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Hollywood Studios To Feature Villains Show, Cars Attraction Closing

A new villains show is coming to Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort, replacing Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy.



Article Summary

  • Hollywood Studios is set to debut a new villains show in summer 2025, replacing Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy.
  • The new show will transform Sunset Showcase and feature iconic villains like Cruella, Captain Hook, and Maleficent.
  • The final day for Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy at Hollywood Studios will be October 7th, 2024.
  • Debate arises over whether the new Villains Land should be in Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios.

Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort is about to go through significant changes in the next two years. After announcing at D23 that a new Monsters Inc. area of the park will be opening, news has come out that a new villain show is coming to the park as well. The downside? Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy will be replaced by the villains show. The final operating day for the Cars attraction will be October 7th, in about a month. Disney Park Blog had the details, as well as the first concept art for the new show, which will feature "dozens of the most infamous evildoers".

Hollywood Studios To Feature Villains Show, Cars Attraction Closing
Credit Disney Parks Blog

Should Villains Land Also Go To Hollywood Studios?

Deep in the shadows of Sunset Boulevard at Disney's Hollywood Studios, something delightfully wicked is about to take the stage. It's an all-new live production starring your favorite Disney Villains – debuting summer 2025!  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.  

Hollywood Studios To Feature Villains Show, Cars Attraction Closing
Credit Disney Parks Blog

Many in the Disney community are excited about this announcement, but I am a bit bummed. I have only walked back to Lightning McQueen's once, but it is a fun attraction, especially for the little ones. I am all for progress in the parks, but I will miss this one. Many are also saying that this is where they feel the new Villains Land going in Magic Kingdom should go and that it fits Hollywood Studios more. On that, I am 50/50. Villains are a big part of storytelling at Disney and should have their place in that park, I also think that the Magic Kingdom needs something as big as that land to spread crowds across the full park. I also see the argument about keeping the theming of Magic Kingdom pure and not welcoming a sinister element into said theming. At the same time, I don't think there is enough room at Hollywood Studios for a project as massive as Villains Land.

This show should be exciting, and the concept sounds intriguing. Here's hoping some of the more obscure villains will make an appearance when the new show opens in 2025.


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Jeremy KonradAbout Jeremy Konrad

Jeremy Konrad has written about collectibles and film for almost ten years. He has a deep and vast knowledge of both. He resides in Ohio with his family.
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