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

[yulilin3]

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.

the only thing that might not be here in April are the fireworks, but I really hope they extend them, at least until the race.

 

[yulilin3]

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!

went around 5:45pm Launch Bay movie was about 15 minutes. Chewie was 25 minutes Vader 30 minutes. Met Chewie first and it was around 20 minute wait, waited until around 7:10 pm (with the park closing at 8 pm) for Vader the wait time said 60 minutes but it ended up being 30 minutes

 

[HCinKC]

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 tend to agree...at the very least for JTA. Initially, I was pretty surprised that people were arriving after opening and getting morning slots still. I suppose that makes some sense though since it's been down for a while, and many people probably don't realize it's running again. OTOH, with all of the construction taking over DHS, I have to wonder how many people will skip it altogether. I know the most popular rides are still open, but a lot of people may not want to bother with a visit to a "half day" park under these circumstances. It's hard to say. I know if it were me, I'd be keeping a close eye on reports. We enjoy DHS and would still plan good time there. I sure wouldn't want my oldest to miss the new JTA! OTOH, with the exception of AK, I like to plan mornings at one park, afternoons at another, so we'd likely do one morning and a different afternoon there anyway.

 

[HCinKC]

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

Great detailed review, thanks! I have to agree with previous comments...Chewie looks strange. It's like his head was mashed. His face looks wider and maybe flatter. Definitely weird. Also...the props reminded me about this week's Rebels...Ashoka's lightsabers...loved. them. I'd love to get some backstory on what she's been doing all this time, and how she ended up with those sabers.

 

[lovethattink]

Great detailed review, thanks! I have to agree with previous comments...Chewie looks strange. It's like his head was mashed. His face looks wider and maybe flatter. Definitely weird. Also...the props reminded me about this week's Rebels...Ashoka's lightsabers...loved. them. I'd love to get some backstory on what she's been doing all this time, and how she ended up with those sabers.

My son asked asked Ashley questions about the show. Her lips were sealed. Guess we all have to watch and see what happens. My husband was thinking from Ventress but my son said then how'd they get gray?

 

[Jawa Livin]

Can't wait to check the Launch Bay out this week! Are the personalize Aurebesh name tags being sold anywhere at HS? I saw they are being sold at DL and I collect them, wanted to add some new ones to my collection. Thanks!

 

[xApril]

Can't wait to check the Launch Bay out this week! Are the personalize Aurebesh name tags being sold anywhere at HS? I saw they are being sold at DL and I collect them, wanted to add some new ones to my collection. Thanks!

They have them at Watto's Grotto. There's 4 different ones to choose from. One passholder one and then three normal ones.

I went to Launch Bay for my first time yesterday. We got there shortly after 3:10pm. The movie was about a 30 minute wait, Vader at 40, and Chewie at about 30. We went in and saw the jawa and traded with them. My friend had sticker cards (they were full page with a photo and then some stickers) and the jawa bag seemed a lot smaller than before. The handler had to come and take them because the jawa couldn't fit it in their bag. I got a chewbacca tattoo, my friend received a lei, and my other friend got a yoda magicbandit or whatever they're called. *When we came back by later, Greedo was out for photos.

We then went over to the Vader Visa meet and greet. It's very warm in that line. We got our photo taken with Vader around 3:46. The interaction was fun and we all enjoyed it. We then went and got in line for Chewie who was now posted at about a 20. Time stamp was about 4:23 when we got our photo taken. I am not 100% sure what time we got in line, but it felt like it was about a 20 minute wait or so. Major props to the character attendants for both Vader and Chewie - they took quite a few photos with my phone. We never buy any Photopass photos so it's nice to get some good photos on my phone.

After the photos, we walked around and took everything in. We went back out and the sign for the movie was at 20 minutes. We probably waited about that long to watch it.

Earlier in the day, we did Path of the Jedi which got us pretty excited for the movie. I also saw parts of the Jedi Training, seems like it's a good improvement. We did Star Tours twice and besides Jakku, I didn't really get any of the easter egg scenes that my friends have been talking about getting. All the more reason to keep riding!

We stayed to check out the lights for a bit and the crowd was literally at a dead stop most of the time we were there. I don't understand how it isn't a fire hazard. We eventually got out of the crowd though and that's when we headed out for the night. Definitely be prepared for crowds for the lights, especially over the next few weeks.

 

[RachaelA]

JTA takes more kids too now right? so I think that's part of why it's not filling up as fast along with being 'new' again

 

[AThrillingChase]

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

How early do they let everyone in usually? I remember for SWW we arrived right at 7, and were the last ones there! Everyone was already at tables with drinks and food

 

[hiroMYhero]

JTA takes more kids too now right? so I think that's part of why it's not filling up as fast along with being 'new' again

JT takes 30 kids for each session. Before, it was only that amount on the days when Maul was scheduled - only a couple of days each week.

 

[lovethattink]

Greedo is at the Cantina! I apologize for the blurry picture he was coming at me and waving, my phone takes lousy indoor and action shots.

 

[Jawa Livin]

They have them at Watto's Grotto. There's 4 different ones to choose from. One passholder one and then three normal ones.

Thank you!!

 

[lovethattink]

Better picture and right now there are 2 jawa and Greedo all out at the Cantina!

 

[BillSears]

I read somewhere that there might be a Symphony in the Stars on 12/17 to celebrate the midnight release of The Force Awakens. Have any of you heard this and do you have a guess on the time?

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

Can anyone confirm that galactic fireworks will be nightly? We are going midweek in January.

 

[hiroMYhero]

I read somewhere that there might be a Symphony in the Stars on 12/17 to celebrate the midnight release of The Force Awakens. Have any of you heard this and do you have a guess on the time?

Fireworks will be held for those who are attending The Force Awakens premiere party. The fireworks will be late - after midnight.

Can anyone confirm that galactic fireworks will be nightly? We are going midweek in January.

The nightly fireworks begin on December 18 for all guests. @yulilin3 has listed the schedule in one of the first posts (#11) of this thread: 8:00p start time for January unless Disney alters the park schedule before you go.

 

[BillSears]

Fireworks will be held for those who are attending The Force Awakens premiere party. The fireworks will be late - after midnight.

Thanks, I'm guessing that's not open to the public? I leave WDW on the 19th so it looks like the 18th may be my best shot to see them.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Thanks, I'm guessing that's not open to the public? I leave WDW on the 19th so it looks like the 18th may be my best shot to see them.

Correct. It's a private party for the guests who purchased the movie ticket + party package.

 

[Skywise]

Any word on the January schedule yet? I'm only seeing times up til 12/30.

 

[Ferrentinos]

So I'm trying to figure out the character thing... more like our expectations... we should be able to see: Chewbacca, Darth Vader and wondering will be Jawas, Stormtroopers and Greedo? Are any of these signing autographs? I bought a vinyl stormtrooper head at Kohls and was hoping to get it signed... but don't want to tell DD5 that it will be Star Wars characters it that isn't really possible! Thanks!