New Disney Villains Show to Replace Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy at Hollywood Studios in 2025

Sep 03, 2024 in "Disney Villains Unfairly Ever After"

Gallery / 3 Photos
Villains Show concept art

Posted: Tuesday September 3, 2024 3:08pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is set to introduce a new live entertainment experience centered around Disney Villains in the summer of 2025 at Walt Disney World.

Villains Show concept art

The new show will take place at the Sunset Showcase, located on Sunset Boulevard, and will feature dozens of iconic Disney villains .

According to Disney Live Entertainment, the production will be staged in the setting of the Magic Mirror’s mysterious realm, a reflective environment designed to bring guests closer to some of Disney’s most notorious villains. Characters such as Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent are confirmed to make appearances as they break through the glass to take the stage in live production numbers

Villains Show concept art

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is scheduled to close on October 7, 2024, making way for the preparation and construction needed for the upcoming villains-themed production.

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is scheduled to close on October 7, 2024

Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy opened in March 2019, themed around the popular Pixar "Cars" franchise and features a life-sized, animatronic Lightning McQueen, voiced by Owen Wilson.

Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy show

In the show, guests are welcomed into a state-of-the-art racing simulator where Lightning McQueen appears on a 200-degree screen to share his racing expertise. The experience includes high-energy sequences and a narrative where McQueen is challenged to race against virtual competitors. Throughout the show, he is joined by characters like Mater and Cruz Ramirez, who offer support and advice.

Opened in 2015, Sunset Showcase was designed to serve as a flexible location for a variety of events and entertainment offerings at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

The venue was first introduced as the home for Club Disney, a dance party experience featuring Disney characters and interactive elements aimed at younger guests. Club Disney offered a colorful and lively atmosphere, complete with music, video projections, and activities, but it was short-lived and closed in 2016.

Club Disney Dance Party overview

After Club Disney, Sunset Showcase hosted a range of limited-time events before becoming Lightning LacQueens Racing Academy in 2019, including themed dance parties and special ticketed events, including the "Club Villain" event, which featured Disney villains in a cabaret-style show, along with themed food and drinks.

Club Villain overview

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Karakasa13 days ago

That's what I'm trying to figure out. I can't imagine them needing to do rehearsals longer than a month or so. Even Broadway shows rarely go beyond 2 months. I'd say the safest time to try to 1) avoid the heat and crowds, 2) catch this and the parade, and 3) still have a chance to experience Muppets and Dinosaur one last time would probably be early June. But I'm no insider, I'm just guesstimating. May not be a horrible idea to wait and see before booking anything. Next day edit: Something else to consider: There are no planned Disney After Hours for Magic Kingdom after May 19th, even while other parks have several dates through the Summer. Presumably, with a new nighttime parade, they'd want to make sure people don't clog up the parade route who are just there for the event, leaving day guests out cold. So I do think, if you need to make your bookings now, the first two weeks of June are probably the best "balance" for chances of getting the Villains and Little Mermaid, the nighttime parade, and Muppets and Dinosaur still being open. Again, no insider, not an expert, but based on my research, it seems likely. Still, I don't think it'd hurt to wait to get exact plans.

jrhwdw16 days ago

So Rehearsals and Performances, got it! Thanks! :)

ToTBellHop16 days ago

365 day contract I’m assuming.

jrhwdw16 days ago

Odd Month to End a Show...

DisneyRZ16 days ago

Anyone have any idea whether any of these new "summer" releases would be expected to be open Memorial Day weekend? Or is it more likely they release mid-June & July? Planned a trip in early June for new experiences but they consistently move back timelines. Thanks!

StringBeanDream16 days ago

And rehearsal beginning in March 2025

StringBeanDream16 days ago

According to audition postings, this is running through late Feb 2026.

nursejackie16 days ago

I hope so

The Leader of the Club16 days ago

Beauty and the Beast outlives us all

MrPromey16 days ago

Nailed it. Of course it will. That show will turn off the lights to the park the day water levels rise to the point we all have to abandon Florida.

Bocabear16 days ago

but will BATB still be around then? lol If ever a show needed retiring......I would rather watch Dick Tracy in Diamond Double Cross...lol

The Leader of the Club16 days ago

I’ll take a shot at it… 1. Launch Bay quietly closes one day because Disney doesn’t want to pay CMs to staff it anymore. The building sits empty until they finally announce an Animation Courtyard project at D23 in 2030 (2028 if we’re lucky) 2. Villains closes around 5 years after the MK land opens. It’s replaced by a lightly Muppet themed restaurant. 3. Frozen lasts another 20 years and, by the time Disney replaces it, people on this forum complain that they’re getting rid of a classic show.