Star Wars Nite at Disneyland Celebrates the Prequel Period as Revenge of the Sith Turns 20

This yr, Star Wars Nite on the Disneyland Resort expanded its run with a number of dates of the favored, individually ticketed occasion geared towards fans of a galaxy far, far away. And let me let you know, I’m so glad they did this to fulfill the demand from earlier years.

Final spring, the restricted occasion felt packed to capability. It was exhausting to do a lot as content material creators and influencers flocked to get the primary appears to be like at character interactions and meals—to the purpose the place it was exhausting for normal park-goers (together with a really pregnant me on the time, and the good friend who’d invited me alongside) to do something. Even with four-ish hours to do it in, if you simply needed to strive the Star Wars-themed food or meet characters from the movies not normally obtainable throughout common park hours, it felt unimaginable. I solely received to strive one ration of the particular meals objects hidden deep in Tomorrowland that was not that nice, and waited in a very lengthy line to fulfill an Ewok. 

This yr, Star Wars Nite expanded to final a number of weeks, taking place on choose nights between April 8 and Might 6. Disneyland invited io9 to attend one of many nights and we knew to choose one thing smack within the center to keep away from the push of Disney influencers competing to their firsts in. It was a significantly better expertise than earlier than and much more accessible.

The general expertise was enhanced by permitting Star Wars followers extra alternatives to collect over the course of the park’s “Season of the Pressure” celebration (March 28-Might 11), and get to expertise shorter wait occasions for all of the choices. It was such an fulfilling expertise to have the ability to do extra and spend a night with out the kiddo—my eight-month-old shouldn’t be prepared for late park nights—and get a redo with my good friend.

It was a lot simpler to get meals and take a look at various things for a Star Wars meals crawl. I began out with my new favourite, the Fried Falumpaset cheese skewer, which is a Korean scorching dog-inspired tacky deal with (no meat) that comes with a improbable mustard cheese sauce. Whereas it’s obtainable throughout the day too at Ronto Roasters in Galaxy’s Edge, it’s an merchandise we hope stays a staple year-round.

Earlier than the night time exclusives grew to become obtainable I additionally received the Fried Rooster Baos for a small chew to carry me over earlier than attempting the occasion’s specialty noms. First up was the brand new honey chipotle-glazed Kalbi Ribs, which had been completely charred on the floor and tender like Anakin’s face on the lava shores of Mustafar. It was served with with a facet of steamed broccoli, purple cabbage, and blue rice. I’d undoubtedly have this once more as a result of it’s exhausting to search out themed meals that aren’t predominately carb loaded.

Earlier than wandering off for rides and character strains, I used to be intrigued by the obscure description of Cafe Orleans’ themed choices as “small bites and drinks.” It was a chilly blustery night time as we made our option to New Orleans Sq. because the candy steel sounds of the Imperial March performed from the stage on the Rivers of America by a canopy band. Sure, they performed  Billy Idol’s “Insurgent Yell” too, and you recognize what? It was simple to get into the vibes. After we received to Cafe Orleans, the Star Wars Menu had an merchandise that appeared to actually be what the night time wanted for dessert: the sipping chocolate.

Initially I used to be going to have the Galactic Princess Sundae however I didn’t wish to really feel Hoth-level chilly so this new choice was excellent and such a hidden gem. It was completely wealthy and heat, and got here with candy biscuits and a marshmallow that ought to have been Insurgent emblem or Yoda formed. It made me want it had been a part of a Star Wars themed excessive (republic) tea as a result of that may have been so enjoyable to decorate up for. Disneyland already had the makings of it, with a Coruscanti salad with a Hawk-bat egg and the Galactic Republic flatbread.

There was additionally a boozy choice, the Insurgent Refresher— it may very well be liquid braveness to maintain you heat and tackle the Empire, however you may have to go to the refresher quickly after. Eating at Cafe Orleans for his or her themed heat drinks and teas was such a pleasant option to not really feel such as you needed to go-go-go, and it had a fantastic vantage level to take heed to the sounds of Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes enjoying reside on the river.

This yr, the environment was a lot simpler to delight in. The DJ events had been enjoyable to roam round as we made our option to numerous meet and greets. The strains had been so brief for all of the Star Wars rides it made it actually definitely worth the admission for the night occasion; throughout the day with common park visitors they only get so crowded.

The one factor that was actually lacking was the usage of the theater subsequent to Hyperspace Mountain, which may have had an Andor season two preview going. However there was a lot to do together with costume parades, “A Gathering of the Resistance” with Rey to unite in lightsaber igniting, and in addition a lightsaber how-to on the Fantasyland Theater.

Merchandise was nonetheless just a little exhausting to return by as Star Wars Nite exclusives ran out rapidly in sizing, and the beforehand teased distant managed Mouse Droid nonetheless hasn’t been launched.

The spotlight of the night time was assembly Queen Padmé Amidala. The road final yr didn’t enable for stopping for a pose, you needed to seize a selfie and preserve shifting. It was higher facilitated this time and we truly received photos with (and of) the unimaginable face actress who was a lifeless ringer for Natalie Portman. The one bummer was once we met Padmé, Anakin was not out to fulfill people, that means I missed him for the second yr in a row. They’ve a fantastic Jedi face character for him we’ve seen on-line. Ah, nicely subsequent time!

The Skywalkers had such a fantastic presence at Star Wars Nite which is sensible as this yr marks the twentieth anniversary of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The movie marking the top of the prequel period has seen a lot love from followers who grew up on it and the vitality of the Y2K gen was felt all through the night time. There was a lot pleasure when Darth Maul confirmed up along with his double-edge mild saber and even Sheev Palpatine by some means returned.

It was nonetheless the attractive re-telling of these three movies by way of Shadows of Reminiscence: A Skywalker Saga by way of projection lights and narration by the lore weaver which capped off the night time completely at Galaxy’s Edge. Whereas there weren’t too many new-for-2025 sights, it was a fantastic change of tempo to have the ability to lastly do much more of what’s been provided and hoping that the subsequent slate of occasions provides extra thrilling updates and characters from Andor, Skeleton Crew, and The Acolyte. As a result of if the prequels are any indication, followers of Star Wars find it irresistible all and outnumber the loud indignant followers who gatekeep the content material to only the unique movies.

For extra info on Disneyland After Darkish: Star Wars Nite and tickets go to here.

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