Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular At Disney's Hollywood Studios

One of the things that I was most looking forward to on my trip to Walt Disney World last week was the chance to see the new at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Now, I'm not really a huge Star Wars fan, but I do love fireworks, and goes to a galaxy far beyond that, the show did not disappoint.

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular unfolds nightly in a series of acts in the skies and around the heart of the park. According to show director Michael Roddy of Disney Creative Entertainment it has the honor of being the biggest, boldest production ever undertaken in the Park's history.







A nighttime extravaganza, Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular combines fireworks, pyrotechnics, special effects and video projections turning the park's Chinese Theater and other buildings into locations from the films on a scale that will blow you away. Think towers of flame shooting 140ft up in the air. Music from the film franchise is punctuated with special lighting effects, and I've got to say the way they're using lasers in the space battle scenes - one of the coolest things ever. Standing in the center of the courtyard watching the show going on around you has a way of making you realize what a small speck you are in the universe.

Roddy continued that "We [were] actually able to cast fireworks to tell different parts of the Star Wars story, in colors identifiable with the film whether it's green for Yoda or creating a starfield up in the sky. Projection mapping technology allows us to dramatically overtake the buildings with images from the Star Wars saga. Custom animation delivers motion picture moments and perspectives never before experienced. And surround sound makes it seem like a TIE fighter just flew past and exploded next to you." It's really quite remarkable.







I did a little research before I left for Florida and it turned out to be a really good thing because the viewing area for this show is not nearly as extensive as I thought that it would be. If I hadn't of done my prep-work, we would have likely missed this. So listen up! To get a good viewing location you should plan on arriving with plenty of time to spare, ideally 30-45 minutes ahead. You just need to get down to the end of Hollywood Boulevard, but you do need to be all the way into the courtyard in front of the Chinese Theater, and slightly off to the left, for the optimal location to take it all in.

The Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular lasts roughly 12;30 minutes, and is presented nightly. It can be the last show of the night at Disney's Hollywood Studios - so be prepared for the mass exodus when it ends. Avoid the urge to rush back to your car or the buses immediately after the show ends. Instead hang back and take a few nighttime pictures, or do a little bit of shopping in the great shops on Hollywood Boulevard.

Want a sneak peek before you experience it live? Take a look at this video of the show from our friend John BigFatPanda.com





Disney is offering a Dessert Party with premium viewing location for $69 per adult. If you're interested in finding out about that visit the Walt Disney World Website for more information and booking.

Overall I think this is a really great show, though I would have liked to see more fireworks more along the lines of Symphony in the Stars, I always want more fireworks. The special effects highlight the projection show in a truly fabulous manner. Even if you're not a Star Wars Fan, you should go catch this spectacle at least once.

Have you see the The Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular yet? What were your thoughts? Leave a comment and let us know!