Tonight, October 7, 2024, Lighting McQueen’s Racing Academy held its final performance. The attraction has permanently closed to make way for a new Disney Villains show, which is set to debut next year.

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy Final Show

Tonight, guests bid farewell to Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, as the show held its final performance. Crowds gathered outside the entrance of Sunset Showcase on Sunset Boulevard and then rushed inside to grab seats for the final showing.

The attraction, which opened in 2019 as part of the 30th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, featured Lightning McQueen showing off his racing skills on his “state-of-the-art racing simulator.” However, during his routine run on the simulator, things took a turn for the worst when Chick Hicks hacked in. Luckily for Lightning, he understood the importance of teamwork, and he and his friends were able to overcome all obstacles thrown their way.

On September 3, 2024, it was announced that the attraction would be replaced by a Disney Villains show which is set to debut in the summer of 2025.

Disney Parks Blog said this about the new Disney Villains show:

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.  

This isn’t the first time the space will be home to Disney Villains. From January through March 2016, it was home to Club Villain, which was a ticketed event featuring Dr. Facilier and other Disney villains.

Watch our full video of Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy below.

Are you sad to see Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy go? Are you excited about the new Disney Villains show? Let us know in the comments.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.