Walt Disney World has shared a sneak peek at the themed drinks, dishes and desserts for the 2023 Jollywood Nights Christmas Party available November 11 through December 20, 2023 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In this food guide, we’ll take a sneak peek at the special items available for purchase during this hard ticket event, followed by quick commentary at the end.
As a reminder, Disney Jollywood Nights (DJN) is “counter-programming” of sorts for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. This party will be held on 10 select nights in Disney’s Hollywood Studios (DHS), offering a more refined holiday vibe, sights of sparkling décor, sounds of modern beats over classic holiday songs, tastes of craft cocktails and decadent dishes. It’s nostalgic and it’s glitz and glam galore.
Two nights of Disney Jollywood Nights are already sold out, and given that Walt Disney World has just kicked its promotional blitz into high gear, it’s likely that more dates will become unavailable before the first party on November 11, 2023. We don’t expect all dates to sell out by then, so if you’re a local waiting for reviews before making a decision, you might have time. But tourists with only one or two nights to choose from to do DJN might need to get off the fence before reading our or other reviews.
To that point, we’re put together a list of selling points for the party in Why You Should Do Disney Jollywood Nights. That covers the highlights of the event, from its theme to the Muppets and more. On the other hand, potential problems are covered in Why You Should NOT Do Disney Jollywood Nights Christmas Party at Hollywood Studios. That includes everything from crowds to capacity to entertainment to its adult-oriented nature.
Anyway, let’s turn to the info about restaurant reservations at Disney Jollywood Nights…
This new nighttime soiree will feature plenty of swanky spots for you to enjoy. One highlight of Disney Jollywood Nights is Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby as the restaurant transforms into a smooth jazz joint, playing holiday tunes amidst sparkling décor. Here, you can sip craft cocktails and indulge in an exclusive menu of light bites while enjoying the music and ambiance of this classy establishment.
To experience the festive fun of Jazzy Holidays at The Holiday Brown Derby, you can request to join the walk-up waitlist on the My Disney Experience app.
It’s easy to add yourself to the mobile walk-up list for Jazzy Holidays at The Holiday Brown Derby during Disney Jollywood Nights. (Note: This feature is only supported by devices running Android or iOS with the latest version of the My Disney Experience app installed and location services enabled.)
Heres how it works:
- Check availability for Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby via the app—or by scanning a QR code located in the restaurant’s lobby. There’s no need to visit the host stand to check availability.
- If there is availability, use the app to add your party to the walk-up list. At that time, you can also confirm your party details, including special dietary requests.
- Once your table is ready, you’ll be notified to proceed to a specified location.
You can even drop by the dazzling Twilight Soirée at The Tip-Top Club, a swingin’ soiree in the courtyard of The Hollywood Tower Hotel. A live band will be bringing the fun with holiday tunes in jukebox style as you sip on fancy cocktails.
Walt Disney World still has not proactively confirmed that Twilight Soirée and Jazzy Holidays at the Hollywood Brown Derby will be included in admission and won’t be ‘upchargeception’ (upcharges within upcharges) offerings. However, we’re pretty confident–I’d say 95% sure–they’ll be included.
Walt Disney World now does specifically point out that food & drinks in these venues will cost extra; normally, they’d indicate if there was an added charge for this type of thing. The fact that they haven’t strongly suggests (and all but confirms) that Twilight Soirée and Jazz Holidays are included with event tickets. Well, so long as you can score a spot on the Walk-Up Waitlist for Jazz Holidays!
