Disneyland's Star Wars Night commemorates the 20-year anniversary of the Prequel Era, paying homage to "Revenge of the Sith"
A Galactic Good Time at Disneyland's Star Wars Nite
Get ready, galaxy travelers! This year, Disneyland Resort's popular Star Wars Nite event has extended its run with multiple dates, allowing more fans to immerse themselves in a celestial extravaganza filled with unforgettable experiences.
Last year, the event's limited run left me longing for more. The park was bustling with content creators and influencers, making it challenging for regular visitors like myself (and a very pregnant friend) to fully enjoy the offerings. This year, Star Wars Nite stretched over a few weeks, happening on select nights between April 8 and May 6, offering a more accessible and enjoyable experience.
The atmosphere was so much easier to soak up this time around. With more opportunities for fans to gather during the park's "Season of the Force" celebration (March 28-May 11), wait times for offerings were shorter. Our evening at this intergalactic soiree was replete with fun, friendship, and a redo with my buddy.
One of the highlights of the night was indulging in Star Wars-themed food. We started with the delectable Fried Falumpaset cheese skewer, a Korean-inspired, meat-free treat that came with a mouthwatering mustard cheese sauce. Though available during the day at Ronto Roasters in Galaxy's Edge, we hope it becomes a year-round staple.
Before the exclusive evening treats became available, we also sampled the Fried Chicken Baos for a light bite. Afterward, we were intrigued by Cafe Orleans' themed dessert offerings. As the cold wind blew through New Orleans Square, we were drawn to the soothing sounds of the Imperial March and the sweet metal notes of their cover band. When we arrived at Cafe Orleans, we were pleasantly surprised to find the sipping chocolate, a warm, rich concoction that was the perfect ending to our evening.
As we sipped our chocolate and listened to Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes play, we wandered from one DJ party to another, eventually making our way to various meet and greets. The lines were surprisingly short for all the Star Wars rides, making it worth the admission price for the evening event.
Unfortunately, the theater next to Hyperspace Mountain didn't showcase an Andor season two preview, but there was still plenty to do, including costume parades, "A Gathering of the Resistance" with Rey to unite in lightsaber igniting, and a lightsaber training demonstration at the Fantasyland Theater.
Merchandise was a bit challenging to find as Star Wars Nite exclusives quickly sold out in sizes, and the previously teased remote-controlled Mouse Droid is yet to be released. But the night's true highlight was meeting Queen Padmé Amidala. Last year's line didn't allow for posing; you had to grab a selfie and keep moving. This time, the experience was much improved, and we were able to snag some fantastic pictures with the incredibly convincing actress who looked just like Natalie Portman. The only downside was that Anakin was not available for meet-and-greets, meaning I missed him for the second year in a row.
The Skywalkers had a strong presence at the event, which makes sense given that this year marks the 20th anniversary of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The film, marking the end of the prequel era, has garnered much love from fans who grew up on it, and the energy of the Y2K generation was palpable throughout the night. Darth Maul even made an appearance with his double-edged lightsaber, and Emperor Palpatine managed to make a comeback.
To top it all off, a beautiful re-telling of the three films through Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga served as the night's crowning achievement, projecting lights and narration at Galaxy's Edge. While there aren't any new-for-2025 attractions confirmed, it was a refreshing change of pace to finally do more of what the event has to offer. Here's to hoping that the next slate of events brings more exciting updates and characters from Andor, Skeleton Crew, and The Acolyte. After all, if the prequels are any indication, fans of Star Wars embrace it all, and they outnumber the negative naysayers who limit their appreciation to the original films.
For more information on Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite and tickets, visit here.
Stay up-to-date on the latest Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe film and TV releases, and Doctor Who news by checking out io9. The force will be with you always.
- Io9 and Gizmodo are likely to cover the exciting Disneyland's Star Wars Nite event, given their interest in technology, lifestyle, travel, entertainment, and pop culture.
- The future looks promising for galaxy travelers as Disneyland Resort's Star Wars Nite, with multiple dates now extended, offers more opportunities to immerse in the intergalactic soiree.
- At the event, don't forget to try the delectable Star Wars-themed foods, such as the popular Fried Falumpaset cheese skewer, available at Ronto Roasters in Galaxy's Edge.
- Be sure to take advantage of the exclusive evening treats during the event, like the delicious sipping chocolate at Cafe Orleans, which made the perfect ending to an exciting evening.
- During the event, you may even have a chance to meet Queen Padmé Amidala, a convincing resemblance to the original Natalie Portman, in a more improved and memorable experience.
- Stay updated on the latest Star Wars news, including upcoming shows like Andor, Skeleton Crew, and The Acolyte, by frequently visiting io9, where they keep you informed about the galaxy far, far away.
