Last Lap for Lightning McQueen Racing Academy Today at Disney World. Five years after opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and running multiple shows a day, Lightning McQueen, Cruz Ramirez, Mater, and of course, Chick Hicks are turning off the race simulator. Today, October 7th, 2024, is the final day of the attraction that originally opened on May 19th, 2019 in the Sunset Showcase building.
The attraction was based on the hit Pixar Animation movie ‘Cars’ and was a hit with kids. The life-sized animatronic Lightning McQueen would interact and talk with the audience with smoke and lighting effects. Mater, Cruz, and other characters from all three Cars movies would interact with Lightning all while helping him defeat Chick Hicks.
Will we see Lightning McQueen Racing Academy or the Lightning McQueen animatronic in the new Car’s themed area that will soon begin construction at Disney’s Magic Kingdom? There is no official word on that, but this attraction closing only makes sense with the future of Cars being at Magic Kingdom. If you would like to relive the show, it should be easy to watch the show today, or you can watch our YouTube video below. Recorded 10/3/2024, the last week of the attraction.
So, that brings us to what is coming to the Sunset Showcase building, Disney has officially announced a new Villians Stage Show. 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 in the summer of 2025!Â
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.
Never ones to shy away from barging in unexpectedly, the Disney Villains’ appearance in this new show comes in addition to the future Villains-themed land announced for Magic Kingdom during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. Keep an eye right here on the Disney Parks Blog as we reveal more about this production and other new experiences coming to our parks and cruise ships around the world.
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy –
Get pumped for a high-octane, first-of-its-kind show that’ll put you in the middle of the Disney and Pixar Cars universe.
Welcome Aspiring Racers
Learn what it takes to be a champion racer from the legendary Lightning McQueen at Sunset Showcase.
High-Tech Hijinks
To kick things off, Lightning demonstrates what he’s learned over the years by using his brand-new, state-of-the-art racing simulator and its wraparound screen. Of course, as this seasoned racer has discovered throughout his career, things don’t always go according to plan, and he has to think fast to get back on course.
With Tow Mater, Cruz Ramirez and the gang from Radiator Springs rooting him on, Lightning gears up for the challenge. Will he emerge victorious? Speed on over to find out.
