Two Week Warning: Disney Permanently Closing 'Star Wars' Attraction

Disney is set to close a longtime Star Wars attraction forever in just two weeks.

Disney’s theme park love affair with a galaxy far, far away started long before the company took over Lucasfilm. In 1987, Disneyland introduced Star Tours, a motion-simulator ride that immersed guests in space battles. The attraction quickly expanded worldwide, laying the groundwork for future Star Wars experiences in Disney parks.

A gold humanoid robot stands in the foreground, while a large screen in the background displays a black-armored figure with a cape, surrounded by troops in white armor inside a space hangar, reminiscent of an epic scene you might encounter on a Disney World Vacation. — Credit: Disney

Two decades later, Star Tours received a major refresh with Star Wars – The Adventures Continue. Today, this features more randomized storylines and characters tied to newer franchise entries, with more options added as new shows are released. Fans return repeatedly to experience different destinations, from Coruscant to Jakku, making it one of Disney’s most re-rideable attractions and a key bridge between film eras.

The biggest leap came in 2019 with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The expansive land features Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (which is set to receive a major update in 2026 to tie in with the release of The Mandalorian and Grogu) and Rise of the Resistance, blending cutting-edge technology with immersive storytelling. Visitors can build lightsabers, sip blue milk, and explore a living Star Wars universe brought to life.

Slightly less impressive is another Star Wars fixture in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. First opened in 2015, Star Wars Launch Bay functions mainly as an exhibit and meet-and-greet space, showcasing movie props, costumes, and character encounters.

Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney's Hollywood Studios — Credit: Brittany DiCologero, Inside the Magic

Although it gives fans a subdued way to engage with the saga, Star Wars Launch Bay falls short of the scale and immersion found elsewhere in the park. The frustration grew when Disney confirmed Muppet*Vision 3D’s closure for a new Monsters, Inc. land, leaving Launch Bay untouched – despite its counterparts in California and Shanghai already shuttering.

Months later, however, Disney confirmed that Star Wars Launch Bay is, in fact, closing for good.

In July, Disney announced that the attraction, along with Disney Jr. Play and Dance! and the surrounding Animation Courtyard area, will close at the end of its operating day on September 24. From September 25, the area will be off limits to guests. The space is set to reopen in 2026 as The Walt Disney Studios Lot, a reimagined land centered on a refreshed version of The Magic of Disney Animation.

Animation Courtyard at Disney's Hollywood Studios — Credit: Theme Park Tourist, Flickr

What Happens to Star Wars Launch Bay in Two Weeks?

Of course, that means we’re just two weeks off from the end of Star Wars Launch Bay.

With Hollywood Studios already home to three separate Star Wars hubs, it feels overdue for Star Wars Launch Bay to make its exit – especially given how promising its replacement sounds.

Set inside a structure modeled after the Roy E. Disney Animation Building, The Magic of Disney Animation will celebrate the artistry behind Disney films. Unlike much of the park’s recent focus, this new experience reconnects with Hollywood Studios’ original theme, reviving a spirit many fans feared had been lost.

Young artists-in-the-making can discover Drawn to Wonderland, an indoor playground inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair’s concept art for Alice in Wonderland. The whimsical space features a giant flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea Party playset, and an imaginative Tulgey Wood area designed for curious little explorers.

Animation Courtyard replacement concept art — Credit: Disney

That’s just the beginning. Families will also find an abundance of character meet-and-greets, adding even more ways to play together when The Magic of Disney Animation debuts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios next year.

The entire courtyard will be transformed into The Walt Disney Studios, modeled after the historic Burbank lot. Highlights include the Studio Theater, still home to The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, and a reimagined soundstage hosting a brand-new Disney Junior show. Shaded pathways, snack spots, and surprise character appearances will round out the experience—finally bringing some much-needed charm and greenery to the park.

Are you excited for Star Wars Launch Bay’s replacement?