New Villains Show Replacing Lightning McQueen Racing Academy at Hollywood Studios

Updated:

A new show starring several Disney villains is coming to Hollywood Studios in summer 2025. The show will feature “dozens” of villains and live production numbers with Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent. To make room for the new Villains show, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy will close October 7, 2024.

Below is the show summary from the Disney Parks Blog:

The creative minds at Disney Live Entertainment will transform Sunset Showcase into the mysterious, reflective realm of the Magic Mirror. The show will feature appearances by dozens of the most infamous evildoers, with fiendish foes Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook and Maleficent each breaking through the glass to take the stage in live production numbers.

We welcome a change that brings more live actors to the forefront of Disney theme park entertainment. We actually enjoyed Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy (you can see our review from 2019 here), but it never felt like an experience that warranted a lengthy run. The fact a Cars land is coming to Magic Kingdom makes this change even more logical. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the great Lightning McQueen animatronic relocate over to Magic Kingdom’s Cars space.

Disney didn’t provide an official name or opening date for this new Villains show. More info on the production is expected to be announced next year.

This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Thanks for the support!

David
David
David is a Disney travel expert who created Notes from Neverland in 2018 after visiting Disney theme parks countless times. Previously, David spent way too much time writing about sports, and was featured in Sports Illustrated, MSN, Yahoo!, and in many other publications. Learn more or contact us.

Paradise Falls National Park Shirt

Disney 'UP' shirt in the style of a National Park. Several colors available.

White t-shirt with a Paradise Falls National Park logo.
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted

Follow Us!

MagicBand Protector Clips

Related Articles

More Disney News

It Sounds Like the Grand Floridian’s Gingerbread House is Gone for Good

The life-size gingerbread house at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort is reportedly gone for good. Disney has said the massive gingerbread house is not returning...

Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios Expands Into January

Ready to start thinking about holiday fun around Walt Disney World? Disney has released their full schedule for Christmas activities around the theme parks,...

First Piece of Track Placed for Monsters Inc. Door Coaster at Hollywood Studios

The new Monsters Inc. Door Coaster has reached another significant construction milestone at Disney's Hollywood Studios! Our fearless eye-in-the-sky photographer, @bioreconstruct, noticed that the...

New Live Music Lounge, Quick Service Restaurant, and Basin Store Coming to Disney’s BoardWalk

Disney has finally revealed their plans for the empty spaces at Disney's BoardWalk. Beginning in late 2026, new spaces will begin to open in...