Star Wars Launch Bay Finds Fans Quickly at Disney
Via OrlandoSentinel.com
The “Star Wars” universe at Walt Disney World just got a little more expansive. Star Wars Launch Bay, a walk-through attraction, opened Tuesday morning at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The theme park is now home to dozens of pieces of movie memorabilia and props, a short film that looks at the franchise’s history and future plus meet-and-greet opportunities with characters, including Darth Vader and Chewbacca. Visitors can also purchase a Vader costume for $4,000.
“We reallized when we got here that this might open, and we were so excited,” said Teresa Henderson, who is vacationing with her family from Westminster, Md. The group was drinking from cups that echo the design of BB-8, a droid that will be introduced in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” and popcorn from a container based on the classic Han Solo-trapped-in-carbonite scene. They gave high marks to Launch Bay’s first day.
The park also debuted a retooled version of its Jedi Training Academy to incorporate characters from the “Star Wars Rebels” animated series. The additions are in anticipation for the Dec. 18 debut of “The Force Awakens.” Disney also has added scenes to its Star Tours ride, a merchandise store called Watto’s Grotto and a 10-minute sneak peek of footage called “Star Wars: Path of the Jedi.”
Disney’s Hollywood Studios eventually will be home to a land dedicated to the “Star Wars” franchise. The 14-acre area, announced in August, will be part of the park’s makeover, which also includes a “Toy Story” land. The Launch Bay film briefly shows “early concept art” for planned park attractions.
Launch Bay opened in the former home of the Magic of Disney Animation attraction, which closed in July. It is wedged between the Disney Junior and “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” shows.
“This is just the first step into Star Wars of the future,” said Dave Filoni, a director on “Star Wars Rebels” and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” TV series.
On Tuesday, visitors wandered the space sporting Yoda caps, Princess Leia-inspired “star buns” hairdos and lightsabers.
They shopped in the attraction finale, a souvenir shop. They browsed through smartphone cases, a small, remote-control version of BB-8 ($199.95), Launch Bay T-shirts ($32.95) and a storm trooper statue ($9,000 and non-returnable). A 31-inch figure of new character Kylo Ren sells for $139.95.
