As part of Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ 30th anniversary celebration, a first-of-its-kind show debuted on March 31, 2019: LAs part of Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ 30th anniversary celebration, a first-of-its-kind show debuted on March 31, 2019: Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, based on Pixar’s Cars franchise.
Set after the events of Cars 3, the show was housed in the Sunset Showcase Theater on Sunset Boulevard, near Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Guests were welcomed as “rookie racers” and invited to learn what it takes to be a champion from the legendary Lightning McQueen himself.
The 10-minute experience featured:
- A life-sized Lightning McQueen Audio-Animatronic on stage
- A wraparound screen nearly two stories tall and over 200 feet wide
- A state-of-the-art racing simulator that was “hacked” mid-show by rival Chick Hicks
- Appearances by Tow Mater, Cruz Ramirez, and other Radiator Springs favorites
Outside the theater, guests could meet Cruz Ramirez and join DJ’s Dance Party, relocated from Cars Land in Disney California Adventure.
Before Lightning McQueen took the stage, the Sunset Showcase Theater hosted a variety of short-lived experiences:
- Club Disney (Dec 5, 2015 – Feb 6, 2016):
A family-friendly dance venue with animated projections and Radio Disney hits. - Club Villain (Jan 16, 2016 – Oct 31, 2017):
A ticketed evening event hosted by Dr. Facilier, featuring live performances, themed cocktails, and meet-and-greets with Disney villains. - Special Event Space (2017–2018):
Used intermittently for character meet-and-greets and seasonal offerings like Disney PhotoPass Day.
The venue remained dormant until its transformation into Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy in early 2019.
Despite its immersive tech and family-friendly appeal, the show gave its final performance on October 7, 2024, making way for a new stage production: Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After, which opened in May 2025.
