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Everything You Need to Know about Disney’s Jungle Cruise Attraction

in Disney , Disneyland Paris , Walt Disney World

BEHOLD! The 8th wonder of the world, the magnificent, the amazing (and so on) BACK SIDE OF WATER!! Disney’s Exotic Jungle Cruise attraction has enchanted visitors since its opening day at Disneyland in 1955. That July 17, dapper Guests boarded shiny new watercraft to see animatronic animals in a leafy safari setting, and as the ride artfully aged, Jungle Cruise Skippers kept it fresh and entertained them with puns, jokes and otherwise gut-busting comments, making the attraction an Adventureland classic.

The Jungle Cruise attraction is an 8-minute boat ride through a lush rainforest-landscaped river where “ Guests can chart a course for high adventure on a scenic and comedic boat tour of exotic rivers across Asia, Africa, and South America.” The river, though it looks dirty, is actually clean water dyed with a mucky green dye to make it look dirty and more like a natural river. (This is also to hide the track the attraction ride boats are guided along). Disney Guests will see assorted animatronic animals set into natural-looking settings, a temple overrun with animals, and hear plenty of jokes from live Cast Members driving the boats forward as Jungle Cruise Skippers.

Guests may note that the elephant bathing pool looks so realistic that many photos of the bathing beauties are passed around on social media posing as real elephant photos. But don’t worry, you can take all the photos you want; all the elephants have their trunks on!

Where is the Jungle Cruise attraction?

Jungle Cruise can be found in the heart of Adventureland in Magic Kingdom (Walt Disney World Resort) at Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort), Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland (where the boats run in the opposite direction!). Nestled behind some Adventureland tikis, you’ll find it in Magic Kingdom across from Aladdin’s flying carpets.

In Disneyland Park, you’ll find a two-tier queue next to the Tropical Hideaway watering hole as you pass into Adventureland. But don’t worry, both queues are fully accessible and Jungle Cruise Skippers will meet you at the front of the queue entrance to assist you on your watery safari.

There is a FastPass queue for this Disney attraction at both U.S. parks. While Walt Disney World utilizes a digital advance FastPass+ system, Disneyland Resort still relies on both the paper FASTPASS system as well as the digital MaxPass system. You’ll want to pay attention while you walk around in the queue for this classic Disney ride. You’ll see all sorts of jokes built into the decor as well as puns you can tell your family back home. The real treat is the queue soundtrack for the Jungle Cruise. It’s a mock-up of an old radio show hosted by Albert Awol, and is plentiful in puns, jokes, and old-timey sound effects.

The History of The Jungle Cruise

At the time of its debut in 1955, Jungle Cruise was a novel attraction and one of the few at Disneyland that was not based on an animated film or an intellectual property. Imagineer Harper Goff was in charge of designing the attraction, most well known for his work on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea . Inspired by the adventure film The African Queen , Jungle Cruise was originally slated to have real-life animals, as requested by Walt Disney himself. When the price and care of live animals exceeded both budget and capability, animatronic animals were chosen as a show-stopping, consistent choice. (Think about how often animals hide from us at the Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris !)

According to the Disney Parks Blog , the greenery chosen for the lush jungle scenes at The Jungle Cruise was handpicked by horticulturist and Imagineer Morgan “Bill” Evans. “Rather than create a true-to-life jungle though, Bill’s goal was to develop a “Hollywood Jungle,” a mixture of exotic plants and trees that would give the feeling of traveling through exciting and uncharted territories. To create his Hollywood Jungle here in Anaheim, Bill developed some intrepid techniques, like smuggling plant seeds inside the cuffs of his socks and planting orange trees upside down to resemble mangroves.”

Originally planned for the area where Tomorrowland now stands, Adventureland was moved to the west side of Main Street, U.S.A., in order to use the existing large eucalyptus trees planted there by the orange farmers who previously owned the California land. As the plot developed, the trees became larger and lusher, only adding to the jungle feel. The attraction was such as hit in Southern California that another version was added to Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park and was included on opening day at Walt Disney World on October 1, 1971.

Ride vehicles on Disney’s Jungle Cruise

When taking your very scenic and giggly cruise around the rivers of the world, you’ll be seated in a multi-passenger boat with a Jungle Cruise Skipper at the helm. He or She will be using a microphone and sound system to share amusing factoids, jokes, puns, and fun surprises along the way. But listen carefully: the purposefully dry delivery of the Skippers means you may miss a few jokes. This is why Disney fans want to experience the attraction over and over again. It’s also worth noting that your cruise script and mood will vary from Skipper to Skipper. Try the attraction a few times and find a Skipper near and dear to your heart!

When you board the boat, a Skipper or two will assist you into the boat and direct you to the right or left. It is important not to step over the “boxes” in the center as it is a trip hazard. If you wish to be seated in a certain area, tell the queue manager. There really is no bad seat, as the boat is open to full views on all sides. Pro tip: ride a bunch of times and experience the cruise from all angles! In 2020, clear plexiglass shields were installed in various sections of the boat, keeping passengers apart.

The Jungle Cruise boats do run on a track, similar to the Liberty Belle and Mark Twain Riverboats. But the engines are, indeed, run by the Skippers. You’ll notice the Skippers are in charge of the forward, rear and holding motions of the boat, though they may spin the “steering wheel” quite liberally.

While the boats are plenty seaworthy, mishaps happen. Disney fans may remember in February 2020, a Jungle Cruise boat sank at Magic Kingdom leaving guests with some wet sneakers and a lot of laughs. No one was hurt, and the boat was rapidly repaired and returned to the convoy. There was another boat of lesser memory in 2004, the Sankuru Sadie, that also sank at Magic Kingdom. After Sadie was repaired, she has been seen (even recently) making her way around the bend.

Did you know? The water flowing in the rivers isn’t really as dirty. Disney just adds a dirty looking dye to hide how shallow the river really is (and the track that guides the boat)! Just look at the Backside of Water gushing at Schweitzer Falls… the water is clean!

The Skipper Canteen Restaurant

Explore the bold, flavorful cuisine of Asia, South America, and Africa with the help of daring riverboat pilots. Influenced by the attraction just across the path, The Jungle Skipper Canteen, which opened in 2015 , is a flavorful dive into exotic flavor adventures while also meeting the needs of the pickiest eaters. 

The Canteen has a berth-y waiting area with vintage fans and amusing decor in every corner. There are three dining rooms, each paying tribute to the Skippers who just guided you down ‘de Nile. The crew’s colonial-era Mess Hall (which is not messy at all, thank you); the Jungle Room, the former family parlor of Dr. Albert Falls himself; and the S.E.A. Room, a secret meeting place for the Society of Explorers and Adventurers. (Check out the secret bookshelf door that swings open!)

The most popular dishes on the adult main menu are the Dr. Falls Signature Grilled Steak, a delicious adobo-seasoned New York strip served with vegetables, chorizo farofa, and caramelized onion purée and red wine reduction. The light-fare sustainable fish served on a cassava cake with wilted greens and guava habanero sauce, and this writer’s favorite, Sankuru Sadie’s Seafood Stew: Shrimp, Sustainable Fish, Mussels, Bay Scallops, and Octopus simmered in a fragrant Coconut Sauce and served with Jasmine Rice (yup… this has to be a joke on the 2004 boat sinking…).

We highly recommend ordering the non-alcoholic Schweitzer Slush, which comes in an optional commemorative steel mug. It’s Frozen Apple Juice and Passion Fruit juice topped with Green Apple Boba Balls, first concocted by the noted explorer and humanitarian, Dr. Albert Slush. Finish your meal with the Kungaloosh!, featuring African-inspired chocolate cake with caramelized bananas and cashew-caramel ice cream.

