The holiday season at Walt Disney World is about to get a little more glamorous, and Disney is bringing some exciting changes to one of its most popular after-hours celebrations.Disney Jollywood Nights is returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in November, giving guests another opportunity to experience the park with a festive Hollywood twist. However, this year’s celebration won’t look exactly like previous versions.Credit: DisneyDisney has confirmed several new additions for the 2026 event, including a brand-new holiday lounge, character meet-and-greets featuring familiar faces from Monsters, Inc., and some surprising changes to one of the event’s signature entertainment offerings.For guests who have attended Jollywood Nights before, these updates could provide a reason to return. And for those considering purchasing tickets for the first time, Disney is adding even more experiences to an already packed evening.With the event beginning November 7, here’s everything guests should know about the changes coming to Disney Jollywood Nights in 2026.Disney Jollywood Nights Returns With a Hollywood Holiday CelebrationUnlike Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom, Disney Jollywood Nights takes a different approach to celebrating the holidays.Instead of focusing entirely on traditional Christmas festivities, the separately ticketed event combines holiday decorations, live entertainment, themed experiences, and a touch of old Hollywood glamour.Disney’s Hollywood Studios provides a fitting backdrop for the celebration, particularly with areas like Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard already featuring architecture inspired by Hollywood’s golden age.Guests can dress up for the occasion, enjoy seasonal entertainment, meet Disney characters, and experience a different atmosphere than they would during regular park hours.The event also offers opportunities to enjoy select attractions throughout the evening, giving guests another reason to explore the park after dark.Of course, entertainment remains one of the biggest reasons guests purchase Jollywood Nights tickets.Rather than simply bringing back the same experiences each year, Disney continues to introduce changes designed to keep the celebration fresh.And for 2026, several of those changes involve experiences guests won’t find during an ordinary visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.Disney Announces New Checkin’ It Twice LoungeOne of the biggest additions coming to Disney Jollywood Nights this year is an entirely new holiday lounge.Disney has confirmed that Checkin’ It Twice Lounge will debut inside Animation Courtyard, giving guests a dedicated place to relax and enjoy the evening.The new location will feature specialty beverages, a live DJ, and entertainment throughout the night.While Disney hasn’t revealed the complete menu or every entertainment detail, the lounge appears designed to offer a more relaxed alternative to the event’s busier attractions and shows.That could be especially appealing for guests looking to take advantage of Jollywood Nights’ more sophisticated atmosphere.Credit: DisneyInstead of spending the entire evening moving between attractions and character locations, visitors will have another place to sit down, enjoy a drink, and experience the holiday celebration at a slower pace.The addition also gives Animation Courtyard a new role during the seasonal event.Disney has increasingly used entertainment and themed experiences to encourage guests to explore different areas of Hollywood Studios, and this new lounge could help spread crowds beyond the park’s most popular locations.For guests attending with friends or planning a special holiday date night, Checkin’ It Twice Lounge could become one of the more appealing destinations.However, Disney has not yet announced pricing for its specialty beverages or whether any additional offerings will require separate purchases.More information, including the lounge’s official menu, is expected to arrive closer to the event.Monsters, Inc. Characters Will Make Their Jollywood Nights DebutThe changes aren’t limited to holiday lounges.Disney has also announced that two characters from Monsters, Inc. (2001) will make their first appearances at Disney Jollywood Nights.George Sanderson and Needleman are joining the event’s character meet-and-greet lineup, giving guests a chance to encounter two recognizable faces from the Pixar franchise.While Mike Wazowski and Sulley are generally the characters most associated with Monsters, Inc. (2001), George and Needleman have their own memorable moments in the movie.George is particularly recognizable for the running joke involving a child’s sock and the Child Detection Agency’s dramatic response.Needleman, meanwhile, is one of the employees working behind the scenes at Monsters, Incorporated.Their arrival should be exciting for fans who enjoy meeting characters that don’t always receive the same attention as Disney’s biggest stars.Credit: Jess Colopy, Inside the MagicCharacter interactions have become an important part of Jollywood Nights, especially because the event offers opportunities that differ from the park’s everyday lineup.For collectors of character photographs and guests hoping to experience something unusual, these appearances could become a major attraction.Disney has not yet revealed exactly where George Sanderson and Needleman will meet guests.That information will likely become important for visitors hoping to fit both characters into their evening plans.With only five hours of official event time, guests may need to prioritize their favorite experiences rather than attempting to see everything.Disney Adds Familiar Characters to Glisten! Skating ShowAnother significant change involves one of Jollywood Nights’ returning entertainment experiences.Disney has confirmed that Disney characters will join the Glisten! skating show for the first time in 2026.The show takes place in front of the Chinese Theater, transforming the area into a festive performance space featuring skating entertainment.Previously, Glisten! focused on its skating performances, but this year’s version will introduce a recognizable Disney element.Three characters have already been confirmed for the updated