Disney will lure Star Wars fans with a host of new attractions related to the latest movie release. The announcements were made Monday during a private party that featured the transformation of EPCOT’s Starship Earth to the Death Star.
The newest movie in the Star Wars series, Rogue One — A Star Wars Story, follows a group of heroes who try to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire’s ultimate weapon of destruction. The movie premieres Dec. 14 at the Dubai International Film Festival and will be released in the United States two days later.
The good news for Star Wars fans is that the Galactic Spectacular returns Dec. 16 to Hollywood Studios as a second show with the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! holiday fireworks each night through the end of the month, according to Jennifer Fickley-Baker, editorial content manager at Walt Disney World Resort.
By the middle of December, Star Tours — The Adventurers Continue will return with its random selection for its first destination, dropping the start in Jakku that Disney added to promote the opening of last year’s movie, Star Wars Episode 7 — The Force Awakens.
Disney will also promote this year’s release by adding props and models from the film to the park’s Star Wars Launch Bay. The film’s Imperial AWR (Advanced Weapons Research) Troopers dressed in dark armor also will begin appearing in the Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away daytime show.
Finally, Disney announced preliminary plans for a seven-hour, Star Wars-themed VIP tour of Hollywood Studios, which will include a reserved spot for children ages 4-12 in the popular Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple show. This means parents don’t have to arrive early or wait in line but can buy their kids’ way into the show. The tour also will include a ride on Star Tours — The Adventures Continues, a guided tour of the Launch Bay, lunch with Star Wars-themed food, a dessert party and reserved viewing for the Galactic Spectacular show. Disney is mum on the price of the new tour or when it will begin.