Now let’s take a look at the full food & beverage guide to Disney Jollywood Nights:
Holiday Fiesta en la Calle at ABC Commissary
- Chicken Empanadas with Street Corn: Chicken empanadas served with a side of street corn salad topped with chili peppers, lime, and cotija cheese
- Yuca con Chicharrón: Fried pork belly, yuca, red pickled onions, and chili pepper-lime seasoning with a yellow pepper aïoli
- Mushroom Taco: Chili-roasted Mixed mushrooms, avocado crema, baby gem lettuce, and garnished with sliced radish (Plant-based Item)
- Birria Taco: Shredded short rib and Monterey jack served with beef consommé for dipping
- Tembleque: Coconut rice pudding with caramel rum sauce and cinnamon
- Mexican Hot Cocoa Cheesecake: Spiced chocolate cheesecake on a chocolate cookie base topped with vanilla whipped cream and cocoa powder with a chocolate handle
- Mangonada: Frozen mango beverage with mango-chili pepper-lime sauce and chili pepper-lime seasoning on top (Non-alcoholic)
- Zero-Proof Piña Colada: Lyre’s Spiced Cane Spirit, coconut, pineapple, and lime
- Oaxaca Old Fashioned: Casa Dragones Blanco Tequila, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, agave nectar, Mexican chocolate, and orange bitters served over ice garnished with an orange
Baseline Taphouse
- Tuna Ceviche: Marinated ahi tuna, pico de gallo, and avocado cream topped with cilantro
- Charcuterie Cup: Manchego, chorizo, serrano ham, pickled vegetables, olives, and toasted focaccia bread
- Beer Margarita: Blend of Patrón Silver Tequila, Cointreau Liqueur, and lime juice topped with Scrimshaw Pilsner over Ice
Dockside Diner
- Spicy Pimento-Kimchi Dip topped with chives and served with fresh house-made wonton chips
- Roasted Eggplant Dip topped with chives and served with warm pita bread (Plant-based Item)
- Poutine Tots: Potato barrels topped with gravy, brisket, mozzarella curds, and chives
- Christmas Tree Cookie Stack: Vanilla cookie stack filled with pistachio buttercream, cranberry, and raspberry jam topped with sprinkles and a yellow candy star
- Sandy Claws Hot Cocoa: “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas”-inspired dark chocolate hot cocoa topped with cherry whipped cream (Non-alcoholic)
- Naughty or Nice: Crown Royal Whisky and ginger mixed with orange, cranberry, and grapefruit juices topped with fresh cranberries
Epic Eats
- Spicy Korean Chicken Funnel Cake: Spicy fried Korean chicken with pickled vegetables served on a mini funnel cake
- Brisket Reuben Funnel Cake: Beef brisket and sauerkraut slaw topped with thousand island dressing served on a mini funnel cake
- S’mores Funnel Cake: Giant roasted marshmallow with chocolate and marshmallow sauce, topped with chocolate curls and cinnamon cereal served on a mini funnel cake
- Samuel Adams Winter Lager: Spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and orange peel for a deep flavor and malty finish
Fairfax Fare
- Holiday Turkey Popover: Roasted turkey and creamy mashed potatoes topped with gravy, cranberry chutney, and chives in a house-made popover
- ‘Just the Sides’ Popover: Macaroni & cheese and savory collard greens with ham topped with cornbread crumbs in a house-made popover
- PB&J Doughnut: Glazed doughnut with creamy peanut butter and grape jelly dipped in dark chocolate topped with crushed house-made salt and vinegar chips
- Kermit’s Frozen Banana Bliss: Frozen banana and white chocolate with caramel swirls topped with matcha whipped cream and sprinkle (Non-alcoholic)
- Mistletoe Martini: Tito’s Handmade Vodka and St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur mixed with cranberry juice and topped with fresh cranberries and mint leaves
Gertie’s Ice Cream of Extinction
- Christmas Gertie Cookie: Sugar cookie with mint icing (Also available with mint soft-serve)
Market
- Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls: Fried spring rolls served with a jalapeño-ranch dipping sauce and fried rice noodles
- Frozone’s Snowball Macaroons: Coconut macaroons drizzled with blue vanilla frosting and topped with white snowflake sprinkles
- Spiced Apple Cider: Apple cider and cinnamon with an apple chip garnish (Non-alcoholic)
- Zero-Proof Apple Cider: Lyre’s Spiced Cane Spirit, apple cider, Angostura Bitters, and cinnamon topped with an apple chip and cinnamon rim
- In Holiday Fashion: Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon, rosemary syrup, cranberry and lime juices, and cinnamon
PizzeRizzo
- Meatball and Polenta: Giant meatball with marinara and creamy cheese polenta
- Olive and Goat Cheese Flatbread: Olive oil-toasted flatbread, creamy goat cheese, rustic olive and tomato spread, balsamic glaze, and lemon watercress
- Antipasto Flatbread: Fresh mozzarella, salami, peperoni, country ham, olives, peppers, onions, pepperoncini, and marinara
