Not so long ago (this last month), in a galaxy not that far away (right here, actually), a mom of two kids under the age of 5 was feeling…. well…. bleh. Yes, ok I’m talking about myself. I ain’t gonna lie: Now that the busy days of holidays are here – and my little people have been talking shouting demanding my ears off about what they want for Christmas gifts (already?!?!) I’ve been needing some force lately. Like, The Force. Some kind of backup. Anything. May The Force Be With You, they say. Bring it on. I’m officially calling on it now. Because I need it. All of us moms need support… power… THE FORCE, if required.
Not one to complain too much without trying to remedy my woes, I decided to venture where very few moms have gone before…
I embarked on a solo mission to visit Disneyland’s Star Wars Launch Bay… with NO KIDS. Basically, the friendly folks at Disneyland invited a bunch of us family-oriented digital influencers to visit their incredible, brand new features in the heart of Tomorrowland… all created in honor of the upcoming film Star Wars: The Force Awakens (movie opening nationwide December 18, 2015). The ‘Bay’ (as I’m now on a nickname basis with it) is open NOW and is a most incredible teaser to the future Star Wars-themed land… (Yes, there IS going to be one soon, Young Jedis.)
Call me crazy, but I was actually *nervous* to explore this place by myself without kids. What mom goes to Disneyland by herself? I’ve never even really spent time in Tomorrowland? What will I do there? My nerves made me… well… nervous. Because I knew that if I didn’t find my Force soon, I’d quickly morph into the type of woman who feels insecure – and dare I admit, almost-guilty – about seeking out good times without my kids (and that’s not so good).
So I trekked my way up, up, up the winding ramp of the Launch Bay…
Just as it should be, I was welcomed into this unique, multi-sensory space with the iconic phrase “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….” Once inside, my inner fangirl awakened (the same fangirl who remembers having a miniature Chewbacca doll as a five year old… sometime shortly before I thought I was Snow White). I may’ve screamed when I entered, as though I’ve been religiously watching all the movies over and over my whole life… even though I haven’t been. (Let’s just say I remembered that, up to this point, that Yoda was good and Darth was bad… Have faith I’m a bit more well-versed now that I’ve had a major reintroduction back into the Star Wars world.)
And just like that: My force awakened. Especially without kids swirling around me. (Love you, kiddos.)
The lobby!
In peace (ie: without kids) I got to step into a Star Wars-themed cantina (imaginary cocktail, anyone?) and was able to check out all the memorabilia and authentic replicas of large-scale Star Wars artifacts…
I’m embarrassed that I was intimidated by this Stormtrooper… yes, he’s fake but he’s HUGE!
Call me a nerd, but I dig this stuff: The Rey Speeder (you know, for quick transportation across the junk-strewn dune of Jakku).
This space has so much to experience for any fan of any age. There are autographed pictures and costumes and interactive games and videos narrated by Star Wars creators and on and on and on. Fans can meet Darth Vader on the Dark Side and then hop over to the Light Side and give Chewbacca a big furry hug. I was shockingly swept away with it all. And the fact that I could actually *read* the fun-facts about the making-of Star Wars posted all over the place, without having to run around looking for my 3 year old in a panic that she ran away to join the Rebel cause, proved to calm me and find my inner Force. (Because we all know that when mom gets alone time, no matter where it is, it proves to be a powerful thing. We suddenly feel like ourselves again… even if we’re in a galaxy far, far away.)
I even got to chat with one of the imagineers (one of the masterminds!) behind this endeavor…. which unexpectedly took me over to the Dark Side. Watch (you won’t believe it… or, you’ll just laugh and roll your eyes):
Yes… you too can meet Darth and talk to him… and possibly get trained in the ways of the Dark Side (like I did) if you play your cards right (dude is kinda intimidating, though). Meeting the characters – Darth and Chewbacca – are the coolest features of the Launch Bay if you ask me. And for the record, I did take a spin on Hyperspace Mountain right in Tomorrowland — it’s the classic Space Mountain attraction but reimagined as an action-packed battle between Rebel X-wings and Imperial TIE fighters as you dip and dive with the Star Wars theme music… I felt like I was IN the movie! And then, since I’d won over Darth Vader and all, I grabbed myself a glowing Dark Side Lemonade from Tomorrowland’s Terrace. (When in Rome… right?)
My Force had returned. I was ‘me’ once more. May it never ever leave me again. May it never stray from any of us… again. (Because mom need The Force.)
Ok. Force returned to owner. Now it was time to bring my kids. To be continued in Episode II… coming soon. (Aka: Wait ’til you find out what happened when I took my girls to meet Chewbacca… plus you’ll get to see even more of the Launch Bay!)
DISCLOSURE: The Fab Mom was generously provided complimentary passes to Disneyland to experience Tomorrowland’s Star Wars Launch Bay for purposes of this post. All experiences and opinions are mine. Join the convo on Twitter using #SeasonoftheForce!
Additional elements featured at Disneyland are Star Wars: Path of the Jedi, a cinematic overview of the Star Wars saga; a new adventure in Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, and, opening Dec. 8, Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple enhances this popular show with new characters and a new villain. The Holiday season at the Disneyland Resort runs from Nov. 13, 2015 through Jan. 6, 2016. For more information about the Disneyland Resort, see www.Disneyland.com or visit www.DisneyParksBlog.com.
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