Star Wars Season Of The Force
As part of Holidays at Disneyland, the resort brings an intergalactic gift a littler earlier than expected. On the heels of the Star Wars Land expansion, both Disneyland and Disneyworld have kicked off Season of the Force which is a Star Wars overlay to theme areas that celebrates Star Wars: The Force Awakens as well as the evolving role of the beloved Sci-Fi franchise within the parks.
We got a chance to experience Season of the Force at Disneyland’s Tomorrowland which is looking a lot more like a galaxy far, far, away.
Star Wars: Path of the Jedi
The Magic Eye theater, formerly housing Captain EO and Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, is now a riveting trip down memory lane for Star Wars fans while also being a pretty nifty introduction to people who may not have been exposed to it. Think of it as a spoilery sizzle reel that tells an abridged version of the entire franchise. Replete with fun light effects and moving seats, when blasters fire be sure to duck and get ready to soar with the Falcon. It’s a nostalgic, tear inducing exploration of moments that made you fall in love with or fear the characters, the fights that made you want to become a Jedi and victories that made you feel like rewatching over and over again. There is also an addition of scenes from The Force Awakens but nothing that hasn’t already been seen in the trailers.
Hyperspace Mountain
Space Mountain, one of Disneyland’s most popular E-ticket rides got a pretty sweet makeover with Hyperspace Mountain which gives the indoor coaster through the stars a jump into light speed. Soundtracked by some of John Williams’ best pieces of Star Wars score, you’re thrust into the thick of an X-wing Starfighter battle above Jakku where a First Order Star Destroyer threatens the unknown planet below. Utilizing cutting edge digital projections, the ride experience is enhanced and even you feel like your cart is a part of the action when green blasts emit from the sides at Tie-fighters that race you through the darkness. Pro-tip: The left seat of the third row in the first cart is recommended by one of the ride’s Imagineers as the best spot for all the action.
Star Tours: The Adventure Continues
To coincide directly with Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, a new destination has been added to the possible combinations that takes you onto the desert plains of Jakku and inside the very same Star Destroyer that Rey scavenges in the trailer. There are great moments where you tail the Falcon led by a surprise guest and this new addition does cameo a few new faces. Only a couple of which are really huge, though but it’a amazing to have an extended preview of the landscapes we’ll be traversing into come December 18th.
Along with Launch Bay, all these ride re-imaginings are the perfect appetizer to hold theme park fans and Disney Passholders over until Star Wars Land opens in a few years. No doubt that if Season of the Force were to become a regular thing, we’ll be seeing more added as subsequent films come out like Rogue One. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to Disneyland to celebrate it’s 60’th Diamond anniversary and the holiday season which officially kicks off this week!
