**Official** Star Wars at DHS, Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party/Galactic Nights/Launch Bay/JT

[soniam]

Well, I guess I'm late to the funeral. I am very disappointed; however, I guess deep down I knew it was coming. I have been planning our trip for June since April of this year. It would have been our first SWW. However, I am trying to be a glass half full person right now. Although, I am not sure if it's full of broken glass shards or blue milk We have a backup plan for a March trip. I just hope they announce the end dates for the fireworks soon, so I can decide if it's worth it to go in March instead of June I am at least grateful that they announced it this soon, instead of waiting until the week after I got up at 3am PST the morning of our best friend's wedding to book ADRs. Luckily, my family is taking it pretty well. I have kept a lot of SWW info from them as a surprise, so I don't think they totally know what they are missing. I really feel for the regular SWW attendees, the 501st participants, and the CMs involved. I know these people are going to be the most affected.

I appreciate everyone's camaraderie and advice on this thread. A very special loud shout out goes to @yulilin3 for her tireless and exuberant efforts. If they end up doing any dessert parties or special meals for SOTF, we could do a roll call for that. However, I know it won't be the same. I guess I should just be thankful that I still will get to go to Disney one way or the other.

 

[soniam]

Why would there be FP+ for Launch Bay? I thought it was just an area for photo ops, a chance to buy lots of stuff, and a meet & greet? I'm curious since it will be open during our trip and I wasn't planning on using a FP for it, but now I'm wondering if we need to rethink our plans?

It doesn't look like FP+ will be offered, unless of course they change their minds, which is completely unheard of It opens 12/1. I think it will remain open until either they need to close it for Toy Story Land expansion (not sure if they need to do this or not) or until closer to SW Land opening.

I'm unclear whether the Darth Vader and Chewie "meets" are your traditional character meet and greets, or something else. Does anyone have a sense of this? Thank you in advance for any further insight!

I think it will be like regular M&G. What do you think would be different about it? It may or may not use FP+, probably not. There is also supposed to be a Vader M&G for Chase card holders. I don't know if this will be at special times, or if there will be multiple Vader M&G at the same time.

 

[xApril]

I'm so thankful that I was introduced to the event two years ago. I had gone for my first time about 4 years back, but I didn't really experience the event - just walked around and saw the characters and thought, "oh, that's it?" but I was lucky enough to have someone show me the event 2 years ago and I was hooked. I'm glad I got to have my two years and I'm thankful for this thread. I checked it every day during SWW and I have checked this one every day since it was posted.

Thank you to Yulady for all the information and for always being such a sweetheart whenever I run into you. It's people like you that really made this event special for me.

It doesn't say the event is cancelled for good, so maybe, just maybe, one day we can have SWW again in some form.

 

[1supermomsmd]

[I think it will be like regular M&G. What do you think would be different about it? It may or may not use FP+, probably not. There is also supposed to be a Vader M&G for Chase card holders. I don't know if this will be at special times, or if there will be multiple Vader M&G at the same time.[/QUOTE]

Many thanks Soniam!!! I saw some reference on the thread about cardboard cutouts - probably a bit of sarcasm - but didn't see traditional Disney meet & greet language. So made me wonder if it might be the Aurasma type of photo ops they had for Frozen.

As for the "Chase" M&G for Vader, I had not seen that previously. I would appreciate that!!! Would love to hear more about this once folks know/speculate about anything.

 

[ArchOwl]

I am a DL vet, total WDW newbie. A friend was interested in SWW, so I was playing around on the WDW side of things a couple weeks ago. Just TODAY I received this in the mail. Wow, total Disney fail.

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

I noticed this on the Dibb for January FP:

Meet Chewbacca at Star Wars Launch Bay - Closed

 

[Jfsag123]

I can definitely see them adding the SW character meets as FP+ options in a park that is lacking in FP+ options.

As predicted, DS was heartbroken when I told him. He then asked me to take a picture of his tear-stained face to send to Disney to show them how upset he is. Don't think they'll care, bud, but it's a nice thought.

 

[Planogirl]

I really wish that Disney would have handled this more like the Osborne Lights. Announce when there will be a last SWW and then really play it up. This almost seems like a last minute decision.

