The Magic of Disney Lights Up the Ballroom on Dancing With the Stars
On a spellbinding Tuesday evening, Dancing With the Stars transformed its ballroom into the happiest place on earth for its beloved annual Disney Night. The October 7th spectacle began with a delightful opening number set to “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast, featuring special appearances from Danny Gardner (currently playing Lumière in the touring production) alongside Disney’s iconic characters Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy. This magical introduction set the stage for what would be an evening filled with enchantment, surprising performances, and the competitive spirit that has made this show a perennial favorite. As the remaining couples prepared to showcase their Disney-inspired routines, viewers at home settled in for what promised to be a night where dreams and dance would beautifully intertwine.
The competition kicked off with Dylan Efron channeling Lightning McQueen from Cars in an energetic quickstep that immediately captured the judges’ attention. Derek Hough enthusiastically dubbed him “Dylan McQueen, the quickstep king,” while fellow judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonoli expressed confidence in his potential to advance far in the competition. After scoring a respectable 23 out of 30 with professional partner Daniella Karagach, co-host Julianne Hough playfully questioned why Dylan hadn’t chosen to honor his brother Zac’s legacy with a High School Musical tribute. Dylan’s intriguing response—”I have something special for next week if I’m still here”—left fans eagerly anticipating what might come in the Dedication Night performances. This moment highlighted the personal connections and family ties that often add depth to contestants’ journeys on the show, creating narrative threads that viewers follow throughout the season.
As each couple took their turn bringing Disney characters and stories to life through movement, the ballroom became a canvas for creativity and technical skill. The contestants embraced the challenge of embodying beloved Disney personalities while demonstrating their growing dance abilities under the watchful eyes of the judges and audience. From animated classics to modern Disney favorites, the range of inspirations showcased the vast cultural impact of Disney’s storytelling across generations. The performances revealed not just dance skill but also the emotional connections that many contestants (and viewers) have with these timeless tales. The combination of nostalgia, technical dance elements, and the personal growth stories of each contestant created a multidimensional viewing experience that has become the hallmark of themed nights on Dancing With the Stars.
Throughout the evening, judges provided technical feedback while acknowledging the special atmosphere that Disney Night brings to the competition. The scoring reflected both the technical execution of the dances and the contestants’ success in capturing the essence of their Disney inspirations. With each performance, the stakes grew higher as viewers were reminded that despite the magical theme, the competition aspect remained very real. Stars who had previously struggled found new confidence in embodying beloved characters, while frontrunners were challenged to maintain their momentum within the constraints of their Disney themes. This balance between celebration and competition created tension that kept viewers engaged as they watched contestants navigate both the joy of Disney and the pressure of advancement.
For all the evening’s magic, the reality of elimination brought the enchantment to a sobering conclusion when Hilaria Baldwin and her professional partner Gleb Savchenko were announced as the latest couple to leave the competition. Baldwin graciously accepted the results, sharing, “This has been an incredible experience. I am so grateful to all of you,” before extending appreciation to her family and offering encouragement to her fellow contestants: “I’m cheering on everybody in the cast because this has been an amazing time.” Her departure served as a reminder of the bittersweet nature of competition shows, where weekly eliminations gradually narrow the field regardless of the celebratory atmosphere of themed episodes. Baldwin’s exit demonstrated the grace and sportsmanship that contestants often display when their journeys come to an end.
As Disney Night concluded, viewers were left with memorable performances and heightened anticipation for the challenges ahead. The announcement that Dancing With the Stars would continue airing on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET ensured fans knew when to tune in for the next installment of the dance competition. The invitation for viewers to participate in the Bracketology DWTS fantasy league—where they could compete against other fans and Us Weekly editors to predict which pairs would make it to the season 34 finale—offered an interactive dimension to viewership. This engagement opportunity, complete with access to exclusive content, statistics, and the chance to win prizes, reflected how modern reality competition shows extend beyond passive viewing into active audience participation. As the stars prepared for Dedication Night, both they and their audience looked forward to the next chapter in this season’s unfolding dance journey.
