June 17, 2016: Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular debuted at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The new show features fireworks, Star Wars music and Star Wars pictures and video digital mapped onto the buildings of Hollywood Boulevard.

The below video is used with permission courtesy of BlogMickey.com.

May 20, 2016: The Disney Parks Blog confirmed that the new nighttime show coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios, Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular will debut on June 17, 2016

April 20, 2016: The Disney Parks Blog shared photos and details of the upcoming Star Wars Experiences coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios this summer.

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular debuts in June. It will combine fireworks, pyrotechnics, special effects and video projections that will turn the nearby Chinese Theater and other buildings into the twin suns of Tatooine, a field of battle droids, the trench of the Death Star, Starkiller Base and other Star Wars destinations. The show will be punctuated with a tower of fire and spotlight beams, creating massive lightsabers in the sky. This new show will be the most elaborate fireworks display to take place in the history of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

April 15, 2016: On Episode 101 of the Unofficial Guide's Disney Dish Podcast, Jim Hill reported that elements of Star Wars: Rogue One are expected to be added to the Star Wars Launch Bay in August or September. Additionally he reported that the name of the land is expected to be The Star Wars Experience.

April 15, 2016: Disney is planning a three day media event discussing projects currently in development. It is expected that between April 18-20th Disney will offer more details on the Star Wars entertainment coming this summer, as well as details on Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land.

April 3, 2016: The new Star Wars: A Galaxy Far Far Away stage show debuts. This includes appearances by Captain Phasma as well as other characters in the Star Wars universe.

March 29, 2016: The stage in front of The Great Movie Ride is now complete. This stage will be used for the new Star Wars themed fireworks show

February 21, 2016: Beginning February 21st, Kylo Ren from Star Wars: The Force Awakens replaced Darth Maul at Jedi Training Academy: Trials of the Temple. Kylo Ren joins Darth Vader and Seventh Sister.

February 19, 2016: The Disney Parks Blog announced that a new nighttime spectacular inspired by Star Wars will be debuting this summer at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The new show called Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular is an evolution of the current Star Wars-inspired fireworks show. Per the Disney Parks Blog,

The show will combine fireworks, pyrotechnics, special effects and video projections that will turn the nearby Chinese Theater and other buildings into the twin suns of Tatooine, a field of battle droids, the trench of the Death Star, Starkiller Base and other Star Wars destinations. The show will be punctuated with a tower of fire and spotlight beams, creating massive lightsabers in the sky. This new show will be the most elaborate fireworks display to take place in the history of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

In addition to the new fireworks show, a new Stage Show will debut on April 4th at Center Stage (in front of the Chinese Theater). The stage show will be called, "Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away" and feature Kylo Ren, Darth Vader, Chewbacca and Darth Maul.

Finally, also debuting April 4th, Captain Phasma will lead a platoon of Storm Troopers from Star Wars Launch Bay to Center Stage several times a day.

February 7, 2016: Kylo Ren debuts at Star Wars Launch Bay.

February 5, 2016: WDWMagic.com is reporting that Disney has officially confirmed that the expansion to ESPN Wide World of Sports will be for a new facility will primarily be used for cheerleading and dance events. The facility is expected to open in 2017. Previously, cheerleading and dance events would use the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular theater and this expansion has resulted in fan speculation that Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular would close upon completion of the ESPN Wide World of Sports expansion.

January 28, 2016: @JimHillMedia on Twitter is reporting that Star Wars Launch Bay will be retooled for Rogue One.

January 22, 2016: WDWMagic.com user Chef Kronk is reporting that the meet and greet will likely be characters Ezra and Sabine from Star Wars Rebels.

January 15, 2016: Disney confirmed via press release that Kylo Ren from Star Wars: The Force Awakens will meet guests in Star Wars Launch Bay. It is unlikely that the new meet and greet being built across from Star Tours will be used for a Star Wars character.

January 15, 2016: The Disney Parks Blog confirmed that Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show and surrounding areas along the Streets of America will close on April 2, 2016. This is expected to include Watto's Grotto.

The closures are expected to be related to the Toy Story and Star Wars Land projects.

December 4, 2015: The Disney Parks Blog announced that the "Symphony In The Stars: A Galactic Spectacular" fireworks show will play nightly beginning December 18th.

