DHS New Villains Show Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Summer 2025

[monothingie]

The look expensive. That will be an unfortunate waste of money when this drops down to like 4 shows a day in September and then closes altogether.

I think the location is a killer. Beyond the initial rush, are people going to make the effort to all the way to the corner of the park to see it?

If it had a location in the center (like Mermaid), I'd give it better odds. But it's shoved in the corner behind RNR or soon to be construction site.

 

[rd805]

I think the location is a killer. Beyond the initial rush, are people going to make the effort to all the way to the corner of the park to see it?

If it had a location in the center (like Mermaid), I'd give it better odds. But it's shoved in the corner behind RNR or soon to be construction site.

RnR and ToT, BATB are all still big draws -- the location isn't the issue.

 

[monothingie]

RnR and ToT, BATB are all still big draws -- the location isn't the issue.

The cars thing quickly lost appeal.

B&TB is centrally located on Sunset.

RNR is going down for refurb in the near future.

Idk. I think it will fizzle once the initial rush is over.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I guess it’s just filler to bring your 4-year old to since they can’t go on many rides at DHS?

Mermaid still looks promising.

definitely seems like filler - but will all 4-years want to go see this or might they be nervous about seeing Villains? (even if in reality it isn't scary, might be a turn off to them)

 

[wdwmagic]

I think the location is a killer. Beyond the initial rush, are people going to make the effort to all the way to the corner of the park to see it?

If it had a location in the center (like Mermaid), I'd give it better odds. But it's shoved in the corner behind RNR or soon to be construction site.

It could work very well for those families with a younger and older child. Gives the younger one something to do while the older sibling does RnR and ToT.

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ]

The show should be rewritten to make the Mirror omnipresent, the Villains unaware of the audience and the audience merely spectators until the finale where the Mirror "lets" the audience decide their fates or unfairly every after verdict... a judge/jury dynamic.

I think incorporating subtle magic illusions into the show (similar to Mickey and the Magician) done at the behest of a mischievous Magic Mirror as he "alters" each Villain's performative plea would be a interesting way to "spice up" the show. For his own amusement like a puppetmaster playing with his puppets. This would further reinforce the Magic Mirror's presence in the show and create a needed divide between the audience and the Villains. No longer are we championing them or encouraging their behavior.

The show could also benefit from support cast. At minimum, backup dancers. Piggybacking on the first point however, the use of assistants, like an actual bird that swoops down and lands on Maleficent's staff (How great would that be?) or Mr. Smee, as a proxy magician's assistant to Captain Hook, would also be welcomed.

Examples: When Cruella de Vil presents her arguments to Mirror, she gestures toward her fashion illustrations which the Mirror then causes to leap from her pages for an impromptu fashion show. (Hey look, a justification for backup dancers!) Or have Captain Hook blaming his misunderstood villainy on "anger management issues" due to the incompetence of his bumbling bo'sun, Mr. Smee. Thrusting blade after blade into a previously shown empty treasure chest he turns to the mirror for his closing remarks and unbeknownst to him, Mr. Smee pops out from the chest - tumbling forth in a comical heap of doubloons, necklaces and jewels.

I don't know if those suggestions would help or not. Most of the show is just OK, but I think the biggest detractors are the underutilized Magic Mirror and how Villains interact with the audience, which just feels "off" to me.

Great production value though!

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Yeesh, that show really set sail without them didn't they..This still feels like it was really meant for this than in the parks.

 

[Squishy]

This feels like one of those Oogie boogie bash character experiences.

 

[StringBeanDream]

I'm feeling really confused about the mixed responses. This is exactly what was advertised: the magic mirror brings villains to life. The set is identical to the concept, while it is all digital, it is by no means cheap, all the graphics and visuals are custom and well done. Each villain comes out, does a number, that's it? I don't think it was ever promised to be more that what it is. I think it is successful in what it sat out to do.

 

[StringBeanDream]

Also, not to be semantical, but this set isn't projections, it is primarily LED panels. There is some projection on the outer walls, but its custom LED panels for the main stage.

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ]

I'm feeling really confused about the mixed responses. This is exactly what was advertised: the magic mirror brings villains to life. The set is identical to the concept, while it is all digital, it is by no means cheap, all the graphics and visuals are custom and well done. Each villain comes out, does a number, that's it? I don't think it was ever promised to be more that what it is. I think it is successful in what it sat out to do.

A theater show should deliver on more than it's synopsis. Also, as described, that sounds terrible. No wonder it didn't work.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I'm feeling really confused about the mixed responses. This is exactly what was advertised: the magic mirror brings villains to life. The set is identical to the concept, while it is all digital, it is by no means cheap, all the graphics and visuals are custom and well done. Each villain comes out, does a number, that's it? I don't think it was ever promised to be more that what it is. I think it is successful in what it sat out to do.

