Star Wars: Galactic Nights

By James | Last updated August 23, 2023

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The next special one night after hours Star Wars themed event called “Star Wars: Galactic Nights” is on May 27, 2018 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and midnight. This is the third time this event has been run.

Regular theme park admission is not required as is usual with these kinds of events and you can enter the park a couple of hours before the event starts, any time after 5 p.m. To pick up your event credentials, head to one of three locations:

  • Grand Park (formerly known as the Muppet Courtyard)
  • Tower of Terror FastPass+ kiosk
  • Rebel Base (Chinese Theater Courtyard)

Entry is by special ticket only and costs $129.00 plus tax for adults and $124.00 plus tax for children aged 3 to 9. Ticket numbers are strictly limited and there are discounts for Disney Vacation Club Members and Annual Passholders.

At the Epic Theater there is a special one night only panel presentation “Inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” on the making of the new Star Wars land; Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which is set to open in 2019. The event takes place at 8:10 p.m., 9:10 p.m., 10:10 p.m. and 11:10 p.m.

There is also an add-on package. For food enthusiasts there is a “Galactic Tasting Sampler” for $30.00 including tax where you can sample Star Wars inspired gourmet food from across the galaxy including Lightsaber churros, Root Leaf Stew, Character cupcakes like Darth Vader chocolate peanut butter cupcakes, Charcuterie plates featuring C3PO crackers and speciality drinks. The package includes reserved seating at the 9:10 p.m. or 10:10 p.m. showings of “Inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge”.

Eight Iconic 3-dimensional photo backdrops representing each of the Star Wars films present great photo opportunities:

  • Ahch-to: Luke’s Hut – Near Rebel Base
  • Batuu – Grand Avenue
  • Death Star: Emperor’s Throne Room – Near Hyperion Theater
  • Hoth: Wampa Cave – Sunset Showcase Courtyard
  • Jakku: Luggabeast – Inside Sunset Showcase
  • Jedha: U-wing and K–2SO – Grand Avenue
  • Malachor: Sith Temple – Sunset Showcase Courtyard
  • Tatooine: Rancor – Inside Sunset Showcase

Keep an eye out for roaming characters and droids from the Star Wars films including Stormtroopers and Ewoks. Darth Vader leads an Imperial March of Stormtroopers down Hollywood Boulevard to the event stage near the Chinese Theater at 7:05 p.m., 8:05 p.m., 9:05 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.

In the Animation Courtyard, the black AWR Troopers search for rebels and before boarding Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, expect to encounter Imperial Stormtroopers searching for a spy.

During the event a number of attractions will remain open including the Star Wars Launch Bay and Star Tours – The Adventures Continue simulator ride. Other attractions include Star Wars: Path of the Jedi, Toy Story Mania!, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Muppet*Vision 3D, Walt Disney Presents and of course there will be special merchandise and food on offer.

For children aged 4 to 12, the ever popular “Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple” takes place next to Star Tours – The Adventures Continue. There is also an enhanced Jedi Recruitment package for $149.95 plus tax. It includes admission to Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple plus an official Star Wars lightsaber and Jedi robe, personalised name badge, an exclusive Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple t-shirt and a photo with a Jedi Master.

During the evening there is a special version of the “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away” stage show at 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10:20 p.m. combining some of the best movie clips with on-stage character appearances including Rey, Chewbacca, BB–8, Darth Vader and Kylo Ren.

You are also able to meet and greet the same characters at the Launch Bay. Look at for other rarely seen Star Wars characters including Seventh Sister at the Sunset Showcase Courtyard and Jawas at the Launch Bay.

In the evening, the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks and laser show is preceded by a special pre-show on the event stage.

The event centres around the Yavin Rebel Base hub in the centre of the park where you will find hosted shows and a DJ dance parties from 7 p.m. onwards.

New for 2018 is “Star Wars Galactic Destinations” which is a special projection show that transforms the Hollywood Tower Hotel into scenes from the Star Wars films accompanied by the iconic film soundtrack.

Both the regular “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” fireworks and laser show and the “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away” stage show will have new exclusive elements especially for the event.

There are a number of special Star wars photo locations including an appearance of the newest droid, BB–8, Hans Solo cast in carbonite, the Hoth Wampa Cave and the Palace of Jabba the Hut.

A special “Galactic Nights Stars in Cars Motorcade” welcomes the Star Wars celebrities down Hollywood Blvd.

Also look out for Captain Phasma and the First Order stormtroopers in the “March of the First Order”.

You can also take part in the “Seize the Saga Interactive Scavenger Hunt”. Here guests of all ages can hunt for eight themed Star Wars pieces that combine to create a unique keepsake, the plans for the Death Star.

Star Wars: Galactic Nights Costume Guidelines

Star Wars: Galactic Nights is one of the few Disney events where guests, both adults and children, can dress up but there are guidelines.

Guests can dress up as their favourite character but you are not allowed sign autographs or pose with other guests; i.e. pretend to be an official Disney cast member character.

You are not allowed to carry any weapons that might be mistaken for real weapons or have sharp objects that could harm another guest. Plastic lightsabers along with transparent wings and toy swords are ok.

Adults are not allowed to wear masks at all but guests aged 13 or less can wear a mask as long as the eyes are visible and it does not cover the whole face. Capes must not be longer than waist level and clothing must not drag on the ground.

Disney reserves the right to deny admission or request guests remove clothing deemed inappropriate or not family-friendly. This includes tattoos or anything obscene. You may also be subjected to additional screening if you wear multiple layers.

Full guidelines can be found on the official Disney site.

Star Wars: Galactic Nights Seasonal Dates

Disney periodically run the special one day “Star Wars: Galactic Nights”. The first time was on April 14, 2017 to celebrate 40 years of Star Wars.

They then ran it again on December 16, 2017 and in 2018 it is on May 27.

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