Star Wars Nite at Disneyland Celebrates the Prequel Period as Revenge of the Sith Turns 20

This yr, Star Wars Nite on the Disneyland Resort expanded its run with a number of dates of the favored, individually ticketed occasion geared towards fans of a galaxy far, far away. And let me inform you, I’m so glad they did this to fulfill the demand from earlier years.

Final spring, the restricted occasion felt packed to capability. It was arduous to do a lot as content material creators and influencers flocked to get the primary appears to be like at character interactions and meals—to the purpose the place it was arduous for normal park-goers (together with a really pregnant me on the time, and the buddy who’d invited me alongside) to do something. Even with four-ish hours to do it in, if you simply wished to attempt the Star Wars-themed food or meet characters from the movies not often out there throughout common park hours, it felt not possible. I solely bought to attempt one ration of the particular meals objects hidden deep in Tomorrowland that was not that nice, and waited in a extremely lengthy line to fulfill an Ewok. 

This yr, Star Wars Nite expanded to final just a few weeks, taking place on choose nights between April 8 and Could 6. Disneyland invited io9 to attend one of many nights and we knew to select one thing smack within the center to keep away from the frenzy of Disney influencers competing to their firsts in. It was a significantly better expertise than earlier than and way more accessible.

The general expertise was enhanced by permitting Star Wars followers extra alternatives to assemble over the course of the park’s “Season of the Pressure” celebration (March 28-Could 11), and get to expertise shorter wait instances for all of the choices. It was such an satisfying expertise to have the ability to do extra and spend a night with out the kiddo—my eight-month-old will not be prepared for late park nights—and get a redo with my buddy.

It was a lot simpler to get meals and check out various things for a Star Wars meals crawl. I began out with my new favourite, the Fried Falumpaset cheese skewer, which is a Korean scorching dog-inspired tacky deal with (no meat) that comes with a unbelievable mustard cheese sauce. Whereas it’s out there in the course of the day too at Ronto Roasters in Galaxy’s Edge, it’s an merchandise we hope stays a staple year-round.

Earlier than the night time exclusives turned out there I additionally bought the Fried Rooster Baos for a small chew to carry me over earlier than attempting the occasion’s specialty noms. First up was the brand new honey chipotle-glazed Kalbi Ribs, which have been completely charred on the floor and tender like Anakin’s face on the lava shores of Mustafar. It was served with with a facet of steamed broccoli, purple cabbage, and blue rice. I’d positively have this once more as a result of it’s arduous to search out themed meals that aren’t predominately carb loaded.

Earlier than wandering off for rides and character traces, I used to be intrigued by the imprecise description of Cafe Orleans’ themed choices as “small bites and drinks.” It was a chilly blustery night time as we made our solution to New Orleans Sq. because the candy metallic sounds of the Imperial March performed from the stage on the Rivers of America by a canopy band. Sure, they performed  Billy Idol’s “Insurgent Yell” too, and you understand what? It was simple to get into the vibes. Once we bought to Cafe Orleans, the Star Wars Menu had an merchandise that appeared to actually be what the night time wanted for dessert: the sipping chocolate.

Initially I used to be going to have the Galactic Princess Sundae however I didn’t need to really feel Hoth-level chilly so this new choice was good and such a hidden gem. It was completely wealthy and heat, and got here with candy biscuits and a marshmallow that ought to have been Insurgent emblem or Yoda formed. It made me want it had been a part of a Star Wars themed excessive (republic) tea as a result of that might have been so enjoyable to decorate up for. Disneyland already had the makings of it, with a Coruscanti salad with a Hawk-bat egg and the Galactic Republic flatbread.

There was additionally a boozy choice, the Insurgent Refresher— it could possibly be liquid braveness to maintain you heat and tackle the Empire, however you may have to go to the refresher quickly after. Eating at Cafe Orleans for his or her themed heat drinks and teas was such a pleasant solution to not really feel such as you needed to go-go-go, and it had an important vantage level to hearken to the sounds of Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes taking part in stay on the river.

This yr, the ambiance was a lot simpler to take pleasure in. The DJ events have been enjoyable to roam round as we made our solution to numerous meet and greets. The traces have been so quick for all of the Star Wars rides it made it actually definitely worth the admission for the night occasion; in the course of the day with common park friends they simply get so crowded.

The one factor that was actually lacking was the usage of the theater subsequent to Hyperspace Mountain, which might have had an Andor season two preview going. However there was a lot to do together with costume parades, “A Gathering of the Resistance” with Rey to unite in lightsaber igniting, and in addition a lightsaber how-to on the Fantasyland Theater.

Merchandise was nonetheless a little bit arduous to return by as Star Wars Nite exclusives ran out rapidly in sizing, and the beforehand teased distant managed Mouse Droid nonetheless hasn’t been launched.

The spotlight of the night time was assembly Queen Padmé Amidala. The road final yr didn’t permit for stopping for a pose, you needed to seize a selfie and preserve shifting. It was higher facilitated this time and we really bought footage with (and of) the unbelievable face actress who was a useless ringer for Natalie Portman. The one bummer was once we met Padmé, Anakin was not out to fulfill people, which means I missed him for the second yr in a row. They’ve an important Jedi face character for him we’ve seen on-line. Ah, properly subsequent time!

The Skywalkers had such an important presence at Star Wars Nite which is sensible as this yr marks the twentieth anniversary of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The movie marking the tip of the prequel period has seen a lot love from followers who grew up on it and the power of the Y2K gen was felt all through the night time. There was a lot pleasure when Darth Maul confirmed up along with his double-edge mild saber and even Sheev Palpatine in some way returned.

It was nonetheless the attractive re-telling of these three movies by means of Shadows of Reminiscence: A Skywalker Saga by means of projection lights and narration by the lore weaver which capped off the night time completely at Galaxy’s Edge. Whereas there weren’t too many new-for-2025 points of interest, it was an important change of tempo to have the ability to lastly do much more of what’s been supplied and hoping that the following slate of occasions affords extra thrilling updates and characters from Andor, Skeleton Crew, and The Acolyte. As a result of if the prequels are any indication, followers of Star Wars find it irresistible all and outnumber the loud indignant followers who gatekeep the content material to simply the unique movies.

For extra info on Disneyland After Darkish: Star Wars Nite and tickets go to here.

Need extra io9 information? Try when to count on the most recent Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s subsequent for the DC Universe on film and TV, and the whole lot it’s good to find out about the way forward for Doctor Who.