This Week at Studios-December 19th 2017

Season’s Greetings to everyone! Time now to see this week’s highlights as we count down the final days until Christmas. Less than a week to go!  Both Star Wars and Grand Avenue are of great interest to many this week, so let’s begin.

In case you missed it, Disney’s Hollywood Studios hosted the thrilling Star Wars Galactic Nights last Saturday evening. This event included incredible projections on the Tower of Terror of Han Solo frozen in Carbonite, Darth Vader walking through the Death Star, as well as a view of the planet of Battu. These were just some of the highlights of this special ticketed event.  The special photo opportunities   throughout the park even included Luke Skywalker’s hut from The Last Jedi. Vader made his return in full array to the Launch Bay for a meet and greets. A delighter to many attendees was the return of DJ Elliot with his extraordinary up beat music. He made the park come alive with an exhaustive song list which brought back feelings of past Star Wars Weekends. Overall, Studio planners created a memorable event.Hurry on over to the completely opened Grand Avenue. The new music store mentioned last week now has a name: Harmony Music. This musical instrument shop wraps around the corner leading to a cast member only section. Notice the big gate at the end of Grand Avenue which is suspected to be associated with the rumored trolley. Construction at Gonzo’s Royal Flush is done and the result is more guest seating area. Have a camera ready as guests can now walk right up to the entrance of Galaxy Edge for a great photo.  Meanwhile, vintage studios fans can see their beloved “Honey I Shrunk the Kids“ billboard on the back of the soundstage just past the new Harmony Music Shop. What more could we expect  than  Star Wars Launch Bay colorfully  decked out in celebration of the  release of The Last Jedi motion picture in  theaters this past weekend.  Banners dramatically align the outside courtyard, with a huge Resistance banner draped over the entrance in place of the former Death Star. Be sure to catch the Launch Bay Theater’s new film about the movie and what to expect from Batuu in 2019. Loaded with The Last Jedi props and artifacts is the gallery walk- through area. Take some time here to view the detail of each display. Some more progress on the construction walls around the exit of the former Great Movie Ride…now boasting a darker paint color. The makeshift store next door now markets a selection of Last Jedi apparel. You will find that right attire to wear at the theater if you have yet to see the film. Take note of those lamp posts at the steps to the right of the Chinese Theater. The Park has just added new Christmas decorations. In this same area you will have an even better view of the night time fireworks since many of the landscape trees have lost their leaves for the winter. As for Toy Story Land construction…a little noticeable progress with the completion of wall painting. Roller coaster fans, the end product will be worth the wait.Catch this week’s glimpse of the Galaxy Edge construction in the photos below. Check out the travel sponsor of The Disney Nerds, Once Upon A Time Travel Agency.

May The Force Be With You…now more than ever before.