Disney World’s Newest Event Leaves Guests Angry, Disappointed, and Demanding Refunds

On November 11, Walt Disney World Resort hosted a brand-new holiday event at Hollywood Studios — Disney Jollywood Nights. Jollywood Nights was described by Disney as an event “where Hollywood glamour meets holiday cheer.” The event was a hard-ticketed one, meaning that there were a lot fewer people who would be in the parks. It is the second holiday-themed party at Disney World. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is currently taking place at the Magic Kingdom.

Related: Did Disney Just Make Its New Holiday Event Adults-Only?

Jollywood Nights was filled with special events like the Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club at Tower of Terror, special holiday cocktails at the Hollywood Brown Derby, a Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along, and an incredible stage show featuring The Muppets. In addition to that, there would be classic characters in celebratory outfits, festive photo spots, and all-new PhotoPass offerings.

Guests were really looking forward to trying this new Walt Disney World holiday party. Unfortunately, it did not go well.

Many guests thought that Disney had understaffed the party — hordes of people were seen lining up down entire blocks of the Disney park as they waited for specialty drinks, while there were only several bartenders there to make the drinks.

Hmmm this seems well thought out. Three bartenders and a mob of people at the Tip Top club. Bring your patient pants

Hmmm this seems well thought out. Three bartenders and a mob of people at the Tip Top club. Bring your patient pants pic.twitter.com/rXfx7HsO4d

— Random Recess (@RandomRecess) November 12, 2023

One X (formerly Twitter) user said Disney practically set itself up for failure by marketing the event as an “adult catered holiday party” when they should have marketed it as an after-hours event with some specialty food and drinks.

After a night to sleep on it, here’s thoughts on Jollywood Nights

If it was marketed as an After Hours event with low wait times and some added entertainment and food/drinks, it would work

But it was marketed as a swanky adult catered holiday party, and it failed badly at that

After a night to sleep on it, here’s thoughts on Jollywood Nights

If it was marketed as an After Hours event with low wait times and some added entertainment and food/drinks, it would work

But it was marketed as a swanky adult catered holiday party, and it failed badly at that

— Somewareatdisney (@somewareatdiz) November 12, 2023

Now for the rest. The “tip top club” was just a backstage drink cart next to a 4 piece band and minimal theming. The “jazzy holidays” at brown derby was just “here’s a piano player” and again minimal theming. Really lacked any sort of creativity or energy.

Logistically, it was a mess. This aspect I believe will improve over time. Took way too much time to do almost anything. 30 minutes for a cookie, 30 minutes for check in, etc etc. In a 4 hour event (an hour less than Very Merry) this is a problem.

Logistically, it was a mess. This aspect I believe will improve over time. Took way too much time to do almost anything. 30 minutes for a cookie, 30 minutes for check in, etc etc. In a 4 hour event (an hour less than Very Merry) this is a problem.

— Somewareatdisney (@somewareatdiz) November 12, 2023

Somewareatdisney was not the only one who thought that Jollywood Nights should have been made into more of an After Hours event, so not as many people would have been disappointed.

Disney Jollywood Nights is… A great idea, w/ poor execution. Great if you want to treat as an After Hours to walk on rides. Other than that, I don’t recommend it. This pic was a highlight and fun to create. Not worth almost $500 though. #disneyjollywoodnights #JollywoodNights

Disney Jollywood Nights is…
A great idea, w/ poor execution. Great if you want to treat as an After Hours to walk on rides. Other than that, I don’t recommend it.
This pic was a highlight and fun to create. Not worth almost $500 though. #disneyjollywoodnights #JollywoodNights pic.twitter.com/qvj0SBzKr0

— Shannon Ford (@mrsshannonford) November 12, 2023

Things went so badly on the first night of the event, that Disney was actually handing out refunds to those who requested one.

Stopped By Disney Guest Relations And They Were Able To Give Me A Full Refund For Jollywood Nights. Sounds Like They’ve Been Getting A lot Of Complaints About The Event.

Stopped By Disney Guest Relations And They Were Able To Give Me A Full Refund For Jollywood Nights. Sounds Like They’ve Been Getting A lot Of Complaints About The Event.

— Kevin Heimbach (@kevinHeimbach13) November 13, 2023

Guests weren’t the only ones who were appearing to throw shade at Disney for dropping the ball on this new event. SeaWorld Orlando also appeared to get in on the action with a simple tweet.

Nights are always Jolly at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration ?? Who’s joining us tonight?!

Nights are always Jolly at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration 🤩🎄 Who’s joining us tonight?! pic.twitter.com/Dnz9ABNAz0

— SeaWorld (@SeaWorld) November 12, 2023

While there were a number of things that did not go well during Disney’s inaugural Jollywood Nights event, there were some highlights. Many people on social media shared that they really enjoyed the Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along. They were also really impressed by the massive Jack Skellington “puppet” that was created for the stage show.

NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS ON BROADWAY WHEN???

NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS ON BROADWAY WHEN??? pic.twitter.com/9hvYGeGHHe

— Tyler Hohlstein (@tytastic_panda) November 13, 2023

Whenever guests can see The Muppets in a new way, it is almost guaranteed to be a hit. At Jollywood Nights, there was a special stage show featuring The Muppets, and guests really seemed to enjoy that. There was also a showing of the popular holiday show “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM”.

Even though there were a lot of people who left Disney’s Hollywood Studios disappointed, there is still hope that Disney will take a look at what didn’t work and tweak future parties. Jollywood Nights is taking place on select nights through December 20. There are still tickets available for most nights, but November 18 and December are sold out.

Did you go to the opening night of Jollywood Nights? What did you think? Let us know in the comments!