How to Plan the Ultimate Star Wars Vacation at Disney World

Calling all Jedi in training!  Get ready for a Star Wars adventure you’ll never forget!

You can join the Rebel Alliance or even embrace the Dark Side when you plan a Star Wars vacation at Walt Disney World.  While you’re waiting for Disney’s new Star Wars-themed lands to open there’s still plenty to explore.  Fight Darth Vader, drop in on a Tatooine pod race, build your own light saber, and witness a galactic spectacular like no other.  Here is my guide to planning the ultimate Star Wars vacation at Disney World.

Disney Resorts

While there are no Disney Resorts with a Star Wars theme, I suggest Disney’s Contemporary Resort.  Not only does it have the most modern feel of all the resorts, but the monorail travels through the center of the hotel lobby and whisks you off to the Transportation & Ticket Center with all the ease we hope for in the future.  If you select a theme park view you can look out upon the iconic Space Mountain in Magic Kingdom.

No matter which Disney resort you choose you can surprise your family with a selection of Star Wars-themed gift baskets from Disney Floral and Gifts, including the “Star Tours Adventure Pack” and “A Surprise From The Dark Side“.  For an unforgettable trip for the ultimate Star Wars fan you can take part in the Star Wars Rebel Adventure.  This in-room celebration sends you on a secret mission for the Rebel Alliance that takes you through the parks and fills your room with Star Wars gear.

Special Resort Rooms:
— Disney’s Contemporary Resort
— Star Wars Rebel Adventure
— Star Wars Gifts from Disney Floral and Gifts

Attractions

Hollywood Studios is the home of all of Disney’s Star Wars attractions, and will open a brand new Star Wars-themed land in the coming years.  Board a ship with C-3PO and R2-D2 on Star Tours – The Adventures Continue.  This action-packed simulator ride takes you through a variety of your favorite Star Wars locations and changes each time you ride.  Check out the Star Wars Launch Bay for movie memorabilia, character meet & greets, and the Launch Bay Theater, including behind-the-scenes video of the making of the movies.

Space fans will also love Space Mountain in Magic Kingdom, a thrilling roller coaster through the stars.  Or ride your own space ship over the skies of Tomorrowland on the Astro Orbiter.  Mission: SPACE in Epcot takes you on rocket to Mars.  Young astronauts will enjoy the Advanced Training Lab next door with interactive challenges and a “Space Base” playground.

Attractions:
— Star Tours – The Adventures Continue (Hollywood Studios)
— Star Wars Launch Bay (Hollywood Studios)
— Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
— Astro Orbiter (Magic Kingdom)
— Mission: SPACE (Epcot)
— Advanced Training Lab (Epcot)

Entertainment

Immerse yourself in the Star Wars galaxy with a series of shows and events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Watch young Jedi take on Darth Vader and the Seventh Sister Inquisitor at Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple.  Watch out for a parade of storm troopers lead by Captain Phasma in the March of the First Order.  Take a break at Star Wars: Path of the Jedi for a 10-minute video retelling the Star Wars films.  Chewbacca, BB-8, Kylo Ren, and Darth Vader take center stage to bring Star Wars to life in the Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away stage show.  And don’t forget to end the night with Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular, a one-of-a-kind nighttime fireworks spectacular that only Disney could produce.

Entertainment: Hollywood Studios
— Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple
— Star Wars: Path of the Jedi
— March of the First Order
— Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away
— Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular

Characters

Star Wars Launch Bay in Hollywood Studios is where you’ll find both Chewbacca and Kylo Ren ready for photos and autographs.  They are the only official meet & greets at the parks.  Participants in Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple will have the opportunity to fight Darth Vader and the Seventh Sister Inquisitor, so be sure to sit front row to get photos of your children as they battle.  You can also spot several other characters in shows throughout the park, including storm troopers, BB-8, and Captain Phasma (not to mention C-3PO and R2-D2 in Star Tours).

