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.

20% Off site-wide, plus Free Shipping on all orders of $65+

Over 75+ Designs! Your next park shirt is just a click away

Looking To Book Your Dream Disney Vacation?

Save time & money on your vacation

Your Disney vacation should create unforgettable memories that last a lifetime.

Whether you’re a first-time Disney vacationer or looking to plan your next magical adventure, it isn’t enough just to go on a Disney vacation. We want you to talk about your vacation for years to come and create memories you’ll cherish forever. Vacation is calling! Are you ready to answer?

REQUEST QUOTE

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Jonathan Cotton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I’m no stranger to Disney planning, as a Disneyland magic key holder and DVC member. I’m the person people ask for trip planning advice. But I had never been on a Disney cruise, and had heard great about Nate and decided to reach out. I’m so glad I did because we could not have been happier with our experience. His tips and insights were incredibly helpful, and he was incredibly responsive any time we had a question. Who do the Disney experts turn to when they need help? Nate, that’s who.

We’ll definitely be using him again.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Andria Skornik 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Our experience working with Nate as our Disney vacation planner was exceptional. He was responsive and thorough. He gave us insights that made the trip go much more smoothly. We were able to really relax and focus on quality time as a family and have so much fun doing it! I will definitely reach out for any future trips.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 rpwoodjr 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Could not have wanted or expected more from Nate, our Distrips and More agent as we planned our 2025 Disney World trip. Nate was VERY responsive to emails and texts and more than willing to do whatever he could to guide us and answer our questions.  On several occasions I emailed him over the weekend not expecting a response until Monday but each time he responded before the weekend was over.  He even participated in a Zoom session with our group of five seniors as we planned our trip. He also helped us at the 11th hour when we added a family member to our travel group less than a month before our trip.  Without a doubt, I will reach out to Nate when I'm ready to plan my next trip to Disney World!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Homero Rendon 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We are so thankful we used Nate to plan not only our first Disney trip, but also our second. He made the process so easy for us, especially for us since it was our first time going. There was a lot to consider and many decisions to make, such as where to stay, when to go, and what to experience. Nate really helped us narrow down what we wanted to do overall, but he didn’t stop there. He provided detailed guides to help us navigate the airport and find our transportation to the resort, as well as a guide to explore the resorts and make sure we saw the best Christmas decorations. One of the many amazing things he also did was set up our dinner reservations for us. This saved us so much stress and allowed us to get some of our top choices. From the moment we landed in Orlando to the moment we headed back home, he made sure everything went smoothly. You truly can’t go wrong with going to him for your next trip.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Lee Mathes 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Nate was absolutely the best planner I have ever had.  Will most definitely be using him again.   He took care of everything and kept me on track.  Was so very helpful in making all the dining reservations and everything.   Can't thank him enough.   He made our trip completely stress free!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Amanda Moran 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Nathan has been an amazing trip planner for me! So helpful and responsive. I am a very type A person -- so someone who is even more on top of their game than me -- is so so appreciated! Nathan has booked 3 trips for me (1 completed 2 pending) and it was perfection. Thanks again!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Hyperion Adventures Podcast 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Nate has helped us with our vacation planning for the last couple of years and we couldn't be happier with his service and expertise. We've used other travel agents in the past and none of them have done as phenomenal a job to make sure every detail is taken care of as he has. Switching to Nate was one of the best decisions we've ever made. He's always quick to answer questions and works tirelessly to make sure we get everything we want from our trips. Plus, he's just a genuinely great person who is wonderful to work with. Whether you're planning a trip to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a Disney Cruise, or any other vacation, Nate is the guy you want putting it all together! Five stars across the board!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Google rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 7 reviews 
 
   
 
 

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!