Dancing With the Stars Recap: Disney Night’s Bold, Campy Spectacle Sends Hilaria Baldwin Home

Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars delivered its most flamboyant episode yet with the much-anticipated Disney Night. The October 7 broadcast celebrated the 70th anniversary of Disneyland, blending nostalgia, corporate branding, and unapologetic camp. But the evening ended in heartbreak for Hilaria Baldwin, who was eliminated after a lackluster Star Wars-themed quickstep with pro partner Gleb Savchenko.

The ballroom turned into a full Disney celebration, with hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough welcoming beloved characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse while judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli leaned into the night’s theatrical spirit. The elaborate staging and costumes didn’t just wow audiences — they amplified the show’s long-standing connection to queer culture, making this Disney Night one of the campiest in recent memory.

Disney Magic Meets Fierce Competition

Each pair embraced a Disney property to deliver big production numbers. Robert Irwin and Witney Carson danced a cha cha inspired by Zootopia, complete with animated tiger backup dancers and bold staging. Despite the visual spectacle, Carrie Ann noted Irwin’s lack of fluidity between moves, warning that his posing might hold him back in the competition.

Scott and Rylee leaned into a High School Musical routine with “Bop to the Top,” injecting playful queer-coded energy into their choreography. Scott’s confidence improved but stiffness remained a challenge. Rylee’s choice to fuse TikTok-era flair and inclusive styling won praise for creativity, even if the technical marks stayed moderate.

Elaine and Alan’s Space Mountain-themed quickstep earned one of the night’s strongest scores, a 24, impressing fans and sparking online buzz about the underrated pairing. Meanwhile, Jen and Jan wowed with a jazz routine to “Friend Like Me” from Aladdin, landing Jen her season-best 23.

Veteran pro Mark Ballas took creative liberties in a Hamilton-themed “foxtrot” that veered into freestyle territory. Carrie Ann gave the first nine of the season, but many longtime fans — and imaginary Len Goodman critiques from beyond — felt the routine lacked classic foxtrot content.

Hilaria Baldwin’s Exit and What Comes Next

Hilaria Baldwin’s Disney Night journey ended after a Star Wars quickstep failed to connect with voters. Despite her attempt to tease a stronger performance for week five, the routine’s technical shortcomings and lack of audience support sealed her fate. Alec Baldwin made a cameo during her Disneyland pre-tape, but the moment felt awkward and failed to generate sympathy votes.

The elimination keeps the field wide open. Unlike previous seasons where one couple dominated early, this year’s leaderboard remains unpredictable. Scores are tight, leaving room for surprise breakthroughs in the coming weeks.

As Season 34 moves toward week five, the energy remains high. With Disney Night setting a new bar for production and inclusivity, the next live show will reveal which stars can maintain momentum — and who may fall short in the race for the Mirrorball Trophy.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who was eliminated on Disney Night of Dancing with the Stars?

Hilaria Baldwin was eliminated after her Star Wars-themed quickstep with Gleb Savchenko.

Q2: What theme did Robert Irwin dance to on Disney Night?

Robert Irwin and Witney Carson performed a cha cha inspired by Disney’s Zootopia.

Q3: Which couple had the highest Disney Night score?

Elaine and Alan’s Space Mountain quickstep earned a 24, one of the night’s highest scores.

Q4: What made this Disney Night unique compared to past seasons?

It was unusually campy and openly embraced LGBTQ+ energy while delivering big theatrical production numbers.

Q5: Did Mark Ballas stay traditional with his foxtrot?

No. Mark Ballas’s Hamilton routine felt more like a freestyle, sparking mixed reactions despite high scores.