The Holidays at Walt Disney World bring a lot of festive offerings. Many of these are included in with your park admission, but there are two special after hour events that really add to the Holiday Spirit. We’ve been asked about how Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney’s Jollywood Nights are different, and if it is worth going to both. Keep reading to find out all about these two events and let us know which one you would pick (or if you want to experience both)!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights – The Basics

Both experiences are separately ticketed, limited capacity events on select nights in November and December. The festivities start at 7 (Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party) or 7:30 (Jollywood Nights) and run for 5 hours. As a bonus, guests can enter each park early for both parties – 4pm for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and 5:30pm for Jollywood Nights.

Shows and Entertainment

We know, this is a big category and really separates these two parties apart. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will feature the beloved classic characters along with some special guests. Jollywood Nights’ shows have more unique characters and in theme with the whole evening, are geared more for adults (although they can be enjoyed by everyone of all ages).

Shows at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade embodies the spirit of the holidays. This mesmerizing performance includes dancing gingerbread men, whimsical ballroom dancers, beloved marching toy soldiers, and upbeat holiday music and scents that will immediately put you in the festive spirit.  You will be swept away by the magic of Christmas and see many Disney characters dressed in their holiday attire before Santa Claus closes the parade and wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and happy New Year.   

Tip: This parade travels from Frontierland to Main Street, U.S.A. Many people will line up for it on Main Street, but there are great viewing spots all along the parade route.

Bonus Tip: This parade happens twice during the party. The 2nd run is typically less crowded than the first.

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration is an energetic performance on the Cinderella Castle stage where an assortment of Disney Characters remind you why it’s the happiest season of all. In addition to the Classic characters, Clarabelle Cow, Daisy Duck, Woody and more will have you joining them in a medley of joyful tunes. This show runs a few times each night, and you may be able to catch it before or after the parade or fireworks.

The Frozen Holiday Surprise is a shorter show on the Castle Stage where Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and the snowgies transform Cinderella Castle into a frozen wonderland. This show is generally offered once during normal park hours (or just as the park closes on Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party nights) and again during the party. This show is a little underwhelming, and if you have to pick one to skip, we would choose this one. If you have seen it, and/or love Frozen, take a few minutes and check it out.

Shows at Jollywood Nights

Disney Holidays in Hollywood is a dazzling musical stage show held at the Theater of the Stars. Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy host a holiday gathering of appearances by beloved Disney characters like Mickey, Minnie, Belle, and Tiana.  A glamorous vibe infuses the performance, inspired by classic Hollywood holiday TV specials, but with a fresh twist that captures the spirit of the season.

What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along is a truly unique holiday experience that blends spooky charm with festive cheer for all Jack and Sally fans. See the story of Halloween Town and Christmas Town come together with Jack Skellington as “snowflakes” gently fall in the Hyperion theater multiple times during the night. Making the show even more fun, you can sing along to classic tunes like “What’s This?” and “Sally’s Song,” surrounded by the eerie yet enchanting glow of Halloween-meets-Christmas decorations. It’s a fun, whimsical way to celebrate the season, perfect for anyone who loves a little holiday twist with their Christmas spirit. 

Music and Dancing

While there are a lot of great shows to watch at both events, there are also a number of opportunities to get up, get involved, and be part of the festivities.

Dance Parties at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

There are 2 dance parties for the whole family to enjoy. Dance along with Santa Goofy, Max, Zootopia characters, Chip and Dale, and more at Club Tinsel at Rocket Tower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland. If your kiddos love Disney Junior, you’ll want to join characters from Fancy Nancy, Vampirina, Doc McStuffins and The Lion Guard at the Disney Junior Jingle Jam at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in Tomorrowland.

Music and Dancing at Jollywood Nights

Going along with the theme, the music and dancing at Jollywood Nights is a bit more adult, but there are still a parties for the kids too.

Holiday Fiesta en la Calle offers a lively Latin-inspired holiday street fair. You can soak up Latin holiday music performed by spirited musicians while enjoying colorful decorations that bring the fiesta to life in the plaza outside Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.  At the Fiesta, you’ll be able to meet unique characters like José Carioca and Panchito from “The Three Caballeros,” and new this year, Miguel from “Coco”.

