Our guide to Star Wars characters at Disney World will help you plan the best Walt Disney World trip. We’ve included the places to meet the characters from Star Wars as well as rides and attractions from the Star Wars universe.
Visiting a Walt Disney World park wouldn’t be complete without seeing some of your favorite characters during your visit. Star Wars fans will not be disappointed with the opportunity to meet their favorite Star Wars characters at Disney World.
From casual interactions to meet and greets with your favorites, Disney has done a great job of bringing the Star Wars world to life at Hollywood Studios.
The new attractions and entertainment that have been added to Hollywood Studios in the last few years have made guests feel as if they are actually stepping into a galaxy far far away.
This is a guide to Star Wars characters at Disney World, not Disneyland resort. Although Galaxy’s Edge can be found at the California Disneyland park as well.
List of Star Wars Characters at Disney World
Times and locations may change. Always check the My Disney Experience app for the most up-to-date times.
- BB-8 (Meet and Greet at Star Wars Launch Bay)
- Darth Vader (Meet and Greet at Star Wars Launch Bay)
- Chewbacca (Meet and Greet at Star Wars Launch Bay)
- Mandalorian and the Child(Grogu/baby Yoda) (walking around Galaxy’s Edge)
- Kylo Ren (walking around Galaxy’s Edge)
- Rey (walking around Galaxy’s Edge)
- Storm Troopers (walking around Galaxy’s Edge)
Where to Meet Star Wars Characters at Disney World
Many characters can be found walking around Galaxy’s Edge. There are also specific meet and greet times at Star Wars Launch Bay. Star Wars Launch Bay is located in the animation courtyard area of Disney’s Hollywood Studio.
Rides and Attractions with Star Wars Characters at Walt Disney World
If you want to see the Star Wars characters and experience the Star Wars rides you want to go to Disney’s Hollywood Studio. At Hollywood Studio there are 3 rides, a Star Wars themed land (Galaxy’s Edge), and meet and greets.
There is also Launch Bay that has a theater that currently features a behind the scene documentary of how the Star Wars movies and stories come together. You will also find memorabilia and movie props to view in Launch Bay.
The rides are:
- Rise of the Resistance (Galaxy’s Edge)
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (Galaxy’s Edge)
- Star Tours: The Adventure Continues (Echo Lake at Hollywood Studios)
Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is an immersive themed land that takes guests to the village of Black Spire Outpost on Batuu.
Galaxy’s Edge can be found at the Walt Disney World Resort as well as the Disneyland Resort in California.
There is so much to explore and discover during your visit. Guests can explore shops, dine at restaurants, watch shows, customize and build a droid or lightsaber, and interact with some of the most popular characters from the Star Wars franchise.
Guests can build a Droid at the Droid Depot and build a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop.
Galaxy’s Edge is also where two Star Wars attractions are located. They are Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
Rise of the Resistance is unlike any ride I have ever experienced. Expect it to have long lines but it is worth riding! On this attraction you will join the Resistance in a battle against the First Order.
Here you will find characters like Kylo Ren and Finn. You will also have interactions with First Order generals. Even if you are not a Star Wars fan this is an impressive attraction.
If you have always wanted to pilot the Milennium Falcon here is your chance. Groups of 6 will each be given a job to help fly the Milennium Falcon. This is a fun attraction that is a different experience each time you ride.
Guests wanting to take home a something unique and special can build their own droid at the Droid Depot. Once built this guests can use the remote control to play at home.
You can also build your own lightsaber. Reservations are highly recommended for both experiences. More information can be found here.
Guests can also download the Play Disney Parks app for an interactive experience through planet Batuu. A newer feature is the use of MagicBand+ inside the land.
The MagicBand+ will create a unique experience for guests with vibrations and lights to set you out on an adventure.
If you are looking for a fun way to capture the moment look for Disney PhotoPass Photographers during you visit. They can take great photo ops for you including Magic Shots that add characters to your photos, zoom in and out photos, and more.
Disney is always finding new ways to be creative with photos at the Disney parks.
Guests can also dine like a Star Wars character at the many locations throughout Galaxy’s Edge. The Milk Stand features blue and green milk flavors created specifically for this Star Wars land.
