With new movies still being released, the Star Wars franchise now has generations of fans. Disney isn't all Mickey and Minnie and Jessica is here with some out of this world Star Wars fun for the Jedi in all of us.
Since George Lucas and Disney first opened Star Tours at Disneyland Park in 1987, Star Wars and Disney Parks have gone together like peanut butter and jelly. With Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge soon to open on both coasts, Walt Disney World has become the premiere location to attend galactic themed events. Here’s your galactic guide to everything coming soon in addition to the daily experiences at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
Star Wars: Galactic Nights
2017 was a lucky year for Star Wars fans at Walt Disney World as we got TWO Galactic Nights celebrations. The first was in April, the second was the weekend of The Last Jedi premiere: December 17th. Merry Sithmas! Boasting Star Wars themed food, drink and fireworks, as well as some very special guests and insider panels, it was announced that Galactic Nights would be returning in 2018 to coincide with the release of Solo: A Star Wars Story. This special ticketed event will be held on May 27, from 7pm to midnight.
Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire by ILMxLAB and The VOID
Another exciting event recently added to Walt Disney World during the weekend of The Last Jedi premiere is a brand new hyper reality experience at Disney Springs, as well as Downtown Disney in Disneyland. You'll be transported deep into the Star Wars universe as Stormtroopers sent to steal Imperial intelligence. This experience opened in December 2017 at Disney Springs and tickets are available now.
runDisney :The Darkside Half Marathon Weekend
Although Disneyland has temporarily suspended all runDisney events, you can still sign up for this year’s Dark Side Half Marathon taking place at Walt Disney World from April 19 – April 22nd, 2018! This race weekend offers everything from Kids races, a 5k, 10k and half marathon. As always there will be plenty of Star Wars characters to meet along the course as you complete your First Order training with Captain Phasma and Kylo Ren through the parks!
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
More information was revealed during this past December’s Galactic Nights event but at last year’s Star Wars Celebration, Lucasfilm and Disney Parks made their first reveal of what we can expect! The 14 acre project will open in 2019 – the current project schedule has Disneyland opening first, followed by Disney’s Hollywood Studios a few months later. Imagineers are still hard at work creating this brand new planet, called Batuu. You can expect to create your very own “Star Wars story” through a number of interactive experiences – many of which will carry over to the Star Wars themed onsite hotel at Walt Disney World(opening date and location have not been announced). In your Star Wars story you may choose to join the Resistance, the First Order or even become a smuggler. And, of course, you will finally get to realize everyone’s childhood dream of piloting the Millennium Falcon! At Galactic Nights it was revealed that scale, real world versions of X-Wing fighters and the Millennium Falcon were coming. This will be an immersive experience unlike any other, every detail will transport you to Batuu, down to the blue and green milk. If last year’s newest addition to Walt Disney World Pandora: The World of Avatar is anything to go by, you should start planning your 2019 trip to Galaxy’s Edge right now!
Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple
This is one of the most popular experiences for kids ages 4-12 at Hollywood Studios. Where else can younglings receive light saber instruction from an actual Jedi master and then test out their newly learned skills against Star Wars villains like Darth Vader himself? This free, interactive experience happens hourly, every day(weather permitting) and you can find out more about why you want your kids to take part and how to sign up here.
Star Wars Day At Sea
Yes, we know this isn't actually Walt Disney World, but it's too fun of a sailing for us not to mention! As in years past, this spring you can expect the return of Star Wars Day on select 7 night Caribbean sailings from January – April, 2018! Sail from Port Canaveral with your favorite Star Wars characters and enjoy a week of themed onboard adventures. If your favorite youngling slept in too late for his/her Jedi training at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, don’t worry! You can book a training session to help fight against the Dark Side while you sail to Disney’s beautiful Castaway Cay and watch a beautiful display of fireworks light up the night sky set to John Williams’s iconic score. A must-do for any Star Wars fan! If a cruise this year isn't possible, it was announced that the Star Wars day at sea cruises would be returning in 2019, on select 7 night cruises on the Disney Fantasy from January through early March.
These are just a handful of the Star Wars offerings Disney has. For more information or to get planning a Disney trip or Star Wars day at sea cruise, contact your favorite Marvelous Mouse Travels agent!
