SO many character meet-and-greets have returned to Disney World!

We’ve already been enjoying the fact that we can hug characters again, and we were so excited to see Minnie with Mickey Mouse in Magic Kingdom! Now — speaking of hugs — we’re about to get some fluffy Wookie hugs from Chewbacca because some of the Star Wars Launch Bay meet and greets have returned EARLY!

There are three character meet-and-greets in Star Wars Launch Bay that have been unavailable since 2020 in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but not long ago Disney announced their return scheduled for July 17th. Today, however, we spotted some of the characters back EARLY! We popped into Star Wars Launch Bay and we were surprised to find queues for the characters.

First, we had to stop by our favorite Wookiee! Hi, Chewie!! We’ve missed you! Up until now, the only way to catch Chewie was at random times in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

CHEWY’s BACK TOO!!! pic.twitter.com/9fogUk8oFH

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) July 11, 2022

You can now say “hello,” take photos with him and yes, get some fuzzy Wookiee hugs. We’re home, Chewie!!!

For those who find themselves drawn to the Dark Side, you can also meet one of the scariest villains to ever exist in the galaxy. That’s right, the Darth Vader meet-and-greet is back!

He wasn’t supposed to come back until next Monday…but this Sith Lord obviously does what he wants.

DARTH VADER IS BACK pic.twitter.com/DB45V1iZiD

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) July 11, 2022

Yes, he’s still VERY intimidating.

He might be able to convince you to join the Dark Side.

Note that during our visit with Darth Vader, there was an automated camera taking pictures. The Cast Members instructed us to look at the “droid.” If you have PhotoPass, you can scan your MagicBand to get those photos in the My Disney Experience app.

The BB-8 meet-and-greet was not available during our visit and Disney’s website still lists July 17th as the official return date for these characters, so your mileage may vary if you visit Hollywood Studios between then and now.

When we left, the wait times weren’t too bad — 15 minutes for Vader and 25 minutes for Chewie.

So if you’re headed to Disney’s Hollywood Studios soon and want to meet these Star Wars characters, head on over to Star Wars Launch Bay to see if they’re available that day! Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for times the characters are available so you don’t miss out — though they’re not yet listed there during this soft opening period.

Of course, you can still see characters wandering around Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, too, so head on over there if you want to get hassled by some Stormtroopers or have Kylo Ren glare at you menacingly. You’ll may also get a chance to see Rey!

Come with us to see our favorite Disney duo reunited!

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Who’s your favorite Star Wars character to meet in Disney World? Let us know in the comments!

The post The Darth Vader Character Meet-and-Greet Reopened EARLY in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.