Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After Previewing for Guests Ahead of Opening

“Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” Previews Ahead of Grand Opening at Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is getting a wickedly delightful new addition! While its official debut is set for May 27, 2025, “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” is already captivating early preview audiences, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the twisted tales of some of Disney’s most iconic villains.

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Though initially slated as Cast Member previews, the Sunset Showcase Theater generously opened its doors to all park guests on the evening of May 24, allowing delighted fans to be among the first to experience and even record this highly anticipated new show.

Related-First Look: “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After”

The transformation of the Sunset Showcase Theater for “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” is complete, with the walkway now fully accessible to guests. The entrance gate, once adorned with Lightning McQueen’s racing flag, now features a striking shattered glass effect that perfectly complements the new mural gracing the theater building. Adding to the immersive experience, the green wall along the walkway is now decorated with framed art of the show’s main characters.

Captain Hook grins menacingly against a shattered red background, Maleficent holds her staff with Diablo perched on her shoulder, and Cruella de Vil strikes a pose in her classic white outfit.

Intriguingly, a fourth framed image introduces the Evil Queen to this artistic collection, a character whose presence in this style of art has not been previously seen for the show. She appears with her traditional collared outfit and a sneer, hinting at a larger role than initially advertised.

The final frame features a rectangular image of the iconic Magic Mirror, colored purple and green with the same shattered pattern.

Inside the theater, the space mirrors previously released concept art, featuring a traditional raised stage. Above the curtain and across the side walls, shattered mirrors are dramatically suspended. As guests enter, these mirrors are covered in a mysterious fog, with fragmented sections across their reflective surfaces. Subtle glimpses of iconic animated Disney Villains can be seen peeping through the mirrors, as if trapped within.

The Magic Mirror, it seems, is in a predicament, explaining that all defeated villains have been confined to a “mirror realm,” incessantly pleading for release and claiming their intentions were simply “misunderstood.” Eventually, three formidable villains manage to break through the glass: Captain Hook, Cruella de Vil, and Maleficent.

To win over the audience, each villain presents an abbreviated, highly subjective version of their story, attempting to argue their case and convince guests they aren’t as “bad” as their animated film counterparts suggest.

Cruella de Vil, the first to appear in her iconic fluffy coat, performs a rock-style rendition of her classic “Cruella de Vil” song. Her section of the stage is adorned with fashion sketches and the crumbling remains of Hell Hall, as she argues that all great artists are misunderstood, justifying her desire for dalmatian furs.

Next, Captain Hook takes the stage, with the setting transforming to the interior of the Jolly Roger overlooking the waters of Neverland. He sings a new version of “A Pirate’s Life,” humorously interrupted by the digital appearance of Tick-Tock the crocodile. Hook claims to be a “benevolent captain,” perpetually upstaged by Peter Pan.

Finally, Maleficent arrives, with the stage dominated by the thorny remains of the Forbidden Mountain. She offers a darker rendition of “Once Upon a Dream,” asserting that she should be thanked for bringing Aurora and Prince Phillip together, as her curse necessitated their true love’s kiss.

Just as the villains seem to have made their case, chaos erupts with the sudden appearance of Hades and Jafar, igniting a frenzy among the other trapped villains pounding on their glass mirrors.

The situation escalates until the Evil Queen dramatically shatters the central mirror, much to the Magic Mirror’s horror.

To restore order to the mirror realm, the Magic Mirror enlists the audience’s help, asking them to choose which of the three presenting villains (Maleficent, Captain Hook, or Cruella) was the most “misunderstood” through audience cheers. The winning villain remains on stage for a brief musical reprise of their song, with the Magic Mirror hoping this selection will quiet the clamor in the mirror realm. However, all three villains promise to continue their pleas for release as the curtain falls.

“Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” runs for approximately 15 minutes. Expected daily performance times are already posted on the official Walt Disney World website, inviting guests to step into the deliciously devious world of Disney’s most iconic villains.