For an even more exclusive setting, Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby offers a refined, adult-oriented retreat within the Christmas atmosphere of Jollywood Nights. if you are seeking a blend of culinary delights, live music, and a touch of holiday elegance, this spot is for you.  

Tip: Reservations will be needed for Jazzy Holidays, so if this is on your “must do” list, make sure you reserve your spot beginning in September.

Fireworks

A party wouldn’t be complete without fireworks! Both events host a special fireworks show that you won’t want to miss.

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Minnie Mouse hosts this nighttime spectacular that combines beloved holiday classics — such as “Deck the Halls” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” — with stunning pyrotechnics, castle projections and lighting effects. Cinderella Castle is wrapped like a present in vibrant holiday scenes; all synchronized perfectly with the music and fireworks above.

Tip: The projections happen on the Castle and down Main Street, USA. To see them, stand a little further back on Main Street. This area can get very crowded, so if these are a must see, plan on getting your spot early. If the fireworks are on your “want to see”, there are great spots to watch them all around Magic Kingdom.

Bonus Tip: If you want a reserved viewing spot without all the crowds and wait time, consider Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party (additional cost). You can enjoy the fireworks from the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant with an abundance of treats that will sweeten the night and incredible views.

Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! at Jollywood Nights

This is a high-energy nighttime spectacular that lights up the Chinese Theater with fireworks, lasers, projections, and holiday music.  Wayne and Lanny from “Prep & Landing,” are on a mission to rescue Santa, with scenes from classics like “Beauty and the Beast,” “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” “Snowfall” on Hollywood Boulevard and synced MagicBand+ effects all add to this fireworks-filled celebration wrapped in pure holiday magic. 

Characters and Meet and Greets

Like all Disney After Hours Events and Parties, these parties feature unique and rare characters along with some familiar friends in exclusive attire.

Santa and Characters at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

We have to start with the big guy himself. You get to meet Santa at Santa’s Christmas Carnival in Storybook Circus. In addition to meeting Santa, there are also crafts and you can meet other friends bursting with Christmas cheer. 

As mentioned above, you can see and dance with a number of characters in the Dance Parties in Tomorrowland. But there are a few more exclusive meet and greets you may want to see. In Princess Fairytale Hall you’ll get to visit with Anna and Elsa in their Christmas attire, and in the Town Square Theater at the front of the park you can visit Sally and Santa Jack from the Nightmare Before Christmas and Mickey and Minnie in their finest holiday looks.

Characters at Jollywood Nights

Jollywood Nights boasts more than 20 classic and rarely seen characters around the park. A few we mentioned above like Pixar Pals Mike Wazowski, Edna Mode, Frozen, and Joy, along with Jose Carioca, Panchito and Miguel in the Holiday Fiesta. But they are certainly not all! Phineas and Ferb, Max Goof as Powerline, Chip ‘n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers, Stitched dressed as Santa, Baloo and King Louie, The Mandalorian, Lotso, and Duffy dressed as Santa can be found all around the park in addition to familiar faces like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald and Daisy Duck, Goofy, and Pluto.

Festive Food and Merchandise

As you would guess, both events feature exclusive food and merchandise. At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party you can get individually wrapped cookies and select drinks (like hot chocolate) included with your ticket. A both parties you will find unique sweet and savory offerings you can’t get any other time.

If you want to bring some of the party home with you, both events will offer special merchandise available only to party-goers including a special spirit jersey.

Rides

We’ll be honest, we generally attend these parties for the atmosphere, entertainment and characters. While lines will be shorter, we find there is so much to do that you can’t do any other time, that we don’t have a lot of extra time for rides. With that said, a few rides at Magic Kingdom do get a holiday overlays for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party including Tommowland Speedway, Mad Tea Party, Jungle Jingle Cruise (also available during the day), and Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor.

Would You Choose Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Jollywood Nights, or Both?

Whew… that was a lot of info. But there are so many good things at BOTH parties we had to cover them all! We would love to know, which party speaks to you more? The fun, festive, family atmosphere of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party or the Hollywood glitz and glamour of Jollywood Nights? Can’t decide? You can plan your vacation to cover party nights for both events. We’re here to help you pick the best options for your perfect vacation and we can answer any questions you have. Schedule a call with us to start planning your Holiday visit.