MuppetVision 3D Closing Date May Hint at Villains and Little Mermaid Show Opening Timeframe

4 days ago in "The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure"

Posted: Monday February 3, 2025 9:25am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney's announcement of the closure date for MuppetVision 3D—set for June 7, 2025—may provide insight into the timeline for the debut of two upcoming Disney's Hollywood Studios shows: the new 'Disney Villains Unfairly Ever After' show and the updated Little Mermaid show.

While Disney has so far only described these attractions as opening in "Summer 2025," it is likely that the new shows will open slightly before MuppetVision 3D's closure. This would allow Disney to maintain park capacity and provide guests with fresh entertainment options as the Muppet attraction takes its final bow.

MuppetVision 3D will close at the end of June 7, 2025

With the entire MuppetVision Courtyard area set to be behind construction walls on June 8, the company will want to minimize the gap in available attractions and maintain park capacity during peak summer months. Having additional shows ready to absorb guest demand will be essential, especially as the Monsters, Inc. land redevelopment progresses and construction disrupts other parts of the park.

Disney is also making strategic moves to counter the opening of Universal EPIC Universe in May 2025. The addition of new live entertainment at Hollywood Studios aligns with the company's broader efforts to maintain guest interest and increase park offerings. Alongside the Villains and Little Mermaid shows Disney is ramping up its entertainment slate, including a new nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom, to reinforce its competitive edge as Universal expands its footprint in Orlando.

Historically, Disney has also favored Memorial Day weekend for the official openings of new attractions, marking the start of the summer season at Walt Disney World. Given this pattern, it is possible that the new Villains and Little Mermaid shows could debut around late May 2025, aligning with Disney's past summer launch strategies.

'Disney Villains Unfairly Ever After': Summer 2025 Opening

'Disney Villains Unfairly Ever After,' planned to debut in the former Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy space, has been positioned as a significant addition to Disney's Hollywood Studios. This new live production promises to bring guests into the reflective world of the Magic Mirror, where Disney villains, including Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent, take the stage to share their untold stories.

Villains Show concept art

The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure: A Timely Revival

Inspired by the beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios classic The Little Mermaid, this live production will feature a fresh take on Ariel's journey to explore the human world. Guests can expect musical numbers inspired by the film, including iconic songs such as Part of Your World, Poor Unfortunate Souls, and Kiss the Girl. The show promises cutting-edge effects, imaginative set pieces, and a bold new design.

The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure concept art

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TTA943 days ago

The sea spray was one of my favorite parts and I hope they keep it. It was one of the elements that made the show feel immersive.

Mr. Sullivan3 days ago

Speaking as someone with the degree and this stuff, you’d be surprised how often this happens in the professional performance industry. Financially, it isn’t very good for the actors, but it happens and it happens quite often.

Bocabear3 days ago

That show had some really interesting things too... The Magic Mirror that narrated was pretty darned cool...THere have baan several Disneyland Shows that would have made a nice addition to Disney World...

wdrive3 days ago

No. The Snow White musical at Disneyland opened over 66 years after the movie premiered. There’s probably other examples too.

Purduevian4 days ago

Is this the oldest movie to ever get a new Stage Show in a Disney park?

Disstevefan14 days ago

Sounds Great! I am very happy to be wrong here!

Jedi144 days ago

They’re adding additional scenes including a new musical number, and a final battle which the original show did not have.

Disstevefan14 days ago

I am not so sure - As we already know the Nemo show in AK was closed and reopened with a shorter/lesser show that if I remember correctly they blamed on COVID. Could be fake news, but allegedly the original Mermaid show closed due to mold and at a minimum they will eliminate the elements that caused the mold, If I remember correctly there was a scene that sea spray, fog and lasers, its possible that was eliminated, just a guess. This is all speculation on my part, but I suspect we will see a "necessary downgrade" here. I hope I am wrong and this new Mermaid show is better than what we had.

eddie1044 days ago

I mean clearly they are upgrading something that’s why it’s taking so long to reopen.

Disstevefan14 days ago

I am not expecting an upgrade, but I am glad its back in some form as I always enjoyed the original too.

Figments Friend4 days ago

By a suddenly turn of unexpected events, it looks like I may be on Property the week after these hypothetically may open. I am interested in seeing how the new ‘Little Mermaid’ stage adaption is executed. Always enjoyed the original, and hoping this is a nice quality upgrade. -