Star Wars Launch Bay
The Star Wars Launch Bay appeared on stage at the D23 Expo 2015. the 15th of August 2015 marked the moment Disney Parks Presentation revealed the new walkthrough attraction. This announcement arrived alongside news of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. The presentation also detailed two future rides called Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Organizers promised an updated scene for Star Tours , The Adventures Continue during this same event. Guests learned that Season of the Force events would launch across multiple parks to celebrate the franchise.
the 16th of November 2015 saw the Disneyland version open its doors to visitors. A few weeks later, the 1st of December 2015 brought the opening to Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando. These dates coincided with the start of respective Season of the Force events at each location. The Shanghai Disneyland iteration followed a different schedule entirely. It opened on the 16th of June 2016 within the Tomorrowland Pavilion area. Three global parks hosted these interactive experiences under the banner of the Star Wars universe.
the 14th of March 2020 forced the California location to close due to park shutdown orders. Governor Gavin Newsom issued stay-at-home directives that impacted operations immediately. The Orlando building faced a temporary closure starting the 16th of March 2020 until the 17th of July 2022. During this period, staff repurposed the space as a Relaxation Station. This adaptation allowed guests to remove facial coverings while maintaining physical distance from others. The California site reopened sometime before May 2025 for character meet-and-greet sessions.
The Shanghai Disneyland version operated for exactly three years inside the Tomorrowland Pavilion. Visitors experienced the attraction from the 16th of June 2016 through June 2019. This specific timeline marked the shortest operational life among all three locations. The closure in mid-2019 ended the chapter for the Shanghai iteration. No further details about future plans for that specific pavilion appeared in the source material regarding this location.
the 22nd of July 2025 brought news of significant changes for the Disney's Hollywood Studios incarnation. Officials announced that both the Star Wars Launch Bay and Animation Courtyard area would close at an unspecified date. A reopening was scheduled for 2026 as part of new renovations. The project aims to transform the space into a reimagined version of The Magic of Disney Animation. This new land will be called The Walt Disney Studios Lot by the time construction completes.
Common questions
When did the Star Wars Launch Bay first appear at Disney Parks?
The Star Wars Launch Bay appeared on stage at the D23 Expo 2015. The 15th of August 2015 marked the moment Disney Parks Presentation revealed the new walkthrough attraction.
Which three global parks hosted the Star Wars Launch Bay interactive experiences?
Three global parks hosted these interactive experiences under the banner of the Star Wars universe. These locations included Disneyland, Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, and Shanghai Disneyland within the Tomorrowland Pavilion area.
What dates determined the operational lifespan of the Star Wars Launch Bay at Shanghai Disneyland?
Visitors experienced the attraction from the 16th of June 2016 through June 2019. This specific timeline marked the shortest operational life among all three locations before its closure in mid-2019.
How long was the Star Wars Launch Bay closed at Disney's Hollywood Studios during the pandemic shutdowns?
The Orlando building faced a temporary closure starting the 16th of March 2020 until the 17th of July 2022. During this period staff repurposed the space as a Relaxation Station to allow guests to remove facial coverings while maintaining physical distance.
When will the Star Wars Launch Bay close permanently at Disney's Hollywood Studios for renovations?
Officials announced that both the Star Wars Launch Bay and Animation Courtyard area would close at an unspecified date on the 22nd of July 2025. A reopening was scheduled for 2026 as part of new renovations to transform the space into The Walt Disney Studios Lot.
All sources
7 references cited across the entry
- 4webStar Wars Launch Bay finds fans quickly at DisneyDewayne Bevil — December 1, 2015
- 6webDisney Animation-Inspired Experience Coming to Disney’s Hollywood StudiosTyler McNulty et al. — July 22, 2025
- 7webBREAKING: Magic of Disney Animation Returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in ALL-NEW Attraction - WDWNTShannen Ace — 2025-07-22