Star Wars Launch Bay and Other New Experiences Entertain Fans at Disney Theme Parks on Both Coasts, Paying Homage to the Upcoming Movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Dec. 4, 2015 — (PRNewswire) —  The Force awakens at Disney Parks with the addition of new and reimagined Star Wars experiences debuting in both California and Florida just in time for the Dec. 18 release of the new movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Celebrating all things Star Wars, the exciting experiences at Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida will entertain fans of the movie saga and guests who are looking forward to future Star Wars-themed lands.

New experiences debuting on both coasts include:

Star Wars Launch Bay

Location: Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park in California now open; Animation Courtyard at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida now open.

Star Wars Launch Bay is the central location within the parks for fans to celebrate all things Star Wars. In this multi-sensory space, guests will interact with iconic Star Wars characters, tour galleries featuring treasured memorabilia and detailed replicas of Star Wars props, play the latest Star Wars interactive video games and have access to special Star Wars merchandise.

• Special Character Encounters: After entering a themed atrium complete with authentic replicas of Star Wars props, guests journey to the dark side and come face to face with Darth Vader in a 360-degree immersive area themed around the Star Destroyer, or they may choose the light side by stepping into a makeshift Rebel base to meet the most famous co-pilot in the galaxy, Chewbacca.
• Launch Bay Theater – Guests hear directly from the creative minds behind the Star Wars saga in a short video that includes exclusive interviews with the directors, writers, producers, key movie crew members and Imagineers who bring the saga to life.
• The Cantina – This setting, inspired by the unsavory "hives of scum and villainy" in the Star Wars galaxy, is a fun place to explore and take photos near elements of the cantina, such as a holochess game table.
• Star Wars Game Center – Guests will play current and upcoming video games, including new Disney Infinity 3.0 content created exclusively for this location.
• Themed Galleries – Special immersive galleries featuring authentic replicas of movie props, starships and more are located throughout Star Wars Launch Bay.
• Launch Bay Cargo – Guests may bring home a variety of Star Wars merchandise, including original artwork and collector's items.

Star Wars: Path of The Jedi 

Location: Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park in California now open; Echo Lake at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida now open.

Guests looking to relive – or discover – the stories from the Star Wars saga, or be introduced to the iconic characters, including ones from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, will watch an abridged, cinematic reel celebrating the Star Wars saga (episodes I-VII) in a theater setting. The movie connects iconic scenes from the movies in fun new ways, following the journey of Luke Skywalker.

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

Location: Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park in California now open; Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida now open.

Fans of this popular attraction will experience journeys involving new characters and adventures from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Based on the Star Wars movies, Star Tours takes guests to multiple Star Wars destinations where they interact with characters from throughout the saga. And it is all in Dolby 3D. With an eye-popping digital presentation leveraging Dolby 3D to deliver a vivid and realistic experience, a dramatic musical score and motion simulator-based technology, guests are immersed in the Star Wars galaxy like never before on a theme park attraction.

Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple

Location: Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park in California beginning Dec. 8; Echo Lake at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida now open.

This popular entertainment offering is being reimagined with new characters and a new villain to battle from Star Wars Rebels, the popular Disney XD series. Younglings will be magically transported to a secret and ancient Jedi temple where they will face villains such as Darth Vader and the Seventh Sister Inquisitor from Star Wars Rebels, and discover if they have the makings of a true Jedi.

Stormtrooper Patrols

Location: Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park in California; Animation Courtyard at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida.

As guests enjoy the sights and attractions, they may come face-to-face with First Order stormtroopers who patrol the area near Star Wars Launch Bay and Star Tours – The Adventures Continue.

Hyperspace Mountain at Disneyland Resort

Location: Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park in California now open.

The classic Space Mountain attraction is reimagined as Hyperspace Mountain, thrusting guests into the darkness for an action-packed battle between Rebel X-wings and Imperial TIE fighters.

More Galactic Adventures

Adding to the fun, guests at the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort will enjoy tasty food and beverages inspired by a galaxy far, far away. More unique Star Wars experiences will make their galactic debuts:

"Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular" at Walt Disney World Resort

Location: Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida beginning nightly Dec. 18.

Guests will be treated to a spectacular finish to their park visit with a dazzling Star Wars-themed fireworks show set to memorable Star Wars music from throughout the saga.

The new experiences further expand the Star Wars presence ahead of the new Star Wars-themed lands coming to the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Groundbreaking in California and Florida is expected in 2016.

For more information about the Disneyland Resort, see www.Disneyland.com or visit www.DisneyParksBlog.com.

For more information about the Walt Disney World Resort, visit www.Disneyworld.com or visit www.DisneyParksBlog.com.

About the Walt Disney World Resort 
Walt Disney World Resort is a contiguous, nearly 40-square-mile, world-class entertainment and recreation destination featuring four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom); two water parks (Disney's Blizzard Beach and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon); 36 resort hotels (26 owned and operated by Walt Disney World, includes nine Disney Vacation Club resort properties); 63 holes of golf on four courses; two full-service spas; Disney's Wedding Pavilion; ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex; and Disney Springs, an entertainment-shopping-dining complex.  Walt Disney World Resort is also included in Disney Cruise Line vacation packages. Located at Lake Buena Vista, Fla., 20 miles southwest of Orlando , Walt Disney World Resort opened Oct. 1, 1971 . Open daily, year-round.