Summary
Put the holly in Hollywood with all the festive hoppenings at Disney's Hollywood Studios beginning Nov. 9, 2023! Festive decorations line the park — even dinosaur Gertie typically celebrates the season. Experience a special holiday finale to the Frozen Sing-Along and witness the Sunset Seasons Greetings projections and "snow" along Sunset Boulevard. Enjoy seasonal treats throughout the park and dine with characters in festive outfits with Minnie's Holiday Dine. Plus you might just see Santa passing by. What a gift! Plus, don't miss the brand-new separately ticketed event, Disney Jollywood Nights!
Overview of the Holidays at Disney's Hollywood Studios
The offerings at Disney's Hollywood Studios, kicking off Nov. 9, 2023, capture all of the magic of the holidays with a fun, modern twist, featuring some of your favorite characters. We're hoppy that the Sunset Seasons Greetings projection show returns this year, as well as Minnie's Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine and the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration with a festive finale. Plus, we're excited to experience the brand-new Disney Jollywood Nights!
We're here to share all of the hoppin' happiness available for your enjoyment during the holiday season at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Christmas Decorations at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios has a bunch of fun holiday decor sprinkled around the park (though you won't typically find any in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge). From Santa Gertie to the red and white stars that line Sunset Boulevard, the park deserves a Hollywood star for its festive flashiness.
Hollywood & Sunset Boulevard
As soon as we arrive on Hollywood Boulevard, the old-timey decorations made of sprinkling tinsel, colorful bells and festive bows make us feel like we’ve just stepped onto a 1930s Christmas movie set. Of course, the old-fashioned Christmas tunes playing along the strip add to the yuletide charm. Don’t be surprised if you see Mommy Frog dancing the Charleston all the way down Hollywood Boulevard! One of our favorite design elements is how the bows of garland are strung across the entire street, creating a gorgeous canopy of glowing lights that make you feel as if you’re truly walking in a winter wonderland.
While Hollywood Boulevard delivers in a big way, Sunset Boulevard is decorated just as beautifully. The lamp posts lining the street are adorned with red and white stars, all aglow. Garland made of tinsel, vintage toy figurines, twinkling lights and ribbon are strewn atop the shops and dining venues along the street. The pinnacle, of course, is the Hollywood Tower of Terror dawning its holiday projections complete with "snow" flurries beginning at nightfall. Talk about being merry and bright!
Center Stage
Peeking out from the landscaping and shrubbery around the center stage area, you’ll find life-sized vintage Christmas figurines reminiscent of the ones Grandma Frog used to decorate with each year. We ADORE finding these holiday icons every Christmas season! You can typically find the three peppermint girls on the Brown Derby Lawn, while the pink spaghetti poodles sit right outside Disney’s Hollywood and Vine restaurant. These holiday charmers are the perfect conversation starter and double as a must-have photo-op. Have your camera ready!
Echo Lake
You won’t want to miss the park’s enormous 65-foot Christmas tree found right in the middle of Echo Lake. While the tree is gorgeous any time of the day, once the sun goes down, this beauty toadally begins to shine — literally! Just look at that crystal-clear reflection shimmering across Echo Lake. In addition, giant glowing Christmas ornaments float at the foot of the tree. Our best dino gal, Gertie, really gets into the holiday spirit with her festive Santa hat and shiny red ornament hanging from her mouth!
Toy Story Land
You know Toy Story Land wouldn’t miss out on the holiday decorating fun! The larger-than-life Christmas lights found year-round is even more beloved during the happiest season of all. Woody welcomes guests with a giant holiday, “Howdy!” while wearing his red and white striped scarf! Keep your eyes peeled for even more Christmas touches, such as the popcorn garland, Rex wearing his cardboard antlers, green alien ornaments and giant sugar cookies! You’ll want to take a spin on the Alien Swirling Saucers attraction. The soundtrack gets a little upgrade — the holiday edition!
Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios
New this year, Disney Jollywood Nights is a separately ticketed event taking place from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on select nights from Nov. 11 to Dec. 20, 2023. This brand-new event combines the holidays with the glitz and glam of the past. Don your festive dapper best for an enchanting night!
The event will feature the return of the fan-favorite "Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM" nighttime spectacular, plus even more special entertainment such as a DJ Dance Party, Latin Street Fair, sing-along at the Hyperion Theater and a holiday special at Theater of the Stars hosted by Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog (you know we frogs will be there!). There will also be two new limited-capacity entertainment areas at the Hollywood Brown Derby and the Hollywood Tower Hotel Courtyard.
Guests will also be able to meet Mickey Mouse and friends, Powerline Max, Phineas and Ferb, Edna Mode and select characters from "The Incredibles". The party includes access to favorite rides such as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (with a virtual queue), Slinky Dog Dash, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and more. Enjoy special PhotoPass stops and holiday-themed Magic Shots around the park, with PhotoPass digital downloads included with your event ticket! Be sure to save room for specialty food and drink offerings.
