When Dancing with the Stars rolled out its Disney Night episode on , the TV world knew magic was about to hit the ballroom. The live broadcast at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and streamed simultaneously on Disney+ featured all 11 remaining celebrity dancers paired with their professional partners, all vying for judges’ scores and America’s votes.
Why Disney Night Is a TV Staple
Disney Night isn’t new to DWTS—the themed episode first dazzled audiences in season 31 back in 2022, pulling a record 9.2 million live viewers, according to Nielsen. Since then, each Disney‑themed night has trended on social media, with hashtags like #DWTSDisney soaring. This year’s edition was timed to honor the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration, a year‑long worldwide fest marking the iconic park’s founding in 1955.
Opening Spectacle Sets the Tone
The hour kicked off with a flash‑filled number to “Be Our Guest” from *Beauty and the Beast*. Choreographed by Mandy Moore, the routine blended jazz flair with theatrical lighting, and featured a surprise cameo from Danny Gardner, who dons Lumière in the North American tour of the beloved Broadway‑style production. "We wanted to bring Disney’s storytelling magic to the dance floor," Moore said backstage, smiling.
Song List, Dance Styles, and Partner Pairings
Each couple was matched with a Disney classic that complemented their assigned dance style:
- Jazz – ‘Under the Sea’ from *The Little Mermaid* (celebrity Mike and pro Emma)
- Salsa – ‘I Will Rise’ from *Mulan* (celebrity Sofia and pro Javier)
- Quickstep – ‘Can‑You‑Feel‑the Love Tonight’ from *The Lion King* (celebrity Raj and pro Lena)
- Viennese Waltz – ‘A Whole New World’ from *Aladdin* (celebrity Jenna and pro Victor)
- Additional troupe numbers included a futuristic mash‑up to “As Alive As You Need Me To Be” from Disney’s upcoming *TRON: ARES* and a nostalgic tribute to “The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room”.
While the exact week‑by‑week song assignments were released during the live show, the producers confirmed that each track was chosen to spotlight the narrative arc of the respective Disney film and to challenge the dancers’ technical range.
Judges’ Scores and Audience Voting Mechanics
The trio of judges—Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli—delivered their usual blend of technical critique and theatrical flair. Inaba praised the “jazzy storytelling” of the opening number, awarding it a perfect 10, while Tonioli gave the Quickstep a 9.2 for its “sparkling footwork”. Hough, still fresh off his own 2024 win, noted that the Salsa routine “brought the fire of dragon‑essence to the floor”.
Viewers could cast votes in real time via dwtsvote.abc.com, with SMS options available through participating U.S. carriers. Canadian fans were limited to online voting, a restriction that sparked some chatter on Canadian Twitter, where users demanded parity. According to the show's digital team, more than 4.1 million votes were logged before the live voting window closed.
Reception: Ratings, Social Buzz, and Expert Take
Preliminary ratings showed that the Disney Night episode attracted an average of 10.3 million live viewers across ABC, Disney+, and Hulu’s next‑day replay—a 12 % bump from the prior week’s standard episode. Social‑media monitoring firm TrendPulse reported a 28 % rise in hashtag usage compared to the season’s average, with the most retweeted moment being the Lumière cameo.
TV critic Laura Michaels of *The Hollywood Beacon* wrote, “Disney Night continues to be the crown jewel of DWTS, not just because of nostalgia but because the show uses Disney’s catalog to push dancers into new stylistic territory.” Michaels added that the blend of quickstep and *Aladdin*’s waltz “showed how classic ballroom can feel fresh when paired with a timeless soundtrack.”
What This Means for the Competition
With three weeks left before the live finale, the Disney Night scores could prove pivotal. Two couples—Jenna & Victor and Raj & Lena—emerged as front‑runners, each holding a combined judge score of 28.6 out of 30. The audience vote, however, remains a wild card; past Disney Nights have seen underdogs surge thanks to fan enthusiasm for beloved songs.
Producers hinted that the next themed episode will revolve around “Broadway Classics,” signaling that the show is still riding the momentum of special‑theme nights to keep viewership high.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Themed Episodes
As the 70th anniversary of the Disneyland Resort continues, Disney and ABC are reportedly negotiating additional cross‑promotional spots, potentially including a live‑stage performance at the park itself. If those plans come to fruition, we could see a real‑time DWTS dance‑off on Main Street, U.S.A., a concept that would blur the lines between televised competition and theme‑park entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can viewers vote if they don’t have a participating U.S. carrier?
Non‑carrier participants can still vote online at dwtsvote.abc.com. The site accepts votes 24/7 during the live window, and each device can cast up to five votes per contestant.
Which Disney song was paired with the Viennese Waltz?
The Viennese Waltz routine featured “A Whole New World” from *Aladdin*, performed by celebrity Jenna and professional Victor.
Did the Disney Night episode break any viewership records?
While it didn’t surpass the all‑time high set in season 31, the episode’s 10.3 million live viewers represented the season’s strongest night since the premiere, marking a 12 % increase over the previous episode.
What did the judges say about the opening ‘Be Our Guest’ number?
Carrie Ann Inaba awarded it a perfect ten, calling it “a breathtaking blend of theater and ballroom.” Bruno Tonioli gave it a 9.8, noting the “seamless integration of classic choreography with Disney flamboyance.”
Will there be more Disney‑themed episodes this season?
ABC confirmed that the next themed night will focus on Broadway classics, so Disney Night remains a one‑off celebration tied to the Disneyland Resort’s 70th anniversary.
