Disney Jollywood Nights is back at Hollywood Studios for the holiday season with select dates still available to book through January 5th! This retro-inspired Christmas party combines holiday entertainment, exclusive character meet and greets, and so many special menu items. The Jollywood food and drink offerings are some of Disney World’s best and it can be overwhelming trying to fit it all in! We attended the first night of Jollywood Nights and tried a lot of food! Here’s a look at what you should definitely try and some of what you should pass on.
Cocktails
Order This – The Bauble & Bright
Tune In Lounge | (NEW!) Teremana Blanco Tequila, Grand Marnier Liqueur, white cranberry juice, glitter simple syrup and lime juice, garnished with cranberries – $13
A Disney cocktail in a souvenir cup for $13?? It’s a holiday miracle. The Bauble & Bright is sure to be a crowd pleaser – well themed, just sweet enough, and still alcohol-forward.
Don’t Order – Coquito
ABC Commissary | coconut cream, coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, Bacardi Superior Rum, and Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, topped with cinnamon – $9.50
We tried the coquito at ABC Commissary last year and enjoyed it so much more! If you make your own coquito or enjoy it at holiday parties, you’re sure to be disappointed. The flavors weren’t there and it was overly thick with little rum (despite it containing two different kinds). While not *terrible*, this heavy of a drink is not worth the stomach space with so many other great choices at ABC Commissary.
Main Dishes
Order This – Street Corn Chicken Empanada
ABC Commissary | topped with cilantro-lime cream, Cotija, and chili-lime seasoning – $5.49
This is a new version of the street corn empanda and it’s a winner! The portion size is much larger and the filling is loaded with corn and chicken. The creamy, street corn flavor might be less prominent but the cilantro-lime cream and smoky chicken goes so well together.
Don’t Order – Jolly Jam Slider
Backlot Express | Angus burger with bourbon-garlic-bacon jam, smoky paprika aïoli, and chili pepper sauce served on a Hawaiian roll – $6.49
There was little I enjoyed about this slider. The patty was way overcooked and the sauce made it quite messy. The bourbon-garlic-baccon jam would have been better paired with a cheese and felt chaotic combined with smoky aioli AND chili pepper sauce.
Holiday Popovers
Order This – Holiday Turkey Popover
Fairfax Fare | roasted turkey and creamy mashed potatoes topped with gravy and cranberry chutney in a house-made popover – $6.79
The turkey popover is a returning favorite, combining Thanksgiving leftovers into an elevated sandwich. The turkey is substantial and well-prepared, plus, the mashed potatoes are so creamy. Unfortunately, the “popover” tasted like a very dry croissant. I’m hoping we just got a bad batch of bread. The Holiday Turkey Popover is a super filling option that really does taste like the holidays.
Don’t Order – Yuletide Ham Popover
Fairfax Fare | (NEW!) honey-glazed ham and creamy mashed potatoes topped with gravy and cranberry chutney in a house-made popover – $6.79
The Yuletide Ham Popover was featured in the Jollywood food preview and it looked so good! In reality, the piece of ham wasn’t great quality and the flavors just didn’t got together. It would have been better with something different than gravy and cranberry chutney. The popover bread was also dry in this one.
Sides
Order This – Sleigh Bell Brussels Sprouts
Backlot Express | with bourbon-onion jam and crispy onions – $4.99
This is a large serving of nicely roasted Brussels sprouts. The bourbon-onion jam adds a nice smoky flavor, especially with the crunch of the crispy onions. If you like Brussels sprouts, you’ll love this side and the departure from the other overly rich food items.
Don’t Order – Hickory Holiday Mac
Backlot Express | Macaroni & Cheese with barbecue pork, crispy onions, and chili pepper sauce – $6.79
The Mac & cheese base was basic quick service fare with subtle cheddar flavor. Just like the Jolly Jam Slider, the chili pepper sauce didn’t work. The sauce is too sweet and too abundant. Combined with the pulled pork in barbecue sauce, this tasted like a saucy mess.
Desserts
Order This – Mexican Hot Cocoa Cheesecake
ABC Commissary | chocolate cookie streusel, whipped cinnamon-chocolate cheesecake, and spiced whipped cream topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon and mini marshmallows – $5.79
The Mexican Hot Cocoa Cheesecake is one of Disney’s best desserts! The spiced whipped cream is rich and house made and the cinnamon-chocolate cheesecake pairs so well with the slightly salty cookie streusel. Make sure to get a little bit of everything in every bite!
Don’t Order – Kermit Chocolate-Pistachio Sundae
Hollywood Scoops | (NEW!) chocolate cake, pistachio gelato, green cookie crumbs, kataifi, and fudge sauce topped with whipped cream M&M’S Milk Chocolate Candies and sprinkles – $9.79
The Kermit sundae is well-themed and who doesn’t want a Muppet-themed Jollywood souvenir? While not bad, it mostly tasted like vanilla ice cream and the whipped topping made it hard to get to the other ingredients. The pistachio flavor was incredible subtle and not special enough for the price point. Our sundae ended up melting and the souvenir cup was a pain to clean up. They really should sell Muppets Jollywood merch so people didn’t have to resort to these mediocre sundaes.
We enjoyed plenty of other great food items at Jollywood Nights and think it’s one of Disney World’s best special events! To learn more about Jollywood Nights, watch our full overview video below from opening night.
There’s also still time to book a winter vacation to Walt Disney World with Jollywood Nights tickets still available and Disney Resort stays as low as $99 per night! Reach out to Dreams Unlimited Travel today for a fee-free quote.
