Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite

Last week we had an absolute blast attending Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite.

Star Wars Nite was a separately ticketed event along the lines of the Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween party and the Merriest Nites Christmas Party. After an 18-month absence from the park in 2020-21, we decided to go "all out" and attend these events, and it's been totally worth the extra expense.

During the "mix-in" hours when ticket holders can enter the park ahead of the party, we enjoyed dinner at the Plaza Inn, including sharing some chocolate cake:

Early in the evening there was a special fireworks show set to John Williams' STAR WARS themes.

The fireworks show was absolutely spectacular, to the point it had me in happy tears by the end.

For me the most thrilling part of the evening was a "lightsaber meetup" at the Millennium Falcon in Galaxy's Edge. Being surrounded by hundreds of colorful lightsabers, which all switched on simultaneously at a command from Rey, was an amazing experience. Here's a video from Daps Magic; the switch-on takes place around the three-minute mark.

Our daughter took the above panoramic shot at the Millennium Falcon. Disney also took several official photos, including the one with Rey below, and made them available to download for free. (Click on any photo to enlarge it for a closer look.)

Ahsoka Tano, a character seen in THE CLONE WARS and THE MANDALORIAN, was supposed to have a "meet and greet" opportunity but we were told there was some kind of malfunction with the costume; since she couldn't appear close to guests, she instead stood at a high location in Tomorrowland and waved to the crowds below. The Disney+ series AHSOKA just began filming this week, incidentally.

The lighting and music for the Storm Troopers' march through Tomorrowland was quite effective!

We were so busy taking in the various character appearances and events -- walking over five miles during the party -- that we didn't even make it onto any of the rides!

We had an absolutely wonderful time. I do wish the party had been from 8:00 to midnight, like Merriest Nites, as 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. is later than I'm used to staying up, but otherwise it was a grand evening.

Mickey Mouse -- wearing an R2-D2 shirt -- waving goodbye from the Train Station as we left close to 1:00 a.m.

The MANDALORIAN and BOOK OF BOBA FETT pins were given out to all ticket holders at the end of the party, while the pin at the lower left was given to Magic Key holders.  The "Baby Yoda" (Grogu) pin was a Limited Edition souvenir I purchased during the party.

Related posts: Today at Disneyland: Opening Day of Galaxy's Edge, Part 1 (2019); Yesterday at Disneyland: Rise of the Resistance (2020).

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