Enjoy Complimentary Access to a New Star Wars Lens Through June 7

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

Disney PhotoPass Service is bringing Guests a lens that will help them live their Star Wars story wherever they are – without needing to make the jump to hyperspace.

First, they can use this lens to select their species. Maybe they’re a Zabrak with a crown of horns protruding through their head. Perhaps they’re a Twi’lek or Togruta showing off their very striking features. Or, maybe they’re simply a human. That’s fine too!

Then they can discover who they truly are, because they can choose to unveil their hidden identity as one of the Empire’s Jedi-hunting Inquisitors – just like those seen in the new limited series “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” now streaming only on Disney+. 

I sense a disturbance in the Force.

Now through June 7, Guests can enjoy complimentary access to this lens in the Snapchat app by visiting the Lenses section of the Disney PhotoPass Service Snapchat profile. Whether they’re in the parks or at home, they can use this lens to capture out-of-this-galaxy photos and videos.

Starting June 8, this lens will be available exclusively in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios through the My Disney Experience app with the purchase of Disney Genie+ service.* With their purchase, they’ll unlock many other Disney PhotoPass Lenses, giving them a fun new way to capture the magic of Walt Disney World Resort right from their mobile device.                           

*With the purchase of Disney Genie+ service, Walt Disney World guests can access many Disney PhotoPass Lenses in the My Disney Experience app as soon as they enter the park. Select Disney PhotoPass Lenses are accessible only within designated areas of Walt Disney World Resort. Other Disney PhotoPass Lenses will remain accessible in the My Disney Experience app until 5:59 a.m. on the 45th day after the day on which the Disney Genie+ service was used; certain states and localities are excluded. Many Disney PhotoPass Lenses use technology that detects the coordinates of key points on a guest’s face and/or hands and may be used only by guests 18 years of age and older who have consented to use of this technology. Therefore, guests unable to provide such consent, as well as guests under 18 years of age, will have fewer lenses available to use. To access Disney PhotoPass Lenses, an eligible mobile device with the My Disney Experience app with access to the device’s camera and location is required. A purchase of Disney Genie+ service at Walt Disney World Resort does not include downloads of a guest’s Disney PhotoPass photos or videos that were captured by photographers and onboard attractions. Use of Disney PhotoPass Lenses is subject to the Terms and Conditions. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

‘Star Wars’ Original Trilogy Icon Passes Away

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

The Star Wars family sadly lost one of its icons this past weekend as X-Wing and Death Star designer, Colin Cantwell, passed away on Saturday, May 21, 2022, aged 90 at his Colorado home.

Behind every great creation is an equally great mind. That was the case for George Lucas’ Star Wars original trilogy which debuted with Star Wars (1977), now Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope in the late 1970s. While people like Jedi Master Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), and Han Solo (Harrison Ford), bounty hunters like the character Boba Fett and Sith Lords like the disgraced Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader (Hayden Christensen), were the brainchild of Lucas, other visionaries contributed to the sprawling Skywalker Saga.

Perhaps the most iconic “moon” in pop culture history, and almost as popular as the Millennium Falcon, the Death Star from A New Hope, is almost synonymous with the Star Wars franchise itself and is highly regarded as a classic cinematic location of modern times. The Death Star has been prevalent in the grander Star Wars story ever since the franchise’s birth in 1977 with the original Star Wars movie.

death star laser

Unfortunately, the man behind the original prototype designs of this iconic pop culture space station has sadly passed away.

Cantwell worked on the Death Star, the TIE Fighter, the X-Wing, the Imperial Star Destroyers, landspeeders, sandcrawlers, and more — all unforgettable parts of the Star Wars story — with direction from Lucas himself. The designer also worked on 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), and WarGames (1983) during his long career.

luke raising x wing on dagobah

According to Deadline:

Born in San Francisco, Cantwell graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in animation. He then was personally invited by Frank Lloyd Wright to attend his School of Architecture.

Before he made his way to Hollywood, Cantwell already had an amazing career. Cantwell worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and NASA, creating educational programs for the public to better understand space flights.

Cantwell is survived by his partner of 24 years, Sierra Dall.

Colin Cantwell

From its planet-killing capabilities to the location of Darth Vader (Dave Prowse/James Earl Jones) and Obi-Wan Kenobi’s (Alec Guinness) famous duel, and its resurrection in JJ Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker (2019), the Death Star is well-known to even the most casual Star Wars fans. Featured in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, the First Order’s Starkiller Base was inspired by its predecessor, proving that the legacy of the not-moon continues to lace its way through Lucasfilm’s leading franchise, the Star Wars universe.

starkiller base preparation the force awakens

The initial designs of these landmark Star Wars vehicles surely paved the way for the technology and transport fans can see in projects like The Mandalorian and the upcoming Star Wars series, Obi-Wan Kenobi, up to this day.

‘Star Wars’ Confirms When ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 3 Debuts

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney+

Ever since The Mandalorian Season 2 (“Chapter 16: The Rescue”) ended with the epic return of Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker, Star Wars fans have been clamoring for details about Season 3 of Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni’s hit series.

