Hi
Any thoughts on whether attending DJN would be better than booking a day ticket for HS?
Planning a very quick visit to Orlando from UK and limited for time. So was thinking an evening might be a good way to see the park for 4/5 hrs. My main interest at HS is GE, TS land and seeing fantasmic again.
Will the crowds actually be lower? 16th November is my potential date.
Any thoughts welcome?
cheers
To my understanding, while some attractions are available during Jollywood, it is a very specific holiday themed and focused event. I’m not sure you would get what you’re looking for out of it. It’s very different from MVMCP which is more like a usual park night with low crowds and some holiday things added in.
Happy to have others chime in if I am off base though!
Tagging @darkmite2 because he did a rides-focused Jollywood night last year and had some observations about the experience in GE and TSL in particular.
ETA: Here’s the post I was thinking of:
You can enter HS at 6:00 pm, and the party goes until 12:30 a.m.
Fantasmic! is at 6:30 pm on party nights. If you’re interested in that, it will eat up much of your non-party park time. The party starts at 7:30 pm.
Hi!
If all you care about is the rides, then Jollywood may work for you. It’s expensive though!
Last year, I was not be able to see Fantasmic. The show started right as they began admitting guests for Jollywood. They wanted the day guests to see the show & then leave so the party could start.
I know they’ve expanded the hours this year. That may affect when the show starts. However, until some one can verify the show time I would not plan on being able to see it.
SW:GE was a ghost town the entire night. There was a rush when RotR reopened, but it closed at 9pm. After that no one was back there.
TSL was always busy, but not insanely packed…
I stand by the comments in the thread that got posted as a good summary.
Here’s the actual Trip Report I did for Jollywood. I have bookmarked it right at the start of that night.
Universal Addict's Very Merry Grinchmas & Jolly Birthday - #244 by darkmite2 .
I got that time from Disney’s own page. Naturally they include that disclaimer…
"Showtime
Catch this spirited extravaganza at 6:30 PM on event nights!
Showtime is subject to change."
thanks. I am coming from UK so cost wise its compariable with a day ticket all be it for less hours. Probably wouldnt do the meet and greets but the muppet show sounds a must. I would be happy to spend a lot of time in GE though and ride both rides multiple times.
Anyone going to HBD at Jollywood? It didn’t go over well last year. Last year they said you could request to join a walk-up waitlist on MDE. This year they want reservations, starting Sept 17.
I went to Jollywood last year. I think it was the fourth night of the event. They’d fixed the biggest issues by then.
If I remember correctly the biggest issue at The Brown Derby was with the app and virtual queue. Plus, there was a real lack of holiday theme or décor at the Brown Derby.
I’m planning on going back this year. Only having a limited amount of time for the event doing a sit down meal takes up too much time.
This is a better way to manage that, as it sounded like a disaster the walk-up way
I’ll be back at Jollywood, too, but not on the night you’re going, I think. I’m going 12/7.
I did not go to HBD last year, and probably won’t this year, either - unless 1) reviews are that it’s vastly improved and 2) there’s a group of other Liners going to HBD, too. I’ve never been to HBD in any format.
I love HBD, it’s one of my favorite table service meals. That said, I probably won’t be taking time for it at Jollywood, even with different music. There are too many other shows/events we want to participate in.
(disclaimer - if they post the menu and there are some fabulous cocktails… we might change our minds)
This year, they are advertising it to be exactly what it actually WAS last year. So I don’t think they intend to “improve” it. Rather, last year they failed to set appropriate expectations. Lesson learned, I guess.
I think there is a group going that night!
I’m a bit on the fence about it. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of interest on the night I can go - Mon. 12/2/24. Plus, it’s a big chunk of my Disney Visa Reward Points. However, Universal closes at 7pm that entire week. I’ve already got a few nights that week ending with me eating dinner and walking around CityWalk by 8pm. Having a night that goes until 1am with rides is appealing!
My biggest complaint last year was that it was too brief. They’ve added an hour which is another big reason I want to return.
Agree.
To be clear, my comment about improving it was in regards to HBD specifically.
A group going to which? I know there’s several going to Jollywood that night, but I don’t know if anyone is going HBD.
As has been mentioned, to do HBD would use quite a bit of time, and for ??? food/entertainment.
DH and I went to JN last year (not to HBD), but this time I’m doing a solo trip. I look forward to being more adventurous and spending time with other Liners.
Yes! I know a lot of people didn’t like it but my family thought it was one of the best parts of the night! The food and drinks were all delicious and the piano players were fantastic! We loved the vibe 
We easily got in towards the end of the party after we had done all we wanted. It was the perfect end to the evening.
Maybe I should amend my post to clarify. I was asking more about HBD, than JN.
The answer is still yes! It won’t be on the Liner night though, I’m going with my family a different night 