Star Wars Launch Bay and Disney character encounters return to Walt Disney World
Dates for the reopening of Star Wars Launch Bay, the return of favorite Disney character encounters, and the debut of a popular new character at the Magic Kingdom have been announced.
Disney Parks Blog announced today, June 22, 2022, that Star Wars Launch Bay will reopen on July 17, 2022 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, bringing back favorite Star Wars character meet-and-greets, including Han Solo’s Wookie sidekick Chewbacca, droid BB-8, and the formidable villain, Darth Vader.
Magic Kingdom park will see the debut of Mirabel from the movie “Encanto” as she takes her place in the “Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade” procession down Main Street U.S.A. starting on June 26, 2022. Mirabel joins characters including King Louie and Baloo from “Jungle Book,” Miguel from “Coco,” Merida from “Brave,” Nick and Judy from “Zootopia,” Moana from “Moana,” and Jose Carioca and Panchito from “The Three Caballeros,” plus Max, Goofy, and The Incredibles.
Minnie Mouse takes the opportunity to show off her new dress as she joins Mickey Mouse, both clad in their EARidescent outfits in honor of Walt Disney World’s 50 Anniversary celebration. The duo will welcome guests in Town Square Theater starting July 6.
Peter Pan and Snow White will return to Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom on July 10.
Over at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, those mischief-makers Chip and Dale are back as Chip ‘N Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long celebration returns on July 6, capped off with a movie under the stars.
Additional characters who will return to the Magic Kingdom in the coming months include Aladdin, Jasmine, Merida, Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger. In the Storybook Circus area, The Great Goofini will once again make appearances at Pete’s Silly Sideshow.
“Toy Story” characters will return to Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and DinoLand U.S.A. in Disney’s Animal Kingdom park will welcome back Donald Duck and his pals at Donald’s Dino-Bash.
The long-time favorite “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue” reopens in Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness on June 23, and the Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street in Magic Kingdom will start snipping hair and sprinkling glitter again, starting July 31.
