MickeyBlog News for November 20th, 2023

This past week, Disney sprinkled some holiday joy throughout the parks and resorts.

We’ve got a festive week of MickeyBlog News.

Jollywood Nights Debuts

Last Saturday evening, Disney’s Hollywood Studios debuted its latest after-hours event, Disney Jollywood Nights, and MickeyBlog was there!

MickeyBlog reported on everything from the pre-event crowds to the wristband distribution to the end-of-party gift.

Throughout the event, we had praised the unique food and drinks available at Jollywood Nights.

Management definitely played up the party atmosphere for this holiday event.

You can think of Jollywood Nights as a series of mini-cocktail parties at Hollywood Studios.

However, you should be aware of the fact that Disney has chosen a unique strategy for the event.

Specifically, most of the party-exclusive events occur toward the front of the park.

Disney (correctly) presumes that guests who want to ride various Hollywood Studios favorites will spend plenty of time at Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

So, management has set up the cocktail party events near the front to create a relatively even, balanced flow of traffic.

In some instances, that tactic hasn’t worked as well as Disney had hoped.

We captured pictures and video of several long lines and some chaotic moments at the Tip Top Club.

Fans noticed a couple of other issues that I’d describe as opening night jitters.

For starters, the technology bug bit Disney once again. While the estimated attraction wait times were accurate, everything else worked erratically.

Disney employed virtual queues for a couple of its cocktail parties. In one instance, the estimated wait indicated 10 minutes.

Jazzy Holidays at Hollywood Brown Derby

Cast members suggested the wait was closer to 90 minutes, which is a problem.

Similarly, Disney sold one piece of exclusive party apparel. One. It was a T-shirt.

We don’t know whether there was an ordering issue or that was intended.

Still, Jollywood Nights has sold out most of its nights, indicating lofty demand for this party.

Also, to its credit, Disney has since updated some of the protocols to address these issues and streamline the guest experience. And it’s even added some new characters!

‘Tis the Season

Saratoga Springs Decor

MickeyBlog’s ace reporters continue to crisscross the Walt Disney World campus in search of new holiday decorations for your viewing pleasure.

I’m happy to report that several Disney resorts have gotten into the festivities this week, as has one notable attraction.

Here’s the beloved holiday overlay at Living with the Land. It’s somehow shinier than ever for 2023.

At the various Walt Disney World resorts, decorations are plentiful, and we’ve got pictures!

Here’s Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, with its very tall Christmas tree.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will remind you that it’s the holiday season the moment you exit the bus.  

Last week, I mentioned the new Gingerbread Lighthouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Well, the hotel didn’t stop there with its decorations.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is similarly decked out for the holidays.

Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Our writer, Justin Hermes, mentions that Caribbean Beach is his favorite, which allows me to cheat and toss in a look at mine, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

As our Kristin Sabol notes, other resorts like Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside is looking especially colorful at the moment. I still prefer French Quarter, though.

Disney really has elevated the holiday hotel experience for 2023. Here’s a clever way to highlight a horse painting at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.

At Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, you’ll find quite possibly the most sparkling tree at Walt Disney World.

At Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, the Gingerbread BoardWalk Bakery isn’t up yet, but most of the other decorations are in place.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge apparently isn’t bringing back the Gingerbread Cabin this year (*sniffle*), but the lobby hosts a nifty treat shop.

When you take the boat to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground, you’ll find plenty of Yuletide décor as well.

This may be Thanksgiving Week, but Christmas is everywhere!

Disney Miscellany

By the way, Disneyland Resort is all decked out for the holidays as well. Check out the Sleeping Beauty Castle Christmas decorations!

Also, I should let you know that Beast’s Library is closing as part of a change occurring at Disney California Adventure.

NEW: The Blue Sky Cellar at Disney California Adventure Park will be transformed into a Disney Vacation Club Welcome Home Center. Disneyland says more information will be shared at a later date. pic.twitter.com/lxRJitNHCQ

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) November 14, 2023

The current the Blue Sky Cellar will transition into a Disney Vacation Club Welcome Center.

Photo: Disney

So, the Blue Sky Cellar will take over the former home of Beast’s Library. For that to happen, Beast’s Library must close. It’s a case of Disney deciding which one to keep.

Disneyland Park also revealed three upcoming refurbishments that could impact your upcoming trip.

Photo: Disney

Astro Orbitor, Indiana Jones Adventure, and the Incredicoaster will undergo renovations.

Starting on November 27^th, Astro Orbitor will shut down for an undetermined amount of time.

Photo: Disney

The Incredicoaster closes on the same date but should return on December 2^nd.

Similarly, Indiana Jones Adventure will close on November 27^th but reopen on December 1^st.

Indiana Jones Adventure Sign

Effectively, as soon as Thanksgiving Week ends, Disney will renovate these three popular attractions in anticipation of the Christmas rush.

Back at Walt Disney World, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind won the Themed Entertainment Association award for Best Attraction.

Also, I want to point out the new, more thematic Lightning Lane scanners at Haunted Mansion.

At Disney Springs, we also have a new holiday photo op you don’t want to miss.

By the way, if you want to attend this year’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you should act quickly. Tickets have nearly sold out.

Finally, I have a standalone article coming soon, but World of Frozen has opened at Hong Kong Disneyland. And it’s incredible!

Have a marvelous Thanksgiving, my many loves!

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