Prep work continues at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the three new entertainment offerings that will be arriving at the park this summer.
Sunset Showcase Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Formerly the home of Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, the Sunset Showcase Theater is being prepped for the “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” show. The new show featuring Disney Villains is set to debut on May 27, and Disney has already shared a sneak peek at an original song.
Since our last construction update, some of the final reminders of the Racing Academy have been removed from the theater. A large Racing Academy sign used to be attached above the entrance on this side of the building, and traces of the sign were visible on the wall even after it was removed. The building has now been freshly painted, and the outline of the old sign is no longer visible.
As a part of the new paint job, the roof overhang above the entrance and the edge of the wall near the top of the building have also been repainted with a new three-toned teal stripe. It appears Disney is simply refreshing the Sunset Showcase Theater with matching teal colors instead of adding anything that is specifically Villains-themed.
Over by the guest walkway, the wall on the right side has been painted a matching shade of dark teal. This wall used to be bright red and gray with Lightning McQueen-inspired racing art.
The only remaining element of Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is the gate at the far end of the path that leads into backstage. The gate still has the old Racing Academy logo and checkered flag art.
‘Disney Junior Play and Dance!’
New rolling planters have been installed around the theater building for “Disney Junior Play and Dance!” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney has confirmed the show will temporarily be replaced with “Get Animated” as a part of Cool Kid Summer at Walt Disney World. “Disney Junior Play and Dance!” will be closed beginning on May 25, and “Get Animated” will open in the theater on May 27.
The planters are placed across from the theater near the guest walkway and wrap around the corner of the building. Several sections of the walls have also been covered with brown scrims.
The new offering is expected to receive some updated signage for the summer, though everything has been covered in brown tarps for now.
Disney has described “Get Animated” with “Keep the fun going as you join Mickey Mouse and Disney Junior friends at a lively indoor DJ dance party where little ones can move and groove.” The descriptions have led guests to believe that the new offering may be more of an ongoing dance party instead of a show.
The Little Mermaid Theater
The final new entertainment offering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,” which is taking over the Animation Courtyard Theater that previously housed “Voyage of the Little Mermaid.”
Construction work began on the outside of the theater a few weeks ago. The 1992 “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” billboard was removed, and the concrete to the left of the entrance was torn up.
Since that last update, all of the concrete work has now been completed. The rolling planters blocking this side have been removed, and the space has been completely refreshed.
This left side of the building is commonly used to hold the queue as guests wait for the next performance to start. While the concrete has changed, the posters on the wall and the metal fans hanging from the ceiling are all left over from the previous show. “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,” will debut on May 27 along with the other new shows.
Which of these new entertainment offerings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are you most excited to experience this summer? Let us know in the comments.
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.