“Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” for Christmas 2016 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
In our Ultimate Guide to Christmas 2016 at Walt Disney World, we’ve bee questioning what Disney’s Hollywood Studios would do for Christmas as an Osborne Lights replacement for several months. Lately, the rumblings had been nothing, and that instead the park would focus on enhanced Star Wars offerings to coincide with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Well, it turns out that is (thankfully!) not the case. Today, Walt Disney World announced “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” a nighttime spectacular that will debut for the Christmas season on November 14, 2016 and will run nightly through December 31, 2016 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
This new Christmas nighttime spectacular will be centered around Grauman’s Chinese Theater (just like the current Star Wars fireworks) and will feature state-of-the-art projections, lasers & lights, special effects, fireworks. and a score featuring Christmas music. There will also be snow during Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!
The show will be hosted by Wayne and Lanny, the elves from “Prep & Landing” (sort of like the original World of Color holiday pre-show) and will feature scenes from Disney holiday classics including Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Pluto’s Christmas Tree, Bambi, Beauty and the Beast, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and more.
Here’s hoping that “and more” includes The Muppet Christmas Carol. With all of the in-park attention the Muppets are receiving lately, it certainly seems like a possibility. It’s also interesting that Frozen is not mentioned (it’s sure to make an appearance, right?!) nor is Toy Story, or a few other films featured in the past World of Color – Winter Dream shows.
“Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” is obviously different in nature than World of Color, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see projection animation shared with World of Color. The Disney California Adventure show already shares a lot of its projection animation with Disney Dreams! of Christmas, the Disneyland Paris holiday castle projection show.
No word yet on whether this will replace the “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Fireworks” for the holiday season or not, but our guess–and hope–is that it will replace the Star Wars fireworks. While both shows could run in tandem in a Celebrate the Magic/Wishes sort of way, that would require “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” to be on a smaller scale as something of an opening act, and our strong preference would be for this to be a full-length stand-alone show.
Given that a Holiday Dessert Party with reserved viewing, desserts, specialty beverages, and 3D HoloSpex glasses was also announced along with the new show (because how can you enjoy a nighttime spectacular without paying extra for cupcakes?!), it seems highly likely that this will be a full-length show replacing “A Galactic Spectacular.” This Holiday Dessert Party will offer reserved seating beginning one hour before each performance of Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!; the party is $69 for adults, and $39 for children, including all taxes and gratuities.
We would expect the Star Wars show to return January 1, 2017…probably retooled a bit to highlight Rogue One.
Nothing is going to be an adequate replace for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Unfortunately, something on that scale in a (normally) low foot traffic location is just not feasible unless they moved it to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, which seems unlikely. (But can you imagine…Christmas lights and goats?! That’s my idea of a Christmas miracle!) An Osborne Lights replacement was never going to happen at Disney Springs or any other park, as there are not any feasible locations that would not result on gridlock of guest flow.
We will miss the Osborne Lights (and Streets of America, to a lesser extent) tremendously, but one of the sacrifices in having a significantly-improved Disney’s Hollywood Studios meant giving up that display. What really worried me is that Walt Disney World would ignore Christmas at Disney’s Hollywood Studios completely this year. Thankfully, that will not be happening. Irrespective of how good this new show is, I’d still like to see more, perhaps in the form of more decorations and a mini Osborne Lights tribute (of sorts) in Muppets Courtyard.
UPDATE: It appears more is on the way this Christmas at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. From Disney: “In the spirit of bygone days and Old St. Nick visits to great department stores across the country, guests can share their wish list with him at the Once Upon a Time shop, a vintage setting along Sunset Boulevard.” Not a huge addition, but something. Here’s hoping this is just the start.
I know I’ve been pretty critical of Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the last couple of years, but I feel Disney needs to make a greater effort with interim entertainment and offerings while guests wait for the opening of Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land. Things like “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” are a good start, but the park could definitely use more. Regardless, it is a good start, and we’re pretty excited to see it during our Christmas 2016 visit to Walt Disney World!
