Two New Stage Shows, One Park Day: Building a Villains and Mermaids Itinerary at Hollywood Studios
Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure have given Disney's Hollywood Studios two new stage shows to plan a day around. planDisney panelists Eean K. and Keri B. worked through both routes, with show timing advice, themed treats at Hollywood Scoops and Joffrey's, and a Fantasmic! Dining Package to close the night.
Two new stage shows have changed how a day at Disney's Hollywood Studios gets built. Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure sit at opposite ends of the tonal range, and planDisney panelists Eean K. and Keri B. worked through both orders on a recent visit to figure out which one to see first.
Key Details
- Where: Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort
- The shows: Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure
- Arrive: at least 20 minutes before showtime for the Villains show
- Villains snacks: the Maleficent Cone and the Hades Float at Hollywood Scoops
- Mermaid drinks: the Under the Sea Caramel Latte at Joffrey's locations, available to Annual Passholders only, and Bubbles of the Sea at ABC Commissary and Market
- Character meet: Ariel from the live-action film at Prince Eric's castle terrace inside Walt Disney Presents
Starting with the villains
Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After is a theatrical show built on bold staging and villain-side retellings, with more comedy in it than the premise suggests. Eean's practical advice is to arrive at least 20 minutes before showtime, though he notes there is no bad seat in the theater.
The snack pairings are easy to find. Hollywood Scoops carries the Maleficent Cone and the Hades Float, and the nearby shops stock villain accessories, which is where a set of Ursula ears tends to end up in a bag. Keri points to the photo opportunities as the part that lasts: "This is one of my favorite ways to show off my Disney side and it makes a great souvenir to take home or a great gift for any Villains fan," she said.
Starting with the mermaid
The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure is a reimagined live show that stages the story with practical effects and the songs most of the audience already knows by heart. It runs indoors with air conditioning, which is not a small consideration in a Central Florida summer, and it plays across the full age range.
Afterward, the nearby shop carries plush, ears, dresses and Ariel-themed accessories. Two drinks fit the theme: the Under the Sea Caramel Latte at Joffrey's locations throughout the park, available to Annual Passholders only, and Bubbles of the Sea at ABC Commissary and Market.
Extending the day past the two shows
Neither route has to end at the theater. Ariel from the live-action film meets guests at Prince Eric's castle terrace inside Walt Disney Presents. Villains-themed souvenir cups are sold around the park. And a Fantasmic! Dining Package booked at The Hollywood Brown Derby closes the night with reserved seating for the nighttime show.
What this means for planners
The order matters less than the timing. Both shows draw crowds, both benefit from arriving early, and both sit within easy walking distance of their themed food and merchandise. Guests with a single Hollywood Studios day can reasonably fit both plus Fantasmic!, and planDisney.com takes personalized questions from anyone building the rest of the schedule around them.