Disney Rehomed One of Star Wars Most Iconic Characters and Here Is Where He Landed
The Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is gone, and so is Darth Vader’s meet-and-greet. The good news is that Vader has found a new spot. Guests who have been wondering where to find him at Disney since the closure now have a clear answer.
Darth Vader is now meeting guests just outside the entrance of Star Tours near the former Jedi Training Academy stage at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Meet-and-greet times are available daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The new location is permanent rather than transitional and puts one of the most recognizable characters in the Star Wars franchise back in front of guests in a spot that feels appropriately suited to his history with the Jedi.
Why Darth Vader Needed a New Location
The Star Wars Launch Bay occupied the building that originally housed an animation experience at Hollywood Studios. It served as the central hub for Star Wars character meet-and-greets for years. When it closed, the meet-and-greet infrastructure for several popular Star Wars characters went with it. This left Darth Vader temporarily meeting guests in the outdoor extended queue of Star Tours before settling into the new permanent location near the Jedi Training Academy stage.
The building is being converted to house The Magic of Disney Animation. It is set to open this summer and bring guests into the process of creating animated films. The return of an animation experience to a building originally designed for that purpose is a restoration that animation fans have been anticipating. It explains why the Star Wars Launch Bay’s days were numbered.
What Is Happening Around the New Location
The area surrounding Darth Vader’s new meet-and-greet spot is in the middle of a significant transformation. Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios has been undergoing a broad reimagining for several months. Construction crews are actively repaving, replanting, and reshaping the area into a space inspired by The Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, California.
The courtyard’s familiar awning and wait time signage have been removed as part of the project. The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure received a fresh coat of paint as part of the refresh. New permit filings for signage confirm the area is heading toward a new identity. Once construction concludes this summer, alongside The Magic of Disney Animation and a new Disney Jr. show.
Where to Find Darth Vader Now
Just outside Star Tours. Near the former Jedi Training Academy stage. Daily between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The Sith Lord has a new home. Now you know where it is.
