On March 28th, 2025, Jedi News and other media outlets were invited to a special press event at Disneyland to experience the grand opening of Season of the Force. This limited-time celebration, running through May 11th, 2025, brings an array of thrilling new experiences to Star Wars fans at Disneyland Park. As a lifelong Star Wars fan and someone who has covered the franchise for years, I was beyond excited to attend—especially since I’ll be missing my first Star Wars Celebration in a long time next month in Japan. This event was the perfect way to get my fill of the galaxy far, far away!
A Star Wars Experience Like No Other
For longtime fans and newcomers alike, Season of the Force brings a host of exclusive offerings, making Disneyland the ultimate Star Wars destination. The return of Hyperspace Mountain kicks things off, transforming the classic Space Mountain into a thrilling TIE fighter-filled adventure through the galaxy. But that’s just the beginning!
From 3:00pm to 4:30pm, we enjoyed a special reception at The Yard filled with exciting content creation opportunities. This included insights from Walt Disney Imagineering and Lucasfilm about the latest entertainment offerings, a sneak peek at the limited-time Star Wars merchandise, and a chance to preview some of the exclusive food and beverage options available during Season of the Force.
The reception featured several key speakers who shared exciting details about Season of the Force and Star Wars experiences at Disneyland:
- Nataly Guzman, Disneyland® Resort Spokesperson – Season of the Force Merchandise
- Chef Adolfo Salazar, Disneyland® Resort Chef – Season of the Force Food & Beverage
- Megan Roth, Senior Manager, Event Production Content Management | Communications Events – Disney After Dark Star Wars Nite
- Matt Martin, Sr. Creative Executive, Lucasfilm Ltd. – Star Wars Experiences at Disneyland® Resort
- Michael Serna, Executive Creative Director, Disney Live Entertainment – Star Wars Experiences at Disneyland® Resort
One of the biggest highlights of this year’s event is the debut of Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga, a brand-new nighttime projection show in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This spectacular presentation immerses guests in the defining moments of the Skywalker legacy, featuring breathtaking visuals and iconic music from across the saga. Seeing it with reserved viewing made for an unforgettable experience.
Encounters in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Season of the Force is also bringing fresh character interactions to Batuu. The biggest surprise? The arrival of none other than Luke Skywalker! For the first time ever, the legendary Jedi is making an appearance in Galaxy’s Edge, marking a major milestone for Star Wars storytelling within the parks.
Beyond Luke’s arrival, guests can also look forward to run-ins with familiar favorites like Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and Ahsoka Tano. I was fortunate enough to attend an exclusive Special Character Encounter from 6:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Savi’s Workshop Garden, where I had a close-up moment with a Star Wars legend. The energy in the air was electric as fans gathered for this one-of-a-kind experience! The media was treated to a photo session with Luke at Savi’s.
The Lumineers Have Arrived for Season of the Force
An unexpected highlight was Michael Siglain, Creative Director, Lucasfilm Publishing, and the authors of Star Wars: The High Republic being available to the media. I was able to chat with Michael, and he noted how this project’s success was the “key” to unlocking future original storytelling from Lucasfilm. We have a lot to look forward to after the amazing conclusion of The High Republic.
Exclusive Food, Merch, and More
No Star Wars event is complete without themed food and merchandise, and Season of the Force delivers on both fronts. The Disney Dining Card provided as part of the media event allowed me to sample some of the limited-time treats, and the offerings this year are truly out of this world!
For those craving savory options, highlights include the Dewback Chili Noodles at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, Fried Chicken Baos, and the Galactic Gyro Burger at Galactic Grill. At Ronto Roasters, the Fried Falumpaset Cheese Skewer is a new must-try, while Peka Pretzel near Star Tours offers a delicious cream cheese-filled pretzel with taro sweetened condensed milk.
For fans of sweet treats, the Pistachio-Cherry Parfait is a standout, along with the Sour Blue Raspberry Churro and the Spiced Red Cinnamon Churro. If you’re looking for a refreshing beverage, Oga’s Cantina has introduced the Ne’tra gal Ale, The Grinning Loth-cat, and the new High Republic cocktail. Meanwhile, Milk Stand is serving up the Toydaria Swirl, a green milk blend with chile-lime seasoning and mango popping spheres.
In addition to these delights, a variety of exclusive collectibles are available, including the Death Star Bucket, Coaxium Sipper, and Mythosaur Mug. The new Salvaged Clone Trooper Bucket and Jawa Sipper, debuting on May 4th, are sure to be highly sought-after by collectors. If you’re looking for a fun souvenir, the Lightsaber Swizzle Sticks for both Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker are fantastic additions to any Star Wars fan’s collection.
A Must-See for Star Wars Fans
While I was not able to stay for the last part of the event, the night concluded with a reserved viewing of Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga at 9:00pm, followed by Fire of the Rising Moons at Docking Bay 7. Watching this breathtaking projection show and fireworks display in the immersive world of Batuu was the perfect ending to an incredible day.
Between the thrilling attractions, the immersive new entertainment, and the chance to witness Star Wars history unfold in the parks, Season of the Force is a can’t-miss experience for any fan of the galaxy far, far away. Whether it’s your first visit to Batuu or you’ve made the jump to hyperspace countless times before, there’s something new and exciting waiting for you.
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