Oga’s Cantina is a dining location that features DJ entertainment from droid DJ R-3X. Oga’s offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are highly recommended. Check here.
Characters from Star Wars at Hollywood Studios
Outside of Galaxy’s Edge there are more characters from Star Wars to meet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Star Wars: The Adventure Continues is a 3D simulator experience. Along the adventure guests will see C3-PO, Kylo Ren, Poe, Boba Fett, Princess Leia, or Yoda.
This attractions has many different scenarios and you never know which characters you will see on your journey.
Guests can also visit Launch Bay in Animation Courtyard. Here you can meet characters, watch a behind-the-scenes movie, and check out props from the movies.
There also used to be Jedi Training Academy near the entrance to Star Tours. Pre-pandemic this was a fun (and free)experience for kids to train to be a Jedi and ultimately battle with Kylo Ren or Darth Vader.
I do not know if this experience will return but will update when/if it does.
Star Wars Characters at the Star Wars Hotel- Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
Update: Walt Disney World announced the Galactic Starcruiser will close and have its last voyage on September 28-30 2023.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser allows guests to fully immerse themselves in the Star Wars universe. This two-night experience puts guests into the story.
During this adventure you will dine and interact with characters that build upon your story. The cast members are what really make Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser a dream come true for a die-hard Star Wars fan.
This experience is on the pricier side and when you book you should plan on staying for the 2 night experience. It is not a hotel you would leave to visit parks and then return.
Although there is a separate entrance to visit Galaxy’s Edge during your time. You are allowed to leave but given the interactive element and the cost of the experience guests should plan to stay for the full journey.
Dining is included and you will be entertained by different Star Wars characters during your stay. The rooms have windows that show space and it is really meant to feel like you are on-board a space ship.
For a group of 4, 3 adults and 1 child, the cost is $5,999. Below is from the Disney World website and lists what is included in your voyage.
- 2-night stay in a cabin or suite
- Ongoing, immersive and interactive entertainment, where choices determine your experience*
- Food and beverages on the starcruiser (excluding alcoholic and specialty beverages) and a quick-service meal at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo or other select locations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios**
- Admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for your planetary excursion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
- Valet parking
- Exclusive Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser MagicBand
Learn more about Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
FAQ’s About Star Wars Characters at Disney World
Is there a Star Wars character dining at Disney World?
At this time there is not a Star Wars character dining option at the Disney World parks. There is an interactive dining experience included with the Galactic Starcruiser.
Guests can dine at Galaxy’s Edge and may find characters from the Star Wars universe or Star Wars inspired characters, but there is not a traditional meet and greet dining experience.
Is there a Star Wars hotel at Disney World?
Update: The Galactic Starcruiser has closed permanently. Yes. There is a Star Wars hotel called Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. This is a 2 day immersive Star Wars experience.
Do you need reservations to meet Star Wars characters?
No. You do not need a reservation to meet Star Wars characters at Hollywood Studios. You will need to wait in the queue for specific meet and greets.
You will also see characters walking around Galaxy’s Edge from time to time. These are not official meet and greets but characters do typically interact with guests.
Are all the Star Wars characters in Galaxy’s Edge?
Every Star Wars character is not at Galaxy’s Edge. There are new characters added, like the recent addition of The Mandalorian and the child(Grogu), as well as specific meet and greets.
Disney updates and changes their character offerings periodically. I suggest checking the My Disney Experience app for the most accurate up-to-date information.
Meeting Star Wars characters at Disney World is a fun addition to your Disney vacation. We like to immerse ourselves in the world of Star Wars and enjoy the awesome themed land and unique character interactions.
Read Next: 12 Best Attractions at Hollywood Studios
Want to hear more from me? Subscribe to my Five for the Road Substack where I share the latest posts from the blog, plus destination and theme park news I am excited about. It is like a coffee chat delivered to your inbox. 🙂
Leah has been traveling with her family of 5 since 2012 and sharing her expertise on planning family vacations and visiting theme parks since 2016. Leah has been featured in Visit Rochester, Undercover Tourist, and Home Publications. She has worked with brands like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Hersheypark, Toyota, and various Tourism boards and destinations. Leah creates family travel itineraries based on real trip experiences with her family. Her guides and tips help others plan great family vacations. Learn more about Leah and Five for the Road.