Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite is back! This year has entertainment, merchandise, food, attractions, experiences, a special Magic Key holder exclusive patch, and of course characters from a galaxy far, far away! Throughout Disneyland, there are quite a few different characters to find and interact with! The characters come from many different eras of Star Wars. Coupled with the entertainment offerings, they bring Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite to life! Below is a look at where to find the different characters at this event, along with some tips for seeing them! We hope this is helpful!
Galactic Encounters
Adventureland
Jawas and R5-D4
In Adventureland next to the exit of The World Famous Jungle Cruise, Jawas and R5-D4 can be found meeting with guests during Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite. This was a popular destination throughout the night but the line didn’t seem to take too long. Guests were also getting some really fun (and funny) encounters! There is Disney PhotoPass at this location.
Critter Country
Ewoks
Over in Critter Country, guests can meet with Ewoks. This is a meet and greet that is adorable. There is also Disney PhotoPass at this location.
Frontierland
BB-8
BB-8 meets guests in Frontierland in the general area where Mirabel is often found. He is in front of a photo location that recreates Jakku, where he first met Rey. There is Disney PhotoPass at this location as well. The line seemed to move fairly quickly as well.
Fantasyland
Queen Amidala & Anakin Skywalker
Queen Amidala & Anakin Skywalker can be found in the Royal Theatre in Princess Fantasy Faire in Fantasyland. This is a walk-through character experience. Because of this, it doesn’t take NEARLY as long as this location did last year. Padme was also mic’d this year, which was a very good addition to the character experience. There is no Disney PhotoPass at this location.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Ahsoka Tano
Ahsoka Tano meets with guests in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge throughout the night at the event. She does not have a Disney PhotoPass photographer and wanders around the Black Spire Outpost Market, it seemed mostly outside of it. She does not have a long wait as she doesn’t technically have a queue.
C-3P0
C-3P0 was found at the Speeder Garage. He technically didn’t have a line either. He did have a group surrounding the fence near him. Cast Members encouraged guests to get a photo or quick video with him and then move on to create space for more guests. The wait to get near him didn’t take long at all. He also did not have a Disney PhotoPass photographer.
Fennec Shand
Fennec Shand could also be found wandering around the Black Spire Outpost Market, much like she did when she was visiting during the day. She was interacting with guests and did not have a line either as she walked around the area. She also did not have a Disney PhotoPass photographer.
Hera Syndulla & Chopper
Hera Syndulla and Chopper could be found together in the area around the Black Spire Outpost Market and the Speeder Garage. This is basically where they were found when they were at Disneyland previously during the day. They were wandering around, interacting with guests, and also did not have a Disney PhotoPass photographer. This made it easy to be able to chat with them for a few moments and get a photo or two.
The Mandalorian with Grogu
As with many of the other characters found at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, The Mandalorian and Grogu were found wandering around the Black Spire Outpost Market. They were interacting with guests and were quite humorous with their interactions at time. They didn’t have a queue because they kept moving around and having conversations with guests. They did not have a Disney PhotoPass photographer either. They were fairly easy to get a photo or moment with.
Rey Skywalker & Vi Moradi
Rey Skywalker and Vi Moradi were most easily seen during the Lightsaber Meetup with Rey (where Chewbacca was seen as well, check out our Entertainment Guide) but also appeared out and around the Millennium Falcon as well in the evening. The did not have Disney PhotoPass photographers and were not on the guide given out at the beginning of the event. They did not have a queue and guests could walk up to them fairly easily for a photo and conversation.
Tomorrowland
Darth Vader and Imperial Stormtroopers with Darth Maul
Darth Vader and his Imperial Stormtroopers can be found with Darth Maul at the Tomorrowland Terrace stage. Their entrances are much like how they entered during Jedi Training Academy when it was held at the location. Darth Vader comes out first with the Imperial Stormtroopers and then Darth Maul comes shortly after. There is no Disney PhotoPass photographer at this location. There are LOTS of opportunities for photos, however, without a long wait. This is a great character location and definitely worth checking out.
Emperor Palpatine and Royal Guards
Just above where Darth Vader is located, on the upper level of the old Innovations/Star Wars Launch Bay Building, is Emperor Palpatine and his Royal Guards. They glare down at guests below in Tomorrowland, many of them not even aware they are there. This is a location that is hard to take photos of but is worth checking out. There is no Disney PhotoPass photographer in this location. It is definitely more about the experience here than getting any great photos with them.
Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and R2-D2
Perhaps one of the best character locations at Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite, in the entrance to what was once Star Wars Launch Bay guests can meet Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and R2-D2. This is a great character encounter and definitely should be at the top of the list for visiting. It also has a bit of a wait, but not terrible. It should be noted that Luke and Leia do leave at different times and leave R2-D2 to meet with guests by himself. It also seemed that the line for this location got shorter as the night progressed. There is no Disney PhotoPass photographer at this location.
Main Street, USA
Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse
While not technically a character encounter, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are meeting guests for a “fond farewell” moment in front of Main Street Station on Main Street, USA. This is a cute moment that runs from 12:30 PM to 1:00 AM at the end of the event. This moment was not nearly as crowded as other events and was fairly easy to get a picture of or selfie with the duo. There is no Disney PhotoPass photographer available for this moment.
Another moment with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse where a photo can be taken with them is during the Fans of the Force Costume Cavalcade. This cavalcade leads from Town Square to Sleeping Beauty Castle for a photo. There, the entire group of participants (anyone can participate) can get together in front of the castle with Mickey and Minnie. There is one Disney PhotoPass photographer for this group picture.
Final Thoughts and Tips
There are quite a few different character encounters to enjoy throughout Disneyland during Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. It can be a bit overwhelming to try and see them all, if not nearly impossible when combined with all the other offerings of the night. However, with a good plan of action, it is possible to see quite a few of them. It is always a good idea to be prepared with a game plan before going to any Disneyland After Dark. Be sure to prioritize what you want to do and who you want to see. It is also a good idea to set a rough schedule that is flexible for the night too. If food is part of your agenda, use mobile ordering if at all possible! Finally, remember that characters are people too! Be kind to them and be sure to consider their feelings when you are meeting them and interacting with their hosts. It will make for a better night for everyone!
What characters are you most excited about with this year’s Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite? Who is your favorite? Who else would you like to see at this event? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
