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Is Star Wars Weekends going away and Season of the Force merchandise

Is Star Wars Weekends going away and Season of the Force merchandise


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Will Season of the Force Replace Star Wars Weekends?As I mentioned in a previous post, Season of the Force is supposed to begin in January and run into March of 2016 at Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World and November 16, 2015 at Disneyland.   But what will happen to Star Wars Weekends that usually run from Mid-May through Mid-June?

If you look closely at the May park hours that I’ve provided in my May Disney World Crowd Calendar, you’ll notice that Hollywood Studios hosts Extra Magic Hours on every Sunday and every Friday during the month.  Why is that significant?  Well, EMH are not offered on Star Wars Weekends because Disney uses them on other days to attempt to draw away nominal resort guests from increasing the attendance even more.  EMH at Hollywood Studios during Star Wars Weekends are usually offered on Mondays and Wednesdays.  Star Wars Weekends dates are usually announced by Disney in December each year and the Official Disney website still says Star Wars Weekends are “coming summer 2016” though.

If Disney doesn’t make massive changes to the May 2016 Park Hours, then the initial sign points to the VERY scaled down “Season of the Force” could be taking the place of the uber popular Star Wars Weekends.  If that occurs, thousands of galaxy-clad guests who clamor for a meet and greet with their favorite Star Wars character (beyond Vader and Chewie) will be left out in the brutal Hothian cold.  Maybe we can cut open a tauntaun and keep warm while we wait for Disney to finally get around to making some announcements.  If SWW happens, either a major EMH change will occur or it could move to an even busier and even hotter time in June.

What has Disney told us so far about Season of the Force?

  1. Star Wars Launch Bay will be offered.  Launch Bay will feature Chewbacca and Vader meet and greets, some interactive games and play areas and will be a regular, daily feature beginning December.  Nothing special for Season of the Force.
  2. New Jedi training academy:  trials of the temple will take place, but that also will begin December and run daily.  Still nothing special.
  3. Star tours will receive an upgrade with new scenes from Star Wars: the Force Awakens.  Will be a daily thing as well.
  4. Fireworks on the Weekends ONLY.  Special Star Wars themed fireworks (aka a tweaked version of last year’s Star Wars Weekends) will be offered.
  5. Special cupcakes and “themed food.”
  6. Lots of Star Wars Merchandise, including some that should be exclusive to Disneyland and to Walt Disney World.
  7. Likely to see movie clips at ABC Sound Stage.

You can see the basics in the image they released at D23 that included the elements I mentioned above, sans the cupcakes and merch.

Will Season of the Force Replace Star Wars Weekends?

Following Season of the Force merchandise and food images were leaked on the internet

BB8 sipper for Star Wars Season of the Force

BB8 sipper for Star Wars Season of the Force

Chewbacca stein for Star Wars Seaon of the Force

Chewbacca stein for Star Wars Seaon of the Force

BB9 Rice Crispy treat for Star Wars Season of the Force

BB9 Rice Crispy treat for Star Wars Season of the Force

Star Wars tie figther popcorn bucket for Season of the Force

Star Wars tie figther popcorn bucket for Season of the Force

Millenium Falcon glow cube Star Wars Season of the Force

Millenium Falcon glow cube Star Wars Season of the Force

What do you think will happen and what is your favorite leaked merchandise item?  I’m really liking the popcorn bucket tie fighter!

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Deann

Monday 2nd of November 2015

Other than the speculated SWW, of course.

Deann

Monday 2nd of November 2015

So, after March, there is nothing planned as far as Star Wars activities are concerned? At least not until the expansion is finished?

kennythepirate

Monday 2nd of November 2015

Launch bay, Star Tours and Jedi Training would continue

Mark Jackson

Monday 2nd of November 2015

We are going to be at WDW Dec 11-14th. Are they going to have the Star Tours update, JTA uodate, and Launch Bay by then? and you are saying the fireworks and Hyperspace Mountain will not happen until SOTF in January?

kennythepirate

Monday 2nd of November 2015

Hyperspace Mountain is only in Disneyland and begins in November. Yes, the updates you mentioned begin in December. Fireworks are SotF only

Jennifer

Sunday 1st of November 2015

Hi! Thank you so much for the updates! We will be at WDW dec 11-14. I was excited to see the Dec 1 date for the launch bay. I will have a very happy 6 yo daughter-just wait until she sees her Storm Trooper dress! I just wanted to clarify on the fireworks, will those be starting dec 1 also or not until Season Of the Force begins?

kennythepirate

Sunday 1st of November 2015

SotF weekends only

Tim

Sunday 1st of November 2015

Are Chewbacca and Vader meet and greets starting 12/1, or will those start with Seasons of the Force? Also, how much does it cost for character locator? For the life of me I can't find that! Thanks!

kennythepirate

Sunday 1st of November 2015

Those meets begin with Launch Bay opening which should be 12/1 $6.99 for first year. Discount to renew, not done automatically.

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