 

[gismo1554]

I am not surprised but I wouldn't give up hope that it wont be back once the rennovations are done. There is nothing to say it wont return especially seeing as it hasn't had a grand farewell year. I wonder if the year SW opens in the park they will do a farewell SWW as an opening maybe.

 

[yulilin3]

I'm trying to get caught up on this thread & I join with everyone in how disappointed my family is with the cancellation of SWW, not only because it was quickly becoming a favorite family tradition for us, but the depth of the disappointment mainly hits strongest because of the poor communication & planning on Disney's part. Surely these weekends make Disney a ton of money, I would venture to guess far more than Osborne lights. That being said, one would have thought it would only be in everyone's interest to pay it forward a little to those customers that pay that money out in the form of warning of a last year, or even earlier announcement at D23 given the knowledge that many book a year in advance.

A big thank you to Yulady, you have been a tremendous help over the years. Your time & energy in putting all of this information together was spectacular.

I'm left with a few questions perhaps someone could help with. I apologize if I missed the answers in the pages from the announcement. From what I gather we think SoTF is still happening in WDW, but they just haven't officially posted the dates (even though they did earlier & then took them down), correct? Was it omitted from the things to come in the blog? I missed it.

I know the thought is that Launch Bay may have a soft opening 11/27-28. Would that likely mean it would be open to the public after that? I thought I saw someone say Launch Bay may be FP+?

For those of us who have purchased the SW movie event, is the thought now that all that will be included for this event is the preview to the movie a day early (which you can't guarantee your party will sit together unless you wait all day in line), after-hours viewing of the Launch Bay (which on 12/17, might already be open & a FP+ option?), after-hours viewing of the new Star Tours scene (which is a FP+ option already), a dance party, & a commemorative ticket? Is that right?

thanks for you kind words, as to your questions:
SotF: no mention on the blog post at all but it still looks like it will start some time in January.
Soft Opening of Launch Bay looks like it will be Nov 27th, with a soft opening you never know if they would leave it open all day everyday or not. Official opening is Dec. 1st so I would imagine they would just leave it open.
Special Movie Party: I really don't know if they will add special stuff to what was already announced, I sure hope so or else they will have another ticket refund nightmare on their hands

OK, I swear that the page for Launch Bay said "Fastpass offered" when I looked earlier. But now it does not. So that was either fixed or they want to open the FP+ secretly.

It did say fp+ would be offered, I guess that was leftover from when Minnie was in there and she had fp+ for about a month

When is Launch Bay opening? I don't expect much from that but at least it's a new attraction to help w/ the closed attractions

Like Mesaboy said, Dec. 1st. I will still keep the first pages updated with all the info so go there to see any news

More like we are the loyal puppies who just got kicked and can't understand why we were bad guys.

totally agree, I feel like I got punched in the guts

Is there a possibility that they would do a dessert party for the fireworks during the SotF? Or a Star Wars character meal or something? Is it possible they have some surprises they haven't announced yet for the SotF, or is what they've announced most likely all there will be?

It's possible that a dessert party might be offered. Character meals are a bit more iffy, the only option for that would be if they bring back Rebel Hangar. No character dining at H&V or Sci Fi at this point
They can always add things to SotF, the point is that they haven't announced so I hope they include ALL the details when they do

Why would there be FP+ for Launch Bay? I thought it was just an area for photo ops, a chance to buy lots of stuff, and a meet & greet? I'm curious since it will be open during our trip and I wasn't planning on using a FP for it, but now I'm wondering if we need to rethink our plans?

It showed when they first opened the LB page that it would and like I said the Minnie meet and greet had fp+ for like a month. But after I and other people asked on the blog post they promptly fixed it.

I'm unclear whether the Darth Vader and Chewie "meets" are your traditional character meet and greets, or something else. Does anyone have a sense of this? Thank you in advance for any further insight!

They look like traditional meet and greets, I have been told by several people in entertainment there will be multiple rooms so the wait shouldn't be that bad. I've also been told that there might be other characters but that hasn't been confirmed at all

I really wish that Disney would have handled this more like the Osborne Lights. Announce when there will be a last SWW and then really play it up. This almost seems like a last minute decision.