In the Season 2 finale, Skywalker swooped in with his X-wing to rescue bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), Grogu, Cara Dune (Gina Carano), Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff), Koska Reeves (Sasha Banks), and Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) from certain doom onboard Moff Gideon’s (Giancarlo Esposito) Imperial starship.

Then, many Mandalorian stars returned in The Book of Boba Fett, setting up the basis for the third season of the popular Disney+ Original show.

Filoni’s episode, “Chapter 6: From the Desert Comes a Stranger,” in particular, orchestrated the returns of Skywalker (CGI Mark Hamill/Graham Hamilton) — who officially interacted with his father’s Padawan, Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson), for the first time — Grogu himself, and Marshal Cobb Vanth (Timothy Olyphant).

Most Star Wars fans online were thrilled, calling the installment a “fever dream.”

ahsoka tano in the book of boba fett episode 6

Djarin had previously made his return in Bryce Dallas Howard’s aptly titled, “Chapter 5: The Return of the Mandalorian.”

Speculation about when the third season of the series will debut has run rampant, with initial reports indicating a December 2022 or early 2023 release date. Then, however, actor Giancarlo Esposito (Moff Gideon) indicated that Star Wars fans could expect the show as early as this summer.

moff gideon giancarlo esposito

Now, Star Wars has confirmed to Vanity Fair when exactly The Mandalorian Season 3 will debut — and it appears the the original speculation was correct. Per the magazine’s online article, “Season three of The Mandalorian returns in late 2022 or early 2023.”

Although Favreau and Filoni have remained characteristically tight-lipped about the third season of The Mandalorian overall, we do know that Pascal, Esposito, Katee Sackhoff (Bo-Katan Kryze), and Carl Weathers (Greef Karga) will all return, and that filming has reportedly wrapped.

Furthermore, it is expected that the ongoing Darksaber storyline will play a key role in the show.

Djarin currently wields the black-bladed weapon after winning a battle against Paz Vizsla (voiced by Jon Favreau) in The Book of Boba Fett. Both Kryze and Gideon, however, also have their sights set on the ancient Mandalorian blade.

Djarin and Grogu will likely stage their return to the former’s home world, Mandalore, so the beskar-clad bounty hunter can attempt to atone for breaking “the Way” and removing his helmet by visiting the “living waters” under the planet’s destroyed mines.

New Alaska Airlines Themed Aircraft Celebrates Adventures to “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” at Disneyland Resort

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Alaska Airlines joined forces with Disneyland Resort on May the Fourth, to unveil a new, one-of-its-kind Star Wars-themed aircraft that even Chewbacca would be proud of! The plane, painted space black with the iconic Millennium Falcon emblazoned on the tail chased by TIE fighters, celebrates Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the newest land of adventure inside Disneyland Park. The plane is now flying on routes across Alaska’s network for the universe to enjoy!

For this latest collaboration – Alaska’s seventh painted plane for the Disneyland Resort – no Jedi mind tricks were needed: the force was strong for a Star Wars livery to finally enter Alaska’s fleet. The aircraft’s official name is “Star Wars Transport to the Disneyland Resort” with a tail number of N538AS. After the big reveal and celebration at the gate in the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the plane made its inaugural flight today and ultimate arrival at John Wayne Airport in Orange County.

The unique design of the Star Wars-inspired plane is a collaboration among teams at Alaska, Disneyland Resort and Lucasfilm. Familiar spacecraft span each side of the plane with hand painted, detailed imagery: the Millennium Falcon and four TIE fighters. Designers at Disneyland Resort focused on the incredibly identifiable, widely recognized Millennium Falcon for the spotlight, in addition to the well-traveled spaceship being the focal point at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, a 14-acre land in Disneyland Park.

The Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Disneyland Resort logos are featured in the center of the fuselage. For a lighthearted touch, porgs (the cute avian creatures that lived on Luke Skywalker’s remote island) look back at passengers from both winglets, as another porg greets Guests at the boarding door. 

To bring the imagery to life, the plane’s exterior required 228 gallons of paint applied during 540 work hours over 27 days. For the painting, 23 base colors were used with numerous custom colors mixed onsite for the detailed airbrushing of the Millennium Falcon and the TIE fighters.

Watch how this Alaska Airlines plane was transformed!

“Star Wars Transport to Disneyland Resort” is scheduled to fly in the Alaska fleet and throughout Alaska’s network. Guests can also spot “Friendship and Beyond at Disneyland Resort” at airports and in the skies with a whimsical tribute to Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park – our last Disneyland Resort-themed aircraft that began service in October 2019

Foodie Guide May the 4th and Beyond

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

Guests don’t have to travel to a galaxy far, far away to indulge in some tasty treats and superb sips celebrating May the 4th! This year, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort are joining in on the adventure by serving up items that are out-of-this-world!

From special offerings like the Lightsaber Churros at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to the adorable Grogu treats scattered throughout Disneyland Resort, there are plenty of items to try.