December 1, 2015: Star Wars Launch Bay officially opened to guests. Inside guests can experience Star Wars exhibits with movie props, trade with Jawas, and meet with Chewbacca and Darth Vader. Jedi Training Academy: Trials of the Temple also debuted to guests. The show continues to feature Darth Vader and also now includes Seventh Sister, a villain from Star Wars Rebels.

November 30, 2015: WDWMagic.com has posted photos of walls being down around the new Jedi Training Academy: Trials of the Temple. The new version of the interactive show is expected to re-open in the next few days.

November 30, 2015: WDWMagic.com user danlb_2000 is reporting that Disney has filed a permit with the South Florida Water Management District a new fireworks launch area. The new area appears to be directly west of the park and could potentially allow for the entire park to remain open during fireworks shows. Disney has announced that their will be a Star Wars themed fireworks show as part of the Season of the Force event.

November 24, 2015: WDWMagic.com user RAXIP has reported that Disney has installed the sign for Star Wars Launch Bay.

November 23, 2015: WDWMagic.com user danlb_2000 has reported that Disney has filed a permit for the installation of a scenic facade at the Jedi Training Academy. This is likely related to the change to Jedi Training Academy: Trials of the Temple.

November 17, 2015: WDWMagic.com is reporting that Season of the Force will debut at Disney's Hollywood Studios will debut on January 5, 2016. The event will include the "Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular" fireworks every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.

The event will also include Stormtroopers throughout the park, Star Wars food and merchandise offerings, as well as the selection of new Star Wars attractions: These include the updated Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, Star Wars Launch Bay, Jedi Training Academy: Trials of the Temple, and Star Wars: Path of the Jedi.

November 16, 2015: The Cast Member Previews for the new scenes from Star Wars: The Force Awakens debuted. These include an entirely new first destination and then a new transition/message scene with the BB-8 droid.

November 13, 2015: Cast Member Previews for the new scene from Star Wars: The Force Awakens took place at Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

November 12, 2015: WDWMagic.com is reporting that the new scene from Star Wars: The Force Awakens will soft open on Star Tours: The Adventures Continue on November 16, 2015.

November 9, 2015: The Disney Parks Blog announced that new Star Wars content will debut at Disney's Hollywood Studios beginning December 1st. The blog offered additional information about the announcements made at the D23 Expo, including:

• Star Wars Launch Bay - this will include special exhibits, behind-the-scenes look at Star Wars: The Force Awakens, unique merchandise and character meet and greets for Chewbacca and Darth Vader.
• Star Tours - The Adventures Continue - a new "adventure" based on Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be added to the attraction. During the opening months, the new adventure will be part of every Star Tours experience. After that, it will be integrated into the existing randomization of Star Tours. The Disney Parks Blog offered video of the new Star Tours segment.

• Star Wars: Path of the Jedi - this will allow guests that are less familiar with the Star Wars movies to become further acquainted with the franchise. It will take place in the ABC Sound Studio and feature information from the complete Star Wars saga.
• Jedi Training Academy: Trials of the Temple - a reimagining of the Jedi Training Academy will bring younger guests into an ancient Jedi temple where they will face Darth Vader as well as the Seventh Sister - a new villain from the Disney XD series, "Star Wars Rebels".

In addition to these details, the blog post confirmed that Star Wars Weekends will no longer take place.

October 26, 2015: The Mickey Mouse Meet and Greet that was previously open in the Animation building has re-opened along Mickey Avenue in the former Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow building.

October 18, 2015: The Disney Parks Blog announced a special event for opening night of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The special ticketed event will be held Thursday December 17th. The event begins between 7 and 8 PM at the AMC in Disney Springs West Side where guests will have a guaranteed seat for one of the first viewings of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Following the movie, guests can enjoy a private party at Disney's Hollywood Studios until 2 AM. The new Star Wars Launch Bay exhibit will be open, as will Star Wars: The Adventures Continue. Guests can also enjoy a DJ dance party and a preview of the new Star Wars fireworks.

October 8, 2015: The Minnie Mouse Meet and Greet that was previously open in the Animation building has re-opened near Playhouse Disney Live on Stage.

September 25, 2015: The Disney Events page is showing that the dates for the Season of the Force event are January 8, 2016 through March 20, 2016.

