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

[1983DisneyFanatic]

Quick question...if we are not there by 9:10 (9:40 show) will they give my kids' spots away? We are in line for Vader right now and probably have 15 minutes left but want to get this done before the line gets insane.

Did you make it? If you happen to go to Min & Bill's for any Star Wars themed items, could you please ask and report back if the souvenir kids meal is covered under the dining plan?

 

[Lsdolphin]

Ok then, the Symphany in the Stars dessert party has just been posted!

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

For those who have been there - roughly what time of day did you go to LB? How long was the line to get in (posted and actual if you remember) and how long were the lines for Chewie and Vader?

Thanks!

 

[RachaelA]

We went at 2:15 yesterday. 20 minutes for the movie. We skipped it. Vader said 25 chewy said 30. We did the visa m&g and regret just not doing the regular line. We waited 25 and it was so hot. We waited 15 for chewy. Traded with the jawas.

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

WOW! What a day at HS today!!! We met Chewey and Darth (both under 5 minute wait!!) And my kids both made Jedi Training and faught against Darth Vader!!!! On top of that, Storm Troopers were walking around the entire area in front of Launch Bay talking to the kids!! It was such an amazing day and I'm so happy we changed our plans to go to HS a second time to take part in all the Star Wars fun!!!!!

For those looking to do Jedi Training, we were there a half hour past park opening and the earliest time available was 11:40, so there's plenty of room even if you're not there exactly at rope drop. They said there are now two stages, and each class has 15 children. Definitely worth the time!

Thank you to all those that have posted and helped us out! Enjoy!!!!!

Can I ask about what time you were at the meet n greets? I am trying to figure my HS day, and was hoping for a late arrival (10-11) since we'll be there until fireworks in January. Under 5 minutes I like!

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

For those who have been there - roughly what time of day did you go to LB? How long was the line to get in (posted and actual if you remember) and how long were the lines for Chewie and Vader?

Thanks!

We went at 2:15 yesterday. 20 minutes for the movie. We skipped it. Vader said 25 chewy said 30. We did the visa m&g and regret just not doing the regular line. We waited 25 and it was so hot. We waited 15 for chewy. Traded with the jawas.

Great minds??

 

[likesdisney]

If I was to get to HS early on a Sunday afternoon probably 130/2, what can I expect from Launch Bay? Hoping to get a couple hours or so in maybe have lunch at Backlot express and go to Launch Bay. I will have to head back to hotel at about 430/5 so I can be back in time for dinner reservation at 6. This sound possible?

 

[*MomTo2Princesses*]

Did you make it? If you happen to go to Min & Bill's for any Star Wars themed items, could you please ask and report back if the souvenir kids meal is covered under the dining plan?

We are already back at the resort. So sorry I don't have this information for you!

 

[*MomTo2Princesses*]

If I was to get to HS early on a Sunday afternoon probably 130/2, what can I expect from Launch Bay? Hoping to get a couple hours or so in maybe have lunch at Backlot express and go to Launch Bay. I will have to head back to hotel at about 430/5 so I can be back in time for dinner reservation at 6. This sound possible?

We just left Launch Bay about 20 mins ago. It's 1:30 right now and when we left both meet and greets were only 30 mins. I don't think that's bad at all with it being Saturday and EMH day. It really depends on the day, but it sounds doable to me!

 

[Iowamomof4]

It will be interesting to see how things change wrt the M/G times as we go forward. At this point, most people already had their trips planned with each day already pre-determined. How might things change as we get a month into Launch Bay and people begin to arrive at WDW having made plans that include attending LB and JTA as well as other new things at DHS? My guess is wait times will increase.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

It will be interesting to see how things change wrt the M/G times as we go forward. At this point, most people already had their trips planned with each day already pre-determined. How might things change as we get a month into Launch Bay and people begin to arrive at WDW having made plans that include attending LB and JTA as well as other new things at DHS? My guess is wait times will increase.

I was wondering about this too, but then again I am always surprised by how many people DON'T really plan their days!! Maybe it won't be that drastic a change??

 

[nuzmom]

We leave this Monday am!!! I'm feeling a bit ripped off over the opening night after hours event... if I knew then what I know now - we would have just bought opening night tickets. I sure hope we're not totally disappointed, but if I am, I will be asking for a partial refund. If it's "not crowded" and we get pictures with lots of characters, get to ride Star Tours without much of a wait, and view the fireworks without being packed in - then it will be worth it.

 

[lovethattink]

We leave this Monday am!!! I'm feeling a bit ripped off over the opening night after hours event... if I knew then what I know now - we would have just bought opening night tickets. I sure hope we're not totally disappointed, but if I am, I will be asking for a partial refund. If it's "not crowded" and we get pictures with lots of characters, get to ride Star Tours without much of a wait, and view the fireworks without being packed in - then it will be worth it.

Those were all things I took into consideration when we decided not to go with the package. I had a gut feeling Launch Bay would open before the release of the movie. Figured there had to at least be soft openings and if not I'd catch it another time. But the main deciding factor was not having assigned seats and reading about Disney Springs opening in the morning for people to line up.

