Last night was the first Disney Jollywood Nights event of the 2024 Holiday Season, and we were in attendance to check out what’s new, what’s changed, and what’s returning this year. As you’ve probably heard by now, Disney Jollywood Nights had a rough debut last year during its first year as an event, but Disney is sticking with the concept and making some changes this year – including an all-new skating show in front of the Chinese Theater at the end of Hollywood Boulevard. The new skating show is called Glisten, and we have photos and a full video of the show from opening night!
Glisten Ice Skating Show at Disney Jollywood Nights
Glisten takes place a number of times per night during Disney Jollywood Nights on Center Stage in front of the Chinese Theater. The show is about 15 minutes long, and it features eight skaters from an internationally recognized skating company called Ice Creative Entertainment (I.C.E.). Perhaps the most popular production from I.C.E. is the phenomenal Winter Wonderland On Ice show at SeaWorld Orlando.
The setup at Disney Jollywood Nights is interesting, but I think Disney does a good job working with what they’ve got. The show is not performed on real ice, but rather on a synthetic gliding surface that covers an estimated 900 sqft. in the Center Stage area in front of the Chinese Theater (Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction building).
Here’s how Disney described the show before last night’s debut event:
Several times each evening, you’ll be swept away by the grace and skill of international champion skaters as they perform breathtaking routines set to a vibrant holiday soundtrack including original songs and Disney favorites like “Be Our Guest” and “When You Wish Upon A Star.”
I saw quite a bit of chatter online prior to the event wondering who the “international champion skaters” were, and while Disney certainly didn’t disclose who the performers were (and I don’t really think it matters), I.C.E. does say that they employ Olympic skaters. At the end of the day, what really matters is whether or not the skaters are skilled enough to perform in the show, and I think everyone passes with flying colors on that front.
One other thing that I think is worth mentioning before we jump into photos and a video of the full show is that this is not an ice skating show. With the synthetic surface comes limitations, and I think that there are hints of those limitations in the final product. While there are still complex maneuvers such as lifts, jumps, and spins, the smaller, less slippery surface appears to limit some of the moves.
PHOTOS: Glisten Skating Show
We watched two shows on opening night. Because of the difficult viewing areas around Center Stage, Disney created a sitting area and a standing area. If you want to be close to the stage, you’ll have to use the sitting area and sit on the concrete in front of the stage. Then, some 80 feet from the stage, there is a standing area where guests are allowed to stand to watch the show.
While we technically watched both shows from the standing area, the standing area shifted to be much closer to the stage during our 11:15pm viewing due to lower crowds in the seating area. Our more “zoomed out” photos will represent the view from the standing area during the 9:15pm show, and our more “zoomed in” photos were taken from a standing area much closer to the stage during the more lightly attended 11:15pm showing.
Glisten Skating Show Review
We’ll wrap up with our quick thoughts about the new Glisten skating show at Disney Jollywood Nights. Overall, I think that the show will exceed expectations. You have two original songs (one of which is really catchy) and live vocals paired with talented skaters who are only limited by the space and surface that they’re skating on. I have to assume that there were some limitations on Disney’s end too, with the venue likely limiting the type of skating surface that could practically be used. That said, there probably isn’t a better venue currently available at the park.
Turning to the show itself, I think that it leaned a bit more toward families than just about anything else at the park. Even something like a Nightmare Before Christmas sing-along is more mature and conceptual in presentation than Glisten. The parts of Glisten that deviate from a traditional skating show are where I think it falls flat the most (a light-up jump rope is swung but never used).
The costuming is wonderful, and the occasional use of the Chinese Theater and extra lighting makes the area come alive. I had some low expectations going into the event due to the small size of the rink and surface type, but Glisten managed to exceed those expectations. I think it’s obvious, but this is not an indoor show on real ice. That said, it’s still a wonderful skating show that is worth a watch if you’re attending Disney Jollywood Nights. I don’t think it’s a reason to purchase an event ticket, but I do think that Glisten is a wonderful new addition to Jollywood.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!