TSA Bans Galaxy's Edge Souvenir Soda Bottles Because They Look like 'Explosives'
Even the force won’t help you get past TSA if you’re found with a “thermal detonator” Coca-Cola bottle from the new Star Wars-themed lands at Disneyland and Disney World.
The exclusive item, sold only at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, open now in Anaheim and tomorrow in Orlando, resembles an explosive-like device seen in the sci-fi movies, specifically the Return of the Jedi, where it’s used as a threat to destroy Jabba the Hutt.
Each beverage bottle has a rounded design and resealable cap, and features the soda’s logo replicated in Aurebesh, the written language featured in the popular film franchise. Coca-Cola Design began creating prototypes for the plastic vessel over three years ago, collaborating with Walt Disney Imagineering and Lucasfilm Ltd. in the process, according to a press release.
While in real life the bottle is only used to hold your preferred carbonated beverage, TSA is banning the containers as they still closely resemble a dangerous weapon, calling them a “replica” of an explosive, the organization shared in a tweet.
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“Replica and inert explosives aren’t allowed in either carry-on or checked bags,” the Twitter account @AskTSA wrote Aug. 13 in response to a query.
Thanks for asking! Replica and inert explosives aren't allowed in either carry-on or checked bags.
— AskTSA (@AskTSA) August 13, 2019
Another social media user inquired if taking the cap off the bottle made a difference and TSA replied it did not. “This item is still considered a replica and is not allowed,” they wrote.
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Even with a normal bottle cap, this item is still considered a replica and is not allowed in carry-on or checked bags. If our officers discover a replica item during screening and believes it's real, the item will be treated as such until advised otherwise by law enforcement.
— AskTSA (@AskTSA) August 28, 2019
“If our officers discover a replica item during screening and believes it’s real, the item will be treated as such until advised otherwise by law enforcement,” the Aug. 27 tweet continued.
A representative from Disney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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Visitors to the highly anticipated parks are able to take lightsabers out of the park and onto the plane, the TSA’s website states.
A far more lighthearted reply reads, “Sadly, the technology doesn’t currently exist to create a real lightsaber. However, you can pack a toy lightsaber in your carry-on or checked bag. May the force be with you.”
