New Restaurant CHANGES Announced for Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney just dropped a little update that’s going to be especially interesting to anyone headed to Jollywood Nights this year.

One of the quick service spots in Hollywood Studios is getting a temporary upgrade, and while we don’t have the full list of what’s going to be on its menu, this is a pretty big change for a restaurant that usually plays it safe with burgers and chicken strips. Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning to hit up Jollywood Nights—and why you might want to make a beeline for Backlot Express.

What’s Jollywood Nights Again?

If this is your first time hearing about Jollywood Nights, let’s catch you up. It’s a separately ticketed holiday event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that runs on select nights in November and December. Picture this: old-school Hollywood glam meets over-the-top holiday vibes. Silver garlands. Giant retro ornaments. Glowing reindeer on the lampposts. It’s like walking straight into a mid-century Christmas card.

But it’s not just about the décor. You’ll also find exclusive live entertainment, low wait times for rides, limited-time merch, and—of course—holiday-themed food and drinks. And that’s where Backlot Express comes in.

Backlot Express Gets a Glow-Up

Here’s the announcement straight from Disney:

“Backlot Express will have a specialty menu available this year!”

That’s all they’ve said so far, but even this tiny teaser tells us something’s shifting behind the scenes. Backlot Express has always been a reliable, if not particularly exciting, quick service spot. It’s one of those places you go because it’s easy and has something for everyone—but not necessarily a meal you remember.

That’s why this update matters. For Disney to spotlight it during Jollywood Nights means they’re putting in some effort to turn it into an actual destination for the event. Specialty menus usually bring new flavors, themed treats, and limited-edition drinks—and we’ll be keeping an eye out for when that full menu drops.

So if you’re heading to Jollywood Nights and already planning your snack lineup (we see you), you might want to keep Backlot Express in mind.

When Can You Go?

Here’s the full list of dates for Jollywood Nights 2025:

November: 8th, 15th, 17th, 22nd, 24th, 29th
December: 1st, 6th, 10th, 13th, 17th, 20th, 22nd

The party runs from 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM, but new this year, guests can get in as early as 5:30 PM. That gives you two bonus hours to soak in the vibes before the event officially kicks off.

And just a heads-up: this is a limited capacity event. If you want to go, do not wait to buy tickets. They’re already available for select resort guests (as of July 16th), and general public sales started on July 22nd. Discounts are available for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members.

What Else Is New in 2025?

The Backlot Express menu isn’t the only thing getting a refresh. Here’s what else is debuting at this year’s Jollywood Nights:

Miguel will be making appearances near Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in a new “Holiday Fiesta en la Calle” area
Two brand-new shows: The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure and Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After
A new Jollywood Nights merch collection, including (yep) a 2025 Spirit Jersey
Earlier park entry at 5:30 PM for all event ticket holders
More specialty snacks and drinks across the park

So yeah—there’s a lot happening this year, and it’s clear Disney is putting more and more energy into making Jollywood Nights a must-do event.

Final Thoughts

Backlot Express isn’t usually the kind of place that makes headlines, but this little menu update has our attention. We’ll definitely be keeping a close eye on what’s included and will share the full menu as soon as Disney releases it. If you’re planning to hit up Jollywood Nights, it could be worth carving out time for a bite between shows and ride time.

We’ll be attending the very first party to give you our honest thoughts, so be sure to check back with AllEars for more.

Are you going to Jollywood Nights this year? And if you are, what do you hope shows up on that Backlot Express menu? Share with us in the comments!