Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (The Complete Guide)
Star Wars Launch Bay is an attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. This attraction features several Star Wars meet-and-greets, immersive exhibits of costumes, models, concept artwork, and actual movie props. Launch Bay also has authentic replicas that were created specifically for it.
Below, we’ll discuss the specifics for touring Star Wars Launch Bay. It’s important to note that this attraction is not a part of Galaxy’s Edge (Star Wars Land). However, it is the only park area that offers a traditional place to meet beloved Star Wars characters.
Star Wars Launch Bay is located at the back of the Animation Courtyard, past the Disney Junior Play and Dance. It is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Since this attraction closes earlier, we recommend checking the exact hours in the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit.
Update: The exhibits photographed below are current as of 2024. Some items in the galleries are on loan and the exhibits change from time to time.
Here are a few quick-reference details for Star Wars Launch Bay:
| Star Wars Launch Bay | Hollywood Studios Attractions |
|---|---|
Location: | Animation Courtyard |
Height Requirement: | NA |
Lightning Lane: | NA |
Early Theme Park Entry: | No |
Extended Evening Hours: | No |
Ride Type: | Tour Galleries, Character Meets |
Seats Per Vehicle: | NA |
Rider Switch: | NA |
Good For: | Star Wars Fans |
Scare Factor: | Some children might find meeting Darth Vader scary. |
Must-Do List: | Low Priority |
Perfect For: | All Ages |
Special Mention: | Great place to meet characters. |
Accessibility: Guests may remain in wheelchairs and ECVs. Handheld captioning and assistive listening are available at this attraction.
Make sure to check our one-stop Lightning Lane Guide to plan your attractions.
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Formerly, Star Wars Launch Bay offered guests an opportunity to watch a short film about the development of the Star Wars saga. The film The Stars Behind Star Wars had a duration of 10 minutes. Unfortunately, that film has not been available for quite some time. However, guests are welcome to browse the artwork in the former queue.
Continuing inside Star Wars Launch Bay, we find a couple of rooms with replicas of large-scale Star Wars artifacts and memorabilia. If you’re a huge Star Wars fan, you’ll want to make sure to take the time to walk through these exhibits.
A Celebration Gallery features “Ships of the Rebel and Imperial Fleets.” This gallery invites you to enjoy an up-close look at replicas of starcruisers and starfighters as we celebrate one-of-a-kind spacecraft, the heroes and villains that flew aboard them, and their memorable interstellar adventures.
Here, we have a display of several model ships.
“That’s not a small planet; it’s a space station,” Obi-Wan Kenobi. (A New Hope)
Next, we’ll make our way down Celebration Hallway, where we’ll encounter the famous Star Wars monologue-printed carpet. It reads, “It is a period of celebration. The Star Wars saga lives on with new adventures set in a galaxy far, far away. Here at Launch Bay, discover the latest stories of the saga and feel the power of the Force, binding us together. Our journey begins with an awakening. Welcome to a new era…”
The next gallery features a Scout Speeder Bike. This is one of six of the speeder bike props used in Return of the Jedi. It is on loan from The Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts. (These were used in the Endor scenes with the Ewoks.)
Next, we have a gallery featuring a replica of Rey’s outfit and a speeder from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Of course, meeting Star Wars characters is the main event and why most guests visit the attraction. Outside the entrance Launch Bay, you’ll find a list of the character meets with their posted wait times.
The following characters have meet-and-greets at Star Wars Launch Bay. They are as follows:
- Darth Vader
- BB-8
- Chewbacca
Years ago, you might run into a few roaming characters like Storm Troopers and Jawas. Now, you might run into Storm Troopers in Galaxy’s Edge. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen any Jawas in a while. Kylo Ren used to be part of the character meet lineup. However, since Galaxy’s Edge opened, he is now a roaming character in the land.
BB-8 is the first character meet-and-greet inside Star Wars Launch Bay. He usually has the shortest line of the three.
Related: Meet BB-8 at Hollywood Studios
After meeting BB-8, you’ll continue to a large open area. On the left-hand side, a queue is available for Chewbacca, the Wookiee On Base.
Chewbacca’s wait time averages 30 minutes, given his popularity. But he’s an exceptional meet.
Related: Meet Chewbacca at Hollywood Studios
Then, there’s Darth Vader. This character meet typically has the longest wait of all three meets at Star Wars Launch Bay. He is the commander on the bridge.
Lastly, Disney Visa cardholders are privy to an exclusive character experience. This special Darth Vader meet-and-greet is open daily from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Related: Disney Visa Character Meet-and-Greets
Formerly, guests would exit Star Wars Launch Bay via Launch Bay Cargo Shop, a store offering special Star Wars merchandise. That store has been closed for some time. Guests will likely find memorable items at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities in Galaxy’s Edge.
For more about this park, try our planning guide for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or check out these individual reviews:
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Complete Guide to Galaxy’s Edge at Disney World
You also may enjoy staying at one of the nearby resorts only a Friendship Boat ride away from Hollywood Studios. They include:
- Disney’s Beach Club Review
- Disney’s Yacht Club Review
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Review
- Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Review
Or you can browse the entire list of resorts at Walt Disney World.
In the Comments
Do you have plans to tour Star Wars Launch Bay on your next visit to Hollywood Studios? What do you think of the current exhibits? Share your thoughts below in the comments.
