As a Disney World annual passholder, I am always planning my next trip to Disney no matter what time of year it is. However, I always love visiting Disney World during the Christmas season due to the incredible decorations, special events, character meet and greets, and festive treats you can find throughout Disney World. In addition to these magical extras at the Disney World theme parks, the Disney World resorts are also amazing at Christmastime. Check out our favorite Disney World resorts during Christmas (and why) here.
One of my favorite Disney World parks to visit during Christmas is Disney's Hollywood Studios. From Santa Gertie, the Jollywood Nights after hours event, and the beautiful Christmas projections throughout the park, Hollywood Studios is a unique and fun park to take the family during the holiday season. Hollywood Studios also has some of the best rides and attractions of any Disney park.
In this article I will go over everything you can expect to see at Hollywood Studios during Christmas. Although the details on the 2024 Christmas celebrations have not yet been announced, we will go over everything we saw last Christmas at Hollywood Studios and what we expect to see this upcoming season.
In this article:
Christmas Decorations at Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios goes all out with their decorations during the Christmas season! The only area where guests will typically not see Christmas decorations is in the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge area, as Christmas doesn't quite fit in with any of the Star Wars story lines.
However, the rest of this amazing theme park is totally decked out with Christmas lights, large star-shaped tinsel, and life size figurines to put guests in the Christmas spirit. Even the Christmas decorations throughout Hollywood Studios fit the “old Hollywood” theme and are reminiscent of decorations from past decades.
We typically see the best Christmas decorations in the following areas at Hollywood Studios:
- Echo Lake: Guests can find a 65 foot Christmas tree in the center of Echo Lake, with hundreds of Christmas lights and bulbs scattered throughout the lake. Another favorite Christmas decoration at Hollywood Studios is Gertie the dinosaur with a Santa hat and ornament hanging from her mouth.
- Toy Story Land: Another area to spot Christmas decorations at Hollywood Studios is throughout Toy Story Land. Upon entering, guests can spot Woody wearing a red and white scarf during the Christmas season. Other decorations throughout Toy Story Land include a giant Christmas Cookie of Hamm and green alien Christmas bulbs. If guests look closely at the Slinky Dog Dash rollercoaster, they will also spot Rex wearing reindeer ears.
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Christmas Entertainment and Special Events at Hollywood Studios
In addition to the amazing Christmas decorations, guests can also enjoy a special edition holiday projection show at Hollywood Studios during the Christmas season. Last year, Hollywood Studios also debuted a new after hours event called Jollywood Nights, which we will detail further below.
Sunset Seasons Greetings
The Christmas projection show at Hollywood Studios is called Sunset Seasons Greetings and can be viewed regularly between 6 PM and 9 PM. These projections are featured on the Tower of Terror and can be seen very easily by guests on Sunset Boulevard. The show features favorite characters including Mickey, Minnie, Toy Story characters, The Swedish Chef, Olaf, and more. It is definitely worth seeing during any trip to Hollywood Studios during Christmas. And don't worry- guests can still watch Fantasmic! during the Christmas season.
A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration Holiday Show
Guests visiting Hollywood Studios at Christmas have the ability to enjoy the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration Holiday Show. The show includes a special finale with Olaf who sings additional songs from Olaf's Frozen Adventure. This holiday edition show is another perk of visiting Hollywood Studios during Christmas.
Jollywood Nights After Hours Event
Hollywood Studios introduced the Jollywood Nights after hours event during the Christmas season in 2023. This event is similar to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom, but offers different types of Christmas events and shows. Jollywood Nights had somewhat mixed reviews especially after having to work out certain kinks on the first few nights of the event. However, I was able to attend the event on the last day of the season and personally loved it!
Jollywood Nights was advertised as “Hollywood Glamour Meets Holiday Cheer” and primarily catered to adults wanting to enjoy the holiday season at Disney. Although there were plenty of things to enjoy for children, we would recommend Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party over Jollywood Nights for children instead due to the parade and more family-friendly attractions at Magic Kingdom.
My favorite things to enjoy at Jollywood Nights include the Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along and Disney Holidays in Hollywood show featuring Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. I thought this separately-ticketed event was a great addition to the Disney World parks during Christmas.
Character Meet and Greets during Christmas at Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios offers several special character meet and greets during Christmas – including Santa himself! Read on below to see which characters guests can meet at Hollywood Studios during Christmas.
Santa Claus
Last year, “A Wonderful Shop” was introduced at Hollywood Studios in which guests could sign up for a virtual queue to meet Santa. This spot was located on Grand Avenue next door to Mama Melrose's Restaurant. Guests can also spot Santa riding in a convertible within the Merry Motorcade.
Toy Story Characters
Toy Story characters including Woody, Jesse, or Buzz Lightyear can be found in their normal meet and greet spot in front of Toy Story Mania. However, during the Christmas season these favorite characters can be found wearing cute holiday-themed attire. Both Woody and Jesse have been seen wearing Christmas vests decorated with peppermints and Christmas trees, and Buzz is wearing a Santa hat.
