NEWS: Merchandise Events Coming Ahead of Opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

With the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge just a few weeks away, Disney is offering three new merchandise events that will connect fans with authors, voice talent, and artists from the Star Wars Universe. Catch all the details below.

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Thomas Smith:

In just weeks, you’ll be living your own Star Wars story at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  And to prepare for the historic grand opening on August, 29, there are several exciting merchandise events coming to the park that we thought you’d like to check out!

From new, out-of-this-galaxy fashion to special Star Wars artwork, mark your calendar for these upcoming experiences coming to Launch Bay Cargo at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

Meet Ashley Eckstein from Her Universe!

Saturday, August 17 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

On August 17, Ashley Eckstein will be showcasing her newest dress featuring Darth Vader from the Her Universe fashion company at Launch Bay Cargo at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Known to Star Wars fans as the voice of Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, actress and entrepreneur, Ashley Eckstein, also founded Her Universe – the groundbreaking fangirl fashion company and lifestyle brand.  Ashley has been widely recognized as a business woman and trendsetter.

At the event, wristbands will be required, and will be distributed to guests at park open on the day of the signing at the event location with the purchase of a Her Universe or Ahsoka Tano item. *

New Art Pieces inspired by Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Sunday, August 18 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Artists from diverse backgrounds are coming together at Launch Bay Cargo to showcase special artwork inspired by the Star Wars saga!  Artists Craig Fraser, Kevin-John, William Silvers, and Charles Wissig will be available to meet guests and sign art for your collection.** Whether you’re a fan of the light side or the dark side, you are sure to love these great new pieces.   Fraser says he channeled his inner dark side while the work of Silvers drew inspiration from Yoda.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Book Signing 

Wednesday, August 28 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

And on August 28, you can take on the thrilling call to adventure on the very edge of the galaxy!  Meet the authors and illustrator behind new titles inspired by Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Launch Bay Cargo. Ethan Sacks and Will Sliney have teamed up to bring fans the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge comic book series. Delilah S. Dawson will be available to sign her recent project, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire, and Zoraida Córdova will be signing her recent contribution to the Star Wars saga, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: A Crash of Fate.**  

This series of special merchandise events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios begins on August 17.  Let us know what you’re looking forward to in the comments.

Merchandise available while supplies last. We ask that only two (2) items be signed per guest, per time in line. We ask that you bring no personal items to be signed.  Valid Walt Disney World Resort receipt may be required. Event is subject to space and time availability and is not guaranteed. Theme park admission is required. Event information subject to change without notice.

*Wristbands will be distributed to guests at park open on the day of the signing at the event location with the purchase of a Her Universe or Ahsoka Tano item. A wristband from the appearance location is required to meet Ashley Eckstein and allows the guest to get two items signed. A limited number of wristbands will be available.  Once the wristbands have been distributed, the line to meet Ashley Eckstein will close. 

**Guests must purchase product before having it signed.  

RELATED ARTICLE: Star Wars 101: A Brief Introduction to a Galaxy Far, Far Away

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The Star Wars saga was created by American filmmaker George Lucas and produced by Lucasfilm Ltd., the California-based entertainment company he founded in 1971. When Lucas retired in 2012, The Walt Disney Company acquired Lucasfilm and Disney continues to create stories about this galaxy far, far away.

Star Wars encompasses 10 feature films (with an 11^th out by the end of 2019), several television series and a plethora of novels, comic books, video games and other forms of entertainment, which now includes Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, an-all new land opening is now open at Disneyland Resort in California, and will open at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida on August 29, 2019.

FEATURE FILMS

Prequel Trilogy

• “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” (1999) – Anakin Skywalker, a young slave strong with the Force, is discovered on Tatooine. Meanwhile, the evil Sith have returned, enacting their plot for revenge against the Jedi.
• “Star Wars: Attack of the Clones” (2002) – Anakin Skywalker must choose between his Jedi duty and forbidden love, while Obi-Wan Kenobi uncovers a sinister plot that leads to the Galactic Civil War.
• “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” (2005) – Faced with haunting premonitions that his secret wife will die, Anakin Skywalker is seduced by the dark side and becomes Darth Vader.

Original Trilogy

• “Star Wars: A New Hope” (1977) – Luke Skywalker begins a journey that will change the galaxy, as he leaves his home planet of Tatooine, joins the Rebel Alliance to battle the evil Empire and learns the ways of the Force.
• “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) – Darth Vader leads the hunt for Luke Skywalker and his Rebel Alliance.
• “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” (1983) – Luke Skywalker heads a mission to rescue Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt and faces Darth Vader one last time.

