Star Wars Launch Bay Closes, Darth Vader Meet & Greet Moved

Even though Star Wars Launch Bay closes, guests can still meet Darth Vader.

Image: © Mickey From The UK

Walt Disney World News Published 29th September 2025, 3:11pm BST by Ash Hales

Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney's Hollywood Studios has now permanently closed. In its place, a new animation-inspired experience will be created. The new experience will included a place where kids and kids at heart can laugh, draw, dream, and explore animated new experiences. The playful and interactive moments will be around every corner. You'll see portraits come to life before your eyes just like they did in "Once Upon A Studio;" you'll find inspiration with a short film (with a twist, of course); and you’ll even pencil in some time to learn how to draw your very own character sketch. It's due to open sometime in 2026.

With the closure of Star Wars Launch Bay, the popular Darth Vader meet & greet will now take place outside of Star Tours.

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About the author

Ash Hales

Founder, Mickey From The UK

Ash Hales is a British Disney Parks writer and the voice behind Mickey From The UK. Based in the South West of England, he's been visiting Disney Parks for nearly three decades and launched Mickey From The UK in 2017 to provide honest, straight-talking news and advice for UK guests - without the American bias.