It does, at least with the O-Lights we got to say a proper goodbye

 

[LoKiHB]

If you think it's a crappy replacement, why do you want to change your days? We changed ours cuz it sounds cool. The timing fell into our lap for having a December trip! It's not a SWW, but it wasn't there at all a few days ago and it sounds like they've added a few SW things to check out at HS that weren't there before.

Why does Launch Bay have to be a wonder? It's an interim stop gap to create some SW hype at HS while they do construction. We don't know what sort of May-The-4th party they'll have when this construction nears completion.

Because my son is 9 and is very upset that his tenth birthday is now ruined, and since we will be cancelling our May trip, he wants to see it because Star Wars is his favorite thing in the world. I have zero desire to see it.

 

[hauntedcity]

Very disappointing, but not too surprising.

I'm so glad that we got to attend last year. And a HUGE THANK YOU to @yulilin3 and everyone else who contributed to last year's thread, because we had THE BEST DISNEY TRIP EVER (tm)!

Doug

 

[lovethattink]

I just FP+ Star Tours for that day (Black Friday) just to be safe (and on the 1st). It took a few tries to get FP options that were not Frozen Sing-a-long. I wish there was an option in the app to remove rides I have no intentions of ever doing. I was planning on being at MK (Black Friday) for a Star Wars Podcast meet up, guess I'll be park hopping it to DHS too.

You know that Ashley is signing from 2 to 4 on Nov 27 and 28, at Watto's Grotto, right? It's a merchandising event. We'll keep our eyes out for you. We did the same with FP+, just in case! No worries, we'll go see the Frozen sing-along for you

http://www.disneyparksmerchandise.com/events/artist-showcase-with-ashley-eckstein/?instance_id=

If you think it's a crappy replacement, why do you want to change your days? We changed ours cuz it sounds cool. The timing fell into our lap for having a December trip! It's not a SWW, but it wasn't there at all a few days ago and it sounds like they've added a few SW things to check out at HS that weren't there before.

Why does Launch Bay have to be a wonder? It's an interim stop gap to create some SW hype at HS while they do construction. We don't know what sort of May-The-4th party they'll have when this construction nears completion.

They have only ever had one May the 4th party that I can remember. However, last year, they had 501st marching around the park and it was very cool! Also had some special merchandise released. Vader cupcakes and specialty drinks.

Because my son is 9 and is very upset that his tenth birthday is now ruined, and since we will be cancelling our May trip, he wants to see it because Star Wars is his favorite thing in the world. I have zero desire to see it.

Yesterday, my son felt his whole life was ruined. I'm trying to minimize the impact of yesterday's announcement by focusing on all the new Star Wars coming to DHS. Everything sounds absolutely perfect for pre-teens! And as an adult, my husband and I are pretty excited to see what Nov/Dec/Jan bring to DHS! Being winter for Season of the Force works great for us since ds can't control his body temperature!

 

[yulilin3]

I had to write a post on my blog about this. I've been told I can't post links to it directly so I guess you can just click on the link in my signature, even though I make no money from people reading my blog.

 

[msmama]

I still think that SeasonS of the force means that it's something they are going to do more than once. Otherwise, it'd just be Season of the force (no s). May be the grammar nerd in me, but I have a hard time thinking Disney wouldn't milk the Star Wars cash cow for all it's worth.

They KNOW that people want SWW. I may be in the minority, but I think that they really just thought they couldn't do it well with whatever is going to be happening at HS next summer. I'd be SHOCKED if it turns out there was nothing more than whatever they've got going on in Janurary for next year!!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Not that this will go anywhere... but I think Disney really handled this incredibly badly.

• They should have had their act together enough to announce this at D23 when they made other announcements.
• Barring that, they COULD HAVE announced this before opening up the SW Dark Side Half for those who might have picked that INSTEAD of a May/June trip had they known there would be no SWW!!
• Barring even THAT, they could have at least placed "TBD" language on their website rather than "Coming Summer 2016!"
• Then the cherry on top, CM's putting confirmation of the event IN WRITING to people whose trips were ENTIRELY planned around the event.

It always bugs me that they expect people to plan trips 6mos. out... DVC members to plan them 7mos. or 11 mos. out, and they disregard those timelines when they announce events.

We're not selling our DVC points, swearing off WDW, or mounting a demonstration in Times Square, but we are pretty cranky about this. Cranky about no SWW but CRANKIER about how they mishandled this.