Current Trilogy

• “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (2015) – Thirty years after the defeat of the Empire, Luke Skywalker has vanished and a new threat has risen – the First Order. The Resistance are the galaxy’s only hope at thwarting a new reign of evil.
• “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” (2017) – The First Order looks to crush what’s left of the Resistance and cement its grip on the galaxy, but hope survives as Rey has found Luke Skywalker.
• “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” (Dec. 20, 2019)

Star Wars Stories

• “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016) – In a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire’s ultimate weapon of destruction.
• “Solo: A Star Wars Story” (2018) – Han Solo meets his future copilot Chewbacca, encounters the notorious Lando Calrissian and boards the Millennium Falcon for the first time in a series of adventures within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld.

KEY TELEVISION SERIES

• “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (2008 – present) – Set between “Star Wars: Attack of the Clones” and “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith,” the Republic’s clone army struggles against Count Dooku’s Separatist forces; the series features Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Hondo Ohnaka and more.
• “Star Wars Rebels” (2014 – 2017) – Set five years before “Star Wars: A New Hope,” the Rebellion begins to form while the Empire spreads tyranny through the galaxy.
• “Star Wars Resistance” (2018 – present) – Set prior to “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” a young Resistance pilot is tasked with a top-secret mission to investigate the First Order.

KEY TERMS

Aurebesh

The written language of the Star Wars galaxy.

Blaster

The term for “gun” in the Star Wars galaxy. These weapons come in two basic forms – pistols and rifles – with a wide variety of modifications depending on use – and user.

Datapad

The Star Wars equivalent of an electronic tablet. When guests use the Play Disney Parks app** on their mobile devices while inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the app interface transforms to resemble a Datapad.

Droid

The term for robot in the Star Wars galaxy. There are many different types, with a wide range of complexity and specialties. Some are meant to accomplish simple or mechanical tasks, some are deployed in battle, and some can converse fluently with humans.

The Force

The phrase “may the Force be with you” is peppered throughout the Star Wars saga, referring to the mystical energy field generated by all life forms. Some beings in the Star Wars galaxy dedicate their lives to it, while others don’t believe in it. The Force is not good or evil, but it can be used for either – it has a light side and a dark side. Some are able to use the Force for a kind of extrasensory perception and power, moving objects with their minds, choking people from afar and other abilities.

The First Order

Following the conclusion of the Galactic Civil War in “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi,” some members of the Empire escaped into the far reaches of the galaxy, eventually resurfacing as the First Order. Ruling through force and fear, they seek to overthrow the New Republic.

Hyperspace/Lightspeed

Spacecraft equipped with a hyperdrive can travel at lightspeed (faster than the speed of light) and access an alternate dimension known as “hyperspace.” This allows ships to travel hyperspace lanes and traverse great distances across the galaxy in a much shorter time than using sublight engines. The phrase “make the jump to lightspeed” is commonly used in the Star Wars galaxy when referring to accessing hyperspace. Stars stretch into lines of light when jumping to lightspeed, and hyperspace is identifiable by its mottled, pulsating waves of light.

Jedi Order

A noble group of protectors unified by their ability to tap into the power of the Force. The Jedi were the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy, until they were eradicated by Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine during the Galactic Civil War.

Lightsaber

The weapon of a Jedi, it can be used to cut through blast doors or enemies alike. Using the Force, a Jedi can predict and deflect incoming blaster bolts. At its heart is a kyber crystal that focuses energy into a blade; the crystal is attuned to the Force and connected to a Jedi on a deeply personal level.

New Republic

After the Rebel Alliance defeated the Empire at the Battle of Endor in “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi,” the New Republic was formed to help govern the galaxy. Promoting peace and disarmament, the New Republic oversaw 30 years of tranquility but was divided in its response to the rise of the First Order.

Outer Rim

A remote, often lawless region of the galaxy on the edge of Wild Space, far from the more developed and populated Core Worlds.

The Resistance

A small, secretive, private military force founded by rebel hero Leia Organa to monitor the actions of the First Order. The cash-strapped movement relies on credits, ships and equipment quietly funneled from the few New Republic senators who share her concerns.

Stormtroopers

These elite shock troops are fanatically loyal to the First Order. They wear imposing white armor, which offers a range of survival equipment and temperature controls to allow the soldiers to survive in almost any environment. They wield blaster rifles with great skill and attack in hordes to overwhelm their enemies.