Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular

Last updated
Star Wars: A Galactic Celebration
Star Wars, A Galactic Spectacular fireworks.jpg
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Area Hollywood Boulevard
Coordinates 28°21′22″N81°33′38″W / 28.356232°N 81.560483°W / 28.356232; -81.560483
StatusRemoved
Opening date2010 (as Symphony in the Stars)
June 17, 2016 (as Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular)
Closing dateJune 16, 2016 (as Symphony in the Stars)
March 16, 2020 (as Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular)
Replaced Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular
Replaced by Disney Movie Magic and Wonderful World of Animation
Walt Disney Studios Park
Area Production Courtyard
Coordinates 48°52′00″N2°46′37″E / 48.8666589°N 2.7768075°E / 48.8666589; 2.7768075
StatusRemoved
Opening dateJanuary 14, 2017
Closing dateMarch 16, 2020
Replaced by Avengers Campus
Ride statistics
Attraction typeFireworks spectacular and multimedia show
Designer Walt Disney Creative Entertainment
Theme Star Wars
Music John Williams [1]
Duration13:55
Narrator Tom Kane [ citation needed ]
Wheelchair symbol.svg Wheelchair accessible

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular (also known as Star Wars: A Galactic Celebration) was a nighttime show at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. [2] The show is based on the Star Wars film series and features fireworks, projection mapping, fire, lasers, fog effects, and searchlights. [3] During the show, Star Wars imagery is projected onto the park's Chinese Theater facade and surrounding buildings around the park's hub on Hollywood Boulevard. [4] The show had its celebrity-filled World Premiere on Friday, June 17, 2016, replacing the park's similarly-themed display, Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular. [2]

Contents

A second incarnation of the show debuted at Walt Disney Studios Park in Disneyland Paris on January 14, 2017, where the imagery is projected onto The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror on Production Courtyard. [5] It was shown seasonally during the "Season of the Force".

Symphony in the Stars

A similar pyrotechnic show, Symphony in the Stars, held its original debut during the "Last Tour to Endor" event in 2010. This earlier generation of the show highlighted John Williams' musical score from the films, incorporating the music with archival voice and sound clippings from the films. [6] An abridged version of the show was subsequently presented for special events including the "Star Tours Galactic Party" on May 19, 2011 and for Star Wars Day on May 4, 2013. [7] The show began annually in 2014 during Star Wars Weekends. [8] It was retooled as Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular and became a nightly presentation beginning in December 2015 until its retirement in June 2016.

Soundtrack

– Was cut in 2011. – Added in 2015.[ citation needed ]

A Galactic Spectacular

The new generation of the show is the largest fireworks display in the park's history. [9] The projection mapping technology—akin to that of Disneyland Forever , Once Upon a Time , Disney Dreams! , and Celebrate the Magic —projects images of scenes, characters, and locations from the Star Wars films. [3]

A Galactic Spectacular features multiple special effects including fireworks, projection mapping, fire effects, lasers, searchlights, and theatrical smoke and fog effects. [10] The main aerial pyrotechnic shells are launched off-center from behind the Chinese Theater; appearing to the right of the theater as opposed to directly behind it. [11] This differs from previous fireworks shows, as the current aerial shells are launched from across World Drive, instead of within the park's boundary as previously done. [12] Low-level pyrotechnics are launched from the rooftops of the former Great Movie Ride, Hyperion Theatre, ABC Commissary, Walt Disney Presents, Voyage of the Little Mermaid , and Disney Junior – Live on Stage! buildings. Two flamethrowers situated on both sides of the theater's central cupola release jets of isopar fire effects during the show. [13] Fog machines hidden between the theater's spires create clouds of fog and smoke. Stage lighting surrounding the hub and concealed rope lights attached to the hub's trees provide additional lighting effects throughout the show. Imagery from all nine Star Wars saga films are projected onto the park's Chinese Theater facade. [14] In addition to the Chinese Theater's surface, two blank projection facades flanking either side of the theater serve as additional areas of projection space. [15]

The show's producers collaborated with composer John Williams and his music editor, Ramiro Belgardt, on adapting Williams' scores from the films into the show's soundtrack. [10] Industrial Light & Magic created custom CGI sequences for the show. [13]

