Disney Announces Permanent CLOSURE of Hollywood Studios Attraction

Lightning McQueen has reached the finish line.

Lightning’s race is almost over…

Disney just surprise-announced a BRAND-NEW show is coming to Hollywood Studios in the summer of 2025, and it’s going to be themed to the Disney Villains! However, this new attraction is going to displace a relatively long-running attraction in the park for good.

Disney’s news drop announced that the new show will take place in the “reflective realm of the Magic Mirror” and “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.”

However, buried at the bottom of Disney’s announcement came the confirmation that for the new show to open, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy would be forced to close.

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

“Before these villainous fiends take the spotlight at Sunset Showcase, guests should speed on over for another lap around the track at Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy before October 7th,” stated Disney.

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, based on the lead character of the popular Pixar Cars franchise, opened in 2019 and is a “high-octane, first-of-its-kind show that’ll put you in the middle of the Disney and Pixar Cars universe” according to Disney. The show features the titular Lightning, as well as other Cars characters including Tow Mater, Cruz Ramirez.

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

Of course, Cars fans shouldn’t fret too much. While Lightning and co. are leaving Hollywood Studios, they’re going to be back in Walt Disney World sooner rather than later as part of the massive Cars expansion coming to the Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland. Along with Cars, Disney Villains will also be headed to Magic Kingdom in an all-new Villains Land!

Coming to Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, a new area themed to Pixar Animation Studios’ “Cars” will leave Radiator Springs and head to the wilderness with two new attractions including an off-road race.

But before the new Cars rides and Villains Land open, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy will be closing next month at Hollywood Studios to make room for a NEW Disney Villains show. Stay tuned to AllEars for more on this NEW show.