Week 4 of Dancing with the Stars Season 34 transformed the ballroom into a Disney spectacular. In honor of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, the remaining 11 pairs each danced to songs inspired by beloved Disney films and theme-park attractions.
From Aladdin and The Jungle Book to Zootopia and Ratatouille, the setlist was ambitious and nostalgic. Celebrity contestants embraced the theme with bold costume choices, creative staging, and choreography that leaned heavily into fantasy, drama, and whimsy.
Standout Performances & Judges’ Notes
Jen Affleck & Jan Ravnik
They kicked off the night with a jazz number to “Friend Like Me” (from Aladdin). The judges praised their energy and stage presence, though they nudged Jen to push the complexity in upcoming dances.
Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa
They performed a quickstep to “Special Spice” (from Tiana’s Bayou Adventure). Judges lauded their crisp footwork, noting Jordan’s elegance and commitment to embodying Disney’s spirit.
Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas
Their foxtrot to “The Room Where It Happens” from Hamilton brought Broadway flair to the night. Leavitt’s emotional connection with her daughter in the audience added resonance to the routine.
Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten
They danced a quickstep to the Space Mountain theme. The performance earned praise for its adventurous spirit — the judges said it felt like a ride itself.
Robert Irwin & Witney Carson
They embraced their moment with a cha-cha to “Try Everything” from Zootopia. Named in connection with Robert’s upcoming voice role in Zootopia 2, the dance captured both playfulness and heart. Judges loved his charisma, though encouraged him to smooth out some arm lines.
Andy Richter & Emma Slater
They performed a Viennese Waltz to “Le Festin” (from Ratatouille). The judges acknowledged the risk in song choice, but applauded his willingness to stretch beyond comedic comfort zones.
Hilaria Baldwin & Gleb Savchenko
For Disney Night, they tackled a quickstep to the Star Wars “Cantina Band” — a bold move. The judges recognized her growth, praising her composure, though Derek Hough pushed for more technical polish.
Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy
They leaned into villainy, performing a Viennese Waltz to “Once Upon a Dream” from Maleficent. Alix’s acting and transformation into a darker Disney character struck a chord.
Scott Hoying & Rylee Arnold
They brought High School Musical energy with a salsa to “Bop to the Top.” Judges applauded their confidence and synergy, even as they noted a few moments of tangling in transitions.
Danielle Fishel & Pasha Pashkov
They danced to “I Wan’na Be Like You (The Monkey Song)” from The Jungle Book. The performance was fun, though judges flagged a minor misstep.
Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach
They performed a quickstep to “Life Is a Highway” (from Cars). The judges praised his momentum and how he seemed truly engaged with the storytelling.
The Elimination: Goodbye Hilaria & Gleb
After the performances and scoring, the show revealed the safe couples one by one. The final three facing elimination were Danielle & Pasha, Andy & Emma, and Hilaria & Gleb.
In a surprising turn, Hilaria Baldwin & Gleb Savchenko were eliminated.
In her farewell speech — delivered after grabbing the mic from host Julianne Hough — Hilaria called the experience “incredible” and expressed gratitude to her family, castmates, and fans. Gleb praised her resilience and referred to her as a “superhero.”
Some tension brewed among the judges afterward, as Derek’s call for more technical precision in her routine prompted spirited debate on the panel
What This Means Going Forward
Eliminating a competitor at the Disney-themed pivot shows the high stakes DWTS continues to uphold. Hilaria’s departure shifts the landscape, opening space for fan favorites and underdogs alike to stake their claim.
Next week’s theme is already stirring buzz — with more elaborate staging, emotional storytelling, and performance risks ahead. Watch for surprising character transformations and possibly a celebrity reprisal or two.
If you like, I can also produce a “Top 5 performances of the night” sidebar or social media teasers. Would you like me to add that?
