Disney Jollywood Nights returns this holiday season for an encore run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios after its glitzy debut in 2023. This specially ticketed holiday event where Hollywood glamour meets holiday cheer, features new and returning entertainment, more than 20 unique character experiences, special sweet treats and more. Disney Files Magazine staff writer Jill Chabot caught up with Disney Live Entertainment Executive Creative Director Tom Vazzana to learn more about what’s in store for Disney Jollywood Nights in 2024.
Jill: I understand that your Disney Live Entertainment career began almost 30 years ago, when you directed and choreographed “Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage” at the park known today as Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Since then, you’ve helped shape everything from “Fantasmic!” to media events to attraction launches, and I’m only scratching the surface. What projects tend to present the greatest creative challenges?
Tom: Everything has its challenges. For the recent press events that helped launch the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction at Magic Kingdom Park, for example, we were tasked with creating moments that were true to Disney, to Princess Tiana’s story and to the inspiring city of New Orleans. It’s my job to make sure that the creative is on point and the project remains collaborative so that our best work shines through. And with last year’s launch of Disney Jollywood Nights, we were faced with delivering a new experience that transformed every venue at Disney’s Hollywood Studios into a multi-land party. While it’s a challenge, it’s worth it if the creative is strong, and I firmly believe that the storytelling soirée of Disney Jollywood Nights is entirely that.
Jill: That’s a great segue. I was fortunate to experience Disney Jollywood Nights last year. It’s such a unique event. How’d it come about?
Tom: It started with a desire to create a seasonal event that could complement Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park by serving a different audience. We started asking, “What would a more grownup holiday celebration look like in a Disney Park?” Ultimately, we were drawn to the idea of blending Hollywood glamour and holiday cheer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I’m so proud of the experience we delivered for the event’s first run, and we’re excited to raise the bar this year.
Jill: Let’s talk about how you’re raising the bar. What can you tell us about what’s returning from last year’s event, and what's new this year?
Tom: Our aim this year is to plus-up the core experience that struck such a chord with guests last year – bringing the glitz and glamor of old Hollywood to a holiday celebration filled with live entertainment, specialty cocktails and more. So once again, for example, the courtyard of the Hollywood Tower Hotel becomes the Twilight Soiree at the Tip Top Club, and the Animation Courtyard becomes a lively, Latin street fair. You’ll still find Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy hosting their star-studded holiday show at the Theater of the Stars, and you’ll still be invited to participate in a sing-along show inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. You’ll once again find a live band at the Tip Top Club, unique character greetings around Echo Lake and a dance party in Pixar Plaza. And to raise the bar this year, we’re adding Latin dancers to the courtyard at Holiday Fiesta en la Calla, which is the holiday street fair I mentioned taking over Animation Courtyard. And in addition to that live band at the Tip Top Club, you’ll now find ballroom dancers adding to the ambience.
I’m also excited about what we’re adding to center stage, right in front of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – a skating spectacular that finds international champion ice skaters putting a Disney twist on a traditional holiday skating show. That may be what I’m looking forward to most.
Jill: I notice you said “may be.” If not the skating show, what would you say you’re looking forward to most this year?
Tom: Seeing how guests dress to impress. This was one of the great joys for us last year – seeing our guests getting glammed up and really embracing the theme. It’s something that happened organically, and – likely fueled by social media – we saw more and more guests dressing in theme over the event’s run. So now that our guests have had more time to prepare this holiday season, I’m excited to see their latest looks. While dressing in theme certainly isn’t required, the more guests who choose to do so, the more glitz and glam they add to the atmosphere. And that’s really the greatest thrill for anyone who creates Disney experiences – seeing how guests embrace the experience – seeing in ways beyond what we imagined.
This year’s Disney Jollywood Nights will unfold on select evenings from 7:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. from Nov. 9-Dec. 21, with event ticketholders having the flexibility to enter Disney’s Hollywood Studios as early as 6 p.m. to add more Park time to their event night. For party dates, pricing and more details, visit disneyworld.com/jollywood. And to learn about special holiday offerings for eligible* Disney Vacation Club Members at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, keep an eye on the “Member Benefits” section of disneyvacationclub.com.
*See important eligibility information at the bottom of page 1.
