'Star Wars' Takes Over Disneyland's Tomorrowland

The force is strong at Disneyland Resort this holiday season — in fact, it’s the Season of the Force at the Southern California theme park.

Disneyland’s Tomorrowland has been transformed into a haven for fans of the “Star Wars” films with two all-new Star Wars attractions, and two of the park’s most popular attractions, Star Tours and Space Mountain, will receive Star Wars-themed makeovers.

The series, called Season of the Force and running until May 26, 2016, is sure to thrill anyone who is already a fan of the “Star Wars” saga and make a fan out of anyone who isn’t. Construction on an all-new Star Wars-themed land for the park is slated to begin in 2017, and it appears the force will be strong at the Disneyland Resort for a long time to come.

Galactic Food
Even the food in Tomorrowland has been reimagined. Dark Side and Light Side menu options at Galactic Grill include the Dark Side First Order burger — a spicy beef and chorizo patty topped with fried cherry peppers and spicy lime aioli on a black bun — and the Light Side Jedi Order Grilled Chicken Sandwich, with fried green beans and watercress. Both are served in a cool-looking Han Solo carbonite box. Drinks from the Dark Side (strawberry lemonade) and Light Side (green apple lemonade with yogurt “meteors”) include a souvenir light-up Death Star or Millennium Falcon, depending on which side of the Force you choose — so choose wisely.  

Hyperspace Mountain
The classic indoor coaster Space Mountain has been reimagined as Hyperspace Mountain. Riders are recruited by the Rebel Alliance to help X-Wing Starfighters battle again TIE Fighters from the Imperial fleet. With all-new special effects and videos, as well as a soundtrack inspired by the music from the films, this exciting new incarnation of Space Mountain puts riders right in the middle of the action. 

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Star Tours, a Tomorrowland favorite, will add an all-new adventure to its itinerary with a journey to iconic locations from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Characters from the new film will also be part of the action, including a 3-D holographic visit from the droid BB-8. 

Star Wars Launch Bay
Located on the lower level of the Tomorrowland Expo Center (formally Innoventions), Star Wars Launch Bay is an immersive new space where guests can explore Dark Side and Light Side galleries that display props and costumes from the “Star Wars” films (including “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”), as well as play the latest Star Wars interactive video games. 

Star Wars Launch Bay also features character encounters, with the menacing Darth Vader on the Dark Side and Chewbacca, the galaxy’s best co-pilot, on the Light Side. Guests should keep also an eye out for the First Order Imperial Storm Troopers who patrol the area outside of the attraction.

Star Wars: Path of the Jedi
In the Tomorrowland Theater, guests can experience “Star Wars: Path of the Jedi,” a short film that chronicles the stories from the entire “Star Wars” saga, including a few moments from the new film. Following the journey of hero Luke Skywalker, the film connects all seven of the “Star Wars” films as Luke becomes a Jedi Knight and fulfills his destiny.

The Details