Chip ‘n' Dale
Chip ‘n' Dale can also be seen wearing adorable winter hats and scarves in their usual spot on the lawn outside the Brown Derby restaurant. Although guests cannot walk onto the lawn to take photos, it is very easy to take selfies with the mischievous duo in their holiday attire.
Hollywood & Vine Restaurant – Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto
One of our favorite character meet and greets during Christmas are at the Hollywood & Vine restaurant in Hollywood Studios. Hollywood & Vine is a buffet style table service and character dining restaurant that offers seasonal menus throughout the year. During the holiday season, guests can meet Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto while they are dressed up in cute holiday costumes. Hollywood & Vine is a very popular restaurant especially during Christmastime, and therefore we highly recommend making reservations through the My Disney Experience website or mobile app.
Holiday-Inspired Treats at Hollywood Studios during Christmas
In addition to the Hollywood & Vine seasonal menu and character greetings, there are tons of festive treats throughout Hollywood Studios at Christmas. Guests can find these treats at various kiosks and quick-service restaurants that do not require reservations. Most can also be mobile ordered through the My Disney Experience app which usually results in a shorter wait time for your holiday treats. We saw the following holiday treats during the 2023 Christmas season at Hollywood Studios:
ABC Commissary
- Holiday Minnie Bundt Cake: Spice cake rolled in cinnamon-sugar with apple pie filling topped with spiced maple buttercream and salted caramel icing
- Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce (Non-alcoholic beverage)
- Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa with Cherry Bourbon topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce
Backlot Express
- Red Velvet Whoopie Pie: Red velvet cake, candy cane buttercream, and holiday sprinkles
- Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce (Non-alcoholic beverage)
- Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa with Cherry Bourbon topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce
Hollywood Scoops
- Candy Cane Milkshake: Chocolate cake doughnut, mint doughnut icing, and candy cane sprinkles
PizzeRizzo
- Melted Snowman Sugar Cookie: Sugar cookie with red and green sugar, white chocolate, marshmallow, dark chocolate top hat, raspberry-chocolate twigs, orange sprinkle, and chocolate-covered cocoa nibs
- Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce (Non-alcoholic beverage)
- Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa with Cherry Bourbon topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce
- Santa Mickey Cupcake: Chocolate cake filled with mocha fudge and topped with red almond buttercream, white chocolate, and dark chocolate Mickey ears
- Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce (Non-alcoholic beverage)
- Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa with Cherry Bourbon topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce
Rosie’s All-American Café
- Santa Mickey Cupcake: Chocolate cake filled with mocha fudge and topped with red almond buttercream, white chocolate, and dark chocolate Mickey ears
- Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce (Non-alcoholic beverage)
- Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa with Cherry Bourbon topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce
The Trolley Car Café (Starbucks)
- Mickey Gingerbread Cookie
- Red Velvet Whoopie Pie: Red velvet cake, candy cane buttercream, and holiday sprinkle
Woody’s Lunch Box
- Hot Chocolate Lunch Box Tart: Chocolate fudge filling, hot chocolate-marshmallow fondant, and mini marshmallows
Dockside Diner and Outdoor Vending Carts Near Grand Avenue, the Tip Board, and the Main Entrance
- Holiday Mickey Brownie: Mickey-shaped chocolate brownie with holiday sprinkles
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Hollywood Studios has special Christmas decorations, character meet and greets, and an after hours event during Christmas time. Guests can also enjoy two Christmas shows each days which includes a nighttime Christmas projection show on the Tower of Terror called Sunset Seasons Greetings. There is also a special holiday edition of A Frozen Sing-Alone Celebration in which Olaf makes an appearance and sings songs from Olaf's Frozen Adventure. Overall, Hollywood Studios is a great park to visit during Christmas.
Yes, guests have two separate opportunities to see Santa at Hollywood Studios. Last year, a dedicated meet and greet area called A Wonderful Shop was introduced at Hollywood Studios in which guests could sign up for a virtual queue to meet Santa. This spot was located on Grand Avenue next door to Mama Melrose's Restaurant. Guests can also spot Santa riding in a convertible within the Merry Motorcade. The holiday season kicks off in early November and lasts until the end of December.
The separately ticketed event, known as Jollywood Nights, is the after hours Christmas Party at Hollywood Studios. This event costs between $159 and $179 per person, and lasts between 8:30 PM and 12:30 AM. Guests with tickets to Jollywood Nights can enter Hollywood Studios as early at 7 PM to retrieve their wrist bands and enjoy the park before it closes for the event.
Jollywood Nights and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) are both separately ticketed after hours events at Disney World that celebrate the Christmas season. There several differences between each event, including the event locations. Jollywood Nights takes place at Hollywood Studios and MVMCP takes place at Magic Kingdom. They both offer different Christmas celebrations and perks at each party. Jollywood Nights is described as “Hollywood Glamour Meets Holiday Cheer” and includes special character greetings and shows including a Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along and Disney Holidays in Hollywood show featuring Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. MVMCP includes a holiday parade, fireworks, and includes free sweet treats including cookies.
