A beloved cast of characters are coming back to Disney World this summer, including some favorites from a Galaxy Far, Far Away. As a benefit of this expanded character lineup, Hollywood Studios will soon have more Genie+ attractions for guests to choose from.

When Star Wars Launch Bay reopens on July 17,  it will bring back meet and greets for Darth Vader and Chewbacca. Disney World updated the official Genie+ website to add the following to the list of Hollywood Studios Genie+ attractions.

  • Star Wars Launch Bay (Beginning July 17, 2022)
  • Star Wars Launch Bay: Encounter Darth Vader (Beginning July 17, 2022)
  • Star Wars Launch Bay: Meet Chewbacca (Beginning July 17, 2022)

Curiously, Disney World lists the Darth Vader and Chewbacca meet and greets as specific Genie+ Lightning Lane attractions, but also includes just “Star Wars Launch Bay” as a Lightning Lane attraction itself. The exhibit has never had a line to get in, so it would be odd for Disney World to add Lightning Lane to it.

BB-8 Meet and Greet
Disney

When Star Wars Launch Bay closed, it also included a meet and greet for BB-8. It’s possible that WDW included this as a placeholder for that meet and greet. It’s also possible that this could be standing in for a yet announced meet and greet, such as Boba Fett, Grogu, and/or the Mandalorian. Boba Fett has made his way to Disneyland in Galaxy’s Edge, and the pair of Grogu and Mando will make their way to Batuu West later this year.

Some have speculated that Disney World isn’t bringing those characters to Galaxy’s Edge yet because they don’t want to break timeline continuity at Batuu in Hollywood Studios due to the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience. Galaxy’s Edge and the Star Wars hotel both have a specific timeline that takes place between Episodes VIII and IX. The Mandalorian and Book of Boba Fett both take place 25 years before the events of Galaxy’s Edge.

Star Wars Launch Bay could be a way to bring those popular characters to Disney World without messing up the timeline for the pricey Star Wars resort.

It’s also possible this mystery Lightning Lane listing could just be an error on Disney’s part. They could just wave their hands and say “This is not the meet and greet you’re looking for.”

No matter what phantom menace ends up taking that mystery third slot, I will be updating our Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane Guide to reflect these changes.

We want to hear from you!

Who do you think could be the third meet and greet for Star Wars Launch Bay? Let me know in the comments below!