The issue is it’s a pretty large production value, big stage, with little “life” on it. I really thought there would be more to this show than the three villains.

 

[fatzingers27]

I'm feeling really confused about the mixed responses. This is exactly what was advertised: the magic mirror brings villains to life. The set is identical to the concept, while it is all digital, it is by no means cheap, all the graphics and visuals are custom and well done. Each villain comes out, does a number, that's it? I don't think it was ever promised to be more that what it is. I think it is successful in what it sat out to do.

I think the problem is that it is the most undercooked version of what was advertised. The Villain’s “numbers” are them walking around alone all stage, talking about their story with a song from the film playing in the background. I assumed (like most others) that these would be full production numbers of either their song from the films or original songs, with a few backup dancers/special effects.

Unrelated but I do think the Magic Mirror is a bad choice for the narrator. This needed a couple of live hosts, and some interactive element outside of cheering at the end.

 

[StringBeanDream]

I think the problem is that it is the most undercooked version of what was advertised. The Villain’s “numbers” are them walking around alone all stage, talking about their story with a song from the film playing in the background. I assumed (like most others) that these would be full production numbers of either their song from the films or original songs, with a few backup dancers/special effects.

Unrelated but I do think the Magic Mirror is a bad choice for the narrator. This needed a couple of live hosts, and some interactive element outside of cheering at the end.

That's fair, a trio of dancers would certainly have elevated the Cruelle and Hook numbers.

 

[Ayla]

The issue is it’s a pretty large production value, big stage, with little “life” on it. I really thought there would be more to this show than the three villains.

There is zero life to any of it....because there is zero movement on the stage. One person at a time is unforgiveable. Cruella has way too much dead space and NO ONE on stage because the character is more worried about changing clothes?? Captain Hook is much better, while Maleficent is meh.

The pre-taped "villains"?? are embarrassing and the Magic Mirror is much too small for the amount of production value it has.

It looks dead.

 

[Jedi14]

After watching a video of the full thing, I honestly liked it. My main issue is that it should be longer with more villains, but I did like each segment. I feel like the show was basically what was initially advertised. The voting by cheering I think could use some more work to make it more clear.

Unrelated but I do think the Magic Mirror is a bad choice for the narrator. This needed a couple of live hosts, and some interactive element outside of cheering at the end.

I feel like the Mirror and his commentary fit for the show. He’s in this weird spot between villain and victim. The main problem with him is that it wasn’t Corey Burton voicing him.

 

[fatzingers27]

On the bright side, I’m pretty sure I saw multiple shots of Dr. Facilier. Hope that means he has some sort of future in Villains Land.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

 

[DisneyHead123]

I'm feeling really confused about the mixed responses. This is exactly what was advertised: the magic mirror brings villains to life. The set is identical to the concept, while it is all digital, it is by no means cheap, all the graphics and visuals are custom and well done. Each villain comes out, does a number, that's it? I don't think it was ever promised to be more that what it is. I think it is successful in what it sat out to do.

I don’t think anything specific was advertised, it was open to a wide range of interpretations. Maybe based on the spoilers that featured musicians, and the fact that it was typically advertised alongside The Little Mermaid, I was expecting a full musical a la The Little Mermaid. I also think people were really hoping for a sneak peek at the direction of Villain’s land.

That said, I think it’s very well done for what it is. If I’m comparing this to something more like Philharmagic, then yes, it’s really well done, visually stunning, a compact, ride length show that’s a great time.

When I saw the first leak of Cruella without the screens prominently featured it was actually really confusing - it wasn’t until I saw the screens in full that the show made any kind of sense. And I think that kinda summarizes it - this is really an immersive film experience enhanced by a few live actors. Which is, again, very very well done for what it is, but I just wasn’t expecting a mini movie, I was thinking more live musical.

 

[StringBeanDream]

I don’t think anything specific was advertised, it was open to a wide range of interpretations. Maybe based on the spoilers that featured musicians, and the fact that it was typically advertised alongside The Little Mermaid, I was expecting a full musical a la The Little Mermaid. I also think people were really hoping for a sneak peek at the direction of Villain’s land.

That said, I think it’s very well done for what it is. If I’m comparing this to something more like Philharmagic, then yes, it’s really well done, visually stunning, a compact, ride length show that’s a great time.

When I saw the first leak of Cruella without the screens prominently featured it was actually really confusing - it wasn’t until I saw the screens in full that the show made any kind of sense. And I think that kinda summarizes it - this is really an immersive film experience enhanced by a few live actors. Which is, again, very very well done for what it is, but I just wasn’t expecting a mini movie, I was thinking more live musical.

Thats how I think about it too! More in the vein of Muppets or Laugh Floor