- Tiramisù Puff: Sweet-and-savory with flavors of espresso, chocolate, and a coffee-infused custard and mascarpone cream
- Benvolio Pinot Grigio
- Banfi Chianti Superiore
- Peroni Nastro Azzuro Lager Draft
- Heineken 0.0 Non-Alcoholic Lager
Twilight Soirée at The Tip-Top Club
- The 5th Dimension Royale: Teremana Blanco Tequila, Cointreau Liqueur, desert pear, agave nectar, and lime juice topped with Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut and garnished with a dehydrated blood orange wheel
- Twilight Daiquiri: Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, ube, lime juice, and a splash of shimmer
- Sparkling Pomegranate-Apple Cider: Pomegranate-green tea topped with sparkling apple cider and pomegranate seeds
- Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut
The Trolley Car Café
- Ornament Mousse: Dark chocolate-cherry mousse
Outdoor Vending Locations
- Gingerbread Bites (Plant-based Item)
Bar Locations
- Zero-Proof Gingerbread Spritzer: Lyre’s Spiced Cane Spirit, gingerbread syrup, and club soda garnished with a gingerbread bite
- Sugar Cookie Martini: Stoli Vanil Vodka, Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur, and DISARONNO Originale Liqueur mixed with milk and sugar in a sprinkle-rimmed glass with a sugar cookie garnish
Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby
- Oyster Rockefeller: Spinach foam, shaved parmesan, rocoto pepper relish, and salmon caviar
- Crispy Duck Drumettes: Spicy orange glaze, carrots, and kumquats
- Charcuterie: House-made cured meats and accompaniments, blue cheese mousse, and toasted sourdough
- Shrimp Cocktail: Classic cocktail sauce, citrus pearls, avocado mousse
- Derby Slider: Bison and pork belly blend, taleggio cheese sauce, and fig stout jam
- Tuna Carpaccio: Mezcal pickled vegetables, salsa macha, and avocado crema
- Pork Belly Bao: Korean BBQ, cucumber slaw, and soy vinaigrette
- Tofu Bao: Seared tofu, cucumber slaw, and soy vinaigrette
- An assortment of classic cocktails, zero-proof and non-alcoholic beverages, wine, and beer
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
- Tinseltown Tini: Toast to holiday cheer with this cold brew coffee topped with Kahlúa, Grey Goose Vodka, a hint of light cream, and a dash of whipped cream with cocoa (Available at the location near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror)
- Round ‘Em Up Latte: A merry blend of espresso, cookie butter syrup, dulce de leche sauce, and milk topped with fluffy whipped cream, playful animal crackers, and festive sprinkles; available hot or iced (Non-alcoholic Beverage) (Available at the location in Toy Story Land)
Turning to commentary…is it possible for the dishes, desserts & drinks lineup to be too good?! I’m not even being sarcastic. About halfway through the list, I honestly got a little worried. The food & beverages for Disney Jollywood Nights go hard. Maybe a little too hard? (Honestly, this looks better to me than the full menus of this year’s EPCOT Food & Wine Festival!)
This culinary lineup is excellent to the point that this could explain why the substantive entertainment offerings at Disney Jollywood Nights don’t quite seem fully fleshed out. Because Walt Disney World is fully expecting attendees to spend a lot of time spending more money wining and dining, and not “doing things.”
Anyway, that’s probably a weird complaint. The type of thing the eternal optimists will use as ‘evidence’ that some Walt Disney World fans are never happy, no matter what–a complaint that something is too good. But to be clear, I’ve been concerned since the beginning that this might lean too heavily on food & beverages and photo ops. This simply fans the flames on that a bit.
Moreover, this will cease to be a complaint if the substance of the event–that I’ve already paid over $150 to attend–is good without spending even more money. I guess in that case, my ‘complaint’ will be that there are easily a dozen items on this list that look amazing, and it’ll be impossible to eat them all during only one night of Disney Jollywood Nights!
Speaking of spending more money (or not), I really hope there’s great merchandise for Disney Jollywood Nights. The posters and concept art they’ve made so far are beautiful, and I’d drop stupid amounts of money on Tip Top Club or Muppets merchandise!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you excited to try any of these 2023 Disney Jollywood Nights Christmas Party dishes, desserts and drinks at Hollywood Studios? Anything in particular catch your eye? Concerned that this culinary lineup is too good or think I’m finding ridiculous things to complain about? Anything you’d like to see added to the holiday menus at Walt Disney World? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