Planning a Griswold-style Christmas Vacation at Walt Disney World? Use our resources to help plan! If you’re interested in learning more about hotels, our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page is a good place to start. For where to eat, try out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews page. If you want to save money on tickets or determine which type you should get, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at unconventional things you should take on your trip. Once you arrive at the parks, our Walt Disney World “Ride Guides” are great for determining what to do and when to do it.
For overviews of all of these topics and so much more, the best place to start is our comprehensive Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide to make the most of your experience!
For more dining news, discounts and special offers, and tips, subscribe to our newsletter!
YOUR THOUGHTS…
What are your thoughts on Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Is this enough to get you to visit DHS this Christmas? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
Star Wars show, then fantastic then jungle bell jingle bam. Technically you could do all three. For me, Jingle Bell Jingle Bam was a jingle bore! Not recommended at all.
Hi Tom
Never been to DisneyWorld. I’m an English speaking International visitor.
Single adult, Hoping to visit Christmas Day though to New Years Day, first time in Disney World.
I know it’s crazy during this time
Have you any tips for me, ie… .
Best hidden ladies restroom in Magic Kingdom ?
Most important things to pack in a day backpack?
How to keep your feet happy?
What time does Magic Kingdom start closing on Christmas Day, due to capacity?
Thinking of Port Orleans French Quarter, any thoughts of this accommodation?
Never tipped before! How do you do it and not go broke. Tipping in my country is not compulsory and rarely done. I see 18% for tips, if your only one person and not drinking alcohol in a table service restaurant, what is a correct tip in $$, say your meal is $50.
What is Florida state Taxes? 10% ??
Thank you Sam.
Can you go and view this show with your admission/ticket to Hollywood Studios or do you have to pay the extra $69?
It’s included with standard admission. The dessert party is what costs extra.
Where are you guys finding the times for this?? I’m looking at park hours on the WDW website for the week of 12/17-12/23 and don’t see this show anywhere!
I’m seeing the same thing. The last day that it’s on the schedule is Dec. 10. We are there the following week, and planning our HS day for Dec 16.
Curious if this is an either or with fantasmic. Down there 2 weeks before thanksgiving and can only spend 1 day at HS, my favorite show in all of WDW is fantasmic, and it would stink to miss it.
We are going the week before Thanksgiving, and Fantasmic is still showing later that evening. The park hours are up on the website with a schedule of shows for each day now.
Curious what you chose. I am also only at HS 1 night. Never seen Fantasmic but my kids want to see Jimgle Bam instead
So, jingle bells, jingle BAM and fantasmic is an either or? Which would you choose?
I have the same question. Is there any way to see both? If not, then which one should be chosen?
Where will this show fall time wise with fantasmic?
Last Star Wars show is listed as Nov 5th. Do you think they will add more shows for the week of the 6th – 12th until the jingle show opens. That is a very busy week for them to be canceling Star Wars with no replacement that week, no rivers of light announcement, refurbs added/ extended avery day, no Electric light parade…. The list goes on. Also any word on Jedi night training. Nothing schedule past 10/31??
That week they have nothing is one of the slowest weeks of the year at all Disney Parks.
It looks like it will be replacing Star Wars until New Years Eve. I looked at the schedule for a couple days and it was the Christmas show at followed by Fantasmic.
I’m surprised they added it to the calendar so quickly! On some nights, I see the show at 6:45 p.m. (so Paul is right!) and other nights it’s listed at 9 p.m. I’m assuming at least some of those 9 p.m. showtimes are mistakes, as that’s even on nights when the park closes at 7 p.m…
I finally found those hours too. Wondered about the 9 pm on 7pm park close days. Hoping that means they’ll be extending ours or adding EMH? Hhmm.
*hours
Days? Hours? Best place to view if not purchasing the “dessert party”?
It looks like everyday and at 6:45 times.
Nightly is correct, but I think a 6:45 p.m. is pretty early unless they also intend upon running “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” (which seems unlikely).
As for best viewing spots; I assume it’ll be much like the Star Wars fireworks, and the closer you are to Grauman’s Chinese Theater, the better. Having a clear view of the projections is key.