Disney’s Jollywood Nights Scandal Forces Massive Changes for 2025

When Jollywood Nights first launched at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the event was billed as a glamorous holiday party with a unique, more adult-leaning vibe.

The idea sounded fantastic, but in practice, many guests walked away feeling shortchanged. The most common complaint? For the price of the ticket, there simply wasn’t enough time to enjoy everything the event had to offer. That frustration quickly turned into backlash, and fans weren’t shy about voicing their disappointment.

Disney, however, seems to have heard the message loud and clear. After a year of criticism, the company is rolling out big changes to Jollywood Nights in 2025—and this time, fans are cautiously optimistic that Disney may have found the right formula.

Listening to the Fans

One of the biggest changes is all about time. Last year, party guests weren’t allowed into the park until 6:00 p.m., leaving them scrambling to squeeze in rides, entertainment, shopping, and snacks into just a handful of hours. For many, the event felt rushed compared to the price tag, especially when you consider the crowding at security gates that can happen when trying to get into Hollywood Studios.

This year, Disney is attempting to fix that problem by allowing entry as early as 5:30 p.m. That 30-minute buffer can be a big deal, and it’s two hours before official festivities begin, giving guests time to explore, grab dinner, or simply enjoy the holiday atmosphere without feeling like every minute is a race against the clock. It’s a simple but impactful change that addresses one of the loudest complaints from fans.

A Tastier Experience

Of course, Disney isn’t stopping at more time. Jollywood Nights 2025 will also bring a serious boost to its culinary game. During Destination D23, Disney confirmed that 25 brand-new food and beverage items are coming to the event. Among the highlights are raspberry lemon squares and a gingerbread whiskey mule—just a taste of the creativity fans can expect on the menus this year.

Food and drink have always been central to the holiday party experience, but this major expansion signals that Disney is doubling down on making Jollywood Nights stand out. With so many new treats to try, the extended entry window will definitely come in handy.

Fresh Entertainment and Fan Favorites

Alongside these updates, Jollywood Nights is introducing new entertainment options designed to freshen up the lineup. Guests will get to meet Miguel from Coco in a new Latin holiday-themed area, enjoy a full-stage production of The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure, and catch a villain-inspired show titled Unfairly Ever After.

But Disney isn’t abandoning what already worked. Beloved offerings like Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!, the Glisten! skating performance, and the chaotic holiday fun of Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy’s show are all returning. The fan-favorite Nightmare Before Christmas sing-along is also back, ensuring that the event keeps its quirky charm.

Why This Year Feels Different

Disney events often evolve year to year, but Jollywood Nights 2025 feels more like a course correction than a simple refresh. By directly addressing the complaints of limited time and underwhelming menus, Disney is showing that it’s willing to listen and adapt.

Fans have been vocal, sometimes brutally so, but the changes suggest that Disney is aiming to turn Jollywood Nights into a holiday staple rather than a short-lived experiment. The earlier entry time and the influx of new menu items make the event feel like it’s finally stepping into its full potential.

Tickets for Jollywood Nights can be purchased on the official Disney website. At the time of this writing, none of the dates have sold out. The event starts on Saturday, November 8, and runs on select nights through December 22.

Final Thoughts

Backlash isn’t easy for a company like Disney to face, but sometimes, it sparks necessary improvements. Jollywood Nights may have stumbled out of the gate, but 2025 is shaping up to be a turning point. With more time, more food, and more thoughtful entertainment, this year’s event could finally deliver the holiday magic fans have been waiting for.

If you’ve skipped Jollywood Nights in the past, this might just be the year to give it another shot.