'The Force' and Disney Magic are About to Collide

By BEA KARNES (Patch Staff)

A series of “Star Wars” related-attractions will open at Disneyland beginning Nov. 16 in connection with the Dec. 18 release of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” park officials announced today.

What is being dubbed “Season of the Force” will begin Nov. 16 with the opening of the Star Wars Launch Bay and the addition of a scene on Star Tours -- The Adventures Continue inspired by “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

Star Wars Launch Bay will give visitors chances to meet Darth Vader and Chewbacca.

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It will also include themed galleries, the Dark Side Gallery, the Light Side Gallery, Preview Gallery and Starship Gallery with stormtrooper armor, Sith lightsabers, Rebel flight helmets and lightsabers once wielded by Jedi Knights, props from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and starship models.

In December, Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple will introduce new characters and a new villain from the popular Disney XD series, “Star Wars Rebels.”

The Space Mountain ride will be dubbed Hyperspace Mountain for a limited time with riders joining an XZ-wing starfighter battle.

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Favorite scenes from “Star Wars” films will be shown at the Tomorrowland Theater. There will also be special “Star Wars” themed food and beverages, merchandise and entertainment.

Groundbreaking will take place in 2016 on the “Star Wars”-themed land. Work to make room for this new land at Disneyland will require temporary closure of the Rivers of America and the Disneyland Railroad.

All stations of the Disneyland Railroad and attractions along the Rivers of America, including “Fantasmic!” Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia, Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island and Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes will be temporarily closed at the end of the operating day on Jan. 10.

Big Thunder Ranch -- including Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue, Big Thunder Ranch Petting Farm and Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree -- will close permanently at the end of the operating day on Jan. 10.

-City News Service; Image via Disney