New Disney World Villains and Little Mermaid Opening Dates Announced and Top Summer Attraction Delayed

Two new shows are set to debut for the summer at Walt Disney World! We have been eagerly awaiting more details as these shows are both going to greatly expand the offerings at Hollywood Studios.

Entertainment at the Disney Parks is one of the best things about the theme parks as it gives Disney an opportunity to showcase their storytelling and helps space out crowds. This is something we wish Disneyland would remember as they continue to limit entertainment offerings at the parks.

Walt Disney World has just released the opening dates for these two highly anticipated shows and I'm pleasantly surprised at the timeline of their debut.

Opening Date for New Disney World Stage Shows

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Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and The Little Mermaid- A Musical Adventure will both debut on May 27, 2025 at Walt Disney World.

It's great that both of these shows open around the same time this summer to maximize the offerings for this time of the year. Especially with a new kids discount ticket offer plus a brand new nighttime parade coming to Magic Kingdom. Unfortunately, we still don't have an opening date for the new Disney Starlight parade. This will be the biggest draw of the summer.

Disney has revealed that the parade will debut “later this summer” which could mean an opening date as late as August but hopefully sooner! Many of us had hoped that the show would be open by the beginning of the summer some time around Memorial Day as counter programming to the new Universal Epic Universe theme park.

There's even more to look forward to this summer as Disney has announced new limited-time experiences for young kids in the theme parks and hotels plus a new summer discount offer. We also got news of a major Buzz Lightyear ride refurbishment.

Shows Feature Disney Villains and Little Mermaid

Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After will feature appearances by dozens of villains, including Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent, who will take the stage in live numbers. In the show, the Disney Villains are given the chance to tell their side of the story with the Magic Mirror summoning each one for the audience to hear them out. This show takes place at Hollywood Studios and replaced the Lightning McQueen Racing Academy.

The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, also in Hollywood Studios, will reopen with new sets, puppets, live performers, and visuals. The show also will include two new musical numbers added to the show, “Daughters of Triton” and “Kiss the Girl.”

Both of these new shows will greatly expand the entertainment offerings at Hollywood Studio this summer which might take some of the pressure off the attractions in the park which are some of the most popular at the resort. More offerings at Hollywood Studios helps space out the crowds in the park which make touring the park far easier in the morning and using Lightning Lane.

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