Jingle Cruise Holiday Overlay

During the festive holiday time, the Jungle Cruise undergoes a decorative refurbishment to become the Jingle Cruise. Nope, it’s not a typo, it’s a winter celebration of burlap Santa hats, Christmas jokes, ride additions, and overall holiday spirit.

In 2013, the Jingle Cruise debuted during the Christmas season, opening at Magic Kingdom on November 8, 2013, and at Disneyland Park on November 12. In its early days, the Jingle Cruise holiday overlay mostly kept to the Guest queue area, the boathouse across the dock, and a script with holiday jokes. Later on, the Jingle Cruise overlay became more elaborate, involving extra queue decorations, a story of Santa’s plane dropping Christmas cargo all over the site, additions to the temple interior, even more jokes and fun Cast Member costume additions.

The yuletide overlay continues to get more creative, and fans continue to become more endeared to the holiday version of the attraction. Walt Disney World fans may remember the outrage that was sparked in 2017 when rumors that Jingle Cruise would not return. Fears were assuaged shortly thereafter when the company confirmed its return. (In 2019, the overlay was not present at Disneyland Resort — be sure to check each park’s holiday lineup every year to see if Jingle Cruise will be available.)

As of the present day, the Jingle Cruise set has become extremely detailed. You’ll see not only additions to the set but also literal overlays to typically existing items. Various rustic Christmas trees dot the queue, and you may see an ethanol dispenser that reads ETHANOL altered to say ETHANOEL EGGNOG.

Observant guests will notice the names of the Jungle Cruise boats are altered with new/changed names like Garland Gertie, Icicle Irma, Poinsettia Sal, Yulelog Lolly, Candy Cane Connie, and Mistletoe Millie. It appears that the skippers made cheap yet heartful changes to the boats for the holiday spirit.

Be watchful as you make your way around the rivers of the world, as you’ll see SANTA STOP HERE signs, Santa’s workshop elements, and even a north pole where the safari group climbs. My personal favorite is the costume additions to Trader Sam, who is now called “Trader Sam-ta” and might bring you a shrunken head for your stocking…

The Jungle Cruise Movie

Disney’s Jungle Cruise movie was filmed in Hawaii and Atlanta, GA in the summer and fall of 2018, but the film’s release has been delayed until 2021 . The film will star Dwyane Johnson as Skipper Frank Wolff, and Emily Blunt as Lily. Billed as a “period piece” set in the early 20th century, the Disney attraction comes to life as a riverboat captain named Frank takes a scientist and her brother on a mission into a jungle to find the Tree of Life. In the African Queen -style film, the trio of newly turned explorers must fight against dangerous wild animals and a competing German expedition with possible supernatural forces and innumerable dangers.

The most groundbreaking news to come out of the creation of the film is that the Disney attraction, Jungle Cruise, will be reimagined with the help of The Rock, hopefully tying the film into the river journey (much like Pirates of the Caribbean did with the film franchise). Disney has yet for provide further details of this.

Disney’s Jungle Cruise has continued to enchant the hearts and minds of Guests from all over the world since 1955. Through its growth and humorous nature, the ride has inspired merchandise , a holiday overlay, mugs , a restaurant, and more. chEARS to the Jungle Cruise, we’ll never take it for granite!

What do you love most about The Jungle Cruise? Leave us a comment below, and HIT IT SKIP!

The Jingle Cruise at Walt Disney World

The Jingle Cruise is a holiday-themed version of the Jungle Cruise attraction at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The ride takes guests on a tour of various “exotic” rivers, such as the Amazon and the Nile, with Christmas decorations and holiday-themed jokes and puns added to the usual Jungle Cruise spiel.

The Jingle Cruise typically runs from late November to early January, and is included with regular admission to Magic Kingdom. The wait time for the ride can vary, but it is generally shorter in the early morning or later at night.

When guests enter the Jungle Cruise queue, they will first pass by a sign with the Jungle Cruise skippers’ Christmas wish list. Then they will move on to the loading dock, where they will board one of the Jungle Cruise boats. The boats are piloted by a Jungle Cruise skipper, who will give a humorous and pun-filled narration of the sights along the way. The skipper will also point out various decorations and changes to the scenery, such as Christmas lights, garlands, and other festive decorations.

The Jingle Cruise takes guests on a tour of various “exotic” rivers, such as the Amazon and the Nile, with Christmas decorations and holiday-themed jokes and puns added to the usual Jungle Cruise spiel. As the boat travels through the jungle, guests will see various animatronic animals, such as elephants, lions, and crocodiles, as well as scenes of indigenous people going about their daily lives. Along the way, guests will also see Christmas decorations such as strings of lights, garlands, and Christmas trees.

One of the highlights of the Jingle Cruise is the skipper’s Christmas-themed jokes and puns. These jokes are often clever and hilarious, and add an extra layer of fun to the ride. For example, when passing a group of crocodiles, the skipper may say “Looks like these crocs are on Santa’s ‘naughty’ list.”

In addition, If you looking for something more special, Disney offer special Christmas tour, where you will be guided by one of the Disney cast member, who is dressed like Santa, and they share the history, facts and fun stories about Magic Kingdom. The tour also includes some exclusive perks like complimentary hot cocoa, cookies and a special meet-and-greet with Santa Claus himself.

One last thing, you will also find some festive merchandise like Jingle Cruise T-Shirts, Christmas ornaments, and other items. So if you looking for a special souvenirs this is a great place to buy it.

The Jingle Cruise is a fun, festive way to experience the classic Jungle Cruise attraction at Magic Kingdom. It is a great option for families and visitors who want to get into the holiday spirit, and is a great way to experience the Jungle Cruise ride with a different twist.

The Jingle Cruise FAQ

When does the jingle cruise run at magic kingdom in walt disney world.

The Jingle Cruise typically runs from late November to early January, but specific dates can vary from year to year.

Is there an additional cost to ride the Jingle Cruise?

No, the Jingle Cruise is included with regular admission to Magic Kingdom.

Is there a separate line for the Jingle Cruise or do I need to wait in the regular Jungle Cruise line?

The Jingle Cruise uses the same line as the regular Jungle Cruise attraction.

Is there a height requirement to ride the Jingle Cruise?

No, there is no height requirement for the Jingle Cruise.

Can I buy Jingle Cruise merchandise during the event?

Yes, during the event, you will find some festive merchandise like Jingle Cruise T-Shirts, Christmas ornaments, and other items. It is a great place to buy a special souvenirs.

Ryan has been attending theme parks since as long as he can remember and his first proper memory comes from when he was just three years old sitting in Main Street USA drinking a Nesquik milkshake from a carton while the piano was being played outside Casey’s Corner.

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The Highly-Anticipated Jungle Cruise Holiday UPDATE Is BACK in Disney World!

By Samantha Kendall Leave a Comment

It’s officially time for the holiday season in Disney World, and that means a TON of festive eats, drinks, experiences, and more.

Jungle Cruise

Sure, we love all the delicious snacks and exclusive merchandise that Disney releases this time of year, and the special holiday events can’t be topped. But, one of our absolute FAVORITE parts about Christmastime in Disney World comes when the Jungle Cruise is transformed into the Jingle Cruise ! This adventure ride has been given a holiday makeover, so come with us to check it out!

The Jingle Cruise is one of our favorite ride overlays that Disney busts out for the holidays, and we couldn’t wait to check it out this year! We hopped in line and prepared ourselves for some fun and puns.