Show summary

A Galactic Spectacular begins with a brief narrated prologue of the 1977 premiere of Star Wars at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California. The main show is divided into segments dedicated to battles, heroes, creatures, romance, and villains. [16] The dramatic opening shot from A New Hope begins the sequence showing various battle scenes from Takodana, Hoth, Jakku, the Death Star, and Starkiller Base. The next segment, dedicated to the series' heroes, featuring Rey, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and ending with the Millennium Falcon escape scenes. [13] Three brief segments follow then after; a cantina segment dedicated to the creatures and aliens from the series, a segment dedicated to the Force with Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi, and a romance segment with Han Solo, Leia Organa, Anakin Skywalker, and Padmé Amidala. A darker sequence is followed, recreating the fiery lightsaber battle between Anakin and Kenobi on Mustafar. The scene segues into a segment dedicated to the villains of the series, including Darth Vader, Darth Maul, Palpatine, Supreme Leader Snoke, and Kylo Ren. [13] The trench run attacks on the Death Star and Starkiller Base are then played out as the finale sequence. The show concludes with a montage of all nine original Star Wars film poster art collaged across the Chinese Theater. [17]

Soundtrack

  • "Main Theme/Rebel Blockade Runner" (from A New Hope)
  • "March On The Jedi Temple" (from Revenge of the Sith)
  • "Attacking A star Destroyer" (from The Empire Strikes Back)
  • "Anakin's Betrayal" (from Revenge of the Sith)
  • "Anakin's Dark Deed's" (from Revenge of the Sith)
  • "Rey's Theme" (from The Force Awakens)
  • "Binary Sunset" (from A New Hope)
  • "The Adventures of Han" (from Solo: A Star Wars Story)
  • "The Asteroid Field" (from The Empire Strikes Back)
  • "Cantina Band" (from A New Hope)
  • "Yoda's Theme" (from The Empire Strikes Back)
  • "Yoda And The Force" (from The Empire Strikes Back)
  • "The Rebel Fleet/End Title" (from The Empire Strikes Back)
  • "Anakin Vs. Obi-Wan" (from Revenge of the Sith)
  • "The Imperial March" (from The Empire Strikes Back)
  • "The Abduction" (from The Force Awakens)
  • "Kylo Ren Arrives At The Battle" (from The Force Awakens)
  • "March of the Resistance" (from The Force Awakens)
  • "The Throne Room/End Title" (from A New Hope)
  • "Finale" (from The Empire Strikes Back)

[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

Jedi, Jedi Knights, or collectively the Jedi Order are fictional characters, and often protagonists, featured in many works within the Star Wars franchise. Working symbiotically alongside the Old Galactic Republic, the Jedi Order is depicted as a religious, academic, meritocratic, and military (peacekeeping) organization whose origin dates back thousands of years before the events of the first film released in the franchise. The fictional organization has inspired a real-world new religious movement and parody religion: Jediism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke Skywalker</span> Character in Star Wars

Luke Skywalker is a fictional character and the protagonist of the original film trilogy of the Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. Portrayed by Mark Hamill, Luke first appeared in Star Wars (1977), and he returned in The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). Over three decades later, Hamill returned as Luke in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, cameoing in The Force Awakens (2015) before playing a major role in The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019). He later played a digitally de-aged version of the character in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, appearing in the second-season finale, which premiered in 2020, and The Book of Boba Fett, in the sixth episode, released in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darth Vader</span> Fictional character in the Star Wars franchise

Darth Vader is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. The character is the secondary antagonist of the original trilogy and, as Anakin Skywalker, is the main protagonist of the prequel trilogy. Star Wars creator George Lucas has collectively referred to the first six episodic films of the franchise as "the tragedy of Darth Vader". Darth Vader has become one of the most iconic villains in popular culture, and has been listed among the greatest villains and fictional characters ever. His masked face and helmet, in particular, is considered one of the most iconic character designs of all time.

<i>Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith</i> 2005 film by George Lucas

Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith is a 2005 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It stars Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, and Frank Oz. The sequel to The Phantom Menace (1999) and Attack of the Clones (2002), it is the sixth film in the Star Wars film series, the final installment in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, and third chronological chapter of the "Skywalker Saga". The film was the final movie in the Star Wars franchise that George Lucas worked on, with subsequent films being made without Lucas' involvement following his selling of Lucasfilm to The Walt Disney Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obi-Wan Kenobi</span> Fictional character in the Star Wars franchise

Obi-Wan Kenobi is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. Within the original trilogy, Obi-Wan is a Jedi Master as a supporting character and is portrayed by English actor Alec Guinness. In the later-released prequel trilogy, a younger version of the character serves as one of the two main protagonists, alongside Anakin Skywalker, and is portrayed by Scottish actor Ewan McGregor. In the original trilogy he is introduced as Ben Kenobi, an alias he uses while in hiding from the Empire. He is a mentor to Luke Skywalker, to whom he introduces the ways of the Jedi. After sacrificing himself in a duel against Darth Vader, Obi-Wan guides Luke through the Force in his fight against the Galactic Empire. In the prequel trilogy, set two decades earlier, he is initially a Padawan (apprentice) to Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, and later mentor and friend of Luke's father Anakin, who falls to the dark side of the Force and becomes Vader. The character briefly appears in the sequel trilogy as a disembodied voice, speaking to protagonist Rey, and serving as the namesake of Ben Solo. He is frequently featured as a main character in various other Star Wars media, including the streaming television miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi, in which McGregor reprised the role.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yoda</span> Fictional character in the Star Wars universe

