This week, as Disneyland bakes in the early summer heat, we’ll take a look at the Star Wars news that’s happening in the park, in Downtown Disney and in theaters.

Star Wars Sizzles At Disneyland

Even as the Southern California temperatures skyrocketed, Star Wars attractions are still the hottest in the park.

Tomorrowland continues to generate the heat at rope drop.
Tomorrowland continues to generate the heat at rope drop.
The crowd burns rubber to get to Hyperspace Mountain.
The crowd burns rubber to get to Hyperspace Mountain.
White-hot Star Wars attractions bring the summer crowds.
White-hot Star Wars attractions bring the summer crowds. Well, this one may not exactly be a blockbuster, but it is air conditioned. That’s something. . . right?
Star Tours shines as the second most popular attraction in Tomorrowland.
Star Tours shines as the second most popular attraction in Tomorrowland.
The side of the Star Tours show building shows the Starspeeder 1000 racing toward the sun.
The side of the Star Tours show building shows the Starspeeder 1000 racing toward the sun.
Meanwhile, it felt like the surface of the sun during the Season Of The Force
Meanwhile, it felt like the surface of the sun to those visiting the Season Of The Force this week.

New Star Wars Merchandise Lands At Star Trader

One of the cooler places in the Outer Rim, Star Trader, where Star Tours exits into Tomorrowland, packed the shelves with hot new items.

A retro-ride set that debuted in the spring added to the line with a set of magnets…
A retro-ride set that debuted in the spring added to the line with a set of magnets…
...and a set of Poster Puzzles.
…and a set of Poster Puzzles.
Surprising to see this axe for a lesser-known character following the weapons ban at the beginning of the year.
Surprising to see this axe for a lesser-known character following the weapons ban at the beginning of the year.

SW-June 29-Merch 4-1

What better cup for your morning caffeine fix?
What better cup for your morning caffeine fix?
A plush for Tokkat, an Ewok from Return of the Jedi.
A plush for Tokkat, an Ewok from Return of the Jedi.
Is it time for Back To School already?
Is it time for Back To School already?
A blistering Darth Vader pen with rubber spikes to make doing homework much more comfortable.
A blistering Darth Vader pen with rubber spikes to make doing homework much more comfortable.

WonderGround Gallery

WG-June 29 1-1

The WonderGround Galley in Downtown Disney is currently offering some cool Star Wars pieces.

“Star Wars Cantina-Left Side” by Shag
“Star Wars Cantina-Left Side” by Shag
“Star Wars Cantina-Right Side” by Shag
“Star Wars Cantina-Right Side” by Shag
Pins and cards of the Cantina by Shag
Pins and cards of the Cantina by Shag
“Cantina” T-shirt by Shag
“Cantina” T-shirt by Shag – Don’t you love this design?!
“The Dark Side & The Light” by Jerrod Maruyama
“The Dark Side & The Light” by Jerrod Maruyama
“It’s A Small Galaxy After All” by Jerrod Maruyama
“It’s A Small Galaxy After All” by Jerrod Maruyama

James Earl Jones Returns As Darth Vader

The hot news this week came when it was confirmed last week that James Earl Jones would be returning as the voice of Darth Vader in Rogue One. He most recently voiced the legendary villain in four episodes of Star Wars Rebels. This is great news for Star Wars fans. Who else could do that voice?

SW JEJ Darth Vader

On a side note…I’ve always been a big fan of the Candlelight Processional at Disneyland. In 1990 I was lucky enough to see James Earl Jones narrate. Amazing! You have not heard the Christmas Story until you’ve heard it told by Darth Vader!

Construction Update

There’s a heat wave of new activity in Star Wars Land this as the dirt starts moving out and the concrete starts coming in.

The north side of Star Wars Land behind Toontown.
The north side of Star Wars Land behind Toontown.
The middle section behind Big Thunder Mountain.
The middle section behind Big Thunder Mountain.
The south side behind Hungry Bear Restaurant.
The south side behind Hungry Bear Restaurant.

The four-story mound of dirt that has dominated the area is slowly being chipped away and taken out in a constant flow of trucks going in and out of the backstage area.

SWL-June 29-4-1

SWL-June 29-5-1

In the middle section, concrete footers have been set and the forms for concrete walls are being erected behind the Fantasyland Theater and where the Skyway Chalet was recently demolished.

SWL-June 29-6-1

SWL-June 29-7-1 SWL-June 29-8-1

SWL-June 29-9-1

SWL-June 29-10-1

Additionally, in the middle, a staging area has started for piping and conduit that is being laid around the area.

SWL-June 29-11-1

SWL-June 29-12-1

SWL-June 29-13-1

SWL-June 29-14-1

The footers we saw being framed on the last update now appear to have been cemented and are being prepared for the next step.

SWL-June 29-15-1

SWL-June 29-16-1

SWL-June 29-17-1

SWL-June 29-18-1

Just behind Tom Sawyer’s Island, framing has begun on another footer.
SWL-June 29-19-1

SWL-June 29-20-1

And the area behind the Hungry Bear Restaurant from the backside looks like it’s getting ready for some digging.

SWL-June 29-HB 1-1

SWL-June 29-HB 2-1

SWL-June 29-HB 3-1

It’s still amazing how much changes from week to week on this expansion. What do you think?

That’s it for this week’s hot Star Wars news at Disneyland. May the Force be with you!