Week 4 of Dancing With the Stars Season 34 brought the ballroom its most vibrant and theatrical episode yet. In celebration of Disneyland Resort’s 70th anniversary, couples drew inspiration from iconic films, beloved attractions, and songs that shaped generations of fans.
The result was a night of glittering spectacle and heavy emotion.
The highlight of the episode was the show’s mix of nostalgia and competition. Dylan Efron zipped across the floor with a quickstep inspired by Pixar’s Cars, performing to “Life Is a Highway.” His high-energy delivery and visible joy charmed the audience.
Judges noted that his timing had improved significantly since the premiere, placing him among the week’s top earners.
Efron teased a “special” performance coming for Dedication Week, sparking speculation that his brother Zac Efron might make an appearance tied to High School Musical. That tease alone has lit up fan discussions on social media.
Whitney Leavitt proved that technical excellence and artistry can coexist. Her Hamilton-inspired foxtrot to “The Room Where It Happens” earned the season’s first score of 9, setting a new standard for precision and storytelling.
Derek Hough praised her “command of musical phrasing,” while Carrie Ann Inaba described the performance as “regal and powerful.” For a relative newcomer, Leavitt’s rise has been swift, and Week 4 solidified her as one of the season’s strongest contenders.
Elaine Hendrix also turned heads with her quickstep routine based on the Space Mountain theme. Her polished lines and cosmic energy drew admiration. Still, the bigger buzz came after Julianne Hough hinted that Dedication Week might include a reunion between Hendrix and her Parent Trap co-star Lisa Ann Walter.
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The tease instantly went viral, with fans celebrating a potential on-floor appearance marking over two decades since the film that made both actresses household names.
But the night ended with heartbreak. After racking up over 40 million viewer votes, Hilaria Baldwin and partner Gleb Savchenko were eliminated. Their quickstep to the Star Wars “Cantina Band” theme was energetic and charming, but it wasn’t enough to keep them safe.
Savchenko expressed gratitude in a heartfelt farewell, calling Baldwin “a joy to teach and perform with.” The elimination left ten couples remaining, each looking to build emotional momentum going into Dedication Week.
High Scores, Heartfelt Tributes, and a Hint of Legacy
Disney Night wasn’t all cinematic flair; it was also a showcase of personal style. Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik closed the show with a charismatic jazz number to “Friend Like Me” from Aladdin, performing with theatrical vigor and joy.
Their chemistry oozed through every movement, earning strong reviews. Bruno Tonioli called it “a pure showstopper,” while Derek Hough applauded Affleck’s daring mid-routine back walkover.
Meanwhile, Jordan Chiles, the Olympic gymnast turned fan favorite, found her groove with a quickstep inspired by The Princess and the Frog.
Dancing to “Special Spice,” she honored Princess Tiana and celebrated representation on the ballroom floor. Judges applauded her authenticity and her commitment to both character and technique. Julianne Hough called her “a natural storyteller with footwork that mirrors confidence.”
On the scoreboard, the competition tightened dramatically. Leavitt’s near-perfect 27 kept her on top, while Efron and Chiles followed closely at 25.
Robert and Witney, Alix and Val, and Scott and Rylee maintained their safe standings. Viewers were reminded that scores only tell part of the story; charisma, chemistry, and connection often decide who thrives in later weeks.
Beyond the glitter and choreography, this episode captured what makes Dancing With the Stars endure: its careful balance of nostalgia and personal depth. Disney Night wasn’t just a thematic gimmick; it was a love letter to shared memories.
That sense of familiarity took on special meaning as Julianne Hough teased what’s ahead. Dedication Week will focus on personal tributes, whether to family, mentors, or life-changing moments.
From early rehearsals and teaser clips, the episode promises tears, reunions, and some of the most emotionally charged dances the season has ever seen.
Elaine Hendrix is reportedly dedicating her performance to friendship and longevity. Her rumored reunion with Lisa Ann Walter has sparked massive anticipation, a nostalgic moment that could bridge fandoms across generations.
Meanwhile, Dylan Efron’s subtle hints of a family cameo continue fueling online theories. Some believe Zac Efron might appear briefly or lend his voice to the musical segment, delivering a meta homage that would thrill both High School Musical and DWTS loyalists.
Shifting Dynamics and Stories to Watch
Hilaria Baldwin’s exit means the field narrows to ten pairs. Each surviving couple now faces a more emotional and technically demanding chapter. There’s growing tension between entertainers and technicians. The show’s dynamic between contestants is driven by personality versus precision.
Whitney Leavitt enters Week 5 as the dancer to beat. Her consistent growth has caught the judges’ attention, and her social media following has swelled thanks to her refined style and relatability. With only midseason approaching, her position as a frontrunner seems increasingly unshakable.
At the same time, Jordan Chiles’ athletic discipline and storytelling instincts make her a dark horse. Her dancing has evolved rapidly, buoyed by an enthusiastic younger audience rooting for her Olympic-to-ballroom transformation. Fans expect her Dedication Week piece to address perseverance and family, core themes of her gymnastics career.
As for Jen Affleck, her enthusiasm and showmanship shine even when the choreography challenges her. Her Disney Night performance hinted that she’s ready to push beyond comedy and into competitive territory.
The chemistry between her and Jan Ravnik continues to bring a light theatricality to each week’s routines, drawing strong viewer support.
Elaine Hendrix remains the emotional anchor among the celebrity contestants. Her poised performances balance mature charisma with controlled intensity. If Lisa Ann Walter joins her Dedication Week number, it may become one of Season 34’s defining moments.
Longtime fans still associate the pair’s Parent Trap connection with friendship, nostalgia, and empowerment, making this reunion both a ratings magnet and an emotional centerpiece.
And then, there’s the Efron factor. Dylan’s confidence grows weekly, and fans are fixated on his “special performance.”
The theory that his tribute may involve his brother Zac, possibly through music or projection, has created a cross-generational hype unseen since Disney Week itself. Producers have stayed coy, calling his rehearsal package “one of the show’s most personal reveals.”
What to Expect in Dedication Week
As Dancing With the Stars transitions from fantasy to feeling, the tone promises to shift dramatically. Dedication Week often represents the emotional heart of each season, a moment when contestants lay bare their personal connections to dance. Expect stories of resilience, legacy, and love.
Producers hint that set designs will be stripped of elaborate Disney décor in favor of minimalist lighting that highlights emotion.
Judges Julianne Hough and Carrie Ann Inaba emphasize storytelling as the focus of next week’s scoring criteria. Derek Hough, who has often praised vulnerability on the floor, previewed the upcoming episode as “a turning point in the season.”
The stakes could not be higher. With the halfway mark approaching, each celebrity must now balance technical precision with personal sincerity. Audiences respond not just to perfection but to authenticity, and that emotional balance defines how far each contestant will go.
As for fans, anticipation is palpable. Social feeds are buzzing with reunion theories and predictions about which choreography will bring everyone to tears. With tributes to loved ones and mentors shaping many routines, Dedication Week could deliver one of the season’s most memorable nights.
After the glitz of Disney, Dancing With the Stars now pivots to the heart. Whether it’s childhood nostalgia, friendship reunited, or family legacy honored, Season 34 looks set to remind viewers that the ballroom’s true magic isn’t just in sequins or spins; it’s in stories that resonate.
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