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

[goofynut41]

This may have already been asked but is the fireworks going to continue? I noticed the park hours were closing at 8:00 in Sept. WE was hoping to see the new fireworks...

 

[yulilin3]

This may have already been asked but is the fireworks going to continue? I noticed the park hours were closing at 8:00 in Sept. WE was hoping to see the new fireworks...

Hours will probably change. They've been updating the schedules only a month in advance. The show should still be happening. They just built the infrastructure for it, and it's a hit so I don't think they would get rid of it anytime soon

 

[Karla07559]

Can I just vent for a second about how frustrating it is that wdw expects us to plan our trip 180 days in andvance with ADRs and then cement it in stone pretty much 60 days out with FP+ but then doesn't finalize their schedule until sometimes weeks before.

That being said how is everyone planning their DHS day or days for after July when times have very obviously not been finalized? My trip isn't until December but currently the hours posted show the park closing at 7 pm and no SW fireworks. I'm planning on the assumption that this will change.

For my last night I had booked ohana at 8:40 pm to see holiday wishes from there hopefully. Wishes had originally been scheduled for 9:30 pm when I booked but then changed to 10 pm. I am now considering cancelling this not because of the time change but because it's the only other night I can see the fireworks at DHS and I'm considering a dessert party pending the changes that move the party to the launch bay. This is a Friday night so it's a pretty safe bet there will be fireworks at DHS.

Currently I have a full day planned at DHS including a Fantasmic dining package at Minnie's Holiday Dine. Option number 2 would be to change this to just a regular ADR and after dinner stake out a spot for the fireworks and skip Fantasmic. The reason this is plan B is that I'm a huge Fantasmic fan it gives me all the Disney feels. However I'm a DL native and this is my first time at WDW I have heard the show is not as great as DL but that it is essentially the same. I'm sure that I will enjoy both but something feels very wrong about going to Disney and not seeing Fantasmic. Another problem is that this is a Tuesday and if they aren't running fireworks shows every night Tuesday might be a day they skip.

Any suggestions or votes for plan A or B are appreciated. Obviously the other option is to leave things as they are now and not watch the SW fireworks. This idea doesn't kill me because I'm not the hugest SW fan but also kinda stinks since it does seem like a great show.

 

[yulilin3]

Can I just vent for a second about how frustrating it is that wdw expects us to plan our trip 180 days in andvance with ADRs and then cement it in stone pretty much 60 days out with FP+ but then doesn't finalize their schedule until sometimes weeks before.

That being said how is everyone planning their DHS day or days for after July when times have very obviously not been finalized? My trip isn't until December but currently the hours posted show the park closing at 7 pm and no SW fireworks. I'm planning on the assumption that this will change.

For my last night I had booked ohana at 8:40 pm to see holiday wishes from there hopefully. Wishes had originally been scheduled for 9:30 pm when I booked but then changed to 10 pm. I am now considering cancelling this not because of the time change but because it's the only other night I can see the fireworks at DHS and I'm considering a dessert party pending the changes that move the party to the launch bay. This is a Friday night so it's a pretty safe bet there will be fireworks at DHS.

Currently I have a full day planned at DHS including a Fantasmic dining package at Minnie's Holiday Dine. Option number 2 would be to change this to just a regular ADR and after dinner stake out a spot for the fireworks and skip Fantasmic. The reason this is plan B is that I'm a huge Fantasmic fan it gives me all the Disney feels. However I'm a DL native and this is my first time at WDW I have heard the show is not as great as DL but that it is essentially the same. I'm sure that I will enjoy both but something feels very wrong about going to Disney and not seeing Fantasmic. Another problem is that this is a Tuesday and if they aren't running fireworks shows every night Tuesday might be a day they skip.

Any suggestions or votes for plan A or B are appreciated. Obviously the other option is to leave things as they are now and not watch the SW fireworks. This idea doesn't kill me because I'm not the hugest SW fan but also kinda stinks since it does seem like a great show.

what are your dates for Dece,ber. Maybe we can figure out the park hours from previous years. I understand your frustration

 

[Karla07559]

what are your dates for Dece,ber. Maybe we can figure out the park hours from previous years. I understand your frustration

I'm going December 5th through the 10th each of those being travel days... We have 4 day park hoppers. This is the current plan.

