Star Wars Launch Bay coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios later this year

[Pi on my Cake]

I Strongly agree with you on Captain Phasma and Boba Fett, can't believe you can't see her or any other random SW friends and enemies in there(like R2-D2 and C3-PO). The stage show kinda ruined our chances to meet them.

I'm general, the meet and greets have become much more "official" over the last few years. I can't think of any characters that just wander around or things like that. My understanding is that this is an effort for crowd control. Every character I saw out when I was there this summer had a schedule, a specified area, and a line set up.

I can understand why though, characters can draw Big crowds. Especially Star Wars characters. The launch bay is crowded enough when all there is character wise walking around is some jawas. Could you imagine how difficult it would be to get around if Bobba Fett showed up a couple times a day? Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of characters wandering around or "impromptu" meet and greets, but I understand why they are being phased out in favor of things like Chewbacca and kylo in launch bay or princess fairytale hall. I think these little star wars show are a practical way to do character experiences without making space for full M&Gs for every character (especially with how popular star wars characters are).

 

[Otterhead]

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of characters wandering around or "impromptu" meet and greets, but I understand why they are being phased out in favor of things like Chewbacca and kylo in launch bay or princess fairytale hall.

There's no shortage of random Stormtrooper encounters, though. A friend of mine and his wife were there last week, and she was accosted by Stormtroopers for wearing Chewbacca-themed Mickey ears. They accused her of being a Rebel sympathizer and tried interrogating her for information. They didn't know that she's an actual interrogator in real life, and she 'outsmarted' them. It was one of their favorite memories of the trip.

 

[Pi on my Cake]

There's no shortage of random Stormtrooper encounters, though. A friend of mine and his wife were there last week, and she was accosted by Stormtroopers for wearing Chewbacca-themed Mickey ears. They accused her of being a Rebel sympathizer and tried interrogating her for information. They didn't know that she's an actual interrogator in real life, and she 'outsmarted' them. It was one of their favorite memories of the trip.

That's awesome! But generic storm troopers and jawas and things like that are different than specific, major, fan favorite characters. I mean, Captain Phasma might be able to just go around because I don't think she has quite as huge a following as a lot of other characters (Didn't really catch on as far as I can tell). But Bobba Fett would cause a huge crowd to form.

 

[Matt_Black]

That's awesome! But generic storm troopers and jawas and things like that are different than specific, major, fan favorite characters. I mean, Captain Phasma might be able to just go around because I don't think she has quite as huge a following as a lot of other characters (Didn't really catch on as far as I can tell). But Bobba Fett would cause a huge crowd to form.

Yeah. In much the same way that the Green Army men are different from Buzz or Woody.

 

[Magic Feather]

Honestly the entire meet n greet culture has changed. It all started when meeting characters became a priority for families at the parks, over attractions and experinces. If everyone wants to meet Mickey and he pops out on MS USA, there is going to be madness. Especially with MDX now in play Disney made this planning culture. Even if Disney did a hard stop, and only did pop out encounters, certain websites (like a certain pirate) woukd find schedules, and boom, your are stuck with the same line in a place that can't handle it.

Regarding Vader and Ren, there are two "bridges" and queues, so it could easily be accomadated. Even more so if Visa would head out.

 

[brb1006]

Honestly the entire meet n greet culture has changed. It all started when meeting characters became a priority for families at the parks, over attractions and experinces. If everyone wants to meet Mickey and he pops out on MS USA, there is going to be madness. Especially with MDX now in play Disney made this planning culture. Even if Disney did a hard stop, and only did pop out encounters, certain websites (like a certain pirate) woukd find schedules, and boom, your are stuck with the same line in a place that can't handle it.

Regarding Vader and Ren, there are two "bridges" and queues, so it could easily be accomadated. Even more so if Visa would head out.

In fact can someone make a thread titled "Meet and greets vs wandering characters"?

 

[J. D.]

Now I'm hearing that Vader is not returning for meet and greets any time soon.

 

[doctornick]

Regarding Vader and Ren, there are two "bridges" and queues, so it could easily be accomadated. Even more so if Visa would head out.

They could easily do something like Vader from 9am-1pm, Kylo Ren from 2pm-close or something like that.

Or have one of them be the regular M&G and have the other one be the Visa M&G (would be more of a special thing for the Visa holders instead of them getting the same M&G just with a shorter line).

 

[Ryan H. Serowinski]

Now I'm hearing that Vader is not returning for meet and greets any time soon.

Not even to promote Rogue One?

 

[J. D.]

Not even to promote Rogue One?

It would appear not. I had heard Vader would be returning in February, just like Kylo took Vader's place last year around the same time. Now it looks like that may not be the case.

 

[Pi on my Cake]

Not even to promote Rogue One?

They want the focus on Kylo. He's the "Vader" of the new series. Rogue One is cool and all, but the strength of the Star Wars franchise going forward is the Episodes, not the spin offs. They want the focus on Kylo Ren. They want BB-8 over R2-D2. First Order over the Empire.

 

[Ryan H. Serowinski]

They want the focus on Kylo. He's the "Vader" of the new series. Rogue One is cool and all, but the strength of the Star Wars franchise going forward is the Episodes, not the spin offs. They want the focus on Kylo Ren. They want BB-8 over R2-D2. First Order over the Empire.

I'm just going to think Rogue One won't be as good as Force Awakens, and I still love BB-8 more(sorry R2 fans).

 

[Eckert]

With Star Wars Land coming in with the intention of being hyper-realistic, do you think we'll even see Star Wars characters once it opens? I can easily see it becoming like the Wizarding World where you can't meet any of the named characters.

 

[J. D.]

The video game room is now walled off. Not sure what will replace it.

 

[Jones14]

The video game room is now walled off. Not sure what will replace it.

It'd be nice to have another themed area like the cantina, or a Star Wars Land preview center with models and concept art. Actually, they could mash the two together and I'd be happy. Just PLEASE make the space useful; they waste enough in the current setup.

 

[Eckert]

The video game room is now walled off. Not sure what will replace it.

I better be taking a picture with Darth Vader or feasting my eyes on a scaled model of Star Wars Land OR ELSE

But I think they might just be updating the apps on those iPads

 

[That Guy]

It'd be nice to have another themed area like the cantina, or a Star Wars Land preview center with models and concept art. Actually, they could mash the two together and I'd be happy. Just PLEASE make the space useful; they waste enough in the current setup.

Is a bar that serves blue milk and Jawa juice too much to ask for?

 

[J. D.]

Hearing that this will be a droid meet-and-greet. Which droid (droids?) remains to be seen.

 

[Jones14]

Am

Hearing that this will be a droid meet-and-greet. Which droid (droids?) remains to be seen.

Any hints on an opening date?

 

[J. D.]

Am

Any hints on an opening date?

Not that I've heard, unfortunately. My guess would be sometime in March or April.