It’s not your imagination—Hollywood Studios is feeling a whole lot busier than usual. And if you look around and see plenty of adults in themed backpacks, custom ears, and matching tees without a kid in sight… welcome to the Disney Adult era.
Over the past few weeks, the crowd levels at Disney’s Hollywood Studios have soared, and the reason doesn’t come down to just summer vacation traffic. The true driving force? A flood of Disney Adults trying to soak in every second of what’s new, nostalgic, and on the verge of vanishing.
Two New Shows, One Huge Crowd Surge
At the heart of this crowd explosion are two brand-new live shows that debuted this summer. Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure launched at the same time, instantly becoming can’t-miss experiences for seasoned Disney fans. And let’s face it—Disney Adults don’t wait. They flock in droves for new entertainment, and they’re usually the first ones there, mobile order in hand and park map memorized.
Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After opened May 27 at the Sunset Showcase Theater and it’s already drawing major buzz. The musical stage show features Cruella de Vil, Maleficent, and Captain Hook as they battle it out—on stage—for the title of “most misunderstood villain.” It’s packed with theatrics, clever writing, a new original song, and that tongue-in-cheek humor Disney fans eat up.
Meanwhile, The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure is a fresh take on the animated classic, complete with breathtaking visuals and beloved songs. These shows are running multiple times daily, but that hasn’t stopped the theaters from being full—especially mid-morning to early afternoon, when the Disney Adults are out in force.
Muppet*Vision 3-D’s Final Curtain Call
As if the debut of two shows wasn’t enough, another big reason for the recent crowds was the quiet farewell of Muppet*Vision 3-D. Earlier this month, the long-running 3D attraction held its final showing, with Disney Adults treating it like the end of an era. Social media was flooded with tributes and final walkthroughs, and for days, the theater saw some of the largest crowds it’s had in years.
The nostalgic pull of saying goodbye to a childhood favorite—paired with the excitement of brand-new stage shows—was the perfect storm. And no group shows up harder for a moment like that than Disney Adults.
Will Things Settle Down?
If you’re planning a visit, the good news is that the spike may start to ease up a bit as the novelty wears off. But as long as those two new shows are running—and as long as word of mouth keeps spreading—expect higher-than-normal attendance around Sunset Showcase and Animation Courtyard.
In short, the Disney Adults are here. They’ve got their popcorn buckets, their villain merch, and their front-row seats. If you thought Hollywood Studios was just a park for thrill rides, think again. Right now, it’s the Disney Adult capital of Walt Disney World.
Disney’s marketing strategies have increasingly targeted adult demographics, promoting the park as a destination for all ages.