How to Meet Darth Vader at Disney World

Darth Vader is possibly one of the most villainous characters you can meet at Walt Disney World. You’ll want to be prepared for this encounter in advance. During your meeting, he’ll likely use the force to try to turn you to the dark side. So make sure to

As you likely know, Darth Vader met at the now-closed Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for an entire decade. It was the place to see him. That meet-and-greet location permanently closed in 2025. Thankfully, you can still find Darth Vader in the park. Since Launch Bay’s closure, he has moved to Star Tours-The Adventure Continues, an attraction near Echo Lake. You will find him in an area near the attraction’s queue.

Here is the Commander on the Bridge, best known for his role as Dark Lord of the Sith in the original Star Wars trilogy, episodes 4-6. The story of his fall from grace was continued in a prequel later on, episodes 1-3. If you have plans to meet characters during your vacation, we always recommend watching a few movies before your visit for a refresher.

This article was last updated September 25, 2025, to provide details of Darth Vader’s new meet-and-greet location at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Darth Vader poses for a photo at Star Wars Launch Bay — Darth Vader Meet-and-Greet

We’ll have some updated photos of the new meet-and-greet location soon. In the meantime, you’ll want to check the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit for his exact times and location. Here are the instructions:

How to Locate Darth Vader in the My Disney Experience App

Open the My Disney Experience app and select the pin drop at the bottom of the home screen.
Scroll (left to right) through the icons at the top of the screen and select “Characters.”
After selecting characters, use the locations drop-down to select the park of your choice.
Then, on the bottom right of the screen, select “Show List.”
Scroll through the list of characters until you find Darth Vader.
Select his meet-and-greet, and you’ll see his location and times for the day.*
As an alternative, you can use the map view to locate characters.

*As the day passes, you might notice that characters disappear from the app. When their last scheduled time passes, the meet-and-greet automatically disappears. A new schedule won’t be loaded until the following day. It is essential to check the app for meet-and-greets on the day of your visit. See our screenshot tutorial below for more details.

Learn More: Complete Screenshot Tutorial for Finding Character Locations in the My Disney Experience App

It’s also important to note that this meet-and-greet location does not offer a Lightning Lane, nor is it open during extended park hours.

Lightning Lane: No
Early Theme Park Entry Eligible: No
Extended Evening Eligible: No

Darth Vader’s Encounter is inside Star Wars Launch Bay.

Darth Vader isn’t necessarily what you would call a talking character. He’s more of a give-orders character. But if you think about it, what kind of conversation could you really have with him? One minute, you’re excited to meet him. Then it’s your turn, and he says, “You! Come closer,” and “Let us dispense with the pleasantries.” There are also quite a few “huuuuhhhhhs” from his breathing.

Darth Vader with arms crossed at his meet-and-greet

My side of the conversation went something like, “Uh, okay.” The meet-and-greet ended when he said, “Now go.” And I was totally fine with it. Whatever you say, Darth!

Darth Vaders pretends to use the force — Darth Vader at his former location at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Trust me, no matter how old you are, this meeting has a way of making you feel like you’ve gotten yourself into a bit of trouble. Remember, Darth Vader is a villain and will stay in character the entire time. When visiting with children, it’s essential to ensure they are prepared to meet this kind of character. The last thing you want is to traumatize your child. Disney World is supposed to be a magical place.

Unfortunately, a PhotoPass photographer was not present on the day of this visit. However, the cast members attending the meet were taking photos of guests with their devices.

If you’re hoping to meet other characters at this park, see our Disney’s Hollywood Studios Character Meet-and-Greet Guide. If you’re specifically looking for other characters from Star Wars, we keep a separate guide: Where To Find Every Star Wars Character at Disney World. It includes a list of roaming characters and traditional meet-and-greets. Check back with Resorts Gal for the latest Disney updates and reviews.