When you think of Disney World at Christmastime, Magic Kingdom probably pops into your head first and for good reason. Snow falls on Main Street, Cinderella Castle sparkles, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party delivers that cozy, classic Disney holiday feeling. But in 2025? Hollywood Studios is making a serious play for the top spot.
The Real Winner: Hollywood Studios
This park isn’t just throwing wreaths on the lamp posts and calling it a day. It’s fully embracing vintage Christmas glam. Echo Lake has those massive ornaments floating in the water. Gertie the Dinosaur gets her yearly Santa hat. Sunset Boulevard glows with classic tinsel and mid-century holiday charm. It’s like walking through an old holiday movie set.
Jollywood Nights: A Whole Different Vibe
The big star of Hollywood Studios' holiday lineup is Jollywood Nights, and 2025 might be its breakout year. After a lukewarm debut in 2023, this after-hours event has gotten a festive facelift—and it’s exactly what Disney needed. It’s jazzy, grown-up, and surprisingly elegant.
Running on select nights from November 9 through December 21, Jollywood Nights transforms the park from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. with dazzling entertainment and a more adult-centric atmosphere. Themed lounges return with glam photo ops, specialty cocktails, and exclusive performances.
There’s a Nightmare Before Christmas sing-along at Hyperion Theater, jazzy takes on holiday hits at the Tip-Top Club, and character appearances you won’t find anywhere else—like Santa Stitch, Max Goof as Powerline, and even Jiminy Cricket. Over at the Theater of the Stars, Kermit and Miss Piggy lead a festive holiday performance packed with laughs and music.
Guests get shorter wait times for rides like Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, and Tower of Terror, which all stay open during the event.
Holiday Cheer Across the Parks
Let’s be fair—every Disney park brings something to the holiday season.
Magic Kingdom leans hard into tradition. You’ve got festive parades, free cookies, fireworks, and many character appearances at the Christmas party. It’s magical, yes. It’s also packed.
EPCOT offers a more cultural spin on the season. The International Festival of the Holidays brings in storytellers from around the world, food booths serving global holiday bites, and the Candlelight Processional, which always draws a crowd with its live orchestra and celebrity guests.
Animal Kingdom takes the peaceful route. The glowing animal puppets are beautiful, the Tree of Life projections are mesmerizing, and the atmosphere feels like a quiet winter’s night in the wild.
Stealing Christmas 2025
Hollywood Studios is bringing something new to the table. It’s not trying to outdo Magic Kingdom—it’s offering an entirely different kind of holiday experience. One that’s fun, festive, and full of retro glam. If you're looking for something fresh this Christmas, Hollywood Studios is where the holiday spirit is shining.