Yoda is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, first appearing in the 1980 film The Empire Strikes Back. He is a small, green humanoid alien who is powerful with The Force and is a leading member of the Jedi Order until its near annihilation. In The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda was voiced and puppeteered by Frank Oz, who reprised the role in Return of the Jedi, the prequel trilogy, and the sequel trilogy. Outside of the films, the character was mainly voiced by Tom Kane, starting with the 2003 Clone Wars animated television series until his retirement from voice acting in 2021. Yoda is an iconic figure in popular culture due to his distinct pattern of speech and role as a wise mentor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skywalker family</span> Fictional family in the Star Wars series

The Skywalker family is a fictional legendary human family in the Star Wars franchise. Within the series' fictional universe, the Skywalkers are presented as a bloodline with strong inherent capabilities related to the Force and sometimes lightsaber skills. Luke Skywalker, his twin sister Princess Leia Organa, and their father Darth Vader are central characters in the original Star Wars film trilogy. Darth Vader, in his previous identity as Anakin Skywalker, is a lead character in the prequel film trilogy and so is his wife and the twins' mother Padmé Amidala; while his mother Shmi is a minor character in the first and second films respectively. Leia and Han Solo's son, Ben Solo, renamed himself Kylo Ren and is the main antagonist in the sequel film trilogy, while they and Luke serve as supporting characters. Shmi, Padmé, and Han are the only members who are not Force-sensitive. The Skywalker bloodline, alongside the Palpatine bloodline, are the two bloodlines that are the strongest with the Force.

Clone Wars (<i>Star Wars</i>) Fictional war in Star Wars

The Clone Wars are a series of fictional conflicts in the Star Wars franchise by George Lucas. Though mentioned briefly in the first Star Wars film, the war itself was not depicted until Attack of the Clones (2002) and Revenge of the Sith (2005). The Clone Wars are also the setting for three eponymous projects: a 2D animated series (2003–2005), a 3D film (2008), and a 3D animated series. They have featured in numerous Star Wars books and games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disney's Hollywood Studios</span> Theme park at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida

Disney's Hollywood Studios is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida, near Orlando. It is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Experiences division. Based on a concept by Marty Sklar, Randy Bright, and Michael Eisner, the park opened on May 1, 1989, as the Disney–MGM Studios (Theme) Park, and was the third of four theme parks built at Walt Disney World. Spanning 135 acres (55 ha), the park is dedicated to the imagined worlds from film, television, music, and theatre, drawing inspiration from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

"The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme)" is a musical theme present in the Star Wars franchise. It was composed by John Williams for the film The Empire Strikes Back. Together with "Yoda's Theme", "The Imperial March" was premiered on April 29, 1980, three weeks before the opening of the film, on the occasion of John Williams' first concert as official conductor-in-residence of the Boston Pops Orchestra. One of the best known symphonic movie themes, it is used as a leitmotif throughout the Star Wars franchise.

Music of <i>Star Wars</i>

The music of the Star Wars franchise is composed and produced in conjunction with the development of the feature films, television series, and other merchandise within the epic space opera multimedia franchise created by George Lucas. The music for the primary feature films was written by John Williams. Williams' work on the series included the scores of nine feature films, a suite and several cues of thematic material for Solo and the theme music for the Galaxy's Edge Theme Park. These count among the most widely known and popular contributions to modern film music, and utilize a symphony orchestra and features an assortment of about fifty recurring musical themes to represent characters and other plot elements: one of the largest caches of themes in the history of film music.

<i>Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith</i> (soundtrack) 2005 film score by John Williams

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the film score to the 2005 film of the same name released by Sony Classical on May 3, 2005, more than two weeks before the film's release. The music was composed and conducted by John Williams, and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and London Voices in February 2005, with orchestrations provided by Conrad Pope and Eddie Karam. The score was Williams' sixth score in the saga. Shawn Murphy recorded the score. Ramiro Belgardt and Kenneth Wannberg served as music editors; Wannberg served as music editor for the previous Star Wars scores. A remastered version of the soundtrack was released by Walt Disney Records on May 4, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sorcerer's Hat</span> Former icon of Disneys Hollywood Studios