production: Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and Genie.Their involvement gives the show a new twist and could make it even more appealing to families and longtime Disney fans.Credit: Jess Colopy, Inside the MagicDonald and Daisy are natural fits for a holiday celebration, while Genie brings a different personality to the entertainment lineup.Disney hasn’t explained exactly how the characters will participate in the performances or whether additional characters could appear.Still, their inclusion marks a notable change for the returning show.For guests who attended Jollywood Nights in previous years, the updated version of Glisten! could be worth another visit.And because the show takes place near one of Hollywood Studios’ most recognizable landmarks, it should continue to provide a festive atmosphere in the heart of the park.What Makes Disney Jollywood Nights Different From Other Holiday Events?Walt Disney World offers several ways to celebrate the holiday season, but Jollywood Nights stands apart from the resort’s more traditional Christmas entertainment.Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom focuses heavily on familiar holiday traditions, including festive entertainment and seasonal character experiences.Jollywood Nights takes a different approach.Its combination of Hollywood-inspired entertainment, music, themed lounges, and specialty experiences gives the event a personality of its own.That doesn’t mean guests won’t find traditional holiday decorations or familiar Disney characters.Instead, the celebration blends those elements with an atmosphere inspired by Hollywood nightlife.The new Checkin’ It Twice Lounge fits naturally into that concept, offering another place where guests can spend time enjoying music and the event’s social atmosphere.Credit: Jeremy Thompson, FlickrMeanwhile, the addition of George Sanderson and Needleman expands the character lineup beyond the most familiar Disney faces.And with Donald, Daisy, and Genie joining Glisten!, Disney is finding another way to incorporate its characters into the entertainment.These additions also demonstrate how Disney is continuing to develop Jollywood Nights as its own seasonal offering rather than simply presenting another version of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.For visitors who enjoy holiday entertainment but want something different from a traditional Christmas celebration, Jollywood Nights provides another option.Disney Jollywood Nights 2026 Dates and Ticket PricesDisney Jollywood Nights will take place on 15 select evenings between November 7, 2026, and January 5, 2027.The scheduled dates are:November 2026: November 7, 14, 16, 21, 23, and 28.December 2026: December 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, and 23.January 2027: January 3 and 5.The event officially runs from 7:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m., although ticket holders can enter Disney’s Hollywood Studios beginning at 5:30 p.m.That early admission gives guests an opportunity to enjoy additional time inside the park before the celebration officially begins.Tickets range from $169 to $199 per person, plus tax, depending on the selected evening.Children ages 3 through 9 receive a $10 discount, while eligible Walt Disney World Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can also save $10 per ticket on every event night.Credit: Jeremy Thompson, FlickrGuests can purchase tickets through Disney’s official website or by calling Disney Central at 407-934-7639.However, Disney warns that tickets are limited and may not remain available on the day of the event.For families planning a holiday vacation, those costs are worth considering before adding Jollywood Nights to their itinerary.A family of four purchasing tickets at the highest listed price could spend nearly $800 before taxes and applicable discounts.That’s a substantial additional expense, particularly for guests who have already purchased regular theme park admission, booked resort accommodations, and planned other holiday activities.Still, the event’s exclusive entertainment, character experiences, and extended evening hours may make it worthwhile for visitors who want to experience something beyond a typical park day.Is Disney Jollywood Nights Worth Attending in 2026?With tickets reaching nearly $200 per person, deciding whether Jollywood Nights is worth the money will depend on what guests want from their Walt Disney World vacation.Those primarily interested in riding attractions may prefer spending their money on another park experience.However, guests who enjoy exclusive entertainment, character interactions, seasonal celebrations, and themed lounges may find more value in the event.The 2026 changes give returning visitors several new experiences to consider.Checkin’ It Twice Lounge introduces another entertainment location, while George Sanderson and Needleman offer meet-and-greet opportunities that weren’t available during previous Jollywood Nights celebrations.The changes to Glisten! also mean that one of the event’s returning shows will feature something different this year.Of course, guests should remember that the event has a limited schedule.With only 15 nights available, choosing a date and purchasing tickets in advance could be important, particularly for visitors traveling during the busiest parts of the holiday season.Credit: DisneyAnd because the event ends at 12:30 a.m., families with younger children should consider whether everyone in their group will be comfortable staying out that late.Ultimately, Disney Jollywood Nights is shaping up to offer a mixture of returning holiday favorites and new experiences for 2026.Disney still has additional details to reveal about the Checkin’ It Twice Lounge and the locations of its newest character meet-and-greets.But with new Monsters, Inc. characters, an updated skating show, and another holiday entertainment venue joining the celebration, Disney is giving guests several reasons to take another look at Jollywood Nights this year.For anyone hoping to experience Disney’s Hollywood Studios with a little extra holiday glamour, the festivities begin November 7.The post Disney World Reveals Surprise Additions to Popular $199 Holiday Event appeared first on Inside the Magic.