Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After may be the best theme park show in Orlando
While theme park fans remain focused on the opening of Epic Universe and the future Villains Land at Magic Kingdom, Disney’s latest stage production — along with The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure — could redefine what theme park entertainment looks like going forward.
Located near the Tower of Terror – replacing Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy – guests are transported to the mirror dimension controlled by the Magic Mirror of Snow White fame. The Magic Mirror is joined by dozens of classic Disney villains who are trying to prove that their rambunctiousness has been over blown and that they have been misunderstood. They want the Magic Mirror – and his proxy, the audience – to decide which villain is the most unfairly treated of them all.
IN THIS ARTICLE
How many villains are in the show?
It depends on your point of view. Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook and Maleficent appear in person while Hades and Jafar other appear via large “mirrors.” The stage is mixture of practical fixed “mirrors” and “mirrors” that dance about on the larger high-def screen that also hosts the Magic Mirror.
There are dozens of other villains who make appearances in the smaller mirrors including the Big Bad Wolf, the Giant from Mickey and the Beanstalk. King Candy from Wreck it Ralph, Chernabog from Fantasia, Gov. John Ratcliffe from Pocahontas, Clayton from Tarzan, The Sheriff of Nottingham, Madam Mim and many others. Somebody, somewhere is going to come up with the whole list but it’s impressive.
Finally, and perhaps most exciting, resort guests get extra time in the parks. Each park opens half an hour early for all guests staying on property. And if you stay at a deluxe resort, you get extended evening hours on select nights at select parks.
How is the show?
It’s phenomenal. I don’t want to be overcome by recency bias, but it far surpasses almost any other theme park show. The staging is spectacular; the sets and their combination of super clear screens and practical effects are Broadway worthy or at least very close to it. The costuming is immaculate. The three villains vying for the audience’s vote look amazing.
The music is original and frankly quite banging. I assume it will become part of Halloween and Disney playlists everywhere. The Magic Mirror chorus will get stuck in your head almost immediately. Finally, the performers rise to the level of the challenge. They’re so good.
It’s an amazing achievement. The level of investment, energy, effort, and imagineering that went into this show is encouraging. Disney isn’t messing around.
What does this mean for Hollywood Studios?
It helps give the park some balance with another must-see attraction but on a larger level. I think it – combined with the Little Mermaid Show – signals a return to form to the park. There are some longtime Disney fans disenchanted with the direction the park has taken moving away from the “Hollywood” of it all. However, if Disney’s solution to that is to make Hollywood Studios home to the best theme park shows in the business, that seems like a pretty good idea.
Honestly, this show is so good it makes other offerings look like high school productions. You add this, Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, and Frozen Ever After and that’s a pretty strong line-up of entertainment in the Hollywood park.
Will Villains: Unfairly Ever After stay where it is?
That’s the million-dollar question. The Villains Land in Magic Kingdom is four or five years away. By the way, if this Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After show is an indication of how much effort they’re putting into Villains Land, it’s gonna be a smashing success. It is possible that when the time comes, this show will move to Villains Land. This move would clear the way for something else in Hollywood Studios. Maybe a return of the Muppets. The theater isn’t far from Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster which will be rethemed to Dr. Hook and the Electric Mayhem by then, so it might be a natural fit. Or Disney could choose to leave this Villains Show right where it is. This would grant the villains a footprint in multiple parks.
We’ll have to wait and see. But in the meantime, Hollywood Studios is a good place to be bad or at least misunderstood.
