Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy last day - Oct. 7, 2024 - Disney’s Hollywood Studios

At the far far end of Sunset Boulevard, beyond Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, beyond Joe Perry’s black Les Paul, was Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy. The conventional Sunset Showcase building opened in December 2015 housing Club Disney, a dance club with characters and snacks. That closed in 2016 and ran seasonally. A special ticketed party took place in 2016 called Club Villain, hosted by Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog. It played again during Halloween 2017, and after that the building was a special PhotoPass location. For the 30th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy opened on March 31, 2019. The 11 minute show raced for more than five years and crossed the finish line on October 7, 2024. A new show opened on May 27, 2025 called Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After.

In Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy "Rookie Racers" are invited to learn tips from racing star Lightning McQueen. After an introduction (and song) from Tow Mater, Lightning uses a racing simulator, like in Cars 3, to teach the audience racing tricks. The system gets hacked by Chick Hicks and he wants to race Lightning McQueen. Throughout the race Lightning’s Cars franchise friends help him out resulting in a successful ending. The characters are on a screen that circles the theater, but an impressive Lightning McQueen animatronic is on the stage, which is the best part.

In this 2024 video you will see…

0:07 Exterior. The building is called Sunset Showcase, and there are many signs that advertise Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy. The queue is outside, under umbrellas, and the show is inside.

0:26 Preshow. While waiting for the show to begin, Sally and Mack ask Cars trivia to the crowd. Sally is voiced by Bonnie Hunt while John Ratzenberger voices Mack. Guests sit in hard benches, which have since been replaced with cushioned theater seats for the villains show, thank God. The screen is almost two stories tall and curves around about 200 feet. Rust-eze ads and the show logo shine on the screens along with trivia questions. In the front, above the stage, is a huge 95, Lightning McQueen’s number. 1995 is the year Toy Story came out, Pixar’s first full-length film.

1:50 Tow Mater’s intro song. Tow Mater, voiced by Larry the Cable Guy, starts off the show. To establish the story Mater presents “Lightning McQueen the Untold Story that ain’t done yet Been Told”. Mater sings about the plot of the first Cars movie, and the show takes place after the events of Cars 3.

3:35 Lightning McQueen. A life sized Lightning McQueen appears on the stage (after the lightning bolt walls slide away). He is a “seven time Piston Cup champion and Mater’s best friend.” Ka-chow! Lightning McQueen, voiced by Owen Wilson, welcomes his racers and talks about his inspiration Doc Hudson. McQueen began the racing academy to pass his knowledge from Doc onto others.

5:24 The Simulator. McQueen introduces Cruz Ramirez (Cristela Alonzo) who will be operating the race simulator, like in Cars 3. The whole screen shows a racetrack as the rookie audience counts down “3-2-1 GO!” Lightning races around giving tips with the help of Cruz.

6:25 Chick Hacks. During simulation, the screen gets covered in green and McQueen’s 95 briefly flashes to an 86. Then we see the blue screen of death, as the simulator crashes and reboots. After a reset, an embarrassing Leak Less commercial of Lightning leaking black oil appears. Chick Hicks (Bob Peterson) appears on the screen and wants to race Lightning McQueen for real, since Chick’s win was considered a fluke. “LMRA” changes to “CHRA”, Rust-eze changes to htB (Chick’s sponsor), and “95” changes to “86”, Chick’s number (Pixar started in 1986).

8:58 The Race. Chick Hicks says if he wins everyone in the audience gets a huge pile of cash (not available in Orlando, FL). The bill on the screen has the serial number A113, which is in every Pixar movie, referencing the classroom at CalArts the Pixar artists went to. The race begins and McQueen uses the help of his friend. Luigi (Tony Shalhoub) and Guido fix tires, Flo (Jenifer Lewis) tops off his oil, and Fillmore (Lloyd Sherr) refills his organic fuel.

11:05 Conclusion. McQueen wins with the help of his friends. Demolition derby bus Miss Fritter (Lea DeLaria) chases Chick Hicks away. Lightning shares Doc’s wisdom about friendship and makes everyone honorary members of his racing team. “Life is a Highway” plays as guests exit.

12:27 Outside. Guests can take a picture with Cruz Ramirez (#51) and DJ. Dance music plays.

REFERENCE:
Disney A to Z The Official Encyclopedia Sixth Edition, Dave Smith and Steve Vagnini, 2023, Disney Editions
https://touringplans.com/blog/five-things-to-know-about-lightning-mcqueens-racing-academy/
https://caitlinroseboyle.com/hidden-portfolio-02
https://wdwtherapy.wordpress.com/2019/08/13/review-lightning-mcqueens-racing-academy/