PHOTO REPORT: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 11/12/2024 (Holiday Entertainment and Christmas party honest review)

Nana T.

Donald Duck and two performers in festive clothing entertain guests at a Christmas party beside a decorated tree near a water feature on a sunny day, capturing the essence of holiday entertainment at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

PHOTO REPORT: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 11/12/2024 (Holiday Entertainment and Christmas party honest review)

Long time no writing… It’s been a SUPER BUSY week! My last princess diary was back on November 2nd. Until today, I was in parks for 9 days! I had 3 food reviews and 2 parties! I want to talk about 2 parties, but let me talk about today’s loop first!

Let the chaos begin!

Hellur from Hollywood Studios!

Since last month, Hollywood Studios changed back to old-style early entry, so I could get in early to the park! The early entry started at 8:30 but was already open when I arrived at 8:05. Stroll the front store as usual (only Key Stone was open) and waked by For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration. It’s also the holiday version now.

The sign for "Olaf's Frozen Adventure," part of the enchanting Holiday Entertainment at Disney's Hollywood Studios, displays showtimes: 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, and 12:30 PM. Trees and a festive building provide a charming backdrop reminiscent of a magical Christmas party.

I went to check Santa’s workshop but nobody was there yet, so I went to Boardwalk to check gingerbread house!

Boardwalk Gingerbread House

A gingerbread replica of Boardwalk Deli, decorated with icing and candies, is displayed indoors with poinsettias and greenery.

I like how they made it like an actual boardwalk deli!

Took the boat back to Hollywood Studios… This time, I am hoping to see somebody at Santa’s workshop!

Santa Claus : It’s A Wonderful Shop

I am sure most of you read the actual article about Santa Claus meet and greet, right? If not, here is the link. You must have a U.S. phone number to receive your text. The check-in cast member didn’t tell me how long is the wait but got called in less than 15 minutes.

Santa Claus settles into a green velvet couch amidst a festive red and gold backdrop in Disney's Hollywood Studios, ready for a cheerful meet and greet, surrounded by Christmas decorations and gifts.

Santa asked me what I wanted, so I asked him for “AirPod Pro Max.” I wanted to ask for “less food review” but I know this won’t happen.

After meeting Santa, my character holiday quest began. Most of the characters have holiday attire. Here are the pictures.

****Disclaimer***** I waited for Woody and Jessie for one hour. They are the longest ones I’ve ever waited. I gave up on Buzz and Daisy.

After the characters, I needed to get 3 new holiday entertainments throughout the parks. Each park has a holiday paper guide. They said “Check My Disney Experience (MDX)” for time.

A person holds a "Celebrate the Holidays at Disney's Hollywood Studios" flyer, brimming with details about enchanting holiday entertainment and festivities, in an outdoor setting.

Where on MDX? Hellur? I checked MDX like 10 times, but nothing is on there… Went to ask GET cast members. They don’t even know. They told me to check MDX too. Found the manager, and they said “It’s a surprise.” Ummmm………. The paper that you guys printed out clearly said “For today’s entertainment offering and show times, visit the My Disney Experience app.” This was fantastically well organized. Also, the entertainment will move/ change their location between the morning and the afternoon.

From the morning until noon “Seasonz Juke Box Band” was playing by Tatoonie trader, but in the afternoon they moved to Edna and Frozone’s statue by Dockside Diner

A group of people dances energetically in an outdoor setting reminiscent of a lively Hollywood Studios scene. Some hold instruments, much like a marching band, while a child enthusiastically joins in. Trees and a brick building provide the charming backdrop.

Holiday Spirit Bandwas playing in front of Edna and Frozone’s statue by Dockside Diner until noon, then moved to the animation courtyard.

A person in a character costume performing energetically with musicians dressed in festive attire in an outdoor theme park setting.

Juggling Elves started by Brown Darby Bar, then moved to Echo Lake in the afternoon.

Donald Duck and two performers in festive attire, straight from the Juggling Elves Show, are delighting guests near a decorated Christmas tree by the lake under a partly cloudy sky at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

But most of them are done by 5 pm. So if you would like to catch them, go there early! They have their shows every hour except 1 pm. They might change because it’s “surprise” so if they changed, let us know in the comment! Anyway, I spent 8 hours to just get characters and 3 entertainments today! Can you believe it? Because I can not! haha

Okay, I hope some people are here for my honest opinion about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights. Let’s start with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2024

Amidst a snowy backdrop and a twinkling Christmas tree, a joyful guest snaps a selfie with Disney characters dressed in festive holiday attire, capturing the spirit of Disney's Hollywood Studios' enchanting holiday entertainment.

