Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy Reopens After Unexpected Week-Long Closure at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

lightning mcqueens racing academy reopens disneys hollywood studios 9 scaled

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy in Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopened today, January 6, after being unexpectedly closed for over a week. The ride was first closed on December 29, 2022. It then failed to open every day through January 5, 2023. The attraction finally reopened in the early afternoon of Friday, January 6. As with many … Read more

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy Closed for 8th Day in a Row

hollywood studios 9.533

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is closed today, January 5, for the eighth day in a row. It has been unexpectedly closed since December 29, 2022. The attraction could still open later today, but this seems unlikely given the last week. As with many attractions and animatronics, the Lightning McQueen race car … Read more

Attractions Revealed for April 13 Extended Evening Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, One Night Only

calendar tower of terror 1937062 1155x770 1

The official Walt Disney World website has posted the attractions that will be running during Extended Evening Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on April 13, 2022 “only.” “Extended evening theme park hours is a benefit for registered Guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts.” Extended evening hours at Walt Disney World … Read more

PHOTOS: Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy Returns With Reduced Seating (and No Cruz Ramirez) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

lightning reopen

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has reopened to the public, and Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy has been given the green light to return! Let’s race on by and see what safety measures are in place! Social distancing markers are in place even before the queue begins, to ensure that crowds can be kept safely spaced. Once inside … Read more

PHOTOS: New Generic Cast Costumes Replace Themed Outfits at MuppetVision 3D, Walt Disney Presents, Jedi Training and More Hollywood Studios Attractions

Disney's Hollywood Studios Generic Cast Member Costume Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

With the official opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge just weeks away, the transformation of Disney’s Hollywood Studios continues with the cast member costumes. The themed costumes that cast members wore at certain attractions have been replaced with more generic outfits. These outfits debuted earlier this month at the park’s main entrance. We’ve seen this … Read more

WDWNT Weekly Recap: Updated Park Policies, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, and a Big Week for Dumbo

march 31 weekly recap

Every week is a busy week when it comes to Disney news. To help you keep up with all of the updates coming out of Walt Disney World and other Disney resorts, here’s WDWNT’s weekly recap of the Disney news from March 25-31! WDWNT News Join WDWNT for Stage 89 – a celebration of all things 1989 … Read more

PHOTOS, VIDEO: “DJ’s Ready! Set! Party Time!” Dance Party at Sunset Showcase in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

6w4wMgb.jpg large

If you and your family are looking for even more Pixar fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, then look no further than the newly opened Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy on Sunset Showcase. But did you also know there’s a dance party back there? Several times daily, things kick into gear outside of Sunset Showcase for “DJ’s Ready! … Read more

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy Grand Opening and Full Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

lightning featured

Here at WDWNT, we’ve been monitoring the progress of Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy nearly feverishly. Well, today is the day! Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy has officially opened for rookie trainees and we were there to get a first look. Racers, start your engines! For its grand opening season, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has made Lightning McQueen the … Read more

VIDEO: Get a Glimpse of Lightning McQueen in Action in this Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy Footage

Screen Shot 2019 03 29 at 9.59.25 AM

As part of their press package released earlier this morning, we got a few stills of Lightning McQueen making his big debut onstage at Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Little did we know that there was also this short video of B-roll that was collected during show testing earlier this week. You … Read more

PHOTOS: Even More Details Released for Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

0323ZR 0087SD

Last night, Disney gave us a sneak peek at the inside of Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, with a look at Lightning McQueen gracing the main stage. Now, even more details regarding ride length and show interactions have been released. As you all probably know by now, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy rolls into Disney’s Hollywood Studios … Read more

PHOTOS: DJ and Cruz Ramirez Set Up Shop at Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

dj and cruz ramirez lightning mcqueen racing academy 1

Well, that was quick. It appears DJ has sped his way across Route 66 and made it to Disney’s Hollywood Studios just in time for the grand opening of Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy! Just yesterday, Disney announced he’d be making his way over for “DJ’s Ready! Set! Party Time!” dance party, where Lightning McQueen’s Pit Crew will … Read more

“DJ’s Ready! Set! Party Time!” Dance Party Coming to Sunset Showcase at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Screen Shot 2019 03 21 at 1.19.31 PM

When Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy speeds into Disney’s Hollywood Studios on March 31, the world of Disney•Pixar’s “Cars” will unfold all around you, and the fun and excitement extend beyond the show into the courtyard outside Sunset Showcase, with special entertainment, photo ops, and more. Piston Cup Champion Cruz Ramirez is stopping by to meet and … Read more

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 3/10/19 (International Women’s Day, Security Checkpoint Construction, New Merchandise, ETC.)

Photo Mar 08 11 07 41 AM

It was a busy day at Hollywood Studios this Friday. Many special one-day only offerings took place around the park in honor of International Women’s Day. We also got a look at some construction progress, and some new merchandise around the park! International Women’s Day In celebration of International Women’s Day 2019, some one-day only … Read more

PHOTOS: New FastPass+ Entrance Now Open at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

rock n roller featured new fastpass

We’ve been chronicling the saga of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster’s ever-changing entrance for the past few weeks. The culmination (so far) of all these posts is the opening of the new FastPass+ touch point, which has been moved back to where the old paper FastPass distribution point used to be. Check it out! The new … Read more

PHOTOS: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster FastPass+ Entrance Being Moved for Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

fastpass rock n roller coaster lighting mcqueen racing academy disney's hollywood studios construction

Last Saturday, we noticed that the gates to Sunset Showcase had been torn down in preparation for the upcoming arrival of Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy. Well, it appears that even more preparations are underway as the arrival of a mystery construction box signals the eventual move of the current FastPass+ entrance queue to Rock ‘n’ Roller … Read more

PHOTOS: Gates to Sunset Showcase Torn Down in Preparation for Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Sunset Showcase Racing Academy

We have some interesting photos to share with you from Hollywood Studios today. It appears that they have torn down the gates that open into Sunset Showcase in preparation for Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy. Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy pulls into Disney’s Hollywood Studios on March 31st, which means they’re in construction crunch mode for the upcoming … Read more