You KNOW the holidays have arrived when you get to ride the JINGLE CRUISE! 🔔🎄 pic.twitter.com/3eXIg1Iqjw — Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) November 2, 2022

The queue for the ride is littered with holiday-themed jokes — check out the menu!

Holiday menu!

There are decorations throughout all the random theming elements — we noticed everything from baubles to ornaments to plastic Santa heads (???). And the Skippers are wearing their jolly Santa hats…in khaki of course!

Decorations in the queue

Once you board your boat (which all have festive names for the season — ours was Brrr Bertha!), you’ll start to notice the decor throughout the ride. The hut across from the boarding area was all decked out, and the iconic “jingle all the way” banner was back as well.

It’s time!

There were plenty of gift-wrapped presents scattered throughout the ride , some on the shore and some floating in the water. We noticed them in the gorilla scene and the rhino scene with the explorers.

Lots of presents throughout!

And of course, you can expect some holiday jokes as well! It wouldn’t be the Jingle Cruise without some punny Christmas humor.

Holiday theming

Now is your chance to check out this special holiday overlay of the Jingle Cruise, so if you’re heading to Magic Kingdom soon make sure you make this one a priority! The Jungle Cruise is a popular ride even on a regular day, so you might want to hop in line as soon as the park opens or consider purchasing Genie+ for the day .

Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney World holiday news and more!

Everything Announced for the 2022 Holiday Season in Disney World

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Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World.

• The COMPLETE schedule of events for the Holiday Season
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Learn about mickey’s very merry christmas party get the latest information about the epcot international festival of the holidays, we’ll take this little golden disney book in our stocking, santa everything you need to know about disney world holiday dining and events, what we wish we’d known before going to disney world during the holidays, join the dfb newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox click here to subscribe.

What’s your favorite part about Disney World during the holiday season? Let us know in the comments!

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The Family Vacation Guide

Jungle Cruise at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom: Everything You Need to Know

posted by Charmaine Cortes on January 10, 2023 // last updated on January 13, 2023

There are few rides as iconic to Disney World as the Jungle Cruise. 

The riverboat adventure has been delighting guests since Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Florida first opened up its gates back in the 1970s!

Since then, the ride has only improved– and despite having one of the longest wait times in the Magic Kingdom, guests of the park continue to visit this ride on every trip. That’s thanks both to nostalgia, and the fact that no two rides are ever the same. 

Now, with the release of a major motion picture inspired by the ride, new and regular visitors will be flocking to visit! 

Before heading out to Magic Kingdom and hopping aboard, here’s everything you need to know. 

• What Is Jungle Cruise? 

Where Is Jungle Cruise Located?

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Jungle Cruise is one of the original Magic Kingdom attractions, running since its opening in Disney World in 1971. 

The real OG Jungle Cruise opened at Disneyland in the 1950s, and versions of the ride exist in all Disney theme parks worldwide. 

The ride was originally inspired by a series of 1950s movies, including ‘The African Queen’ and the ‘True Life Adventures series.

Bill Evans was tasked with creating a jungle within the park on a budget. To achieve this, he used a mix of tropical plants and plants that appeared to be tropical (but were actually local) . 

He even used the trick of planting orange trees upside down, making the roots look like vines!

Marc David later made significant contributions to the design in later versions, including many of the scenes, present today. 

The ride’s early renditions were more of an experience at first, like visiting a zoo or a botanic garden. However, over time the ride has developed into a funny, lighthearted attraction, and as a result, has increased in popularity. 

A comedic script was added, the scenes became more humorous, and the guides were encouraged to have fun with the guests. You’ll now find them cracking jokes with guests, showing their personalities, and ad-libbing along the way!

Audio effects have been improved and modernized, the animatronics updated, new scenes added, and the jungle has grown and expanded throughout the years. 

In 2010, the jungle became a self-sustaining ecosystem, after 45 years of careful care and growth. The ride has also removed elements that were offensive to native cultures.

The Jungle Cruise story was expanded in 2015 with the opening of the Jungle Cruise-themed restaurant, Jungle Skipper Canteen. 

This introduced Dr. Albert Falls as the founder of Jungle Cruise in 1911. He then handed it over to his granddaughter Alberta Falls in the 1930s, where the story of the ride takes place. 

The ride is full of audio-animatronic characters– mostly jungle animals– such as ones found on an African safari. There are waterfalls, a temple to pass inside, and many other scenes along the way! 

All of the scenes can be experienced from within your boat, making you feel as if you’re an explorer from the thirties. 

The ride is suitable for all ages and very accessible to those with disabilities. It’s a smooth, slow ride, but there’s never a dull moment thanks to the story unfolding around you and your skipper’s commentary.

‘Jungle Cruise’ is the latest in a long line of movies inspired by rides at Disney theme parks, the most notable being Pirates of the Caribbean. The 2021 film starred Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt and followed the general theme of the ride. 

The Magic Kingdom’s Jungle Cruise is located in Adventureland. 

You can find it by going to the hub and taking the first left to Adventureland. After passing shops, restaurants, and the Swiss Family Treehouse, you’ll see the Magic Carpets of Aladdin. 

From there, look to your left and you should see the entrance to Jungle Cruise! 

Queue  

The queue has four areas that can be opened up, depending on the size of the line. The average wait time for the ride is about an hour, one of the longest at the park. 

It can get pretty hot waiting in the queue on a summer’s day, so beware if you have anyone in your party that may struggle with this. Don’t forget your water bottle, sunscreen, and hat!

As you wait in line to enter the line, it’ll feel like you’re in a colonial outpost. You’ll pass artifacts, photos, and tools from the theme and period of the ride to get you in the right headspace. 

Your boat will pull up with your guide at the helm when it’s your turn. There are 15 boats in rotation, each with its memorable name (like Wamba Wanda ). 

Jungle Cruise FastPass+

FastPass+ was discontinued and replaced with Disney Genie in 2021. 

However, due to public outcry, it was announced in 2022 that FastPass would be coming back to the parks. At this point, it doesn’t appear to have been reinstated just yet.

Currently, you can use the Disney Genie service to get you through the queues faster with Lightning Lane entrances. However, Genie+ can no longer be pre-purchased– though you can still purchase through the app when you visit the park.

For more information on Disney Genie, be sure to check out the Disney World website .

The ride has a long wooden bench on each side of the boat, so guests face each other and sit side by side. 

The bench doesn’t have a back, so if you lean back you’ll find yourself against the slightly curved side of the boat. 

Plexiglass dividers are placed between sections of the bench, allowing four or five people to fit within a section. If you have small children, you may be able to squeeze a couple more in. 

Once you step onto the boat, the skipper will welcome you and you’ll set sail down the river. 

You’ll encounter giant butterflies, Inspiration Falls, a beach shop called “Boats, Baits, and Bites”, an African rock python, and a Gorilla-raided camp– all before you head down the Nile River. 

In this new area, you’ll find African Elephants along with many other animals. You’ll pass a zebra watching a lion eat a member of its pack, and a group of lost safari goers hanging from a long pole, avoiding a black Rhino. 

After passing gaters, waterfalls, and a plane crash, the boat is threatened by angry hippos. Thankfully, the skipper will frighten them off. After seeing chimps raid a ship, it’s off to the next area! 

There, you’ll find yourself sailing into a temple damaged by an earthquake. Exotic animals like peacocks and a Bengal Tiger await! The ride will end just as you narrowly avoid being sprayed by a group of Indian Elephants. 

While the ride is quite cruisy, the fun of Jungle Cruise lies with the skipper. There is a script, but most skippers will bring their own flare to the show– keeping guests laughing and the energy high. 

The ride duration is about nine minutes long. 

