This week’s Disneyland Star Wars update brings some celebrations, a peek at some new characters, a visit to the Season of the Force and a look at what’s happening in Star Wars Land. Let’s make the jump!

A New Hope is 39

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, that some refer to as the original Star Wars, had it’s 39th birthday this week. The film was released on May 25, 1977.

SW 39TH

“Star Wars taps the pulp fantasies buried in our memories, and because it’s done so brilliantly, it reactivates old thrills, fears, and exhilarations we thought we’d abandoned when we read our last copy of Amazing Stories.”
-Roger Ebert, 1977

Celebration 2017

Also on May 25th, tickets went on sale for Star Wars Celebration 2017 in Orlando. More info and updated availability can be found HERE.

SW Celebration Dates

Celebration 2016 Key Art

This year’s Celebration, which takes place in London July 15-17, released it’s key art this week and features a peek at some new bad guys.

Key Art for SW Celebration 2016
Key Art for SW Celebration 2016

Along with the characters for the upcoming Star Wars Episode VIII and Rogue One films are a couple new faces. There are the elite Death Troopers and Shore Troopers. These are variations of the original Imperial Stormtroopers featured in Rogue One.

Shore Troopers

Death Troopers

Rouge One will be released December 16, 2016.

Aftermath Discount

The first book in the Aftermath series, which tells the story between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, has been heavily discounted for the release of the second book in the series. Amazon is selling the Kindle version of Aftermath for $1.99 (for a limited time).

Star Wars Aftermath

 

Season Of The Force Moves Into The Summer

As Disneyland moves into the Summer season this Memorial Day Weekend, the Season of the Force remains strong!

SOF 1

Star Tours reverted to the randomized sequences recently, incorporating the new scenes from The Force Awakens into the mix.
Star Tours reverted to the randomized sequences recently, incorporating the new scenes from The Force Awakens into the mix.
Banners on the south edge of the old Peoplemover tracks show characters from the Star Wars saga on the Light Side of the Force.
Banners on the south edge of the old Peoplemover tracks show characters from the Star Wars saga on the Light Side of the Force.
The banners on the opposite side show characters on the Dark Side.
The banners on the opposite side show characters on the Dark Side.

SOF 5

Star Trader continues to feature new merchandise.
Star Trader continues to feature new merchandise.

SOF 7

SOF 8

SOF 9

Path Of The Jedi continues it’s run in the Tomorrowland Theater.
Path Of The Jedi continues it’s run in the Tomorrowland Theater.
Hyperspace Mountain remains a rope drop destination.
Hyperspace Mountain remains a rope drop destination.
First Order Troopers on patrol.
First Order Troopers on patrol.
Launch Bay runs daily from 10am-8pm.
Launch Bay runs daily from 10am-8pm.
Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple brings in the crowds six times a day.
Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple brings in the crowds six times a day.
Jedi Younglings march to the stage.
Jedi Younglings march to the stage.
Jedi Apprentice Nedriss Narr
Jedi Apprentice Nedriss Narr
Jedi master Vanzel Mar-Klar
Jedi master Vanzel Mar-Klar

JT 5

JT 6

Younglings learn to use a lightsaber.
Younglings learn to use a lightsaber.
Masters and Students join in using the Force to raise the Jedi Temple.
Masters and Students join in using the Force to raise the Jedi Temple.

JT 9jpg

Darth Vader comes out of the temple as the students have to face their fear.
Darth Vader comes out of the temple as the students have to face their fear.

JT 11

JT 12

The Seventh Sister joins Vader.
The Seventh Sister joins Vader.

JT 14

JT 15

Young trainees square off with the villains.
Young trainees square off with the villains.

JT 17

JT 18

JT 19

JT 20

JT 21

The entire group uses the Force to drive Vader and The Seventh Sister back into the Temple.
The entire group uses the Force to drive Vader and The Seventh Sister back into the Temple.
Kylo Ren appears.
Kylo Ren appears.

JT 24

JT 25

Nedriss must face her greatest fear.
Nedriss must face her greatest fear.

JT 27

The Younglings use the Force to drive Kylo Ren back.
The Younglings use the Force to drive Kylo Ren back.

JT 29

JT 30

Construction Update

The Chateau remains. . . for now. The berm is gone. And a heck of a lot of dirt has been moved as some parts of Star Wars land begins to take shape.

The end of the Disneyland Railroad tracks in Fantasyland just yards away from the edge of construction.
The end of the Disneyland Railroad tracks in Fantasyland just yards away from the edge of construction.
The Chalet remains looking over Fantasyland while construction netting and tree removal creeps closer.
The Chalet remains on its perch above Fantasyland.  Meanwhile, construction netting and tree removal creeps closer.
The backside of the Chalet stands exposed.
The backside of the Chalet now stands exposed.
The breadth of Star Wars Land.
The breadth of Star Wars Land.
Dirt in transition stands four stories tall.
Dirt in transition is piled nearly four stories tall.

SWL 6

SWL 7

Something is beginning to take shape.
Something is beginning to take shape.
Construction crews lay out markers.
Construction crews lay out markers.
The old tunnels.
The old tunnels.
With the berm gone, you can see into what used to be the north end of the Rivers Of America.
With the berm gone, you can see into what used to be the north end of the Rivers Of America.

SWL 12

SWL 13

SWL 14

SWL 15

The last of the retaining wall that held the berm back from backstage buildings.
The last of the retaining wall that held the berm back from backstage buildings.

SWL 17

SWL 18

Trees behind the dam next to the Hungry Bear Restaurant.
Boxed trees are lined up behind the dam near the Hungry Bear Restaurant.

SWL 20

It’s amazing to look at this project so frequently and see something new every time.

That’s it for this week. May the Force be with you!