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As Hurricane Milton Looms, Disney Permanently Closes a Key Attraction—What’s Next?

As Hurricane Milton bears down on Florida, Walt Disney World Resort is not just preparing for severe weather but also making some major internal shifts.

A large archway sign over a roadway reads "Walt Disney World - The Most Magical Place On Earth."
Credit: Inside the Magic

Amidst the scramble to safeguard the parks against the incoming storm, Disney closed the curtains on a beloved Cars-themed attraction, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, for good. The attraction, located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, hosted its final show on Monday, October 7, 2024, bringing an end to its five-year run.

The Academy, tucked near Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, has long been a hit with younger audiences and diehard Pixar fans. Visitors enjoyed the chance to sit back and relax while watching a life-sized version of Lightning McQueen, the hero of Pixar’s Cars franchise voiced by Owen Wilson, in an immersive, high-octane show.

Opening in March 2019, it was a reliable stop for guests seeking a fun, kid-friendly experience, but like so many attractions at Disney, nothing lasts forever.

Lightning McQueen Racing Academy
Credit: Disney

What’s Next for Hollywood Studios?

Disney announced that the Sunset Boulevard area will soon be taken over by none other than the Disney Villains. A brand-new villain-themed stage show is set to debut in the summer of 2025, transforming the Sunset Showcase into a dark and mysterious world straight from the Magic Mirror.

Disney Parks Blog revealed that this show will feature live performances from iconic Disney baddies like Maleficent, Cruella de Vil, and Captain Hook, who will take the stage for thrilling production numbers. The announcement was made just after Disney’s divisive D23 Expo panel earlier this fall, further sparking excitement and speculation among fans.

Digital artwork for the Disney Villains Show replacing Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy.
Credit: Disney

This Villains show is just one part of Disney’s grander plan for their parks, especially at the Magic Kingdom. The Disney Villains will also be getting a major expansion in the park’s new “Beyond Big Thunder” project—the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom’s history. First teased at D23 Expo 2022, the project has now been fully confirmed in 2024.

Alongside the Villains, Magic Kingdom will be seeing its own version of Cars Land, though the scale and attractions are expected to differ from its Disneyland Resort counterpart. The addition has already caused a stir among fans, especially after official concept art dropped, as it means the removal of beloved park staples like Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America.

Concept art of the Cars expansion coming to Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom
Credit: Disney

This shift to more IP-heavy experiences has been controversial, with fans divided on whether Disney’s expansion into newer, movie-based lands is overshadowing original themed areas. And it’s not just Magic Kingdom Park that’s getting an update.

Hollywood Studios will also see new attractions, including a Monsters, Inc. land, while Disney’s Animal Kingdom will replace DinoLand U.S.A. with the Tropical Americas Pueblo Esperanza area, which will feature attractions based on Encanto and Indiana Jones.

new themed land to replace dinoland usa
Credit: Disney

Related: Disney World Forced to Announce Multiple Closures Ahead of “Monster” Hurricane Milton

The end of this attraction (and area) is happening while Disney and the entire state of Florida prepare for Hurricane Milton. The Category 4 storm, which briefly reached Category 5 strength before weakening, has led to massive safety precautions throughout the park and the Sunshine State as a whole.

Guests received urgent notifications on Monday (October 7) advising them to take immediate steps to protect themselves and their property. The storm follows closely behind Hurricane Helene, which caused significant destruction across Florida just a few weeks ago.

How do you feel about the Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy closure at Disney World?

Thomas Hitchen

When he’s not thinking about the Magic Kingdom, Thomas is usually reading a book, becoming desperately obsessed with fictional characters, or baking something delicious (his favorite is chocolate cake -- to bake and to eat). He's a dreamer and grew up on Mulan saving the world, Jim Hawkins soaring through the stars, and Padmé Amidala fighting a Nexu. At the Parks, he loves to ride Everest, stroll down Main Street with an overstuffed pin lanyard around his neck, and eat as many Mickey-shaped ice creams as possible. His favorite character is Han Solo (yes, he did shoot first), and his… More »

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