September 24, 2015: The Disney Parks Blog shared two posts (Post 1, Post 2) providing details on the Star Wars projects coming to Disneyland on November 16th. While no date has been given for Star Wars projects at Disney's Hollywood Studios, it is expected that there will be several parallels between the two resorts. The details from Disneyland that are expected to be replicated in Hollywood Studios are as follows:

• Star Wars Launch Bay - The new area will give guests the chance to meet with Star Wars characters, participate in interactive exhibits as well as see details on Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
  • Choose Your Destiny with Special Character Experiences -
    Guests that choose the Dark Side can meet with Darth Vader, while guests that choose the Light Side can meet with Chewbacca.
  • Explore the Dark and the Light in Themed Galleries - The Dark Side gallery will feature Sith lightsabers and storm trooper armor. The Light Side gallery will feature Rebel flight helmets and Jedi Knight lightsabers. The preview gallery will feature props from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The Starship Gallery will feature models of famous star ships throughout the Star Wars universe.
  • Star Wars Game Center - Guests can play in the new Disney Infinity 3.0 Star Wars Toy Box.
• Jedi Training Academy: Trials of the Temple - The Jedi Training Academy will be changing to feature a new villain from Star Wars Rebels.
• Star Tours The Adventure Continues - A new scene based on Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be added to the current Star Tours attraction.

September 12, 2015: Signs have appeared outside of the former Animation building that say that Star Wars Launch Bay will debut in December of 2015.

September 12, 2015: WDWMagic.com user MansionButler84 has reported the following timeline for Disney's Hollywood Studios:

• Toy Story Land Fall 2017
• Star Wars Land 2019
• Cars Land 2020

He also reported that large scale construction should be underway all over the park by this time next year. This was later verified by WDWMagic.com user Lee.

September 9, 2015: WDWMagic.com has posted photos showing that the former Animation building has been painted gray in preparation for Star Wars Launch Bay.

September 1, 2015: WDWMagic.com is reporting that Watto's Grotto is expected to return as a Star Wars inspired merchandise shop. The shop debuted during the 2015 Star Wars Weekends in the former AFI Showcase area.

A recent Notice of Commencement filed by Disney indicates work will soon be underway in the area.

August 31, 2015: Disney's Auditions site posted an audition for Jedi Training Academy.

Disney Parks and Talent Casting is seeking Actors for 2 roles in the reimagined Jedi Training Academy to be performed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, FL.

Performers employed by the Walt Disney World Resort are covered under the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement with Actors' Equity Association.

Seeking:
Male or Female Actors- Actors with strong delivery and timing and ability to interact and connect with guests. Athletic build, good physical shape, moves well, sword work a plus.

August 15, 2015: At the D23 Expo Live Action Movies Presentation Bob IGer officially announced Star Wars Land. Additional details were provided at the D23 Expo Parks and Resorts Presentation by Bob Chapek and Scott Trowbridge. They also confirmed details on other Star Wars related projects coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Additional confirmed details include:

• 14 Acre Land on both costs
• 2 New attractions
• One attraction will be an, "Epic Star Wars adventure that puts you in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance."
• Another attraction would allow guests to pilot the Millennium Falcon
• The Cast Members working in the restaurants and shops would all be in character for the land.
• The land will be a new location on an entirely new planet to the Star Wars universe.
• The land will include components from the original movies and new movies.
• Guests will be able to drink Blue Milk and interact with characters
• Guests will be able to visit a Cantina
• Star Tours: The Adventure Continue will receive a new destination by the end of 2015. The new destination will be from Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.
• A new villain from Star Wars Rebels will be added to the Jedi Training Academy

In addition to Star Wars Land, additional Star Wars content was also announced, all of which would be taking place within the next few months:

• A new destination will be added to Star Tours later this year based on Star Wars The Force Awakens
• A new Star Wars celebration, called Season of the Force will debut at the beginning of 2016 and will include similar components to Star Wars Weekends
• A new villain from Star Wars Rebels will be added to the Jedi Training Academy
• Star Wars Launch Bay will be added to Disney's Hollywood Studios later this year. This was previously announced for Shanghai Disney and will include a behind the scenes look at Star Wars The Force Awakens character meet and greets
• A new fireworks show based on Star Wars will be added to Disney's Hollywood Studios

July 23, 2015: ThemeParkInsider.com has reported that Disney has selected a contractor to build Star Wars Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The article speculates that the new land will be officially announced soon, most likely at the D23 Expo's Parks and Resorts presentation on August 15th.