I started at 7:30 am on the party day, because of the Christmas food review! Yes, I was there from 7:30 until 1 am and ate over 20 items. Our unofficial intern felt so bad, she flew from San Diego to help me.

How’s the food? It was all peppermint! I LOVE PEPPERMINT, I am the person who buys peppermint during the Christmas season, But it was way too much peppermint… The ice cream was fantastic I would buy it again.

A person holds a colorful plate with a scoop of ice cream topped with whipped cream and chocolate syrup, reminiscent of the festive Christmas treats at Magic Kingdom. Red flowers and green foliage create a vibrant background.

Castle show, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration. FANTASTIC! Always, FANTASTIC.

Performers in colorful costumes dance joyously during the most merriest celebration, set against the backdrop of a brightly lit castle with blue spires shimmering at night.

I love it so much, especially Daisy’s phone part. Never fail me, never.

Parade, Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. What the actual FAIRY 🧚‍♀️ happened to my favorite parade? (Well, I know what happened but…) It is not acceptable at all.

A gingerbread-themed float, part of the enchanting Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, glides by an audience on a twinkling street at night. Illuminated with lights and candy decor, it captivates the gathered crowd on both sides.

The new song? Miserable. Took the heart from the parade. I don’t think I can jam that parade like how I used to. My deceased family member who was an entertainment cast member would come out from the grave for this. Because it is not okay. I know there are complicated situations, but they couldn’t make it better.

A festive parade float with a snowy, icy theme glides down a lit-up street at Disney's Hollywood Studios, surrounded by onlookers enjoying the holiday entertainment.

Well the good side of the parade, I LOVED the update on the FROZEN unit. It was a great update, I love their costume.

Also somehow, this year’s party was packed than ever. I usually get my parade spot before the first castle show starts, but it was too late for this year. I’ve going to MVMCP since 2013 but this was the crazy busiest one I ever saw.

These are the troops who worked on the MVMCP opening night coverage with me. Thank you!

A group of people wearing Mickey Mouse headbands and festive attire beams in front of a dazzling castle at night, capturing the magic of holiday entertainment. An inset reveals another spirited group moment, echoing a scene that might unfold at Disney's Hollywood Studios' Christmas party.

**I had 3 starbies between 7:30 am to 1 am on that day.

Let’s jump to Jollywood nights.

Jollywood Nights

They let us check in really early, like 4 pm, and were able to go check the merchandise early too. I love that. This year, they added more characters and ice skating shows, so everybody was split all over the parks which was great. I ended up waiting 15-20 minutes for each character except Stitch.

Various costumed characters, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald and Daisy Duck, Chip and Dale, Pluto, and others, pose at a themed holiday entertainment event with colorful backgrounds at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Ice skating show? Glisten!

Dancers in shimmering blue costumes glisten under festive holiday lighting, performing on a stage adorned with decorations reminiscent of Disney Jollywood Nights.

It’s a great addition… But couldn’t beat SeaWorld’s ice skating show. It’s totally different kind of ice skating show. Glisten! is a more modern skating show with Disney songs, if I compare it to SeaWorld’s show. (**I am the person who is paying my annual pass to just watch their Christmas ice skating show every year.) The Glisten!’s link is so small and the skaters can’t show their skill 100% on there. If they add characters like Disney On Ice, I will like it more. (I doubt they would not do it because the link is too small.) I love the songs that they are using tho. It’ll be my playlist to go to work.

Overall, Jollywood Nights satisfied me more than Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year. Who would expect that?! My friends asked me “If you have to pick one from Jollywood or MVMCP, which one you would choose?” I used to say MVMCP, However, from now on I would tell them “Jollywood Nights!.”

The parade and the castle show from Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party would be able to watch during the daytime operation from end of the December anyway. (Whether you like the new song or not.) So I rather pay to go Jollywood Nights. It’s less wait for everything and more chill.

Well, thank you for reading Nana’s Princess Diary. I hope this will help you to find Hollywood Studios holiday entertainment and make easy decisions for the parties!

Have a magical day and see you real soon!

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