Jungle Skipper Canteen

After experiencing the ride, consider continuing the adventure by stopping at Jungle Skipper Canteen. 

Here you can have a meal inspired by African, Latin, or Asian cuisine. Try Skipper Dan’s Dan Dan Noodles, “Hardy Har Char” Siu Pork, or Panna-Connie’s Congo Lime Delight. 

There’s an extensive kids’ menu with menu items such as Junior Skip’s Macaroni & Cheese, or Chef Tandaji’s Crispy Chicken. 

You’ll also find an extensive allergy-free menu here (as is the case throughout much of the Magic Kingdom), with allergy-free choices on apps, kids’ meals, entrees, and desserts. 

Feeling a little parched? Choose from the selection of fun tropical cocktails, as well as their large selection of beer and wine!

Two of the boats, Bomokandi Bertha and Wamba Wanda, have wheelchair-accessible lifts. Most wheelchairs, including motorized and some ECVs, can be accommodated by these boats. 

Guests in wheelchairs can choose to board the boat without their chair if able, leaving the chair at the dock. Alternatively, they can wait until one of the accessible boats arrives.

There are days when a sign language interpreter and Disney’s Handheld Devices are available. 

These feature Assistive Listening, which will amplify the sound through either headphones or an induction loop. Handheld Captioning is also available on these devices, displaying on-screen text.

Disney’s Handheld Devices are available for a fully-refundable $25 daily deposit at Guest Relations. Devices are on a first-come, first-served basis, and they recommend that you bring your own headphones or an induction loop for use.

All guests should take care as they step down onto the boat from the dock, as it can bob and lean slightly while boarding. The skipper or ride assistant can offer a hand if needed.

There are periods of darkness, and it’s possible to get damp from the mist near the waterfalls. 

There is an instance of gunfire sound effects, but guests can request that it’s not played if this will trouble someone at the party. 

Guests must remain seated at all times, including small children. The boat will bob some, and sea sickness is possible, but it is generally a pretty smooth ride. 

There is no age or height restriction. Babies and toddlers can ride on their parent’s laps or in strollers. 

Children under the age of 7 will need to be accompanied by someone at least 14 years of age.  

Jungle Cruise closes during inclement weather, as most of the attraction takes place outdoors. 

How long is the Jungle Cruise ride at Magic Kingdom?

The entire ride lasts for just over nine minutes. 

How long does the Jungle Cruise line take?

The average wait time is about one hour. It’s a good idea to get to this ride as soon as the gates open to avoid a long queue. 

During very hot days, the line can get uncomfortable and is best avoided if you are sensitive to this. 

What do you do on the Jungle Cruise?

Guests ride along on a river boat with a skipper at the helm and explore various locations. You’ll see plenty of animals up to no good, and people in plenty of trouble! 

The whole experience is fun and comical and suitable for the whole family. 

Is Jungle Cruise a good ride at Disney?

This ride is a classic, and it’s only been made better over the years. It’s great for children and toddlers, as there are no age or height restrictions. 

It’s a slow and steady ride, so its movement is not frightening. However, some young or sensitive children could be startled in the dark temple with snakes present, or by the gunshot sound effect. 

When is the best time to ride Jungle Cruise?

Surprisingly, Jungle Cruise is a great ride at night! You can still see everything, and it looks even more realistic. Some riders report that the skippers tend to have more fun during sundown.

Christmas is another fun time to ride Jungle Cruise– or “ Jingle Cruise” , as it’s called– as it gets a makeover for the season and a snowman attraction is added. 

The script even gets a rewrite, so it’s quite a different experience if you’ve already seen the original version!

Who is Jungle Cruise for?

Jungle Cruise is a blast for children but is also enjoyed by the young-at-heart. Some adults may find themselves rolling their eyes at their skipper’s cheesy lines, but it’s all part of the charm. 

The Jungle Cruise is a delightful ride for the ages of 1 to 100. 

Disney has created a fully immersive experience where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. 

They have taken careful measures to create a living jungle, keep the ride up-to-date, make it appealing to all– and have even hired slapstick skippers to keep you laughing! 

Whether it’s your first or hundredth time on Jungle Cruise, it’s always worth a visit. 

There’s no shortage of things to do when visiting the Magic Kingdom, so maybe it’s time to explore Jungle Cruise and all the other rides, entertainment, and food that Disney World offers!

More about our TFVG Author

Charmaine Cortes

Five Reasons Why We Love the Jingle Cruise

It is currently the only attraction at Walt Disney World to receive a holiday overlay this year. Since 2013, the Jingle Cruise been providing holiday cheer while sailing the yuletide. Some people find it cheesy and perhaps even thrown together. But there are many that love it – myself included. So let’s board a boat, and wave to the nice people on the dock, to see why we love the Jingle Cruise.

The Queue Decorations

I do not mind waiting in line one bit for The Jingle Cruise. The queue is full of old fashioned Christmas decorations from around the 1930s. Many of the items remind me of decorations my grandmother had. The tropical Christmas tree in the center of the queue is my favorite. There’s some great details too. There’s a Secret Santa list and other holiday cheer involving the Jungle Cruise skippers. The festive fun of this attraction starts the moment you walk into its queue.

The Queue Music

I love Big Band Jazz and music from the 1930s and 1940s. I think part of what gave me my love for the genre is The Bubble Room . I grew up here in Central Florida and The Bubble Room was an over-the-top kitschy restaurant that I went to with my family as a child, for special occasions. They played Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald, and with its whimsy décor it felt like a magical place to adolescent me.  That era of Christmas music plays over the airways of the Jingle Cruise.

Note: The Bubble Room in the Central Florida area closed long ago, but the original location in Captiva Island, Florida is still around – for those that are interested.

The Boat Names

Each Jungle Cruise boat that hauls guests through the rivers of the world has a name. But during the holiday season each boat is given a holiday name. Seeing the boat names pass by as you wait for your turn can be part of the fun of the Jingle Cruise. Names like Icicle Irma, Poinsettia Sal, Yulelog Lolly, and Candy Cane Connie sail the yuletide this time of year.

The Holiday Humor

It wouldn’t be a voyage on the Jingle Cruise without the pun-laden script of the Skippers. And this time of year, you’re in for lots of holiday humor.  As you embark on your journey you’ll wave goodbye to the nice people on the dock, and the naughty ones too. You’ll pass by a tree that’s been wrapped up with a boa on top. And maybe your Skipper will make a New Year’s joke, if they don’t drop the ball. You get the idea.

Classic Scenes Get a Holiday Makeover

The Jungle Cruise is full of classic scenes that have been part of the ride for decades. Many of these classic scenes are given a holiday makeover. But not all the scenes get into the holiday spirit. It’s nice to round a bend waiting to see if the next scene will be at its merriest, or just its silliest.

Have you sailed aboard The Jingle Cruise? Do you have a favorite part?

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Born and raised in the land of sunshine and dreams come true, Dani is a proud Orlando Native who loves sharing her hometown with others. She's worked in nearly all of Orlando's theme parks, on board Disney Cruise Line, and in hotel management. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @thisfloridalife

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Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane Rides- Ranking & Strategy 2024

Lightning Lane Multi Pas s is a skip the line service at Magic Kingdom that allows guests to access the shorter Lightning Lanes for rides at an additional cost. Magic Kingdom Lightning Lanes are available for the most popular rides and experiences with these rides separated into tiers based on popularity.

Guests that purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass can pick from three different advance ride reservations per day for their trip. Disney has introduced different tiers of Lightning Lanes for rides at Magic Kingdom to pick from for your three advance Lightning Lane selections. These tiers influence which rides you can select in advance and give us insight into the most popular rides at Magic Kingdom.

