Okay, for those of you who are die-hard Star Wars fans, you can now take a sigh of relief after watching The Force Awakens. I know many of you were apprehensive about Disney taking over the franchise (but seriously, it couldn’t really have gone down-hill from there). Now that most people are looking forward to the future of the Star Wars franchise, it is time to embrace Disney and Star Wars as one. It is for that reason I visited Disneyland at the end of January to take in the changes to the park (known as The Season of the Force). Here are three reasons why you need to check it out:
1. Tomorrowland Updates!
Amazing updates to Tomorrowland await the seasoned Disneyland traveller. For one, an array of Star Wars music is being played over the speakers at all times. Secondly, within the Star Wars Launch Bay visitors can take pictures with their favourite characters, look at movie props, and get one-of-a-kind merchandise. Additionally, in place of Captain E-O and other videos in the Tomorrowland Theatre, guests can view Star Wars: Path of the Jedi, a video summarizing the entire Star Wars movie franchise. Finally, lots of new merch fills the Star Trader gift store; with new droids and lightsabers to build and clothes to buy… be sure to bring a full wallet.
2. Food!
Disney parks have always been known for amazing food. I have never been disappointed with a meal within the parks. I did not, however, expect to be surprised by a meal before. The Galactic Grill is serving up new dishes, and I have found my new favourite: The Jedi Order Burger. It’s a grilled chicken sandwich with wasabi mayo, deep-fried green beans, and pickled red onions. It was so good, I ordered it twice. Other new additions we tried out include the First Order Burger (beef with fried peppers, spicy lime aioli, served on a dark bun), Darth by Chocolate Parfait, and new lemonades with collectable lights inside (The Light Side comes with a Millennium Falcon, The Dark Side comes with a Death Star). We purposefully travelled back to Tomorrowland for our meals each night we were in the park.
3. Ride changes!
Space Mountain and Star Tours also got a little face lift during the Season of the Force. Star Tours is boasting a new location and transition… be prepared to travel to Jakku alongside the Millennium Falcon (a little appearance will be made by John Boyega playing his character, Finn), and receiving a transmission from BB-8. However, the best changes came to Space Mountain, now referred to as Hyperspace Mountain. While in line, Admiral Ackbar informs you of a Star Destroyer attacking Jakku (most likely following the destruction of the Death Star and explaining the fallen Destroyer during The Force Awakens). At the start of the ride, the iconic music takes you into light speed as you listen to the blue squadron checking in. In addition to stars lighting your way on the coaster, you will now have Tie-fighters, X-wings, and blaster lights zooming past as you listen to the blue squadron lay out their plans. These slight changes gave purpose to one of my all-time favourite rides, and delighted me over and over again. If you do decide to check it out, be sure to listen to what happens to Blue-7… and let me know if you ever find out.