Disney Just Snuck Two New Characters Into Jollywood Nights, and We Have Thoughts

Disney didn’t exactly shout this one from the rooftops, but two brand-new characters are coming to Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year. And no, they’re not the big names you’d expect. Both come from Monsters, Inc., and they’re about as deep-cut as it gets. Let’s be real for a second. Jollywood Nights has been a tough sell for a lot of people. It’s a separate ticket, it isn’t cheap, and plenty of guests have walked away wondering if it was worth it. So every time Disney adds something new, it’s fair to ask whether it actually moves the needle.

So Who Are They?

The new characters are George Sanderson and Needleman. Don’t feel bad if you just said “who?” out loud. Most people won’t know them by name, but you’ll know them the second you see them. George Sanderson is the guy from the sock scene. You know the one. He scares a kid, walks back through the door, and has a sock stuck to his back. Cue the alarms, the 2319 code, and the CDA (Child Detection Agency) swarming in to shave off all his fur to get rid of the “contamination.” It’s one of the funniest moments in the whole movie, and now you can meet him. Needleman is the taller of the two. In the movie, he’s a maintenance worker and door shredder at the factory. Not exactly a headliner, but that’s kind of the fun of it.

Mike Wazowski Walked So These Two Could Run

This isn’t Monsters, Inc.’s first time at the party. Mike Wazowski has shown up at Jollywood Nights before, and meeting him was already a unique treat. Now Disney is going even more niche, which character hunters are going to love. The catch? Rare characters usually mean long lines. If George Sanderson becomes the photo everyone wants, you could end up spending a good chunk of your expensive night standing in one queue. Plan accordingly.

The Returning Lineup Is Pretty Solid

Disney also shared some of the characters coming back this year, including Baloo or King Louie from TaleSpin, Lotso from Toy Story 3, Bo Peep from Toy Story, The Mandalorian and Grogu, Joy from Inside Out, and more. Honestly, that’s a fun mix. TaleSpin characters especially are a rare sight, and The Mandalorian and Grogu at a holiday party is a vibe we didn’t know we needed.

Glisten! Is Getting a Glow-Up

Here’s the change that might matter even more than the new characters. Glisten!, the holiday skating show at Jollywood Nights, is adding Disney characters for the first time ever. That’s a big deal. Bringing actual Disney characters onto the ice could make the show feel way more special and way less like something you could see anywhere. If Disney pulls this off, it might be one of the best parts of the night.

The Details You Need

Jollywood Nights runs on select nights from November 7 through January 5 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Along with exclusive characters and entertainment, you get exclusive food and lower crowds than a regular park day, which means shorter waits for rides. But heads up, select nights are already selling out. If you’ve got your eye on a specific date, don’t sit on it too long.

Okay, But Is It Worth It?

This is where it gets personal. Two new characters alone probably won’t convince someone who already thinks Jollywood Nights is overpriced. But put it all together- the rare Monsters, Inc. meets, the returning favorites, Glisten! with Disney characters for the first time, exclusive snacks, and shorter lines- and the event starts looking a lot better than it used to. If you’re a character hunter, this might be your year. If you’re on the fence, these additions are at least a step in the right direction, and it feels like Disney is actually trying to make the ticket worth the price. So what do you think? Are George Sanderson and Needleman enough to get you to Jollywood Nights at Disney World, or is Disney going to need a lot more than a guy with a sock on his back?