The 6th is DHS Fantasmic at 7 pm and then hop over to Epcot for illuminations at 9:30 and pm EMH
The 7th is AK am and MK pm since it's the only non party day and we need to see wishes
The 8th is MK am and AK pm (hoping light crowds at MK since it's a party day and that RoL is up and running)
The 9th is Epcot am and dinner at ohana

Originally I didn't know about the SW fireworks so if the hopping to Epcot for illuminations didn't work the first night I would cancel ohana so we could see it on the 9th. I took a look at last years hours when I planned but last year there was no scheduled fireworks only Fantasmic.
At this point I'm fully aware that I'm going to have to choose between these night time shows I don't want to be that person that leaves something early to make it to something else and ends up enjoying neither.

 

[yulilin3]

I'm going December 5th through the 10th each of those being travel days... We have 4 day park hoppers. This is the current plan.

The 6th is DHS Fantasmic at 7 pm and then hop over to Epcot for illuminations at 9:30 and pm EMH
The 7th is AK am and MK pm since it's the only non party day and we need to see wishes
The 8th is MK am and AK pm (hoping light crowds at MK since it's a party day and that RoL is up and running)
The 9th is Epcot am and dinner at ohana

Originally I didn't know about the SW fireworks so if the hopping to Epcot for illuminations didn't work the first night I would cancel ohana so we could see it on the 9th. I took a look at last years hours when I planned but last year there was no scheduled fireworks only Fantasmic.
At this point I'm fully aware that I'm going to have to choose between these night time shows I don't want to be that person that leaves something early to make it to something else and ends up enjoying neither.

really hard to predict because that's usually slower season. The only thing I can say is keep your ADRs and plans as they are and then be flexible to move them around if you really want to see the SWaGS show. They could extend the hours to 8pm and then do F! at 7pm and SWaGS at 8pm or 7:45pm. But there really is no way of knowing. Sorry

 

[ninafeliz]

Can I just vent for a second about how frustrating it is that wdw expects us to plan our trip 180 days in andvance with ADRs and then cement it in stone pretty much 60 days out with FP+ but then doesn't finalize their schedule until sometimes weeks before.

That being said how is everyone planning their DHS day or days for after July when times have very obviously not been finalized? My trip isn't until December but currently the hours posted show the park closing at 7 pm and no SW fireworks. I'm planning on the assumption that this will change.

For my last night I had booked ohana at 8:40 pm to see holiday wishes from there hopefully. Wishes had originally been scheduled for 9:30 pm when I booked but then changed to 10 pm. I am now considering cancelling this not because of the time change but because it's the only other night I can see the fireworks at DHS and I'm considering a dessert party pending the changes that move the party to the launch bay. This is a Friday night so it's a pretty safe bet there will be fireworks at DHS.

Currently I have a full day planned at DHS including a Fantasmic dining package at Minnie's Holiday Dine. Option number 2 would be to change this to just a regular ADR and after dinner stake out a spot for the fireworks and skip Fantasmic. The reason this is plan B is that I'm a huge Fantasmic fan it gives me all the Disney feels. However I'm a DL native and this is my first time at WDW I have heard the show is not as great as DL but that it is essentially the same. I'm sure that I will enjoy both but something feels very wrong about going to Disney and not seeing Fantasmic. Another problem is that this is a Tuesday and if they aren't running fireworks shows every night Tuesday might be a day they skip.

Any suggestions or votes for plan A or B are appreciated. Obviously the other option is to leave things as they are now and not watch the SW fireworks. This idea doesn't kill me because I'm not the hugest SW fan but also kinda stinks since it does seem like a great show.

I have been lurking on this thread waiting for August dessert party dates to be announced, and I just had to come out to say that I could not agree with you more!!!!! I personally think that planning what park I want to be in on what days 6 months in advance is ridiculous, let alone what restaurant I want to eat in and when. Then they made it so you have to (or can) plan what rides you want to ride when 2 months in advance. But it's their ballgame so I have adapted to doing it their way. But I think they should have to play by the same rules for the most part. It seems as if they used to more, and now they are changing things much more last minute and even adding whole events (like this dessert party, the show that actually never made it (ROL), DAH, EMM, etc) at less than 60 days, let alone 180! It is frustrating, and infuriating when I'm in the wrong mood! I want to snag a dessert party in August, and I assume I will be able to, but why can they add it less than 30 days out if I had to book my lunch 5 months ago and my rides 1 month ago? Sorry, jumping on your rant!

As for your dilemma, I'm afraid I'm not much help. I personally would do the Star Wars dessert party one night and see Holiday wishes another, keeping Ohana since 10:00 fireworks and an 8:40 reservation should time it out fine. If you're done just watch from down near the beach, but I bet you won't be done. I've seen fantasmic a lot, holiday wishes is limited, and Star Wars dessert party is new. However, in your case if I were you I would really want to see our fantasmic and compare, even if DL is supposed to be better. So I'm no help unless there is some way to do Star Wars and fantasmic in the same night. I don't know if that will be possible in Dec, maybe people on this thread who know a ton more than I do can help with that.

