DENVER - One of the biggest things to hit both Disneyland and Walt Disney World in decades is now official.

Speaking at the U.S. IPW tourism event in Colorado on Wednesday, Disney officials revealed that the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge park inside Disneyland in California will open some time next summer. A virtually identical park at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida will open in the fall, at an undetermined date.

Lynn Clark, vice president of sales and services for Disneyland, said visitors will be able to pilot the Millenium Falcon and fire weapons at opposing forces from the Imperial side. They’ll also be able to stroll through a village on a planet far, far away and gaze at Imperial Tie Fighters and Star Wars characters, such as R2D2, Chewbacca and more.

Some four decades after the first film’s original release, the force remains strong with Star Wars fans, and both parks promise to be a huge hit with visitors and travel agents, who no doubt will be booking many a trip to both Anaheim and Orlando.

On top of that, and opening earlier, is Pixar Pier in Anaheim. That area of Disney’s California Adventure park will open June 23, less than a month from today, with a new rollercoaster, new rides, food options and more.

Clark said other changes are coming to Disney’s California properties, including a wandering Black Panther at the California Adventure park and new restaurants and shops at Downtown Disney, including a brewery to be operated by the folks from Ballast Point, a fine craft beer spot in San Diego.

Jay Burress, president and CEO of Visit Anaheim, said his city is one that’s “built on imagination, possibility and creativity.”

Anaheim will host next year’s IPW in early June, showing off not only Disney properties but also the city’s growing downtown and nearby beaches, including Newport and Huntington Beach.

Visits to Orange County reached a new high last year, with 49.4 million visitors; 4.5 million of them international tourists.

Burress also noted that Disneyland is the most-Instagrammed sight in the world, which is kinda cool.

New hotels in Anaheim include a JW Marriott and a new Westin, as well as many others.

Tourism officials from Washington D.C., last year’s IPW hosts, also were on hand at the Colorado Convention Center on Wednesday.

Destination DC President and CEO Ellliott Ferguson, a charming guy with a great stage presence, pointed out new hotels (including a Virgin Hotel and a Conrad) and attractions all around the D.C. area. I hadn’t heard of it, but Ferguson talked about something called Passport DC, an event in May in which embassies from around the world open their doors for food and cultural displays. And it’s free.

He also said there are major renovations going on at the National Air and Space Museum and that there’s a new home for the Spy Museum, with double the space from before.

The elevator inside the Washington Monument will re-open next spring, allowing visitors to go to the top of the spire for amazing views. As well, Washington will host this year’s All-Star Major League Baseball Game and surrounding events from July 13-17.

On another note, the Washington D.C. Metro rail system will be extended to far-flung Dulles International Airport by 2020, he said.

Ferguson said the Museum of the Bible has been a big hit in D.C.

“But I can’t promise you’ll go in a sinner and come out saved.”