Let's get into my best strategy for picking your preselection Lightning Lanes for rides at Magic Kingdom including my ride rankings and best tips.

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What is Lightning Lane Multi Pass?

Lightning Lane Multi Pass will go into effect at Walt Disney World and Disneyland on July 24. When these changes go into effect, the name of  Genie+  will be changing to Lightning Lane Multi Pass and the  Individual Lightning Lane  service will be renamed Lightning Lane Single Pass.

Lightning Lane Multi Pass is the replacement for Genie+ that allows guests to pay for access to the shorter Lightning Lanes for popular rides.

The main difference between Genie+ and Lightning Lane Multi Pass is that guests can purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass prior to their visit and book up to 3 Lightning Lane selections in advance for each day.

These three Lightning Lane selections are limited to the list provided for each theme park with some ride selections divided into two separate tiers. The most popular rides are put into the first tier with all other rides into the second tier. This means for parks that have these separate tiers, you will only be able to pick one of the most popular ride selections for each park for each day you purchase Lightning Lane.

Once you enter the theme parks and redeem at least one of your advance Lightning Lane selections then you will be able to reserve more. Each time you redeem your Lightning Lane selection you can then book your next one. This means you will likely always have at least one or more Lightning Lane selections to utilize throughout your park day.

There is a bit of strategy that should go into how you're picking your advance Lightning Lane rides for park to ensure you maximize your use of the service and ride the best rides with minimal waits.

🌟Click HERE for the full guide to the NEW Lightning Lane Multi Pass!

When Can You Book Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane Rides?

When you can book a Lightning Lane reservation will depend on if you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel or not! Guests staying on-site get an advantage of booking in advance compared to those staying off-site.

Walt Disney World hotel guests can book their Lightning Lane passes up to seven days in advance for their entire stay of up to 14 days. This benefit is offered to guests at all Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, Walt Disney World Swan Hotel, Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, and Shades of Green Resort.

All other guests can book their Lightning Lane passes up to three days in advance. This is for guests with date-based theme park tickets, other ticket types, and annual passholders.

All guests can purchase Lightning Lane passes for days they have valid theme park admission starting at 7:00 AM Eastern Time on their first day of eligibility.

Pick Your Park Days Strategically for Lightning Lanes

If you are staying at a Walt Disney World resort hotel, you get the biggest advantage of being able to book up to 14 days in advance of your check in date.

Similar to the way dining reservations work, the more availability for rides will be at the furthest day out from your arrival day.

So if you plan on spending seven days at Magic Kingdom, your seventh day in the parks will have the most ride availability as the furthest day out. This is a helpful tip to keep in mind if Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane ride selections start running out. If you are determined on reserving one for Tiana's Bayou Adventure for example, one of the most popular rides since its reopening, you may want to ensure Magic Kingdom is your last park day to have a better chance of ride selection availability.

Magic Kingdom Ride Lightning Lanes 

After you purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you’ll be prompted to choose up to 3 multi pass experiences and arrival windows.

Magic Kingdom has split the most popular Lightning Lane rides into one top tier with the other selections available at a section tier.

Choose up to one experience from this group:

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Jungle Cruise
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Space Mountain
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

These are the Magic Kingdom rides with the highest demand for Lightning Lanes. These rides will run out of available Lightning Lane selections quickly both in advance and inside the park on the day you arrive.

Choose your other 2 experiences—or all 3—from this group:

• The Barnstormer
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Haunted Mansion
• “it’s a small world”
• Mad Tea Party
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

On the list, the ride with the highest wait times on average is the Haunted Mansion. The rest of the experiences here can get long waits, especially during the afternoons, but most will start to taper down in the evening.

Once you redeem a selection on the day of your park visit, you can choose another available multi pass experience from either group.

Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane Rides Strategy

For the best Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane rides strategy, you should consider in advance what rides you want to preselect before you arrive at the theme parks.

Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane Top Tier Rides Ranking

Let's take a look at the first tier of Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane rides which are all the most popular. You can only pick one option from this list for one out of your three advance reservations so I am going to rank them in order of most popular to least to help you plan your day.

1. Tiana's Bayou Adventure

The newest ride on this list is the newly reimagining of Splash Mountain, Tiana's Bayou Adventure , which also has a virtual queue option.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure throws a bit of a hitch in the strategizing since this is such a new and popular offering. Most advance ride selections for this attraction will run out which is why it might be best to opt for the virtual queue especially if you feel confident on how fast you can work the Disney app! If this ride is a priority for you, then you should at least try to snag that advance Genie selection. If they run out then your plan B is to opt for the virtual queue once in the parks.

🐸Read how to use Tiana's Bayou Adventure virtual queue here!

2. & 3. Peter Pan's Flight & Space Mountain

Aside from Tiana's Bayou Adventure, the second most in demand rides from the top tier list is Space Mountain and Peter Pan's Flight. These two rides have consistent long waits from park opening to close and should be prioritized for your Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane ride selection.

If you are doing two days at Magic Kingdom, you could opt for Peter Pan's Flight one day and Space Mountain the other day to spread out your advance reservations in this top tier.

But above all, the top three you need to prioritize for advance ride selections from this tier list are Tiana's Bayou Adventure, Peter Pan's Flight and Space Mountain.

4. Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise is reasonably popular at Magic Kingdom and carries a pretty consistent wait time throughout the entire day. You will see wait times drop for Jungle Cruise later in the evening especially if you stay at Magic Kingdom after the fireworks end. This ride will also likely have an easier time securing Lightning Lane passes for in the park than the other rides ranked higher on this list.

5. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a popular ride but its main advantage is its far location across Magic Kingdom park making it one of the furthest rides to walk to from the entrance. This means it is reasonably easy to rope drop plus the wait time will slow down quite a bit in the evening after the fireworks. This ride will also likely have an easier time securing Lightning Lane passes for in the park than the other rides ranked higher on this list.

Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane Second Tier Ride Ranking

Let's take a look at the second tier of Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane rides. You can pick all three of your options from this list but I recommend just picking two and selecting at least one advance reservation from tier one. I ranked these in order of popularity from top to last.

The top four rides on this list are the most important to book in advance while the rest are pretty reasonably similar when it comes to average wait times.

Haunted Mansion is easily the most popular ride on this list and while wait times can dwindle for it in the late evening, they tend to stay more consistent throughout the day than the other rides.

Outside of the top four, the rest of the rides likely will have more limited Lightning Lane passes once you're in Magic Kingdom. Once you redeem at least one of your advance Lightning Lane reservations you can start booking more reservations in the park.

What Time to Pick Your Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane Rides?

When booking your three advance Lightning Lane ride selections for Magic Kingdom you should at least book one for in the morning and then stagger the other two for the afternoon.

This way you can follow an effective rope drop strategy in the morning when lines are more reasonable and utilize most of your Lightning Lane passes in the afternoon and evening when wait times begin to climb.

Book at least one of your Lightning Lane passes for the morning so you can be free to begin booking more as soon as possible. Remember you get to begin booking other Lightning Lane reservations as soon as you redeem at least one of your existing ones! So don't book all your Lightning Lane passes for too late in the day, at least book one early.

Lightning Lane Single Pass Magic Kingdom

There are two different types of Lightning Lanes. The Lightning Lanes that are included with a Lightning Lanes Multi Pass purchase and the ones that are purchased separately called Lightning Lanes Single Pass. Lightning Lanes Single Pass is separate from the Lightning Lanes that are included with your Walt Disney World Multi Pass purchase.

