Many people have been wondering what will happen to the existing Star Wars offerings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios once Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens. Today, Disney provided an update that outlined the adjustments that will be made once Batuu becomes a part of the park.
Star Wars Launch Bay
Star Wars Launch Bay will continue daily operation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios once Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens to the public on August 29th. The only announced operational adjustment will be that Darth Vader will replace Kylo Ren as the Dark Side character meet and greet. Presumably, this is to keep Kylo Ren in the “on planet” storyline, while still giving Launch Bay a baddie for the meet and greet. It’s probably worth noting that the nomenclature of “on planet” and “off planet” is used to describe something that can be found inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge or outside of the land.
One interesting part of the announcement is that Chewbacca will continue to meet in Star Wars Launch Bay. With Chewbacca as a walk around character in Disneyland’s version of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, it would reason that by keeping him in Launch Bay he wouldn’t be found on Batuu to keep some sort of Character integrity. That said, Disney can do whatever they want – even if that means multiple Chewbaccas in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We’re of the opinion that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge only benefits from more characters to give the land a living, breathing feel to it, so we hope that Chewbacca will be found on Batuu.
Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular
The nightly fireworks show for Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular will continue nightly operation. While the show has gone through a lot of “creative changes” over the years, the current iteration barely makes use of the fireworks launch point across World Drive that houses the large shells. Unfortunately, that means that there are very few fireworks of note to speak of. A lot of the fireworks now are rooftop launches, and the show, per Disney, relies on “state-of-the-art projection technology, lasers, lighting, pyrotechnics and other special effects”.
It’s also worth noting that we won’t get the amazing fireworks views in Hollywood Studios that guests enjoy from within Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland. Because of where the fireworks launch from at Hollywood Studios, it’s unlikely that we’ll get the amazing photos of fireworks that we were able to capture from opening night at Disneyland.
March of the First Order
Disney didn’t say anything about March of the First Order, all but sealing the show’s fate of being cut from the entertainment lineup. Fear not though, as we’ll see the return of roaming Stormtroppers when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens on August 29th.
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Disney has stated that Star Tours will stick around once Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens. By keeping the attraction open, Disney is basically conceding that there are off planet experiences that will celebrate the Star Wars saga in general, and there will be on planet experiences that will be tied to a logical storyline and place within the Star Wars universe. By keeping both, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will function as the closest thing we have to a Star Wars theme park.
Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple
In this unforgettable, interactive experience, younglings are guided to the site of a sacred and ancient Jedi temple, where they learn the ways of the Force and face their fears against iconic Star Wars villains, to discover if they have the makings of a true Jedi. There are no announced changes to Jedi Training despite long-standing rumors of its demise.
Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away
This center-stage show will continue daily operation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We’re faced with the same dilemma that we faced with Chewbacca in Star Wars Launch Bay. Either Disney cuts both Chewbacca and Rey from the stage show or Batuu…or they keep them in both places, potentially at the same time.
As you can see, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be the place for Star Wars at Walt Disney World. If you’re preparing for your upcoming trip, check out some of our reviews of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland to get an idea of what you might want to include on your adventure to Batuu in Walt Disney World.
I am also of the opinion that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will only benefit from having more characters to give the land more living and breathing life, Chewbacca will be found on Batuu though I do find it strange that he is still doing meet and greets in the Star Wars Launch Bay.