Disneyland Resort

To stay in-the-know on all the latest and greatest Star Wars at Disneyland Resort, check out the Disneyland app for the digital food and merchandise guide!

Disneyland Park – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Celebrate Black Spire Day this year at Disneyland Resort, an annual celebration honoring this bustling outpost in Batuu, with tons of eats and treats deliciously crafted by the locals at Black Spire.

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo (available on Mobile Order)

  • Ishi Tib-style Pasta with Braised Beef Bantha: Beef pot roast, coconut curry sauce, pasta, and mixed vegetables (New)
  • Vintian Mineral Mousse: Banana brûlée-centered dark chocolate mousse, strawberry mousse, vanilla chantilly, chocolate crumble, and cherry garnish

Kat Saka’s Kettle  

  • Outpost Mix: Colorful blend of seasonal flavors including caramel and chocolate-glazed popcorn
  • Shaak Cheese Popped Grains: white cheddar flavored popcorn

Milk Stand (available on Mobile Order)

  • Chocolate Chip Sweet-Sand Cookie: Chocolate chip-toffee cookie topped with pistachios and sea salt (New)
  • Blue Milk – Mon Cala Swirl: Blue Milk with blue mango sour jellies topped with a sour shimmery mango gel (New)
  • Novelty: Bubo Wamba Family Farms Cup (New)

Oga’s Cantina  

  • Five-blossom Bread: Warm pretzel knot with Hawaiian black sea salt served with honey-mustard cream foam and Calabrian cheese sauce (New)
  • Fondor Fizz: Toniray Teal Chardonnay, Tito’s Vodka, and Joffrey’s White Tea with flavors of lemongrass and pea flower citrus (New)
  • Sesid Seltzer: Tropical Pineapple-Orange Hard Seltzer (New)
  • Black Squadron Lager – Golden Lager with a touch of Honey (New)

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Beverage Cart

  • Sullust Garlic Chips: Mix of Buffalo and White Cheddar-flavored Garlic Chips

Disneyland Park – Tomorrowland and Main Street, U.S.A

Galactic Grill (available on Mobile Order)

  • Parfait of Mustafar: Chocolate lava cake, chocolate ganache, and red pâte à choux filled with salted caramel pudding and red chocolate mousse (New)

Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen

  • Grogu Apple: Granny Smith apple dipped in caramel with marshmallow ears and enrobed in colored white chocolate and gold sanding sugar (available while supplies last)

Disney’s Grand California Hotel & Spa

Holiday Cart

  • Star Wars Sugar Cookie dipped in chocolate with Star Wars decoration (available through May 10) (New)
  • Wookiee Cookie: Chocolate-hazelnut-filled chocolate cookie rolled in sprinkles with a chocolate sash (New)
  • Pretzel Lightsabers: Pretzel sticks dipped in white chocolate with colored sanding sugar (New)

Downtown Disney District

Marceline’s Confectionery (available on Mobile Order)

  • Grogu Apple: Granny Smith apple dipped in caramel with marshmallow ears and enrobed in colored white chocolate and gold sanding sugar (available while supplies last)

Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes (available through May 31)

  • Light Classic Shake: Electric blue vanilla shake, silver and blue galaxy sprinkles, whipped cream, and chocolate drizzle (New)
  • Dark Classic Shake: Wild cherry shake, red and black sprinkles, whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, and a cherry (New)

Splitsville Luxury Lanes (available through May 31)

  • Galaxy Roll: Fresh salmon, cucumber, and avocado rolled in soy paper topped with steamed shrimp and ahi tuna drizzled with spicy kimchee ponzu sauce

Kayla’s Cake (available through May 31)

  • Galaxy Caramel Macaron: Satisfy two cravings at once with sea salt caramel with white chocolate ganache

Naples Ristorante e Bar (available through May 31)

  • Red Galaxy Cocktail: Light rum, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, squeezed lime, squeezed honey, and a splash of grenadine served on the rocks and topped with mint (New)
  • Green Moon Cocktail: Served with either tequila or mezcal, Anchor Reyes, canton ginger, lemon juice, a squeeze of honey syrup, and topped with soda water served in a hurricane glass garnished with green pepper and lime (New)

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen (available through May 31)

Dueling Fates (New)

  • Empire cocktail with Cruzan citrus rum, blue Curacao, lime juice, and Sprite
  • Rebel cocktail with Effen cucumber Vodka, watermelon Torani, and Sprite

Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite (SOLD OUT)

For Guests that have already purchased tickets to one of the sold-out Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite events, there are plenty of delicious treats  to try! Be transported to another world with eats and sips like the Cantina Snack Dog from Refreshment Corner Hosted by Coca-Cola or the incredibly delicious Purple Saber Funnel Cake from Stage Door Café. For a dark side twist on a classic tale, try The Dark Stuff from Red Rose Taverne. Or Guests can take a trip to the French Market Restaurant throughout the night, they have to try the Dathomirian Cannelloni. Whatever they want to try, Guests should make sure to bring your appetite!