The holidays are handled in a very special way at each of the Walt Disney World parks. You have Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom, the Festival of the Holidays and Candlelight Processional at EPCOT, the Merry Menagerie puppets, special holiday Nighttime Awakenings on the Tree of Life, and new decor throughout the Animal Kingdom, and of course Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam! at Hollywood Studios.
In this post we will cover why celebrating the holidays at the Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam! Holiday Dessert Party in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a must-do ... despite a few bumps along the way.
Party dates/park admission
This special dessert party takes place from early November to early January each year, with the last edition this season on January 5, 2020. The prices for adults and children vary depending upon when you attend. Unlike Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a separate ticket for admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is required. Due to the popularity of the event, advance reservations are highly recommended and can be made up to 180 days prior to your visit.
Location, location, location
The dessert party location is outdoors in a coveted spot at Echo Lake, adjacent to the 50s Prime Time Café. The surrounding area was filled with nostalgic decor, capped with Hollywood's most famous dinosaur, Gertie, who too wanted in on the festivities.
We were told that in the event of inclement weather, the party would moved to an alternate covered location. Luckily, the weather held up.
After scouting out the area for the party, we ventured towards a large green sign and high table cart. It was here that cast members were making their preparations for the party.
We inquired about checking-in and they quickly took our names and provided us each with a lanyard. The attached badge contained a handwritten number which would inform us of the location of our table. We were told that due to the size of our party (2), we would be sharing the table with another two individuals. The cast members told us to return later for the party so that they may continue to prepare for the event, assuring us that we would be able to return without waiting in the check-in line once again. However, that was not the case.
We went off to some of the adjacent stores and down Hollywood Boulevard to see Sunset Season's Greetings, a laser light projection show on the Hollywood Tower of Terror, to occupy the gap in time before we were required to return.
As we returned, a large group amassed by the aforementioned sign to the party. It was there that we had to wait to enter the party past it's scheduled start time. The area was rather condensed and we took on a great deal of pushing and shoving of guests forcing their way forward ... not the ideal way to start a holiday celebration.
Party with Chip and Dale
Once inside the party space, we headed right to our table. Much to our delight, we found out that a couple that we had met at the rained out Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party would be joining us at our table. The spacing was extremely tight between tables and did not accommodate guests using wheelchairs or scooters very well.
At the table was an illuminated sign that not only designated the number of our table but also the time in which we would be asked to venture over to the picture spot with Chip and Dale. This is an exclusive meet-and-greet for party guests and comes with one shot taken by a PhotoPass photographer. You too can take photos if you wish, however the lighting is less than ideal so make sure you have your flash on (unfortunately I didn't bring my external flash for my camera on this trip).
By the time we were settled at our table, we realized that we only had a few moments before our photo. Here we had a decision to make, scurry to grab a bite or pass on the goodies for now and meet our two favorite chipmunks. We grabbed a quick cup of joe to warm us up and then were off to the photo op.
Chip and Dale, dressed in their holiday attire, were absolutely adorable. The interaction amongst the chipmunks and their guests was genuine and long-lasting, however, there was not a long wait to meet them. This was one of the main successes of the dessert party. By following your scheduled time, you had no more than a five-minute wait to meet Chip and Dale. We were actually surprised by the organization of this as we have been to other dessert parties where character interaction was more on a floating, by-chance-visit basis, which in turn, may not secure quality time with the beloved hosting character(s).
Time for something sweet
Setup in a buffet style, guests were free to float about the space to gather as little or as many sweets as they desired. From Prep & Landing and holiday-inspired snacks to wine, beer, non-alcoholic drinks, coffee, and hot cocoa, there was something for every dessert-loving guest.
For the sake of research, haha, we tried a little of each sweet in addition to hot cocoa and the coffee we nabbed earlier.
'Totally Tinsel' Fireworks
About 15 minutes prior to showtime, cast members called for the attention of all party guests. We formed a line behind a cast member with an illuminated wand and were escorted to the reserved viewing area on a platform directly in front of the Chinese theater for 2 shows. The first being the Wonderful World of Animation, a projection show celebrating Disney Animation through the years. The second show and main event of our party was the state-of-the-art fireworks and projection show titled Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!
The show is hosted by elves Wayne and Lanny from ABC’s animated special Prep & Landing and features other Disney favorites in addition to the big man himself. Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! includes iconic holiday music, amidst a backdrop of stunning visuals and magical snow. At the beginning of the show, guests are introduced to the storyline which will unfold before them - Santa is missing and Wayne and Lanny have to find him. But who is responsible for this act of mischief? None other than Oogie Boogie from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas of course! Don't worry, the show comes with a happy ending ... and quite frankly, a dance party as the musical selections are phenomenal!
Special momento
Before you leave the party, cast members come by table after table with a special keepsake to remember the occasion. At the bottom of your party badge is a tear-off strip to redeem when the cast member approaches you. Once exchanged with the cast member, a Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam! metal ornament is gifted to guests in a Santa red pouch. Guests are also provided with special Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam! viewing glasses for an extra festive twist.
While the projection show is available to all park guests, this special dessert party is sure to put you in the holiday spirit!
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