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