 

[LoKiHB]

here's my post with lots of pic, a video of the stormtrooppers and my thoughts...A post on the JT to come, no video of the show because I already saw some on youtube, no point taking the same video.
http://parksintransition.weebly.com/blog/launch-bay-at-disneys-hollywood-studios
@Good Morning Dewdrop and anyone else wanting to translate, there are tons of Aurebesh in here. Have fun

Just read your blog post. It was great as usual @yulilin3.

We just got back from what I would have to say was not our most magical Disney Vacation ever- two of the four of us ended up at Urgent Care, and something seemed to definitely be missing from this trip, even with Christmas all around us. Animal Kingdom Lodge is incredible, and seeing giraffes outside my room was awesome. Perhaps it was the realization that I won't be returning in May for SWW combined with all the other stuff going on in our family right now. However... that's another post for another thread...

We were at DHS on 11/27 briefly (before the first urgent care trip, lol) and again on 11/30. So if there were any soft openings we missed them. I had planned on taking my oldest to check out LB this past Thursday, our last day, but we got caught up at MK shopping on Main Street, and we didn't get to the buses until a little before 6:20. Even taking the monorail to The Contemporary and even if a bus was waiting, there was no chance of getting to DHS before 7, but I digress...

Yuli, thanks for the review. On the one hand, I knew if I went to see it, I would be disappointed. Not because I expected more, but because of the fact that this is the best Disney felt to offer the die hard SWW fans. On the other hand, I had that nagging feeling of "what if I underestimated it, and it's really awesome???". I know now that I didn't. I agree 100% that AP holders and regulars will not visit LB more than a couple of times. I can definitely see this attraction fading away after the Episode VII hype dies down. That being said, I can also see Disney changing just enough of it and marketing it like the next huge thing just to get more bodies in the door. By Spring, Launch Bay will be a no wait walk in, with the only lines being for Vader and Chewie.

Like I said, I am looking forward to the new SWL as much as anyone else, but I am still hugely disappointed that I'll never get to experience one last SWW with my oldest, and that by the time SWL is done, it won't be the same experience.

Sorry, just not feeling very "Disney Positive" lately, and to be honest, I can't blame it solely on Disney, so I'll chalk this last week up to bad timing, and ride out the no SWW blues, and hope the magic returns full force come October...

And of course, whatever you are celebrating... Happy Holidays to everyone here!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

here's my post with lots of pic, a video of the stormtrooppers and my thoughts...A post on the JT to come, no video of the show because I already saw some on youtube, no point taking the same video.
http://parksintransition.weebly.com/blog/launch-bay-at-disneys-hollywood-studios
@Good Morning Dewdrop and anyone else wanting to translate, there are tons of Aurebesh in here. Have fun

Just had a chance to read this -- thanks for sharing it! Sounds a lot like what I expected from Disney's official descriptions.

I would never expect this to be the kind of thing AP holders keep returning to, and I don't expect it to equal SWW -- certainly not alone !! -- and not even with the other new offerings.

Like I said before, I see this as a temporary stop gap between now and SWL. I'm still disappointed they didn't opt for at least one final SWW.

With all that said, we're still looking forward to SotF in DL in Jan, and hope at least most of the DHS stuff sticks around for our Apr Dark Side Half trip.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Just read your blog post. It was great as usual @yulilin3.

We just got back from what I would have to say was not our most magical Disney Vacation ever- two of the four of us ended up at Urgent Care, and something seemed to definitely be missing from this trip, even with Christmas all around us. Animal Kingdom Lodge is incredible, and seeing giraffes outside my room was awesome. Perhaps it was the realization that I won't be returning in May for SWW combined with all the other stuff going on in our family right now. However... that's another post for another thread...

We were at DHS on 11/27 briefly (before the first urgent care trip, lol) and again on 11/30. So if there were any soft openings we missed them. I had planned on taking my oldest to check out LB this past Thursday, our last day, but we got caught up at MK shopping on Main Street, and we didn't get to the buses until a little before 6:20. Even taking the monorail to The Contemporary and even if a bus was waiting, there was no chance of getting to DHS before 7, but I digress...

Yuli, thanks for the review. On the one hand, I knew if I went to see it, I would be disappointed. Not because I expected more, but because of the fact that this is the best Disney felt to offer the die hard SWW fans. On the other hand, I had that nagging feeling of "what if I underestimated it, and it's really awesome???". I know now that I didn't. I agree 100% that AP holders and regulars will not visit LB more than a couple of times. I can definitely see this attraction fading away after the Episode VII hype dies down. That being said, I can also see Disney changing just enough of it and marketing it like the next huge thing just to get more bodies in the door. By Spring, Launch Bay will be a no wait walk in, with the only lines being for Vader and Chewie.

Like I said, I am looking forward to the new SWL as much as anyone else, but I am still hugely disappointed that I'll never get to experience one last SWW with my oldest, and that by the time SWL is done, it won't be the same experience.

