“The Force… it’s calling to you.”
Beginning January 5, 2016, a new celebration of the Star Wars film franchise will kick off at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Season of the Force!
Star Wars
Now, some new components will actually be added to the park starting December 1, 2015, such as scene enhancements to the Star Tours attraction, and a new version of the Jedi Training Academy: Trials of the Temple. The brand new Star Wars Launch Bay will also debut in Animation Courtyard, which will include character meet-and-greets, interactive video games, and opportunities to check out memorabilia and replicas of Star Wars artifacts. Oh, and some merchandise may be up for grabs, too ;).
Star Wars Launch Bay Concept Art ©Disney/Lucasfilm
Guests will even have a chance to check out The Cantina in the Launch Bay (not the be confused with the The Cantina restaurant that will open in the Studios when Star Wars Land opens). According to Disney, “This setting, inspired by the unsavory ‘hives of scum and villainy’ in the Star Wars galaxy, is a fun place to explore and take photos near elements of the cantina, such as a holochess table. Holochess is a game seen in Star Wars.” (<— Ha ha ha ha!!!)
After the new year, however, the Force will be felt all around the Studios, with the official launch of Season of the Force in full… which will include Star Wars-themed food! Specialty items will be available in various areas around the park. A BB-8 Lemon and Buttercream Cupcake, Blue Milk Panna Cotta, Padawan Limeade, and a Han Solo Kid’s meal with a souvenir bucket are all anticipated.
New Star Wars Experiences
Also starting January 5th, some evenings will feature “Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular” fireworks display set to — of course — the epic music of Star Wars. Soon, guests will be able to purchase admission to a Premium Package Dessert Party accompanying the fireworks. While full details have not yet been released (we’ll keep you posted when they do), we know the package will include themed desserts and specialty drinks as well as a souvenir stein featuring everyone’s favorite Wookie, Chewbacca.
Chewbacca souvenir stein
All this, mind you, under the eyes of First Order Stormtroopers that will be on watch around the park. They’ll be on the hunt to find members of the Resistance, so be sure to choose your side before your next visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2016!
Are you looking forward to the Season of the Force? Please let us know with a comment!
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We were just there last week and I was so bummed as the Art of Animation store we always go to has disappeared to make way for the “Launch Bay”!! We like to buy the hand painted cels and speak with the artists but they were gone. I hope they will once again have a home once they figure out all the Star Wars stuff. Some cels were still for sale a way over in the Muppets store, but no artists on hand. Now don’t get me wrong, my family is super excited about all the new Star Wars experiences, but I was a little disappointed.
I’m really happy for the Star Wars fans and I think I’ll enjoy seeing the actual land with all of the characters in it, but I hope it doesn’t kill too much of the ‘Hollywood’ feeling and overall ‘Golden film years’ theme of the studio itself.
On the Star Wars Launch Bay Concept Art aren’t they about 10,000 people short?
Does anyone, I mean anyone, really believe there will only be a handful of people in there at a time?
Well as I have said on the Disney Blog, with the cancelation of Star Wars Weekends and the Osborne Lights there’s little reason to go here in 2016. It’s a half day park for the foreseeable future. Next month looks good.
It’s being reported on other sites that Disney is no longer using the name “Season of the Force” for things happening at DHS. For example, in the Nov. 9th official Disney blog posts about Star Wars things opening in the parks they only use SotF on the DLR events, not in post about DHS.
Was just at Disneyland the other day, and they have all-new food at Tomorrowland Terrace. I had a Darth by Chocolate, which was topped with a chocolate Darth head and a tiny chocolate lightsaber, too cute! They also have a burger that comes in a box that looks like Han Solo in carbonite 🙂
As a HUGE fan of both Walt Disney World and Star Wars I’m thrilled to see this happen. We have to wait for a full land so this is a great way to quickly get good Star Wars content into the Studios. As a Star Wars blogger I can’t wait to report back about the experience when my wife and I go at the end of January 2016. Now, if only I can convince her to cancel our Wishes Dessert Party for the Star Wars one! #MTFBWY
I don’t know about you guys, but I wish they had announced this earlier, we were all set for our may vacation, this seems like a bit of short notice for any star wars family trying to plan ahead.
Any word about special Star Wars foods for the Star Wars at Sea cruises?
The Chase Disney Visa monthly publication put this out a few months ago, but as of two weeks ago no one at Disney World would admit that the Star Wars fireworks show existed. Everything requires reservations months in advance, and I’m willing to adapt to that so long as they will let me know in enough time to do it. We will be there in late February and early March, perfect timing for these events, but I was unable to make reservations by phone because the events didn’t exist. We would have scheduled around this fireworks dessert party, but now it’s too late to get into the existing reservations.
Emmett — We just published this news post about Booking Now Available for Star Wars Fireworks Dessert Party in Disney World. I hope you can somehow get a spot. Good luck!
Does anyone know – will Fantasmic still be on during this time? we are 52 days out and have booked Fastpass+ for Fantasmic but that was before they announced the Star Wars evening fireworks and dessert party.
Tracy, we will be there about the same time as you, and I had the same question about Fantasmic and the Star Wars Symphony in the Stars fireworks. I asked them at Disney about it, and some evenings they will have Fantasmic at 7pm, and some evenings will have an additional 830 Fantasmic showing. The Star Wars fireworks will be displayed later, closer to park closing time. We are trying to go to Fantasmic as well as the Star Wars Dessert party all in one evening. They are just now loading the times for all of these on the WDW website. Hope you have fun on your visit!