I was suspicious when SWW wasn't mentioned at D23 and posted about that here way back when. But without their confirmation, we still made plans just in case... and NOTHING they did officially gave a sense that we shouldn't.

As always, the sun doesn't rise or set around any one Disney fan constituency. Force Awakens will do fine, WDW will do fine, and Disney will do fine. I still think that Disney should have more respect for people and the timeline on which they need to plan their trips. That would only be good business.

 

[Cluelyss]

I agree (maybe wishful thinking?) about the use of Season vs Seasons. Hoping this continues along the same lines as the new Minnie dinners, and they have new offerings seasonally. Coincidentally, the initial "season" for Minnie's Dine is Jan - Mar, so maybe that's all they're releasing for now?? One can hope, right?

I still think that SeasonS of the force means that it's something they are going to do more than once. Otherwise, it'd just be Season of the force (no s). May be the grammar nerd in me, but I have a hard time thinking Disney wouldn't milk the Star Wars cash cow for all it's worth.

They KNOW that people want SWW. I may be in the minority, but I think that they really just thought they couldn't do it well with whatever is going to be happening at HS next summer. I'd be SHOCKED if it turns out there was nothing more than whatever they've got going on in Janurary for next year!!

 

[LoKiHB]

You know that Ashley is signing from 2 to 4 on Nov 27 and 28, at Watto's Grotto, right? It's a merchandising event. We'll keep our eyes out for you. We did the same with FP+, just in case! No worries, we'll go see the Frozen sing-along for you

http://www.disneyparksmerchandise.com/events/artist-showcase-with-ashley-eckstein/?instance_id=




They have only ever had one May the 4th party that I can remember. However, last year, they had 501st marching around the park and it was very cool! Also had some special merchandise released. Vader cupcakes and specialty drinks.



Yesterday, my son felt his whole life was ruined. I'm trying to minimize the impact of yesterday's announcement by focusing on all the new Star Wars coming to DHS. Everything sounds absolutely perfect for pre-teens! And as an adult, my husband and I are pretty excited to see what Nov/Dec/Jan bring to DHS! Being winter for Season of the Force works great for us since ds can't control his body temperature!

I feel your pain. The look on my son's face broke my heart. You are right. The new Star Wars stuff sounds good for the kids, unfortunately, we will be there in two weeks and while I will make sure to take him to see it, it will still be upsetting. My son is going to be 10. This was going to be our big SWW trip. All out. All the character meals, all the experiences, nothing left undone. For me, this was our last big hurrah before he got too cool to hang out with Dad anymore.

I'm very happy though that it will work out for you and your son! I'm always thrilled to see young kids experience Star Wars in any form.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Many members of 501st have been chatting it up... some believe if Disney brings some sort of SW event back it will not be nearly as big as SWW has been... and there are others that believe Disney will not involve the 501st / Rebel Legion in the new future events, stating that they simply don't need us anymore.

I for one am so very thankful I got to march this year, and dying a little inside thinking of how wonderful it was and how much I looked forward to doing it again in 2016... I am thankful I at least got to feel that exhilaration of marching once in my life time… and I couldn’t have even imagined how it felt to do so, it's only a feeling you know by dressing in that costume, and being cheered at by hundreds of fellow Star Wars loving fans that are just joyfully happy about Star Wars as you are. There is nothing like it in the whole world… Being there at Disney in the midst of all that happiness heightened by Star Wars Fans is beyond exhilarating. Why, because Star Wars spans all, race, gender, religion and age… Star Wars Fans are the melting pot we all wish the world would become, and for a moment in the Happiest Place on Earth is feels like paradise.

My apologies for not coming by sooner and mourning our loss… it is a loss, it may sound crazy to say it like that but all of us on this board/thread know how much this event and our community is a HUGE part of our lives. I have been hesitant to come out and get back on the boards this year, fearful of this announcement. I have come to know many of you out here, not just online but in person, and I adore you all.

Huge Hugs to my DISboard Star Wars family…

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

For me, this was our last big hurrah before he got too cool to hang out with Dad anymore.

I TOTALLY get it! My son is turning 11 in Feb. That said... A SW fan is NEVER too old to hang out with fellow SW fans... ... even if that fellow fan is Dad. At least that's what I'm counting on...