Lightning Lane Single Pass is available for two attractions in Magic Kingdom: TRON Lightcycle / Run and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

You can reserve up to two Lightning Lane Single Passes per day but you cannot repeat the same attraction in one day.

These Lightning Lane passes for Magic Kingdom are also able to be booked in advance along with your Multi Pass bookings. I recommend booking these in advance if you are interested, especially for TRON, as there is no guarantee how many will be available the day of. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will likely be more available the day of your visit. TRON also offers a virtual queue which allows access to the TRON Lightning Lane at no cost.

🚀Read more about how to secure a TRON Lightcycle / Run virtual queue here!

Overall, knowing the most popular Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane rides can help you maximize your use of this skip the line service. We will keep this strategy and ranking updated as park trends change.

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Dates for christmas events at walt disney world released, mickey’s christmas party, jollywood nights among returning events.

Christie Zizo , Digital Editor

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Disney fans can begin planning their holiday travels as Walt Disney World releases the dates of its Christmas park events throughout the park.

The parks confirmed Monday that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom returns Nov. 8 and Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios returns Nov. 9.

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The two separately ticketed events run on select nights in November and December and transform the two parks into holiday wonderlands with special character meet-and-greets, parades, shows and tasty treats.

Tickets for both events go on sale July 2 for resort guests and July 10 for the general public.

Here are the details.

Magic Kingdom — Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns for another year with all the holiday traditions guests have come to expect. Complimentary cookies and cocoa will be available throughout the park, along with other exclusive treats for sale.

Guests can check out Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration castle stage show, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. Guests will also find festively dressed characters, dance parties and more.

Dates for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are:

• Nov. 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29
• Dec. 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20

Tickets run from $169 to $219 per person, plus tax, depending on the date. Discounts for annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members are available.

More details can be found on the Walt Disney World website.

Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Jollywood Nights returns for its second year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The separately ticketed event is takes place at night throughout the park and features shows like “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” Sing-along, Disney Holidays in Hollywood, and Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!

The event also features over 20 character experiences with new and returning Disney characters. Among the new characters out and about this year are Bo Peep and Lotso from “Toy Story” and Baloo and King Louie from “TaleSpin.”

Dates for Jollywood Nights are:

• Nov. 9, 13, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
• Dec. 2, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21

Tickets run from $159 to $179 per person, plus tax, depending on the date. Discounts for annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members are available.

International Festival of the Holidays at Epcot

Epcot guests will once again experience a taste of the holidays around the world this year, starting Nov. 29 and running through Dec. 30.

Epcot will feature Holiday Kitchens around its World Showcase, along with storytellers, entertainment and more. The nightly Candlelight Processional, which features a celebrity narrator telling the Christmas story and a full orchestra and choir will also be back. Disney has not announced who the celebrity narrators will be yet.

Guests can also take part in the Holiday Cookie Stroll and Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt. The Living With the Land attraction is also getting into the holiday spirit as its greenhouses are lit up for the season.

The International Festival of the Holidays is included with Epcot admission.

Other events throughout Walt Disney World

Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, winter animal puppets will prowl the park as part of Merry Menagerie.

At Disney Springs, the Christmas Tree Stroll will be back, as will Santa Claus and “snow” in Town Center.

At select Disney resorts, amid the holiday decor guests can also find gingerbread houses and displays.

More details are available at the Disney Parks Blog.

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Christie joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021.

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FIRST LOOK: Disney Reveals Over 30 Souvenirs Coming Later This Year

We’re BIG fans of the holidays at Disney World and Disneyland but Disney just gave us one more reason to wish the holiday season would hurry up and get here!

Since Disney World just announced the return of its holiday parties and events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Disney Jollywood Nights, and EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays starting in November of this year, it stands to reason we’re looking to get a little festival with our outfits to celebrate! If you’re looking to snag all the cozy holiday merch but not sure yet what to anticipate, Disney just dropped a sneak peek at a few of the merchandise collections and we think you’re going to love them!

The holiday season at Disney World and Disneyland can literally be like stepping into a world like no other. All the sights, sounds, entertainment, and snoap can really help you get into the holiday spirit!

If you’re ready to celebrate the holidays but think your wardrobe and your holiday gift list could use a bit of sprucing up, Disney’s just released a few of the items you can expect to find when the holidays start! Initially, you’ll be able to purchase the newest ears, apparel, and plushies beginning in early September on DisneyStore.com, with more to come throughout the holiday season after the Disney Store Holiday Shop officially launches this Fall. You can also expect to find these collections around Disney World and Disneyland later in the fall season. Let’s take a closer look at what they teased!

Spirit Jerseys

Disney has teased two new Spirit Jerseys coming for this holiday season. The first was named Mickey Lights Spirit Jersey.  Get ready to deck your halls in this evergreen Spirit Jersey strung with festive Mickey lights and a gold park logo featured on the front with either Walt Disney World or Disneyland emblazoned across the back. They’ll even offer a third option that will feature “Merry Christmas” across the back.

The other is the Frosty Blue Snowman Spirit Jersey. You’ll be prepared for those blustery winter months when wearing this Spirit Jersey adorned with blue hues of wintery nights. This jolly Spirit Jersey design features an adorable snowman on the front and back, along with a scenic design of Mickey and Minnie enjoying the holidays together.

Disney has to know we’ve been tracking these upcoming Spirit Jersey designs closely to this point, right?!

Hanukkah Collections Returns!

Disney’s ready to wish you a bright and happy Hanukkah with the Festival of Lights Minnie Ears…

…and a Happy Hanukkah Blanket!

This year’s collection will also feature an adorable Hanukkah mug that can be filled with your favorite hot drink meant to be enjoyed along with your favorite chocolate babka.

Welcome your holiday guests into your home with this Menorah Wall Hang and embrace the Festival of Lights!

Don’t forget to deck yourself out in some stylish PJs! These comfy blue and white pajama pants feature Mickey and Minnie enjoying the holiday festivities and could be quite the gift for yourself or someone else!

Hanukkah never looked so festive on you!

Family Holiday Styles

Get your crew ready to jingle all through the holidays in the latest Disney holiday collections made for families.

Get ready to party with Vintage Holiday Vibes! This classic holiday sweatshirt features a soft vintage Santa Mickey in tuft and felt. Or, maybe you’re more into the Matching Minnie & Mickey Christmas Sweaters. These cozy could be the perfect pair to set you apart from the rest! The Minnie sweater design features a shade of pink sugar cookie icing, while Mickey’s sports fir tree hues. Both will similarly feature classic zigzags and Christmas trees.

Check out the new Tree Trimming Sweatshirt! This snuggly sweatshirt has Mickey and Minnie getting the Christmas tree ready for the big night. Maybe your style calls for the Ultimate Christmas Cardi! This cardigan has all the bells and whistles in a classic Christmas sweater — golden buttons, metallic embroidery, and you’ll find Mickey and Minnie as elves!

A Holiday Magicband+

This is the holiday Magicband+ design you’ve been waiting for!

Light up your night with this holiday MagicBand+ design that features Mickey on a toy train, heading up a parade of ride vehicles. You’ll spot a few notable rides or vehicles like a Jungle Cruise boat, a teacup, and a carousel horse.

Don’t Forget Your Onesie PJs

Disney’s signature onesie pajamas are back for another year with an awesome design!

This adult onesie comes complete with Mickey ears and pockets for stashing plenty of cookies and candy canes just before bedtime.

Glimmering Shirts

Both Disney World and Disneyland will feature a new design for their iconic glimmering gold shirts.

Be on the lookout for these popular shirts featuring gold sequined Santa Mickey and Disneyland or Walt Disney World in metallic print!