Sorry, just not feeling very "Disney Positive" lately, and to be honest, I can't blame it solely on Disney, so I'll chalk this last week up to bad timing, and ride out the no SWW blues, and hope the magic returns full force come October...

And of course, whatever you are celebrating... Happy Holidays to everyone here!

Yikes!! Hope everyone is ok now!! Sorry you didn't have a great trip... I hope that whatever pixie dust wasn't there for you this trip, that it's back in spades in Oct!!

 

[mrsap]

Another Jta question, sparked by anxiety. We are going to DHS tomorrow for EMH. We need to be in one of the first 3 shows. How early should we be there? I was planning on leaving at 7 for 8, but now I'm thinking earlier.

Hey! We were there at 8:30 for what we thought was a 9:00 park opening. They ended up opening at 8, so we were on line at exactly 8:40. By that point they still had plenty of shows left, starting at 11:40 (which we took). They said they made it easier now for more kids to participate (2 stages, 15 kids per stage) and I believe it's every 40 minutes after every hour. You'll be just fine! Enjoy it, it's SO much fun to watch your kids up there!

 

[Sammyjo199]

fireworks times, also change in closing hours for DHS

• 12/18 - Park close changed from 10:00pm to 11:00pm and Fireworks added at 11:00pm
• 12/19 - Park close changed from 10:00pm to 11:00pm and Fireworks added at 11:00pm
• 12/20 - Park close changed from 10:00pm to 11:00pm and Fireworks added at 11:00pm
• 12/21 - Park close changed from 9:00pm to 11:00pm and Fireworks added at 11:00pm
• 12/22 - Park close changed from 9:00pm to 11:00pm and Fireworks added at 11:00pm
• 12/23 - Park close changed from 9:00pm to 11:00pm and Fireworks added at 11:00pm
• 12/24 - Park close changed from 9:00pm to 11:00pm and Fireworks added at 11:00pm
• 12/25 - Park close changed from 11:00pm to midnight and Fireworks added at midnight
• 12/26 - Park close changed from 11:00pm to midnight and Fireworks added at midnight
• 12/27 - Park close changed from 11:00pm to midnight and Fireworks added at midnight
• 12/28 - Park close changed from 11:00pm to midnight and Fireworks added at midnight
• 12/29 - Park close changed from 11:00pm to midnight and Fireworks added at midnight

12/30 - Park close changed from 11:00pm to midnight and Fireworks added at midnight
and with that I bid all of you a great weekend

Is there also an update for January?

 

[yulilin3]

Is there also an update for January?

not from Jan 1st throught Jan 4th.
I have the times for fireworks from Jan 5th through March 19th for the dessert party
January 5 – March 6- 7:00pm – 8:15pm, fireworks are at 8pm.

March 7 – March 12- 7:30pm – 8:45pm, fireworks are at 8:30pm

March 13 – March 19- 8:30pm – 9:45pm, fireworks are at 9:30pm

 

[yulilin3]

Just read your blog post. It was great as usual @yulilin3.

We just got back from what I would have to say was not our most magical Disney Vacation ever- two of the four of us ended up at Urgent Care, and something seemed to definitely be missing from this trip, even with Christmas all around us. Animal Kingdom Lodge is incredible, and seeing giraffes outside my room was awesome. Perhaps it was the realization that I won't be returning in May for SWW combined with all the other stuff going on in our family right now. However... that's another post for another thread...

We were at DHS on 11/27 briefly (before the first urgent care trip, lol) and again on 11/30. So if there were any soft openings we missed them. I had planned on taking my oldest to check out LB this past Thursday, our last day, but we got caught up at MK shopping on Main Street, and we didn't get to the buses until a little before 6:20. Even taking the monorail to The Contemporary and even if a bus was waiting, there was no chance of getting to DHS before 7, but I digress...

Yuli, thanks for the review. On the one hand, I knew if I went to see it, I would be disappointed. Not because I expected more, but because of the fact that this is the best Disney felt to offer the die hard SWW fans. On the other hand, I had that nagging feeling of "what if I underestimated it, and it's really awesome???". I know now that I didn't. I agree 100% that AP holders and regulars will not visit LB more than a couple of times. I can definitely see this attraction fading away after the Episode VII hype dies down. That being said, I can also see Disney changing just enough of it and marketing it like the next huge thing just to get more bodies in the door. By Spring, Launch Bay will be a no wait walk in, with the only lines being for Vader and Chewie.

Like I said, I am looking forward to the new SWL as much as anyone else, but I am still hugely disappointed that I'll never get to experience one last SWW with my oldest, and that by the time SWL is done, it won't be the same experience.

Sorry, just not feeling very "Disney Positive" lately, and to be honest, I can't blame it solely on Disney, so I'll chalk this last week up to bad timing, and ride out the no SWW blues, and hope the magic returns full force come October...

And of course, whatever you are celebrating... Happy Holidays to everyone here!

I'm sorry you had a less than magical time and hope everyone is ok and feeling better.