'Season of the Force' Starts Dec. 1 at WDW; No More Star Wars Weekends

November 9, 2015, 1:48 PM · Are you ready for Star Wars?

Episode VII, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, hits theaters next month, a new trailer for the film hit the Internet yesterday, and Disney is preparing new Star Wars events and exhibits for its U.S. theme parks.

We already knew that the "Season of the Force" event would begin at Disneyland one week from today, on Nov. 16. And today, Disney announced that the Walt Disney World version will get underway at Disney's Hollywood Studios on Dec. 1. However, the DHS event comes at a cost — Disney also announced today that it will not be continuing the Star Wars Weekends events that it has held each spring at the park.

As for "Season of the Force," the highlight on both coasts will be the new Star Wars Launch Bay, which will feature meet and greets with Star Wars characters, including Darth Vader. The exhibit also will feature displays related to the new movie as well as a Star Wars store. The Launch Bay will be located in the old Innoventions building at Disneyland in the old Animation building at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

The event will feature showings of "Star Wars: Path of the Jedi," a recap of the saga, as well as a new version of the participatory Jedi Training Academy show, called "Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple."

Disney also is adding a new scene to Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, inspired by the new movie. Here's a short preview:

Finally, at Disneyland, the event also will include the new "Hyperspace Mountain" special-effects overlay for the Space Mountain roller coaster.

Replies (8)

Bob Stabb

November 9, 2015 at 2:21 PM · Seems short sighted to cancel a wildly popualr event with a huge draw, for an expansion that won't be realized for another two years (maybe).

Cole Short

November 9, 2015 at 2:23 PM · I've never been to a Star Wars weekend but I'm surprised they went this route. Universal still hosts Harry Potter weekend celebrations despite the construction of two themed lands.

Brian Bauer

November 9, 2015 at 2:24 PM · I believe that is being cancelled next year due to all of the construction. If it doesn't come back, then it's most likely because it would be redundant.

Anon Mouse

November 9, 2015 at 3:28 PM · That's preview is neat!!! Making me want to see the movie and maybe Star Tours.

98.85.102.130

November 9, 2015 at 8:41 PM · So stupid. Are they going to cancel Epcot Food and Wine for Season of the Food and Wine and Epcot lunch bay?

Disney spends decades building an event and fans know what to expect when they hear the name. Now it's just absolute market confusion Launch Bay, Season of the Force Awakens Christmas(wookie Christmas family dinner hopefully), Star Wars Land, Star Tours the Force Awakens , Star Wars hyperspace mountain, and my favorite the Indiana Jones/Nickelodean 90's gameshow sounding Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple.

November 10, 2015 at 12:02 PM · Start Wars is always a big event at Hollywood Studios so I am surprised they have just decided to cancel this event, if it really was down to construction surely they could have moved it for the two years construction is planned over to the Magic Kingdom and done something like the Haloween and Christmas style of events, losing it is very short sighted for what is a crowd pulling event.

Tony Duda

November 10, 2015 at 4:11 PM · End Star Wars Weekends now, open SW Land in 5years. Double ticket and annual\seasonal pass prices in those 5 years. Good business plan. Really, because the fans will pay.

Amanda Jenkins

November 12, 2015 at 10:14 AM · This news devastated my kids. Their cries were heard within the next galaxy far, far away. I can see Disney bringing it back after the new Star Wars land opens, by making it a special ticket event.

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'Season of the Force' Starts Dec. 1 at WDW; No More Star Wars Weekends

Replies (8)

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