The events run from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., though you can enter at early as 7:00 p.m. without additional park admission or a park pass reservation. Here are the 2023 dates:
- Saturday, November 11
- Saturday, November 18
- Monday, November 20
- Monday, November 27
- Wednesday, November 29
- Monday, December 4
- Wednesday, December 6
- Saturday, December 16
- Monday, December 18
- Wednesday, December 20
Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests (and guests of Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels and Shades of Green) can buy tickets starting June 29, 2023. Ticket sales will open to the public July 6, 2023.
Christmas Entertainment at Disney's Hollywood Studios
There's lots of fun seasonal entertainment to enjoy at Hollywood Studios!
A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration Holiday Show
Catch the Arendelle historians, Anna, Elsa and Kristoff recount the story of their kingdom and sing along to your favorite musical moments from the movie. The holiday edition features a special festive finale with a surprise appearance from a certain snowman and songs from "Olaf's Frozen Adventure."
Sleigh
Performing on Center Stage in front of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, “Sleigh” was a new a capella group that made its debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the holiday season! You’ll want to dance along as this contemporary pop group belts holiday favorites with a fresh and modern twist!
The performance times and locations vary, so be sure to check the entertainment guide in the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit. "Sleigh" has not yet been confirmed for 2023.
Santa Claus at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Santa Claus makes time for special pop-up appearances during a merry motorcade at Hollywood Studios. Dancing elves dressed in red and green lead the processional, followed by Santa’s reindeer. It appears that Pluto has accepted the role as Santa’s lead reindeer by the looks of his red jingle antlers! Santa shows off his style, cruising by in a bright red convertible as he waves and shouts merry wishes to Disney guests.
Sunset Seasons Greetings at Disney's Hollywood Studios
You know it's the holiday season when the Tower of Terror turns into The Hollywood Toy Hotel. Sunset Seasons Greetings lights up Sunset Boulevard with dazzling projections and more falling "snow" on both the street's billboards and the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Holiday scenes featuring Mickey, Minnie, Olaf, Woody, Buzz and more come to life with tons of captivating color. This show takes place intermittently most nights, so it's perfect to catch in passing on your way to or from Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.
Holiday Character Meet and Greets
Character meet and greets are always a popular favorite at Disney World. But when characters are dressed in their cutest holiday attire, we just can’t get enough! While there aren’t any specific meet and greet locations (at Hollywood Studios) for this holiday season, you will want to keep your eyes peeled.
Lily found Woody and Jesse greeting guests outside of Toy Story Mania. She hopped over, got her autograph book signed and snapped a few photos with the Toy Story duo. Look how festive they look in their holiday vests! Woody is even sporting a candy cane in his holster.
Tad spotted Chip 'n' Dale squirreling around with guests on the Brown Derby lawn. Their winter hats and scarves are oh-so-adorable!
Seasonal Magic Shots with Disney PhotoPass
Looking for the perfect holiday photo for this year’s family Christmas card? Well, falalalala — you’re in luck! Disney's PhotoPass photographers will have you laughing all the way with this year’s seasonal MagicShots.
You will typically find PhotoPass photographers lined down Hollywood Boulevard, in front of Mickey & Mickey’s Runaway Railway and staked around the Echo Lake area.
Some of the MagicShots available include a snow globe, mistletoe, an elf hat, a JOY prop sign and Santa's nice and naughty list. Don’t be afraid to politely ask your photographer if you have a specific shot in mind.
Festive Food and Seasonal Flavors at Hollywood Studios
Some of the cutest holiday treats this season can be found at this holly-jolly park.
Minnie's Seasonal Dining at Hollywood & Vine
Minnie Mouse is hosting a yuletide gathering for all her friends at Hollywood & Vine, held from November 5 to early January. Santa Goofy joins the celebration, along with Minnie, Mickey and Pluto in their holiday best. They are only available during lunch and dinner times (the Disney Junior Pals are at breakfast), so double-check your reservation time to confirm you have the right character experience. Check out our frog family foodie review for more details!
Holiday Treats
It wouldn't be the holidays without some festive food and drinks, right? Each year, there are lots of specialty offerings available for the holiday season. Last year, we enjoyed treats like the Holiday Minnie Mouse Bundt Cake from ABC Commissary and the Candy Cane Milkshake from Hollywood Scoops.
We're excited to see what goodies emerge for 2023!
Have questions about Disney's Hollywood Studios or any of the Walt Disney World holiday events? Share them in the comments below! Ready to visit this holiday season? Pick the best dates to visit using our Orlando Crowd Calendar. Check out our Orlando planning timeline for a stress-free family vacation.
Related: Complete Guide to Disney World Holiday Events
Hoppy planning!
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