Minnie Ear Headbands

A popular pair of Mickey and Minnie Snowman ear headbands that debuted last year will make their return (which we absolutely swooned over)…

…along with a new design that will match this year’s holiday sweater collection! We love the knitted ears and the fuzzy center bow.

Or pick up these faux leather Minnie ears and glimmering golden bow!

You can’t go wrong with a classic and we’re so glad to hear the Classic Santa Mickey ears will be returning, too!

Holiday ears just make the season feel so fun!

Holiday Hats

Your resident head elf of the bunch might appreciate this  Santa Mickey bucket hat which is too cute to pass up with their plush ears and fluffy brim.

Get your little holiday helper in the spirit with this conifer-green ballcap topped with a velveteen elf hat and plush Mickey ears.

Another oldie, but a goodie, we’re happy to see this clean Santa Mickey ballcap return featuring a vintage-style Mickey and his signature on the back.

“Yule” rule the holiday fit guide this year!

Holiday Home Decor

These cheerful table lanterns are the perfect addition to your make your spirits bright! these tabletop ornaments are a little too big for the tree, they’re just the right size to add a soft, cozy light to your warm holiday living room.

Add this classic Mickey holiday mug to your home collection to hold your favorite brewed beverages!

Your home decor becomes complete with this huggable Snowman pillow (complete with Mickey ears, of course)!

Hang your newest Disney-inspired stockings by the chimney with care!

Your home will be feeling pretty cozy when you host all of your friends and family for the holidays!

Holiday Plushes

Cuddle up with this sleeping Stitch outfitted in his holiday sleepwear…

…or have your choice of either Stitch, Angel, or both plushes dressed as elves!

There’s hardly anything more memorable than a Baby’s First Christmas, so why not commemorate it with a Mickey plush?

Pluto fans will also have a holiday plush in their own elf costume with a letter to Santa containing all of his holiday wishes!

For those looking for the iconic Mickey and Minnie duo, there’s even a holiday plush set for you (or to add to your shopping list as the perfect gift for a friend or loved one)!

Aren’t they all so cute?

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Disney teased a few items that are expected to be popular during the special ticketed event! We got a glimpse of this year’s Spirit Jersey and mug designs!

You’ll only be able to snag this collection during the event!

Disney Jollywood Nights

Ollie, the character created for last year’s debut event, is back for a swinging good time at Disney Jollywood Nights! He’s been featured on several pieces of this year’s event merch including his own design on ear headbands…

…and a Lug crossbody bag!

All of these sneak peeks at the holiday merchandise make us even more eager for the holidays to arrive so we can get our hands on them all! We’ll be covering all of the holiday happenings around Disney World and Disneyland, so be sure to stay tuned with us at All Ears for all the latest!

DATES REVEALED for Jollywood Nights at Disney World in 2024

More info on all the holiday happenings in disney world.

• Learn ALL About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Disney World
• Disney’s Candlelight Processional Is Coming BACK to EPCOT
• Dates Announced for the 2023 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays
• NEW Holiday Party Announced for Hollywood Studios -- Jollywood Nights
• Don’t Miss Out on These Disney Advent Calendars on Amazon
• Exclusive Look at Disney’s Holiday Merchandise

Join the AllEars.net Newsletter to stay on top of ALL the breaking Disney News! You'll also get access to AllEars tips, reviews, trivia, and MORE! Click here to Subscribe!

What merchandise are you looking forward to snagging for yourself or someone else this holiday season at Disney World? Tell us your “must-haves” in the comments below!

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Save on Rooms at Select Disney Resort Hotels This Fall and Holiday Season

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• Save up to 30% on rooms for stays most nights from November 24 to December 25, 2024
• Enjoy other savings for stays most Sunday to Thursday nights from October 6 to November 21, 2024

Plus, get FREE Park Hopper benefits when you take advantage of this offer and upgrade to a Walt Disney Travel Company room-and-ticket package that includes nondiscounted 4-day (or longer) date-based theme park tickets! With Park Hopper benefits, you can visit multiple theme parks each day of your ticket. Learn more about Park Hopper benefits .

This offer is valid for the Disney Resort hotels listed below. View the chart to explore savings.

Stay in the Magic!

With Disney Resorts Collection, you can experience the same legendary detail, service and storytelling found in the theme parks. Read More

With Disney Resorts Collection, you can experience the same legendary detail, service and storytelling found in the theme parks. And you’ll discover enchantment around every corner.

Explore some highlights of staying at a Disney Resort hotel:

Early Theme Park Entry When you stay at a Disney Resort hotel, you can get 30 minutes early entry to any theme park on each day of your stay (subject to capacity)—so you can enjoy select attractions, shops and dining before regular park opening.

For early theme park entry, you’ll need a MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile service or a Key to the World Card, as well as valid admission. Theme park reservations may be required based on admission type. Learn more about theme park reservations .

Extended Evening Theme Park Hours When you stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort, you’ll enjoy extended evening hours on select nights in select theme parks.

For extended evening hours, you’ll need a MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile service or a Key to the World Card, as well as valid admission. Theme park reservations may be required based on admission type. Learn more about theme park reservations .

Get Around with Ease Complimentary transportation options make it easy—and fun—to get around Walt Disney World Resort. Zip about on the world-famous monorail, glide across the sky on Disney Skyliner and cruise along serene waterways aboard a water taxi. Some Disney Resort hotels are even within walking distance of select theme parks.

Magic Around Every Corner Be immersed in fantastical worlds both real and imagined—including some favorite Disney and Pixar tales. Whether you’re taking in views of an African savanna, splashing into a whimsically themed pool or savoring the flavors of the Polynesian Isles, you’ll find fun and surprising Disney touches in every detail.

The fun is seemingly endless at a Disney Resort hotel, where you can enjoy themed pools with waterslides, poolside activities and delicious dining experiences. You may even spot some familiar Disney friends!

Activities and amenities vary by Disney Resort hotel.

Holiday Décor and More

Disney Resort hotels get decked out in seasonal style just in time for the holidays! Read More

Disney Resort hotels get decked out in seasonal style just in time for the holidays!

Each Disney Resort hotel is uniquely transformed with festive touches. Highlights include:

• Grand Christmas trees —inspired by some favorite Disney stories and locations—adorned with shimmering ornaments and twinkling lights
• Cheerful decorations and accents to spruce up the scene

Plus, be on the lookout for holiday treats during your stay—available at select dining locations and shops for a limited time.

Fun in the Theme Parks

When you add valid theme park admission, you can discover new experiences and classic favorites at Walt Disney World Resort. Read More

When you add valid theme park admission, you can discover new experiences and classic favorites at Walt Disney World Resort.

Theme Park Reservations To enter a theme park, a theme park reservation may be required based on admission type. Learn more about theme park reservations .

View the park reservation availability calendar .

