The First Villains Show Permit Has Been Filed

Hey Disney Vacationers! Disney just made a major move by filing a construction permit for a brand-new Villains-themed live entertainment show. Set to make its grand debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the summer of 2025, this show has all us Disney fans buzzing with excitement. Let’s break down everything we know so far about the first Villains show permit and what it means for the future of entertainment at Disney World.

The Permit Details

Disney filed a permit for “General Construction” work on this exciting new show, and guess who’s handling the construction? Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. If you’re not familiar with them, let’s just say they’re kind of a big deal. They’ve been Disney’s go-to construction partner for years, and this permit is valid through September 27, 2025. That gives us a clue that the new Villains should be open no later than Labor Day weekend 2025.

Who Is Whiting-Turner Contracting Company?

Whiting-Turner is no small fry. They’re one of the largest employee-owned general contractors in the United States. Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, this construction powerhouse boasts over 50 locations nationwide. Their impressive resume regularly lands them in the Top 10 of the Engineering News-Record’s annual Top 400 contractors list. With a team of over 4,000 employees, Whiting-Turner isn’t just large—they’re one of the biggest private companies in the U.S.

A History of Disney Collaborations

This isn’t Whiting-Turner’s first rodeo with Disney. They’ve had their hands in a variety of Disney’s projects, including The Boathouse and T-Rex at Disney Springs. And it’s not just Disney! They’ve also worked on the AMC Theater at Universal Citywalk and Lego Ninjago at Legoland. So, when Disney decided to greenlight this new Villains show, it’s no surprise they called up their old friends at Whiting-Turner to make it happen.

Out with the Old, In with the Villains

The new show will take over the Sunset Showcase on Sunset Boulevard. If you’ve been to Hollywood Studios recently, you might know this spot as the home of Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and Lightning McQueen’s last lap is scheduled for October 7, 2024.

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy has been a family favorite since it opened in March 2019. It features a life-sized animatronic Lightning McQueen and high-energy racing sequences straight from the beloved Cars franchise. While it’s sad to see it go, the buzz around this new villains-themed show promises that what’s coming next will be nothing short of spectacular.

What to Expect from the Villains Show

Here’s where things get really interesting. The new show will be set in the Magic Mirror’s mysterious realm, a concept already intriguing enough to pique the interest of every Disney fan. Iconic Disney villains like Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent are set to make appearances. With live production numbers and immersive special effects, this show aims to bring these notorious characters to life in ways we’ve never seen before.

If you’re familiar with Sunset Showcase, you know this venue is no stranger to hosting one-of-a-kind entertainment experiences. It first opened in 2015 and has been home to several short-lived but memorable events, like Club Disney and the cabaret-style Club Villain, which also featured Disney’s infamous villains. However, this new production seems poised to outdo them all with its elaborate staging and high production values.

Why This Permit Matters

The filing of the first permit is a huge step forward for this new show. It’s the first solid piece of evidence that Disney is moving full steam ahead with a project many fans are excited about. The involvement of Whiting-Turner indicates that Disney is tapping an industry expert in deploying the interior design and potentially exterior design.

Wrapping Up

Disney’s decision to file the first Villains Show permit marks the beginning of a multi-phased approach to increase the entertainment options around Walt Disney World. With Whiting-Turner Contracting Company at the helm, we can expect a world-class show seeting that will bring Disney’s most notorious villains to life like never before. So, get ready to say goodbye to Lightning McQueen and welcome a dark, magical new experience that’s set to take center stage in 2025.

Stay tuned for more updates on the progress of this show and all things Disney! If you’re as excited as I am, keep this page bookmarked for the latest developments as Disney transforms Sunset Showcase into a villainous extravaganza.

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Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!