lights really pop against the Art Deco architecture. The little touches make all the difference, and the atmosphere is further enhanced by Sunset Seasons Greetings and snowfall along the boulevard. Suffice to say, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is once again a festive place to be for Christmas on a nightly basis.
On select evenings, it’s even better. That’s thanks to the hard-ticket Disney Jollywood Nights Christmas Party, which returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select nights from November 9 to December 21, 2024 for its sophomore season. After an opening night meltdown and negative word of mouth, we weren’t sure it’d be back. However, we’re very pleased to see Walt Disney World not giving up on the concept and instead iterating and (attempting to) improve it.
Disney Jollywood Nights is not new–but there are a bunch of changes and additions to it. The big one is a new dazzling skating spectacular set to your favorite holiday tunes on Hollywood Boulevard. Several times each evening, take in the grace and skill of international champion skaters in an awe-inspiring twist on the traditional ice show.
The 2024 Disney Jollywood Nights will also include over 20 unique character experiences featuring both new and returning favorites. Reunite with beloved characters like Phineas and Ferb, Santa Duffy and Santa Stitch, and look forward to fresh new faces such as Bo Peep, Lotso, Baloo, and King Louie from TaleSpin.
That’s not all–so be sure to check out Guide to 2024 Disney Jollywood Nights Christmas Party at Hollywood Studios for full details, dates, ticket prices, and more than a little commentary!
Changes and additions to Jollywood Nights isn’t all that’s new for Christmas 2024 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
This year, there are three new entertainment acts to fill the whole family with joy, all starting November 12, 2024! Be sure to check My Disney Experience for days and showtimes to catch the new acts. Here’s the rundown:
- Marvel at the skills of Juggling Elves – these holiday helpers deliver festive cheer with a side of shenanigans as they show off their skills of juggling, comedy and more!
- Catch the jaunty jolly tunes of the Holiday Spirit Band. This dynamic brass group will make everyone in your party want to join in the fun and stroll into Santa’s good graces.
- Pick up your feet and march along with Seasons Jukebox as they bring all the performance and pep of a collegiate marching band. Hard-hitting horns, rocking drummers, and dazzling dancers will bring to life everyone’s favorite holiday classics and more.
Other Disney’s Hollywood Studios holiday fun also begins on November 12 – like the holiday overlay to For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration; Santa Claus meeting & greeting guests at It’s A Wonderful Shop; and Sunset Seasons Greetings, featuring festive projections on The Hollywood Tower Hotel and magical snowfall all along Sunset Boulevard once the sun sets on Tinsel Town!
As for the returning entertainment and decorations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sunset Season’s Greetings uses projection mapping to bring the billboards and facades along Sunset Boulevard. This is primarily accomplished via two large LED “billboards” and the Hollywood Tower Hotel. There are also other effects via synchronized lights on palm trees, falling snow, and the stars that line Sunset Boulevard.
Sunset Season’s Greetings features vignettes from Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, the Muppets, and Toy Story, plus appearances by the Prep & Landing characters. The result is a show that is a cute little diversion, although an odd juxtaposition on the Hollywood Tower Hotel, which is more akin to a Halloween attraction than a Christmas one…
In terms of viewing tips for Sunset Season’s Greeting, there really isn’t anything you need to know. The full show is roughly 15 minutes long and runs continuously throughout the evening from dusk until park closing. Consequently, there are dozens of “showings” of this every evening, and about the only thing you’ll experience in the way of crowds during the show is the people who happen to be on Sunset Boulevard when it’s occurring.
To that end, the best advice we can give is to avoid watching Sunset Season’s Greetings immediately before or after Fantasmic. Dusk is going to be another popular time for crowds to congregate, as this will be the first time many people will become aware of the show, and they’ll be more inclined to stop for it. By the end of the evening, it’ll be ‘old news.’
The plus side to making an effort for an earlier viewing of Sunset Season’s Greetings is that around dusk it’ll be easier to photograph, and the falling snow will show up better in your photos. We still wouldn’t recommend making specific plans to view Sunset Season’s Greetings at dusk, but if you’re already in the area, you might as well.
Since most of the ‘action’ during Sunset Season’s Greetings occurs on the end of Sunset Boulevard towards Tower of Terror, we’d recommend watching about halfway down the street. Just before Theater of the Stars (where Fantasmic is shown) should be about ideal to see all of the effects.
The stories and character moments in Sunset Season’s Greetings include Mickey and Minnie reminiscing about a hometown Christmas as the scene shifts into a romanticized, Norman Rockwell-inspired town. There’s also Toy Story characters guessing which new toys are coming Christmas morning to join them as the scene covers in wrapping paper and Swedish Chef from the Muppets babbling as the scene turns into giant gingerbread houses.