• Embark on a culinary adventure around the world at EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival —from August 29 to November 23, 2024.
• Feel oh-so-jolly when you observe global holiday traditions shared by storytellers from around the world at EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays —from November 29 to December 30, 2024.
• Stroll along a lush trail where you can explore the wonders of water and discover its playful personality at Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana .
• Blast off on an intergalactic chase with Rocket, Groot, Gamora and Star-Lord on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind —a coaster inspired by the rockin’ movies.
• Board an ancient Norwegian vessel and be whisked away to the kingdom of Arendelle during Frozen Ever After .
• Meet some of your favorite Disney Characters at Mickey & Friends in CommuniCore Hall, a delightful new location at EPCOT.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

• Enjoy spirited holiday entertainment! Meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed in holiday attire at Adventurers Outpost. Plus, check out the Merry Menagerie on Discovery Island, featuring artisan-sculpted puppets of reindeer, foxes, polar bears and other arctic animals—November 12 through late December.
• Celebrate the magic of nature at Pandora – The World of Avatar . Here, you can fly on the back of a banshee on Avatar Flight of Passage , hike amid floating mountains in the Valley of Mo’ara and take a mystical boat ride into a bioluminescent rainforest on the Na’vi River Journey .
• Set off in an open-air vehicle across a lush African savanna teeming with exotic animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris .
• Witness Finding Nemo : The Big Blue… and Beyond! —a vibrant stage show set in the underwater world of Finding Nemo .
• Behold Festival of the Lion King —a larger-than-life show filled with pageantry, puppetry and classic songs from The Lion King .
• Speed through the Himalayas on a runaway train while avoiding the clutches of the Yeti on Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain.

Magic Kingdom Park

• Get wrapped up in all things merry and bright, with holiday decorations and cheerful touches around the park from November 12 through late December. You won’t want to miss Frozen Holiday Surprise , a dazzling experience that will illuminate Cinderella Castle—featuring appearances from Elsa, Anna and other Frozen friends.
• NEW! Drop on in to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure —a new attraction where bayou thrills meet Disney magic! Join Princess Tiana and jazz-loving alligator Louis as they traverse winding waterways in search of musical critters for a grand celebration during Mardi Gras season.
• Leave the real world behind for a high-stakes race across the Grid—the dark, computerized world from TRON —on TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise.
• Feast your eyes on a Happily Ever After , a nighttime fireworks spectacular featuring lights, lasers and special effects.
• Explore iconic attractions and experiences in 6 incredible lands—including Seven Dwarfs Mine Train , a swaying family coaster ride that will have you racing through a diamond mine.
• Be dazzled by music, dancing and vivid pageantry during the Festival of Fantasy Parade —a grand tribute to the tales and inhabitants of Fantasyland.
• Take off on an exhilarating coaster ride on Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad .
• Rediscover beloved classic Disney attractions such as Jungle Cruise and Haunted Mansion .

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Gaze in wonder as the Hollywood Tower Hotel is transformed with captivating holiday projections during Sunset Seasons Greetings —from November 12 through late December.
• Live your adventure in a galaxy far, far away at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge ! Experience 2 thrilling attractions, build your own droid or lightsaber, savor Batuu’s tasty food and beverages, shop for themed merchandise and more!
• Discover big fun for kids and grown-ups alike at Toy Story Land . Take a wild ride on Slinky Dog Dash and go for a whirl on Alien Swirling Saucers .
• Witness the power of Mickey’s imagination at Fantasmic! This nighttime show is filled with exciting stunts, dazzling pyrotechnics, favorite Characters and moving music.
• Hurtle up and down on a haunted elevator ride at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™.
• Hear from Royal Historians of Arendelle and sing along to popular Frozen tunes during For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration . And starting November 12, 2024, enjoy a festive finale featuring Olaf the snowman.
• Watch in awe as a stunt team recreates thrilling movie moments during Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular .

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

The most magical holiday tradition returns to Magic Kingdom park on select nights from November 8 to December 20, 2024. Read More

The most magical holiday tradition returns to Magic Kingdom park on select nights from November 8 to December 20, 2024.

Holiday wishes come true when you celebrate the season with Mickey Mouse and pals at this separate-ticket event. With a ticket to this event, you can:

• Gather to watch Disney Characters give a yuletide nod to the season during Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
• Behold fantastically festive entertainment, like Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show !
• Get the perfect picture with Disney pals dressed in their Christmas best
• Savor sweet moments as you enjoy cookies and cocoa —included with your event ticket no additional charge
• Walk in a winter wonderland as you witness a stunning “snowfall” on Main Street, U.S.A!
• Take in the cheerful decorations that bring the spirit of the season to life
• Enjoy iconic Magic Kingdom attractions —including some with a holiday twist

Early Purchase Opportunity for Disney Resort Hotel Guests Special event tickets can be purchased starting July 10, 2024—and Guests of Disney Resort hotels and other select hotels can purchase tickets early, beginning on July 2, 2024.

Tickets are limited and may not be available for purchase on the day of the event (or earlier).

More Information Learn more about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party —including how to purchase tickets to this event.

Upgrade to a Select Package—and Get Park Hopper Benefits FREE

When you take advantage of this room offer and upgrade to a Walt Disney Travel Company room-and-ticket package that includes nondiscounted 4-day (or longer) date-based theme park tickets, you’ll get Park Hopper benefits FREE! Read More

When you take advantage of this room offer and upgrade to a Walt Disney Travel Company room-and-ticket package that includes nondiscounted 4-day (or longer) date-based theme park tickets, you’ll get Park Hopper benefits FREE!

With Park Hopper benefits, you can visit multiple theme parks each day of your ticket. Learn more about Park Hopper benefits .

How to Book a Package After selecting your room, simply add on theme park tickets to create your room-and-ticket package.

Once you’ve selected your theme park tickets, you’ll have the option to add a dining plan to your package. With a dining plan, you can enjoy the convenience and flexibility of prepaid meals and snacks during your Walt Disney World vacation.

Theme Park Reservations Theme park reservations may be required based on admission type. Learn more about theme park reservations .

For admission types requiring theme park reservations, be sure to check reservation availability prior to purchase. Availability of theme park reservations is limited, not guaranteed and subject to change.

Make the Most of Your Day

Save time waiting in line with Lightning Lane entry !

To book by phone, call (407) 939-5277† and speak with a vacation-planning expert. Or, contact your travel agent.

Important Details

• Additional per-adult charges may apply if more than 2 adults per room at Disney Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts, and Studios at Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts.
• Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.
• Advance reservations required.
• Offer excludes the following room types: 3-Bedroom Villas; Deluxe Suites; Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge; and Bungalows and Island Tower Rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.
• Valid admission is required to enjoy the theme parks and is not included unless you upgrade to a room-and-ticket package. Theme park reservations may be required based on admission type. Learn more about theme park reservations .

View Offer Details

†Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.

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Halfway to the holidays: Disney announces the return of Jollywood Nights

• Disney Jollywood Nights is a specially ticketed after-hours event at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
• The event will return on select dates between Nov. 9 and Dec. 21.
• Tickets last year ranged from $159 to $179 for guests ages 10 and up.

Walt Disney World is bringing back some jolly.

Disney Jollywood Nights , a specially ticketed launched last year, will return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select dates between Nov. 9 and Dec. 21. The limited-capacity event is an after-hours occurrence like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party , which is held at Magic Kingdom. 

But do not go to Walt Disney World’s Disney Jollywood Nights expecting  Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party  in another setting. From theming to audience to exclusive experiences, the  after-hours events  are as different as the parks themselves. (Read USA TODAY's review of the event by clicking here .)

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party fans need not worry. It'll be back at Magic Kingdom on select nights from Nov. 8 until Dec. 20. Meanwhile, EPCOT park will host the International Festival of the Holidays, "where visitors can explore global holiday traditions, savor seasonal flavors from around the world, and enjoy heartwarming performances starting on Nov. 29 through Dec. 30," Disney confirmed.

What happens at Disney World when a park closes? We stayed to find out.

How much are Disney Jollywood Nights tickets?

Ticket prices remain the same from last year, ranging from $159 to $179 for guests ages 10 and up. Prices vary by date.

As with Mickey’s Very Christmas Party, Disney Jollywood Nights are not included with standard admission and guests with regular tickets will need to leave the park before the event starts.

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .