When Hilaria Baldwin, celebrity contestant, and her pro partner Gleb Savchenko, professional dancer, were announced eliminated on Disney Night, fans of Dancing with the Stars felt a collective gasp. The episode aired on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, on ABC, and marked the first time a Disney‑themed showdown sent a couple packing. The elimination narrowed the competition to ten pairs as the show heads toward its December finale.
What Happened on Disney Night?
During Disney NightABC Studios, New York, each of the eleven remaining couples performed routines inspired by classic Disney movies or iconic park attractions. Scores ranged from a low 18 to a high 25, with the judges—Carrie Ann, Len, and Bruno—delivering tightly packed feedback. The night’s highest‑scoring pair, Whitney and her partner Mark, earned 25 points for a sleek Foxtrot to "The Room Where It Happens" from Disney’s *Hamilton*.
How the Scores Shaped the Night
Judges’ panels are often the deciding factor, and this week’s numbers told a story of contrast. The bottom‑scoring couple, Andy and Emma, posted an 18‑point Viennese waltz to "Le Festin" from *Ratatouille*—the only trio to receive a uniform 6, 6, 6 from the judges. Hilaria and Gleb’s Quickstep to the "Cantina Band" theme from *Star Wars: A New Hope* landed them a 23, with an 8, 7, 8 split that left them teetering on the elimination edge. In contrast, Alix and Val’s Viennese waltz to "Once Upon a Dream" from *Maleficent* dazzled with perfect 8s across the board, securing a 24‑point safety net.
Other notable performances included Dylan and Daniella’s Quickstep to "Life Is a Highway" from *Cars* (23 points) and Jordan and Ezra’s Quickstep to "Special Spice" from the upcoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction (24 points). The judges praised the choreography of Elaine and Alan, who turned the Space Mountain ride into a kinetic Quickstep, also earning a clean 24.
Reactions from the Studio and Fans
After the results, host Tyra Banks tried to soften the blow: “Hilaria, you brought so much joy to the floor, and that’s something no score can take away.” The trio of judges gave mixed feedback. Carrie Ann noted, “You showed heart, Hilaria, but the technical precision needed that extra lift.” Len added, “The chemistry was there, but the Quickstep timing felt rushed.” Bruno, ever the blunt one, simply said, “You danced like you were on a different planet—nice, just not tonight.”
Social media erupted. On Twitter, the hashtag #DisneyNightDWTS trended with over 120,000 tweets in the first hour. Fans defended Hilaria’s effort, pointing to her growth since the premiere, while others applauded the judges for staying true to the scoring rubric. A poll on Instagram Stories conducted by ABC showed 57% of respondents believed the elimination was "fair," while 43% felt the Quickstep deserved a higher score.
What This Means for the Rest of Season 34
The removal of Hilaria and Gleb reshapes the competitive landscape ahead of the upcoming Dedication Night on October 14. With ten couples left, the margin for error shrinks dramatically. Whitney and Mark, currently perched at the top, now have a clear target: maintain their 25‑point ceiling or risk being overtaken by Alix and Val, who sit just a point behind.
Strategically, the remaining pairs will need to balance crowd‑pleasing Disney themes with technical mastery. The show’s producers have hinted that future themes will demand more narrative storytelling—think “Storybook Night” and “Villains’ Ball.” For contestants, that translates into tighter rehearsals, deeper character work, and, inevitably, more pressure on the judges’ scoring.
Looking Back: Disney Themes in Past Seasons
Disney‑themed nights aren’t new to *Dancing with the Stars*. Season 30’s “Magic Kingdom” episode in 2022 saw the legendary duo Emmitt and Cheryl earn a perfect 30, while Season 25’s “Fairytale” night sparked a wave of viral performances that still circulate on TikTok. Those historic moments prove that Disney provides a double‑edged sword: it can elevate a routine to iconic status or expose flaws under the spotlight of nostalgia.
Comparatively, the 2025 Disney Night delivered a broader mix of film and park inspirations, from classic animated features to the newer Tiana’s Bayou Adventure—showcasing the franchise’s evolving portfolio. Industry analysts suggest that the integration of newer attractions signals the show’s intent to stay current with Disney’s own content pipeline, a move that could attract younger viewers who follow Disney’s streaming releases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Hilaria Baldwin eliminated despite a relatively high score?
Hilaria and Gleb earned 23 points, but the judges’ split (8, 7, 8) reflected concerns about timing and technical execution. When paired with the lowest‑scoring couples, their total placed them just above the elimination line, and the final judges’ vote tipped the balance toward elimination.
How do Disney‑themed weeks typically affect the competition?
Disney weeks often raise the performance bar because contestants must blend storytelling with technical dance. Historically, those who master the narrative element, like Emmitt Smith in 2022, jump to the top of the leaderboard, while weaker storytelling can hurt even strong dancers.
What’s the schedule for the remaining episodes of Season 34?
After Disney Night on Oct. 7, Dedication Night airs Oct. 14, followed by Wicked Night on Oct. 21. The season will continue with a new theme each week, culminating in the finale on Dec. 2, 2025.
Who are the current front‑runners for the title?
Whitney and Mark sit atop the scoreboard with a 25‑point Foxtrot, while Alix & Val and Jordan & Ezra trail closely with 24. Their consistency this week suggests they’re the strongest contenders heading into the final stretch.
Will the judges’ scoring criteria change for upcoming themed nights?
The judges have indicated they’ll keep the core technical criteria—timing, footwork, and partner connection—but will weigh storytelling and thematic integration more heavily during special‑theme episodes like the upcoming Dedication Night.