The Sorcerer's Hat was a structure and the thematic icon of Disney's Hollywood Studios, the third of four theme parks built at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida, from 2001 to 2015. The structure was inspired by The Sorcerer's Apprentice segment in Walt Disney's 1940 animated film, Fantasia. Mickey Mouse's gloved hand and ears underneath the hat are visible emerging from the ground. With its opening on September 28, 2001, it replaced the Earffel Tower as the park's icon in marketing material. It was used as a venue for pin trading and sales, and also served as a backdrop to many special events and shows. High School Musical Live culminated several dances from several Disney Channel shows that performed several times daily in front of the hat. Disney characters made meet-and-greet appearances around the hat throughout the day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party</span> Annual Halloween-themed event

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) is a separate-admission Halloween-themed event held annually during the months of August, September, October, and November at the Magic Kingdom theme park of the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, near Orlando, and at Disneyland Paris Resort outside Paris, France. The party began as a response to the Halloween Horror Nights event at Universal Studios Florida. Disney's event caters to a traditional family atmosphere, whereas Universal's has more of a "fright-centered" event with their monsters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palpatine</span> Fictional character and Star Wars antagonist

Sheev Palpatine, also known by his Sith name Darth Sidious, is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. He first appears on screen in the original trilogy films The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983), in which he is credited as The Emperor, and is the overarching antagonist of the nine-film Skywalker saga, in which he is portrayed by Ian McDiarmid. In creating Palpatine, Lucas was inspired by real-world examples of democratic backsliding during the rise and rule of dictators such as Julius Caesar, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Adolf Hitler.

<i>Star Wars</i> Weekends Former annual event held in Disneys Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort

Star Wars Weekends was a festival held annually at the Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park of the Walt Disney World Resort. Included with park admission, the event typically occurred on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for four consecutive weekends in May and June and featured appearances by cast and crew members from Disney's Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. Many original Disney characters also appeared dressed as Star Wars characters, such as Jedi Mickey, Minnie as Leia, Donald as a stormtrooper, Goofy as Darth Vader and R2-MK. The festival began in 1997 and had been held in 2000, 2001, and annually from 2003 until 2015. In November 2015, Disney discontinued the event due to construction of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and the larger daily presence Star Wars will have in the park onwards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Star Tours – The Adventures Continue</span> Attraction at Disney theme parks

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue is an attraction located at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris. Set in the Star Wars universe, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue takes passengers on a turbulent trip across the galaxy, as droids C-3PO and R2-D2 attempt to safely return a spy to the Rebel Alliance.

<i>Star Wars</i>: Galaxys Edge Themed area at Disney parks

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is a themed area inspired by the Star Wars franchise, located in Disneyland Park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and Disney's Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. It encompasses 14 acres (5.7 ha) at each park, and is set in the village of Black Spire Outpost, on the remote frontier planet of Batuu, featuring attractions, shops, restaurants and entertainment.

References

  1. Bevil, Dewayne (December 4, 2016). "Disney's Hollywood Studios and Walt Disney Studios Park: More Star Wars, fireworks on way". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Fickley-Baker, Jennifer. "New 'Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular' Fireworks Set To Make History at Disney's Hollywood Studios Starting June 17". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  3. 1 2 Sage, Alyssa (February 19, 2016). "'Star Wars' Stage, Fireworks Shows to Debut at Disney's Hollywood Studios". Variety. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  4. Mauney, Matt (February 19, 2016). "Star Wars stage show, revamped fireworks coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  5. "Awesome new Disneyland Paris Season of the Force key visual features Chewbacca and R2D2".
  6. Bevil, Dewayne (January 15, 2016). "Disney World ups fireworks power with Star Wars show". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  7. "May the 4th Be with You!". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  8. Buchanan, Gary. "The Rebel Alliance Adds Another Weekend to Star Wars Weekends 2014 in Response to a Decree Issued by the Evil Sith, Emperor Palpatine". The Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  9. "Star Wars Takes to the Skies This Summer in New Blockbuster Nighttime Spectacular at Walt Disney World Resort" (Press release). PR Newswire. Lake Buena Vista, Florida. February 19, 2016. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  10. 1 2 Goldman, Eric. "Star Wars Additions at Walt Disney World Continue with Multiple Shows". IGN. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  11. Bevil, Dewayne (June 18, 2016). "First look at Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular at Disney World". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  12. "Why are Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks off-center?". BlogMickey.com. Blog Mickey. June 18, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Porges, Seth (December 6, 2016). "How Disney Parks Are Slowly Adding More 'Star Wars'". Forbes. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  14. Tribou, Richard (April 19, 2016). "Details emerge for new Star Wars fireworks show coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  15. "Update on construction for Star Wars A Galactic Spectacular". WDWMagic.com. May 25, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  16. Reif, Alex (June 21, 2016). "Theme Park Review — Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular". LaughingPlace.com. Laughing Place.
  17. Bevil, Dewayne (June 18, 2016). "First look at Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular at Disney World". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 30, 2016.