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Credit: DisneyHundreds of Star Wars fans stood in eager anticipation during a night of the Disneyland Star Wars Nite, lightsabers glowing, smartphones in hand, hearts pounding to the beat of an unseen orchestra—only to be met with deafening silence.
On what was supposed to be a night of celebration in a galaxy far, far away, the Force seemed anything but strong.
Disneyland Star Wars Nite: Shadows of Memory: A SkyWalker Saga Fades Before It Begins
At Disneyland’s Star Wars Nite on April 8, an exclusive after-hours event promising immersive experiences and out-of-this-world entertainment, the new Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga show was set to be a highlight of the evening. But what unfolded at Galaxy’s Edge quickly turned into a galactic-scale letdown that has fans—and the internet—buzzing. So, what went wrong in the Black Spire Outpost?
Billed as a “storytelling adventure across the galaxy,” Shadows of Memory uses projection effects and an iconic musical score to relive the legendary Skywalker saga. But during the 9:00 p.m. show, the highly anticipated performance began with a technical hiccup that spiraled into full-blown chaos.
According to guest reports, the show played for only two minutes—and without audio—before abruptly shutting down. Guests were left confused, many shaking their heads in disbelief.
No immediate explanation was given, and after more than ten minutes, only a brief audio message announced a delay. This left hundreds wondering if the immersive story of the Skywalkers would resume—or if they’d been left in the dark, quite literally.
Fans Demand Refunds After Multiple Malfunctions
The frustration didn’t end there. The following 10:30 p.m. performance also appeared to suffer from similar issues, though reports are mixed on whether it partially ran or was again incomplete.
Still, the damage was done. Word of mouth spread quickly, with guests warning others and speculating on social media. Many held out hope for the final 12:00 a.m. showing, and the crowd more than tripled in size as guests clung to the promise of at least one successful performance.
Unfortunately, that hope was short-lived.
Oof. The 9:00 “Shadows of Memory” show played for two minutes without audio then turned off entirely. The crowd chanted “Refund!” and “Restart!” but the show does not appear to be restarting. #StarWarsNite #DisneylandAfterDark – @laughing_place on X
Oof. The 9:00 “Shadows of Memory” show played for two minutes without audio then turned off entirely. The crowd chanted “Refund!” and “Restart!” but the show does not appear to be restarting. #StarWarsNite #DisneylandAfterDark pic.twitter.com/SrWDq953GB
— LaughingPlace.com (@laughing_place) April 9, 2025
Just before midnight, Shadows of Memory was officially canceled—again. This time, the crowd erupted with boos and chants of “REFUND!” and “RESTART!” echoing through the land. Guests who paid premium prices for Star Wars Nite tickets (often over $150 per person) were furious that one of the night’s centerpiece experiences had failed to launch—not once, but multiple times.
The Real Cost of a Glitch in the Force
While theme park attractions are always subject to technical difficulties and cancellations—especially outdoor projections that can be impacted by weather—the string of errors during Shadows of Memory hit differently. This wasn’t just a ride going down for maintenance.
This was a headlining event, during a special-ticketed evening, surrounded by eager fans who’d traveled light-years (or at least several states) to witness it.
Ten minutes past showtime again and all we’ve gotten is one audio message about a delay. #DisneylandAfterDark #StarWarsNite – @laughing_place on X
Ten minutes past showtime again and all we’ve gotten is one audio message about a delay. #DisneylandAfterDark #StarWarsNite pic.twitter.com/oPFWY0oeIg
— LaughingPlace.com (@laughing_place) April 9, 2025
The undercurrent of this story is about expectation versus reality. Disney parks, and especially Disneyland After Dark events, are marketed on premium, exclusive experiences. When those experiences falter—especially without swift recovery or communication—the trust guests place in the Disney brand begins to erode.
The crowd boos as the final show of “Shadows of Memory” is cancelled, meaning it never happened during the event despite guests spending valuable time waiting for it twice. #DisneylandAfterDark #StarWarsNite
The crowd boos as the final show of “Shadows of Memory” is cancelled, meaning it never happened during the event despite guests spending valuable time waiting for it twice. #DisneylandAfterDark #StarWarsNite pic.twitter.com/y7c5XfAZpt
— LaughingPlace.com (@laughing_place) April 9, 2025
Moreover, the handling of the situation has left many fans questioning Disney’s preparedness and crisis management for live entertainment. Should Disney have proactively rescheduled or compensated guests? Should they have better communicated throughout the night?
What Happens Next for Disneyland Star Wars Nite and Shadows of Memory?
As of now, Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga is still listed on Disneyland’s official entertainment schedule. Disney has yet to make a public statement regarding the technical failures, guest frustrations, or any plans to make amends for the botched performances. According to Disneyland’s disclaimers, all entertainment is subject to change or cancellation without notice—and no refunds are guaranteed.
Still, the event’s poor execution may pressure the company to reevaluate how it handles future Star Wars Nite offerings, especially as Season of the Force continues through June 2. For now, fans can only hope the next showings go off without a hitch—and that those chanting in the night will one day see their Star Wars dreams fully realized on Batuu.
In a place where magic meets the Millennium Falcon, expectations are sky-high. And while even Disney can’t always defeat the dark side of technical glitches, it’s clear that guests aren’t looking for perfection—they’re looking for a galaxy where their ticket price buys a memory, not a malfunction.