Today is a Legacy Passholder preview of the brand new Star Wars Trading Post in Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort. The shop takes over the former Rainforest Cafe on the West end of Downtown Disney. And we where there to take lots of photos and video for you! Let’s explore . . .
The Rainforest has been completely transformed inside and out by Walt Disney Imagineering.
That’s Rey’s Speeder out front.
Today’s preview was a special shopping event. Advance reservations were required and sold out very quickly. The shop opens to all guests later this week.
Outside, the old Rainforest is covered in camouflage, satellite dishes, and control panels. Cables draped all over the building.
Inside, you’ll find a highly detailed store that looks very much like something you’d find in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
The opening day mix of merchandise was mostly what you’d find inside the Star Wars land in the parks, with a few other items sprinkled in.
The Lightsaber counter is where you can fulfill all your saber needs.
But in order to get your lightsaber, you’ll have to take a number upon entering the store. Numbers are displayed on an digital sign near the lightsaber counter and Cast Members call out numbers while you shop around the rest of the store.
Lot’s of nice props and theming is scattered around the store.
Lots of camouflage netting and wires overhead — perhaps the shop’s biggest thematic weak spot.
This corner of plush shows how well the store fits into the old Rainforest space. Note the animal cages hanging from the ceiling.
Next to the plush corner is a little tucked-away nook of merchandise.
While most of the items are things you’ve seen before, there is a good mix of items from both Galaxy’s Edge and outside of that land’s very specific timeline. So this store is a more flexible space for Disney and gives them greater freedom than they have in Galaxy’s Edge.
New from Galaxy’s Edge is this attractive new sipper:
The new Baby Grogu streetwear line has made its way here.
The shop is intended to be a hidden jungle Resistance base as you might see on the Star Wars planet Yavin-4.
Video Inside the New Star Wars Store
Take a look inside . . .
Wonderground Returning!
Both the Star Wars Trading Post and the revamped Wonderground Gallery will officially open to guests on Feb 19th.
Wonderground is already transforming back to its previous self. The photo below was from this morning:
More Disney News
We also have news from Walt Disney World today, which has released next year’s vacation packages much earlier than usual. They’ve also updated the way booking windows work. Here are all the details:
Alternate Parking Arrangement
If you plan to visit this week, use our parking deal with the Anaheim Hotel on Harbor Blvd. Its the same $10 Disney charges, but you can use the much easier Harbor entry to the Resort. Offer is available 7 days a week and is good all day.
Let’s Hear From You
Do you like the look of this new store? An improvement over the Wonderground takeover? Let’s hear your thoughts on the new store and what you’d like to see Disney do with the rest of the building.
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