Finally, Olaf sharing his holiday wish as the scene freezes over into a Frozen winter wonderland–complete with dancing Aurora Borealis lights and projected falling snow. It’s another projection mapping show in a park that already has a nighttime spectacular reliant on projection mapping.
Next up is Echo Lake Christmas.
This features extra-large ornaments floating on the water, glittering garland, colorful ceramic decorations, and a giant Christmas tree in the middle of Echo Lake.
The mid-century ornaments, set pieces, and tinsel evoke Tinseltown from the 1950s. The decorations feel like those you’d see inside a ritzy Los Angeles department store or on set for a live holiday television special. Either way, the look and vibe are fitting for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Best of all, Dinosaur Gertie is dressed for the occasion with a Santa hat. That’s right, SANTA GERTIE. (This is not a drill!)
This is one of our “sleeper spots” for Christmas at Walt Disney World. We could sit on a bench in front of Santa Gertie for hours, just soaking up the atmosphere and listening to the great background music.
Honestly, one of the biggest reasons I’m okay with “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” no longer performing nightly is because this area used to be reserved for a dessert party. I’d rather lose the fireworks show (which is only okay, anyway) and gain back the serenity in this area. Of course, I’m not the average guest–they’d probably take fireworks show over quiet park bench. To each their own on that, though.
The Echo Lake Christmas decor sounds fairly simple, but the energy it gives to this area at Christmas is wonderful. I absolutely love Echo Lake, and consider it to be an under-appreciated area. Added decor to this area of the park is awesome, and I like that Disney’s Hollywood Studios is once again putting its icon Christmas tree inside the park.
I’m lingering on Echo Lake at Christmas in large part because this area is usually quiet and uncrowded at night, which is delightful. It also means that too many people are sleeping on it. Even as we sing the praises of Echo Lake for Christmas–and have for a few years–we’re often among the only ones over here at night. While we enjoy that from a selfish perspective, more people should be having this experience. Grab a bench and a snack, and hang out for a bit!
Speaking of food and Echo Lake, you’ll also want to read our Minnie’s Holiday Dine Review to determine whether you should book that Christmas-themed buffet at Hollywood & Vine.
Although it’s been hit or miss in the last few years, we’re also expecting a return of Christmas in Toy Story Land.
At their meet & greets, Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear should sport holiday finery. Additionally, Toy Story Land has holiday decor, including oversized cranberry-and-popcorn garland, a holiday card “selfie” of Toy Story characters, an oversized Hamm sugar cookie, Green Alien ornaments, and more.
Toy Story Land’s attractions are also plussed for the Christmas season with new holiday audio. Aboard Slinky Dog Dash, guests will hear sleigh bells ringing, and Alien Swirling Saucers will offer two holiday tracks, plus themed lighting for the holidays.
From a strategic perspective, we’re big fans of Afternoon & Evening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (see that post for step-by-step strategy). If you show up in mid-afternoon, you can easily enjoy the seasonal entertainment and most rides in the park.
Wait times decrease after about 4 pm, which happens in large part because Disney’s Hollywood Studios has the most top-heavy ride roster. What that means, from a practical perspective, is that DHS has the highest average wait times of any park at Walt Disney World. Due to these longer lines at headliner rides and fewer ‘secondary attractions’ (aside from stage shows), guests hit a wall and leave early.
The good news is that there’s still a pronounced drop-off during dinner and Fantasmic. If there are two showings of that nighttime spectacular, you’re golden–take advantage of lower crowds during the first Fantasmic, and watch the second one at or after park closing.
Posted wait times are lower in the last two hours of the day at DHS, but that only tells part of the story. Actual wait times are often dramatically lower, particularly for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and other headliners.
The bottom line is that we highly recommend showing up late at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the holiday season, as opposed to arriving early. Another option is doing both–Early Entry at DHS, then bouncing over to EPCOT for the middle of the day, and then returning to DHS for evening. Of course, simply doing a full day at DHS is also an option.
Ultimately, the recent holiday additions are a nice shot in the arm for Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Christmas. In the years since the Osborne Lights went extinct, Walt Disney World has gradually increased the Christmas offerings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the result is something that gives the front of the park a lot of holiday spirit.
Even cumulatively, it doesn’t live up to Osborne Lights, but that was a necessary casualty for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. It is unfortunate that colossal land doesn’t do anything at Christmas, and that Toy Story Land squanders its enormous holiday potential. Imaginative overlays in these lands would really help. As it stands, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is probably the fourth-place Walt Disney World park during the holiday season due to the back of the park not getting into the spirit of the season.
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Your Thoughts
How do Sunset Season’s Greetings and Echo Lake Christmas sound to you? Will you attend the Disney Jollywood Nights Christmas Party? Are you excited about the new-for-Christmas 2024 offerings, or indifferent? Will you make a special trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year to see this holiday entertainment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
