May 4 has become widely known as "Star Wars" Day because fans have used the date as wordplay on the salutation "may the Force be with you."
For those who aren't fans of the Disney-owned franchise, the "Force" is sort of the underlying spirit of the universe. It powers heroes like Luke Skywalker and villains like Darth Vader, but it's also present in that universe for people and creatures who can't actually tap directly into it.
The Force is a sort of stand-in for karma and other similar spiritual notions. Wishing someone "may the Force be with you" is close to saying "good luck" or, in more religious terms, "have a blessed day."
DON'T MISS: Disney World's Pricey 'Star Wars' Bet May Be in Big Trouble
Walt Disney (DIS) has made May 4 a kind of international "Star Wars" celebration day. On that day it often releases new merchandise and sometimes has announced new content.
That's not likely to be the case with content this year, since the company earlier this year outlined plans for new movies and an expanded TV Universe. But that doesn't mean May 4 won't be a major event.
The Mouse House has big plans for expanded "Star Wars" offerings at Disney World and Disneyland.
Image source: Walt Disney
Black Spire Day Celebrations at 'Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge'
May 4 also happens to coincide with "Black Spire Day" on Batuu, the fictional planet that's home to "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" at both Disney World and Disneyland.
"Black Spire Day was a holiday celebrated at Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu. It was to commemorate the founding of the outpost. Locals would decorate the outpost with colorful ribbons and tarps while celebrating with parades and feasts. It would occasionally end with a fireworks display," according to Wookiepedia.
Disney largely celebrates the event by offering special food items in its Star Wars lands. Basically, the May 4/Black Spire Day season lets Disney have a version of one of its Epcot festivals at its Star Wars attractions. It's a way to bring more fans to "Galaxy's Edge" without adding a new ride.
It works like a limited-time offer at a fast-food chain, where regular customers might spend more and lapsed visitors might return to sample the new items that will be around for only short periods.
What Will Disney's May 4 Star Wars Menus Offer?
These are very limited-time offers with the selection varying a bit between Disney World and Disneyland. The offers are extensive and different items are making appearances all over both resorts, not just in "Galaxy's Edge."
Disneyland
Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
- (New) Temple Rootleaf and Moss Salad with Seasoned Gwayo Egg: Sweet-savory salad greens, brined vegetables, roasted mushrooms, fried potato noodles, and soy-marinated soft-boiled egg (Available beginning May 2; mobile order available)
- (New) Temple Rootleaf and Moss Salad: Sweet-savory salad greens, brined vegetables, roasted mushrooms, and fried potato noodles (Plant-based) (Available beginning May 2; mobile order available)
- (New) Light Up! Acid Spitter Orb Sipper with Lanyard includes choice of fountain beverage at time of purchase
Galactic Grill (Mobile order available)
- Darth by Chocolate Parfait (Available May 2 through 6)
- (New) Grogu Sipper includes choice of fountain beverage at time of purchase
Kat Saka’s Kettle
- (New) Surabat Valley Mix: Sweet kettle corn (Also available with furikake) (Available starting May 2)
- (New) Niamos Mix: Savory sour cream and chive popcorn (Also available with furikake) (Available starting May 2)
- (New) Jellyfruit Muffin: Passion fruit buttermilk muffin with pineapple and blackberry jam (Available starting May 2)
Milk Stand (Available starting May 2; mobile order available)
- Tenoo Swirl Crunchies Cereal: Blue milk topped with strawberry and grape candy pebbles
Oga’s Cantina (Available May 2 through August 31)
- Five Blossom Bread with Mustard Cream: Warm pretzel knot with a new creamy honey mustard dip
- (New) Ginger Lime Tea Lemonade with Soju: Soju, Minute Maid Lemonade, Gold Peak Unsweetened Iced Tea, habanero lime and ginger flavors topped with matcha foam
Ronto Roasters
- (New) Light Up! Acid Spitter Orb Sipper with Lanyard includes choice of fountain beverage at time of purchase (Limit five per person, per transaction; no discounts apply) (Available while supplies last beginning May 2)
Beverage Carts in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
- Galma Garlic Puffs: Puffed cheese chips (Available starting May 2)
Fruit Cart, Churro Cart, and Lemonade Cart in Tomorrowland
- (New) Grogu Sipper includes choice of fountain beverage at time of purchase
Downtown Disney District: Marceline’s Confectionery (Mobile order available)
- Grogu Candy Apple: Granny Smith apple dipped in caramel with marshmallow ears enrobed in colored white chocolate with gold sanding sugar for the belt
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Hearthstone Lounge (Available May 2 through 31)
- (New) Ginger Daiquiri: El Dorado Rum, Sherry, Velvet Falernum, ginger syrup and lime juice, garnished with mint
Grand Californian Hotel Lobby Cart (Available April 28 through May 30)
- Star Wars Sugar Cookie
- Wookiee Cookie
- Pretzel Lightsabers
- Falcon Lollipop
- Stormtrooper Crisped Rice Treat
- Tropical Whoopie Pie
- Galaxy Macaron Box
Walt Disney World Resort
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
ABC Commissary, Backlot Express, PizzeRizzo, and Rosie’s All-American Café (Available May 4 through 31; mobile order available)
- Jettison Juice: Minute Maid Lemonade and watermelon served with a glow cube (Non-alcoholic)
Backlot Express (Available May 4 through 31; mobile order available)
- Darth Vader Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake with chocolate-peanut butter buttercream, dipped in dark chocolate ganache, edged in chocolate flakes, and topped with a chocolate Darth Vader
- Wookiee Cookie: Two oatmeal cookies with vanilla cream filling garnished with a milk chocolate sash on top
Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo (Mobile order available)
- Oi-Oi Puff: Raspberry cream puff with passion fruit mousse (Available May 4 and 5)
- (New) Light Up! Acid Spitter Orb Sipper with Lanyard includes choice of fountain beverage at time of purchase
PizzeRizzo and The Trolley Car Café (Available May 4 and 5; mobile order available at PizzeRizzo)
- Dark Side Chocolate Creation: Malted milk chocolate mousse dome with raspberry mousse filling, slivered almonds, and chocolate shortbread cookie
Ronto Roasters
- (New) Light Up! Acid Spitter Orb Sipper with Lanyard includes choice of fountain beverage at time of purchase
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort: Pineapple Lanai (Available May 4 only)
- Millennium Falcon Star Wars Soft-Serve Sundae: Galactic gray vanilla soft-serve with mint flavor, chocolate cream cookie crumbles, chocolate drizzle, white chocolate pearl stars, brownie asteroid pieces with stardust sparkles, and a Millennium Falcon white chocolate piece
Disney Springs
The Ganachery
- Queen Amidala Chocolate Piñata: Dark chocolate piñata filled with ruby chocolate and raspberry bark (Available May 1 through 31)
- Ahsoka Pop: Plant-based coconut and blueberry swirl pop enrobed in dark chocolate (Available May 1 through 31)
- Millennium Falcon Pop: Milk chocolate pop with crisp pearls (Currently available)
Swirls on the Water (Available May 4 through 31)
- (New) Loyal Astromech Swirl: Dole Whip Mango swirled with habanero soft-serve in a red velvet cone with toasted graham cracker crumbs, chocolate rocks, and a BB-8 edible garnish
