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Star Wars at D23 2019: everything we learned

By Danny Pham

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 24: (L-R) Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, Keri Russell, Naomi Ackie, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Producer Kathleen Kennedy, and Director/producer/writer J.J. Abrams of 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' took part today in the Walt Disney Studios presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2019 in Anaheim, Calif. 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' will be released in U.S. theaters on December 20, 2019. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 24: (L-R) Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, Keri Russell, Naomi Ackie, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Producer Kathleen Kennedy, and Director/producer/writer J.J. Abrams of 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' took part today in the Walt Disney Studios presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2019 in Anaheim, Calif. 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' will be released in U.S. theaters on December 20, 2019. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) /
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Concept art of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Photo: Disney/Lucasfilm
Concept art of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Photo: Disney/Lucasfilm /

Walt Disney World’s Star Wars hotel is a starcruiser

Previewed before D23 kicked off, Walt Disney World’s Star Wars hotel is named Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser and will take the form of a starship. A model of the vessel, the Halcyon, was displayed at the Disney Parks pavilion throughout the weekend.

On Sunday, Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, and Ann Morrow Johnson, executive producer and creative director for Walt Disney Imagineering, discussed the luxury hotel and Star Wars in Disney Parks in detail.

According to the team, a two-night stay will be required to experience features that include lightsaber training, learning the Halcyon’s systems and operations, and character interactions. Guests will be able to view the galaxy in every window and explore hidden spaces — which will progress their own Star Wars story — aboard the Halcyon.

An opening date for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser was not announced.

Rise of the Resistance footage unveiled

Concept art of Rise of the Resistence. Photo: Disney/Lucasfilm
Concept art of Rise of the Resistence. Photo: Disney/Lucasfilm /

The Disney Parks team did not forget about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the 14-acre Star Wars-themed expansion that is currently open at Disneyland and coming on Aug. 29 to Walt Disney World. Chapek unveiled a new ad for the land which contained footage of its upcoming second attraction, Rise of the Resistance.

The footage, which premiered exclusively for D23 attendees, begins with Resistance spy Vi Moradi briefing a group. The ad switches to the party traveling in an enclosed vehicle shortly before Kylo Ren’s lightsaber cuts through the vessel’s ceiling.

The vehicle moves through a First Order Star Destroyer, where the party takes laser blasts from stormtroopers and AT-AT walkers. The ad then transports them into Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, the sole attraction currently open at Galaxy’s Edge.

Rise of the Resistance is set to open on Dec. 5, 2019 at Walt Disney World and on Jan. 17, 2020 at Disneyland.

Next. Rey’s surprise look in The Rise of Skywalker revealed at D23. dark

What was your favorite Star Wars news from D23 2019? Tell us below.

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