Darth Vader Meet‑and‑Greet Moves at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Starting September 25, 2025, Disney moved the Darth Vader meet-and-greet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This change happened after the permanent closing of Star Wars: Launch Bay and the Animation Courtyard. Now, guests can find Darth Vader near Star Tours.

Background and Launch Bay Closure

Star Wars: Launch Bay, located in the Animation Courtyard, was a place where guests could meet characters and see exhibits all about the Star Wars universe. Disney closed Launch Bay and the nearby area for the last time on September 24, 2025. They plan to transform this space into a new version of The Magic of Disney Animation and redesign the Animation Courtyard to resemble a Walt Disney Studios Lot.

Following those shutdowns, the performers who used to welcome visitors in Launch Bay-like Darth Vader-were moved to different areas of the park.

New Location Near Star Tours

Starting September 25th, guests can now encounter Darth Vader while waiting in line outdoors near Star Tours – The Adventures Continue. This meet-and-greet takes place in a previously underutilized extended queue area, which has been decorated to resemble the forest environment of Endor. One guest described the location as “in the shade of the Endor set near Tatooine Traders.”

Moving Darth Vader positions him near a central Star Wars attraction, instead of keeping him in a separate, standalone area. Disney hasn’t announced how long this setup will last.

Operation and Scheduling

Reports indicate that Darth Vader will be making appearances at his new location between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on a regular basis. You can find the exact schedule on the My Disney Experience app.

This change happens at the same time as updates to the Disney Visa Cardmember program. The special meet-and-greet with Darth Vader is no longer available. Instead, Disney Visa cardholders can now meet Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight between 9 a.m. and noon, as long as they show their valid card.

Previously, Disney Visa Cardmembers could meet Darth Vader at Launch Bay simply by showing their valid Disney Visa card. This was before the recent changes to the experience.

Impact and Context

Experts believe this move aligns with Disney’s overall strategy of blending character meetings seamlessly into detailed attraction areas, rather than keeping them in separate exhibit halls. Some people see the current arrangement as a temporary solution while Disney decides on a long-term meet-and-greet spot.

For those visiting the parks, this change means you’re more likely to see Darth Vader near the Star Tours ride, making the experience feel more connected to the Star Wars universe. We recommend checking the My Disney Experience app for the latest information on character appearances and where to find them, as schedules and locations are subject to change.

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2025-10-03 00:56