 

[MonaMN]

Can I just vent for a second about how frustrating it is that wdw expects us to plan our trip 180 days in andvance with ADRs and then cement it in stone pretty much 60 days out with FP+ but then doesn't finalize their schedule until sometimes weeks before.

That being said how is everyone planning their DHS day or days for after July when times have very obviously not been finalized? My trip isn't until December but currently the hours posted show the park closing at 7 pm and no SW fireworks. I'm planning on the assumption that this will change.

For my last night I had booked ohana at 8:40 pm to see holiday wishes from there hopefully. Wishes had originally been scheduled for 9:30 pm when I booked but then changed to 10 pm. I am now considering cancelling this not because of the time change but because it's the only other night I can see the fireworks at DHS and I'm considering a dessert party pending the changes that move the party to the launch bay. This is a Friday night so it's a pretty safe bet there will be fireworks at DHS.

Currently I have a full day planned at DHS including a Fantasmic dining package at Minnie's Holiday Dine. Option number 2 would be to change this to just a regular ADR and after dinner stake out a spot for the fireworks and skip Fantasmic. The reason this is plan B is that I'm a huge Fantasmic fan it gives me all the Disney feels. However I'm a DL native and this is my first time at WDW I have heard the show is not as great as DL but that it is essentially the same. I'm sure that I will enjoy both but something feels very wrong about going to Disney and not seeing Fantasmic. Another problem is that this is a Tuesday and if they aren't running fireworks shows every night Tuesday might be a day they skip.

Any suggestions or votes for plan A or B are appreciated. Obviously the other option is to leave things as they are now and not watch the SW fireworks. This idea doesn't kill me because I'm not the hugest SW fan but also kinda stinks since it does seem like a great show.

We are going late November/early December. I have purposely scheduled ADRs for breakfast and lunch so we have flexibility for evening shows. We have park hoppers, so we will just go where we need to go.

 

[Takket]

"Star Wars a Galactic Spectacular: Nightly starting June 17th at 9:45pm until July 2nd.
July 3rd on at 9:30pm schedule is out until July 31st (updated June 22)"

So does this only run through July 31st? Or have they just not added times yet for dates after July? I'm going Sept 6-10

 

[yulilin3]

"Star Wars a Galactic Spectacular: Nightly starting June 17th at 9:45pm until July 2nd.
July 3rd on at 9:30pm schedule is out until July 31st (updated June 22)"

So does this only run through July 31st? Or have they just not added times yet for dates after July? I'm going Sept 6-10

They've been adding the show on a monthly basis. So, for now, wet only have his until July 31st. I expect that august times will update mid July

 

[AngiTN]

From @bluezy
We saw the SW Fireworks/show last week and really liked it (though we never saw the old one so we can't compare). One night we did an Illuminations cruise and our captain asked if we wanted to go over and watch the Star Wars fireworks after Illuminations. Of course we said "yes"! We could see the high fireworks and hear the music from the boat but we couldn't really see any of the projections or the laser portion of the show. We thought the fireworks had some very unique elements/designs. We went to DHS the next night and staked out a spot in the courtyard in front of the Chinese Theater so that we could see the projections and lower fireworks/lasers. Wow....what a difference. We thought the show was amazing (and I'm not even a Star Wars fan...haven't seen any of the movies). That show is definitely designed to be seen from that vantage point. Some of our party watched it from the front of the park and they weren't as impressed because they couldn't see a lot of the elements. When watching it from the courtyard, we realized that the actual fireworks portion of the show is non-essential and the critical portion is actually being able to see the projections, lasers, etc. (at least in our opinion). And I can tell you that those pillars of fire are unbelievably hot!!! We were nowhere close to them but could feel the intense heat the second they ignited.

Yep, I have said the exact things about this new show. Without the projections there is not much point to the show. The show IS the projections, the fireworks and lasers just accentuate them.

 

[AngiTN]

And now the spot I got. I could've gotten there 5 minutes before the show and had the same view, only about 15 people were watching from here.
Make sure you can see the sky inbetween the Chinese theater roof, the sky area in the middle of this pic. You'll see why when the fireworks come up

this spot if you are coming last minute. If you have time to watch watch from in front of Center Stage by the tape to get a better feel for the wide scope of this show.