April 28, 2015: Multiple sources have reported that Star Wars additions may not be announced at the D23 Expo in August.

February 9, 2015: WDWMagic.com user WDW1974 has reported that details on Star Wars expansions in domestic parks will be revealed at the D23 Expo in August.

February 3, 2015: During the Question and Answer session of the Quarterly Earnings call, CEO Bob Iger stated that details on additional Star Wars attractions would be revealed later in 2015. Variety speculated this could occur at one of two locations:

• Star Wars Celebration: April 16-19th at the Anaheim Convention Center
• D23 Expo: August 14-16th at the Anaheim Convention Center.

December 12, 2014: In a Bonus Episode of the Disney Dish Podcast with Jim Hill, Jim revealed that he did not anticipate vertical construction until fall of 2015 on Star Wars. He also reported that in one of the Walt Disney Imagineering models there was a large Death Star and an Ewok Village. He also outlined possible timelines for when Star Wars theme park information could first be revealed.

• End of January 2015: Disney is expected to announce details for the 60th Anniversary celebration at Disneyland. Disneyland also has Star Wars components in development for the Toon Town version of the park.
• April 16-19, 2015: The Star Wars Celebration is being held at the Anaheim Convention Center, details could also be revealed there.
• August 14-16, 2015: The D23 Expo will be at the Anaheim Convention Center and Jim anticipates more detailed information at this event.

December 10, 2014: Speaking at Variety's Dealmakers breakfast, CEO Bob Iger stated that the expanded Star Wars content will include content from the past, present and future of the Star Wars franchise.

November 10, 2014: WDWMagic.com user WDW1974 indicated that Disneyland Paris will receive an updated Star Tours attraction that will feature components from Episode VII. He also indicated that the Hollywood Studios counterpart is also expected to receive similar updates.

August 5, 2014: On the Quarter 3 Earnings call, CEO Bob Iger indicated that Star Wars would have a significant presence in the park. He indicated that the concepts for the attractions would be revealed next year.

June 14, 2014: DisneyAtWork.com has also reported that The American Idol Experience will close in January, adding a joint statement between Disney and FreeMantle Entertainment:

“After more than five successful years, The American Idol Experience will be coming to a close at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park in January 2015. Our partnership with FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment has been a great addition to the park and we are very appreciative of the amazing cast and guests who have devoted their time and talent to make this experience special and memorable. We are incredibly proud of the more than 2,000 Dream Tickets that have given guests a chance to live their very own Cinderella story and audition for ‘American Idol’. This past season alone, three of the Top 13 contestants were originally discovered through The American Idol Experience and we expect the attraction to continue providing top contestants for ‘American Idol’ XIV in the coming year.”

While the closure of the American Idol Experience has been confirmed, DisneyAtWork.com has also reported that Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is also expected to close around the same time. At this point, we will consider that part of the rumor to be Blue Sky. However, it is assumed that if and when a Star Wars land is created that it would utilize the space currently occupied by the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular.

June 13, 2014: WDWMagic.com user Tinkrbell has reported that The American Idol Experience will close on January 4th and will be reduced to four shows a day (three regular, one finale) beginning in July.

June 13, 2014: Ricky Brigante of Inside the Magic posted to Facebook that The American Idol Experience cast members were told the attraction would close in 6 months.

April 25, 2014: WDWMagic.com has reported that Imagineer Scott Trowbridge has been assigned to lead a new dedicated Star Wars Studio division of Disney Imagineering.

August 13, 2013: WDWThemeParks.com is reporting that Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald told them that Star Tours was designed to have additional destinations included. Additionally, Kathy Mangum told them that she will be spending more time working on projects other than Avatar in her new role at Walt Disney World.

July 15, 2013: Disney and More is reporting at an update to Star Tours is also expected at Hollywood Studios and Disneyland. It is expected that this would include new destinations based on Star Wars Episode 7.

October 30, 2012: Disney announced the acquisition of LucasFilm LTD and all of it's intellectual property.