Characters: Hollywood Studios
— Kylo Ren
— Chewbacca
— Darth Vader
— Seventh Sister Inquisitor

Dining & Shopping

While there are no Star Wars table-service restaurants yet, there are two cant-miss locations to find the best treats in the galaxy.  At the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party you’ll find an unlimited supply of Darth Vader cupcakes, specialty drinks (such as “The Force” pomegranate lemonade with Jim Beam), and a souvenir Chewbacca stein to take home.  You’ll also get reserved viewing of the fireworks show.  During the day you can find items like the “Dark Side Chicken and Waffles” at Backlot Express, a quick-service location next to Star Tours.  While in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom, check out Tomorrowland Terrace or Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe for futuristic fare.

For the best variety of Star Wars souvenirs, visit Tatooine Traders in Hollywood Studios (next to Star Tours).  You can also find themed merchandise at the World of Disney store in Disney Springs, along with an area to build your own light sabers at Once Upon a Toy.  Space geeks will love the selection at Tomorrowland Light & Power Co and Mickey’s Star Traders, both located in Magic Kingdom (I particular love the NASA Metal Earth models).  You can find similar products at Epcot’s Mission: SPACE Cargo Bay.  Finally, if you’re into pin trading (or would like to start) be sure to check out the Star Wars and Star Tours sections of Disney Pin Traders and World of Disney in Disney Springs.

Dining:
— Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party (Hollywood Studios)
— Backlot Express (Hollywood Studios)
— Tomorrowland Terrace (Magic Kingdom)
— Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe (Magic Kingdom)

Shopping:
— Tatooine Traders (Hollywood Studios)
— Once Upon a Toy (Disney Springs)
— World of Disney (Disney Springs)
— Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. (Magic Kingdom)
— Mickey’s Star Traders (Magic Kingdom)
— Mission: SPACE Cargo Bay (Epcot)
— Disney Pin Traders (Disney Springs)

Activities & Experiences

Set out on the adventure of a lifetime when you participate in unique Star Wars experiences you can only find at the Disney Parks!  Children ages 4-12 can enroll in the Jedi Training Academy where they will be taught the ways of the Jedi.  Here they can don robes, practice with light sabers, and battle Darth Vader.  The experience is free, but be sure to sign up early in the day as the shows are very popular.

Starting in January, Disney will offer Star Wars Guided Tours at Hollywood Studios.  These 7-hour tours will get you reserved spots in experiences such as the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party, both stage shows, Jedi Training, and lets you skip the lines at Star Tours and the character meet & greets.  Plus get a guide to navigate you through the Star Wars Launch Bay exhibits and enjoy a themed dinner at Backlot Express.  Be sure to reserve your tours well in advance of your trip.

For the ultimate Star Wars fans, Disney Floral and Gifts will set up the Star Wars Rebel Adventure.  Your adventure starts when you find that the Rebel Alliance has infiltrated your room, leaving undercover gear for your trip.  Use an augmented reality app as you explore the parks on a mission to transmit important data.  Complete the mission to receive an exclusive reward for your efforts.  Be the hero on your Star Wars Disney vacation!

And while there are no Star Wars makeovers (right now), each theme park offers a face painting booth that can give you either a little Star Wars flair or transform you into your favorite character.

Activities & Experiences:
— Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple
— Star Wars Guided Tour
— Star Wars Rebel Adventure
— Face Painting

Immerse yourself in the world of Star Wars when you and your family enjoy a Disney vacation.  It’s one thing to watch the films; it’s another to live the stories yourselves!  Which experiences are you most excited for?

 

Ready for your next Disney trip? Let me help design your dream Disney vacation! I offer stress-free vacation planning, personalized itineraries, 1-on-1 concierge services, and more at no cost to you. Request a free, no-obligation quote through my web form, email me at jtullino@themouseexperts.com, or call me at (321) 222-DSNY. I’d love to help your plan your most memorable vacation yet!