While Disney is in the midst of construction on major additions to bring Star Wars into their theme parks, the company isn't waiting to add the new trilogy into their existing Star Wars attractions. The stage show Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away at Disney's Hollywood Studios combines film clips and live actors portraying characters from all of the Star Wars films, but starting this week the show will return with a new addition, Rey, the star of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Rey actually made her debut in the show last April during a special presentation during Star Wars Celebration Orlando. However, that performance was exclusive to ticketed attendees of the convention. Since then, the show has been on hiatus, but the Disney Parks Blog has announced that when the show returns this week it will include the appearance by a Disney cast member in the role made famous by Daisy Ridley.
To be honest, it's a bit surprising that Rey wasn't already wandering all over Disney Parks on both coasts. As the breakout character of the new trilogy, one would expect there would be siginifcant demand to see here. Still, as we saw with merchandise from the last movie, things were a bit slow to get rolling around the young Force user. Perhaps we should ignore that Disney World is a bit late to the party and just be glad they showed up at all.
While Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disneyland both have Star Wars themed attractions and characters wandering around to some degree, it's nothing compared to what will happen when Star Wars Land opens up in both parks. The largest expansions ever seen on both coasts are currently underway with plans to open sometime in 2019. If the reason we haven't seen more Star Wars characters in the park is because of a lack of space, that problem should be fixed once the expansion is complete.
Based on the Disney Parks Blog description, it sounds like Rey's appearance will mimic the one from Star Wars Celebration Orlando, with the character taking the pose that she was in at the end of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It's not much, but it should make for a solid photo op. Check it out.
Expect to see even more of the new Star Wars trilogy in the parks as we get closer to The Last Jedi. It's already been announced that the Star Tours ride will add a new segment that deals with the new planet that we've seen in the trailer. Jakku, along with John Boyega, was added to the ride when Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released, so perhaps we'll get in the actual Daisy Ridley in the park this year as well.