So what is your opinion on standing here if you only have 1 chance to see the show? It looks so close, like you'd loose about half the impact. Could it possibly be a great spot to watch a 2nd time? Sort of like how if you have 2 chances to see Wishes it is good to watch once from the front of the castle and once from the back but if you only have 1 chance you need to be in the front, so you can see Celebrate the Magic too

 

[AngiTN]

That's great that Characters will be a part of it!

I am confused by the beginning though - how can you enter the dessert party 75 minutes before fireworks but only check in 1 hour prior to fireworks ... do they mean 1 hour prior to the listed party time?

I am confused by this too. I've read through from what I can tell, there is no clarification. Any guesses beyond they meant check in 1 hour before the party start time, like they currently do?

Ok, so now I'm thinking where will the put the tables. Obvious and cooler choice would be in the cantina area of LB. But if there are day guest still there that's not practical. Another area would be the current game room. It's been completely empty last couple of times I've been there and Disney Infinity is no more so they could take all the games out and do it there. Not sure if there's enough space for all the tables plus food.
The third option would be in the lower area, next to Kylo Ren's meet and greet...and now I want to go on the 10th...

They could always just close off an area in the LB, no? I mean, it's not like they have such a huge crowd in there that many would complain about an area being closed off.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

When does the new, indoor dessert party start? I am curious to hear how it goes since I booked the dessert party for late July.

 

[yulilin3]

I am confused by this too. I've read through from what I can tell, there is no clarification. Any guesses beyond they meant check in 1 hour before the party start time, like they currently do?


They could always just close off an area in the LB, no? I mean, it's not like they have such a huge crowd in there that many would complain about an area being closed off.

They can only close off certain parts of LB because there's only one way to get to the exit. So for example they couldn't do it at the Cantina area because everyone has to walk through there to exit. That's why I though the game room would be a good spot or the downstairs empty space by Kylo Ren's meet and greet.

 

[weskbob]

When does the new, indoor dessert party start? I am curious to hear how it goes since I booked the dessert party for late July.

July 10.

 

[yulilin3]

So what is your opinion on standing here if you only have 1 chance to see the show? It looks so close, like you'd loose about half the impact. Could it possibly be a great spot to watch a 2nd time? Sort of like how if you have 2 chances to see Wishes it is good to watch once from the front of the castle and once from the back but if you only have 1 chance you need to be in the front, so you can see Celebrate the Magic too

If you only have 1 chance to see this show and have time, grab the spot by the tape in front of Center Stage. If you have 1 chance and no time to grab a spot early this is the best spot. From in front of the Chinese theater you do lose the wide scope of the show but you can clearly see the projections on the Chinese Theater and on the left side screen. Also you can clearly see the fireworks and the lasers. You do lose some of the side fireworks if you don't turn around.

When does the new, indoor dessert party start? I am curious to hear how it goes since I booked the dessert party for late July.

July 10th

 

[AThrillingChase]

My poor, poor credit card. My condo reno is coming along but it has been so stressful and my small place is full of crud for at least another week until my family comes out to install my new foor - so I lost my mind momentarily and, well, my brother and I arrive Sat morning

Even though I was just there 2 1/2 months ago for the dark side race, I am so excited!! Cant wait to check out the new show. And we got an amazing rate at Coronado for the weekend. If anyone is on the fence, check out their AP rates! Coronado was 145 and Wilderness lodge 229!

Also, is the backlot express still the best spot for any SW themed-ish food? I miss that rebel hangar so much!!

 

[yulilin3]

My poor, poor credit card. My condo reno is coming along but it has been so stressful and my small place is full of crud for at least another week until my family comes out to install my new foor - so I lost my mind momentarily and, well, my brother and I arrive Sat morning

Even though I was just there 2 1/2 months ago for the dark side race, I am so excited!! Cant wait to check out the new show. And we got an amazing rate at Coronado for the weekend. If anyone is on the fence, check out their AP rates! Coronado was 145 and Wilderness lodge 229!

Also, is the backlot express still the best spot for any SW themed-ish food? I miss that rebel hangar so much!!

the only thing SW related left is the Darth Vader waffles and the Royal Guard hamburger and BB8 Cupcake
They have the Vader and BB8 cupcakes at Starbucks. They got rid of the Chewie cupcake

 

[bilnsheldodisney]

the only thing SW related left is the Darth Vader waffles and the Royal Guard hamburger and BB8 Cupcake
They have the Vader and BB8 cupcakes at Starbucks. They got rid of the Chewie cupcake

why - were those cupcakes too chewy?