It seems like we are saying a lot of goodbye’s in Walt Disney World here lately. Yesterday we had another goodbye here in Disney World. Animation Courtyard in Hollywood Studios had its last curtain call, well sort of! The new Little Mermaid show is still open but the Star Wars Launch Bay and Disney Jr Play and Dance have officially closed. This area is making way for the new Magic of Disney Animation experience. While I feel like this area needed something new, I might miss the Star Wars nostalgia just a little!
Goodbye Star Wars Launch Bay
The Star Wars Launch Bay was originally kind of like a way to hype up guests about Galaxy’s Edge that was to come as an expansion to Hollywood Studios. What I always thought was cool about the launch bay was the art tableaus at the entrance with all the Star Wars art from every era. Once inside, the iconic “In a galaxy far far away” title sequence was on the carpet and you could see so many amazing movie props throughout. Now it’s time to say another goodbye in Disney World to the launch bay.
You could meet Darth Vader, Chewbacca and BB8 inside Star Wars Launch bay. Each character had their own area designed for their environment. You will still be able to meet Darth Vader over at the Star Tours queue and Chewbacca is a roaming character in Galaxy’s Edge. But, BB8’s meet and greet will not move to a new location. I feel like this is an opportunity to finally get roaming droids in Galaxy’s Edge. Give us BB8 rolling around by the Millennium Falcon, Disney!!
Goodbye Disney Junior Play and Dance
Full transparency here, I totally do not care that this is closing! My kids are not at this age anymore so we never went in here. BUT, I get the appeal and why some may miss this. This was a space where the little kids could get the wiggles out. In the AC no less! They got to see favorite characters without waiting in line and they could run around and dance. No standing still! Although I am good with saying goodbye to this is Disney World, I can see why some will miss this.
So What’s To Come?
Here’s where we can get a little excited! While this is another goodbye in Disney World for all of us, it should be a short one. The Star Wars Launch Bay is going to transform in The Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, even the sorcerer hat will be atop the building! Inside will be a family experience called The Magic of Animation that is taking its queues from the short, Once Upon A Studio. If you have not watched this yet, do it! But make sure you have some tissues!
The Magic of Animation
The animators are away so the animation comes out to play! Inside the studios building you will see interactive, animated portraits come to life, drawing and animation classes and see the characters taking over the studio. There will be different departments inside the studio that the characters have taken over! I personally love Once Upon A Studio and am so excited to see how they bring it to life in Hollywood Studio’s.
Drawn to Wonderland
Over int he Disney Junior building we will have the Alice in Wonderland playground, Drawn to Wonderland. So although you are losing the Disney Junior dance party you are getting another area the kiddos will be able to run free in….and it will still have AC! Disney stated the Drawn to Wonderland playground will feature an oversized flower garden with musical instruments, and Mad Tea Party playlet and a Tulgey Wood exploration area. The styling will be based on Mary Blair’s concept art for Alice in Wonderland! This sounds so cool, can adults play too??
Conclusion
While I am somewhat sad to say another goodbye here in Disney World, I do think this is a welcome change. The Star Wars Launch Bay and really this whole area has needed some love for a while now. I hope they really do a great job on bringing The Walt Disney Animation Studio’s to life here in Hollywood Studios. Some of us may never get to visit the real thing so this will be very exciting! Out of all the goodbye’s, this one is definitely not surprising. Muppet Courtyard, Tom Sawyer Island and the Riverboat, Dinoland USA, those hurt my heart.
I can’t say I will be talking about Star Wars Launch Bay or Disney Junior Play and Dance years down the road to keep its memory alive. Hahahaha! Although, I am going to miss the Hollywood Studios arch that is clearly missing from the concept art. That is so iconic and I will miss having that as a photo backdrop. I hope you are excited for this change and thank you for reaching along today. Have a magical day!
