Disney Live Entertainment has revealed the story of how “Holly Jolly Ollie Wood,” otherwise known as Ollie, the gingerbread man mascot for Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, was brought to life.
The Making of Holly Jolly Ollie Wood from Disney Jollywood Nights
Last year, Disney introduced a new park-exclusive character for the inaugural Disney Jollywood Nights in Hollywood Studios. Ollie made his first appearance as a cutout figure near the Brown Derby and a neon entrance sign; both were the only ways to spot Ollie at the event.
On the Disney Jollywood Nights information page on the Walt Disney World website, Ollie’s story is described as follows:
There once was a cookie named Ollie who made his way west on a trolley. With oven-baked gleam, he followed his dream… and made all of Tinseltown jolly!
There is even more Ollie representation planned for this year. Perhaps the results of the survey Disney sent out to guests last year following the new event revealed that Ollie was well-liked.
Disney has already teased exclusive merchandise that will be available during this year’s Jollywood Nights. This is a huge improvement from last year’s merchandise, which was just a single T-shirt commemorating the inaugural event. This year focuses more on Ollie and the event overall.
Other merchandise that will be available this year include T-shirts, a pin, a mug, and even an Ollie-themed ear headband.
Last year, we first met Ollie on the Jollywood Nights event guidemap.
There once was a cookie named Ollie
Who made his way west on a trolley
With oven-baked gleam, he followed his dream
And made all of Tinseltown jolly!
So who is this adorable little gingerbread man? Where did he come from? Luckily, Disney Live Entertainment shared some details on Instagram on how Ollie came to be.
Justin Dring, a concept artist/illustrator for Disney Live Entertainment, took to Instagram to explain his brainchild, Ollie. Dring explained that Holly Jolly Ollie Wood made his way to Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the glitz and glamour of the holiday season to make his dreams come true and to spread the holiday cheer of Tinseltown with guests.
Everything from the design of Ollie’s icing and piping details to his expressive pie eyes is very nostalgic and reminiscent of the 1940s and 1950s. Dring also mentions that the blue Ollie wears is a very specific “Jollywood blue.”
At the end of the very short Instagram reel, Dring mentions that even more of Ollie’s story is “still being baked” and to stay tuned for more details.
You can watch the video in full below:
Disney Jollywood Nights returns on select evenings starting November 9 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This year will include returning offerings, as well as a new ice skating show titled “Glisten!” Many character meet and greets have already been confirmed. Champagne-flavored marshmallows will be given out as a complimentary gift as guests exit the event. Disney has also released the full list of food and beverages that guests can enjoy (including the return of the Santa Gertie cookie).
Check out our reaction to last year’s Disney Jollywood Nights.
Are you a fan of the adorable little gingerbread man, Holly Jolly Ollie Wood? Are you going to Jollywood Nights this year? Let us know in the comments below and on social media.
Want to know what to expect with Disney Jollywood Nights this year? Check out our full guide from last year’s inaugural event.
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