I returned from Walt Disney World on Sunday and one of the highlights of the trip was my evening at Hollywood Studios.  Hollywood Studios is undergoing a massive transformation with addition of Star Wars Land and the expansion Pixar Place.  Even with this transformation, there are still enough attractions and events to keep people in the parks all day.

After spending some time in the Star Wars Launch Bay, we headed over to Hollywood and Vine for Minnie’s Holiday Dine.  This event was added in 2015 for what was just the holiday season but rapidly expanded to a year-round event and made a return for the 2016 holiday season.  This made it an easy addition to our dining lineup for this trip.

The best way to describe Minnie’s Holiday Dine is Chef Mickey’s Lite.  Guests get to meet the big five characters: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and for the Christmas season, Santa Goofy.  The mice and the ducks come to your table for autographs and pictures.  You go to Santa Goofy on your own.

Since this event takes place at Hollywood Studios and not on the monorail loop like Chef Mickey’s, the crowds are little smaller and a little older which can make for a quieter more laid back meal.  The buffet food was solid.  Lots of salad options, the pretzel bread from Le Cellier makes an appearance, a wide variety of meats (pork, fish, roast turkey, and flank steak), and more sides than you think about eating.  The dessert plate was fantastic too.  Pastries, cookies, brownies, peppermint bark, and a wonderful eggnog cheesecake.

If you are looking for more laid back and less expensive alternative to Chef Mickey’s, I highly recommend Minnie’s Seasonal Dine.

After dinner and a quick trip to the washroom, we took place along Hollywood Boulevard to watch Jingle Bell Jingle BAM, the new Hollywood Studios night-time show.  This show has a very limited run.  It’s run ends on December 16th when the Star Wars themed show returns with the release of Rogue One in theaters.  Even for a limited run show, Disney pulled out all the stops for this show.

There is something for everyone.  Scenes from Disney movies from the distant past, like Bambi and Cinderella, to modern classics like The Nightmare Before Christmas.  The show is hosted by characters from Disney’s Christmas special, Prep and Landing, which is a highly under-rated Christmas special.  Prep and Landing are tasked with finding Santa so Christmas can take place and they have to save him from the evil Oogie Boogie.

The video projections on the Chinese Theater were clear and easy to see even from a distance.  The fireworks segments were not too long or too overpowering for those who do not like fireworks.  Disney did a great job in balancing everything with this show.  Scenes from movies for everyone along with hitting the right balance of video projections and fireworks.  My wife said that the show was very “World of Color-ish.”  Hopefully, Disney brings this show for 2017.

A night at Minnie’s Holiday Dine and Jingle Bell Jingle BAM led to a fun and enjoyable family night out for everyone.

Thanks for reading!