Star Wars Land Announced for Disney World & Disneyland!
Stars Wars Land was just announced for Walt Disney World and Disneyland at the D23 Expo! At the end of an otherwise dull Star Wars segment of the Live Action film panel, Disney CEO Bob Iger came on stage to announce the lands for Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, and Disneyland (park) in Anaheim.
Few details were given, except that the plans are incredibly ambitious, and set to be Disney’s largest single-themed land expansions ever at 14-acres each (which likely means that they are clones of one another) and will transport guests to a never-before-seen planet, a remote trading port, and will feature recognizable characters.
At Disneyland, the expansion will take the place of Big Thunder Ranch plus some backstage areas; it sounds like Toontown is safe. No word has been given as to where in Disney’s Hollywood Studios that Star Wars Land will be added.
The new land is said to transport guests to a never-before-seen planet, which is a remote trading port and one of the last stops before wild space. In this land/on this new planet, guests will be immersed in an experience where Star Wars characters and their stories come to life.
Each of the lands will have two signature attractions, one with the ability to take the controls the Millennium Falcon on a customized secret mission, and will include an epic Star Wars adventure that puts guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance.
Realizing this expansion will take years to complete, Disney has a short term solution, too. Both Star Wars Launch Bay and Season of the Force will begin within the year. Launch Bay is set to (ahem) launch later this year, and will feature specific exhibits, meet & greets, and behind the scenes experiences all based on Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It will be located in Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Toworrowland’s Innoventions at Disneyland, where it will be called Super Hero HQ and also feature Marvel stuff.
Season of the Force, is a new seasonal event beginning early 2016. It will occur in Tomorrowland at Disneyland, where there will be special entertainment at Tomorrowland Terrace and elsewhere, along with Hyperspace Mountain, a re-imagining of Space Mountain, in which guests will join an X-wing Starfighter battle. At Walt Disney World in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it will be a weekend event featuring a fireworks spectacular set to the iconic score of the Star Wars movies. No word on whether this replaces Star Wars Weekends, but I’m guessing not–instead, it’ll just be riding on the Episode 7 hype train.
Additionally, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue will have a location and characters from Star Wars: The Force Awakens added to it at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland. Likewise, Jedi Training Academy will have new characters and a new villain to battle from the popular Disney XD series, “Star Wars Rebels.” These additions should be in place before Episode 7 opens.
Reaction
It turns out some of my speculation and predictions in the $3.5 Billion Walt Disney World Expansion? posts were correct…and also incorrect.
I’m pretty ecstatic about Star Wars Land, and I’m not even a huge Star Wars fan. What has me most excited is that this is a new planet. This is because my main hope as stated in that post was this:
I can’t really say there’s something specific I’d like to see represented in this land. What I am hoping is that a single, distinct environment from one of the films, rather than a “greatest hits” of different Star Wars locales. One of the reasons I think Cars Land is so successful is because you feel like you’re actually stepping into that film.
As readers and I went on to discuss in the comments to that post, this would be a real challenge. I think reader Chris really hit the nail on the head with this:
Harry Potter is much better suited to places I want to go and be in. In Star Wars they always want out of where they are… Tatooine, Hoth, Dagobah system. Not even the Death Star to me is somewhere I want to hang out. The exception is the Millenium Falcon, but obviously not being a land, that can only accommodate so many people.
Chris was absolutely right, and this definitely seemed like it presented a challenge that might mean Star Wars Land is a simple, unidentifiable “greatest hits” repository of attractions. Thankfully, the Imagineers are more creative than all of us armchair enthusiasts, and they zigged when we zagged, opting to create an entirely new planet that, frankly, looks like it features some pretty awesome characteristics and is a place I’d want to hang out, based upon the concept art.
As only a casual Star Wars fan, things like canon and continuity in the new land do not matter to me, so I’m going to like the new land as long as it looks awesome. However, you better believe canon, etc. matters to serious fans, and I’m sure the Imagineers are working hard with Lucasfilm to ensure the new planet fits properly within the Star Wars Universe.
This planet will have to evoke the feeling of being in a Star Wars locale to serious fans, which I think will be a more daunting task for the Imagineers. (Of course, there’s also always the possibility that by “new” planet, they mean one from Star Wars: The Force Awakens that has yet to be seen by fans…)
Now that I’ve heard the announcement, creating a new planet seems like such an obvious solution, but it’s definitely not something I had considered before.
As for the attractions themselves, the descriptions provided were so vague that there’s really not much for me to say. Obviously, piloting a Milennium Falcon is going to be a real crowd-pleaser. An attraction like that does seem like an obvious choice, and it’s a choice I’m glad they made. Beyond that, I am hopeful that at least one of these attractions is family friendly–but also pushes the envelope in terms of creative design.
I really hope these are “wow” attractions that breed a whole new generation of Disney fans. Based upon the rumblings I’ve heard from those who would know, that’s exactly what both of these attractions will be. I couldn’t care less about the exact substance of the attractions–I’ll trust the capable hands of the Imagineers when given a healthy budget– all I want is to be blown away, repeatedly uttering “whoa” like I did on my first rides on Radiator Springs Racers or Mystic Manor. I know people are excited about Toy Story Land, but I’m hoping for attractions in Star Wars Land that raise the bar so high that people will be wondering why they even bothered riding some dog-coaster. 😉
As for the seasonal stuff, I’m impressed just by the fact that Disney has recognized they need something ready quickly to satiate the pent up and coming demand for Star Wars. I strongly suspect these additions are at least being partially funded by the studio’s healthy promotional budget for Episode 7 (just like the studio pays for those 3D preview films in Epcot & Disneyland), but at least the parks are finally putting that money to more imaginative uses.
I don’t expect any of the Launch Bay or Season of the Force stuff to be particularly impressive, but anyone who is expecting any of this to be E-Ticket quality has unrealistic expectations. I think it will all be well done “diversion” level of entertainment that will particularly be enjoyable for families, which is about the most that should be expected. I’m pretty impressed that they are doing this at all, and at the end of the day, anything is better than Innoventions, so at least there’s that! 😉
About the only thing that bugs me about this is that I don’t think Disneyland–Walt Disney’s original magic kingdom–is the appropriate place for a single-property land. I have no issues with the tone or substance of Star Wars being “un-Disney” as some people are complaining, but it is a bit disconcerting that the park Walt specifically built with broad themes conducive to the guest having an individual experience based on their dreams and imagination. An entire land based on a single property (be it Star Wars or Snow White) seems contrary to that.
This is something with which I’m still wrestling and I think I’ll get over it as the times have changed and there’s still ample opportunity to “choose your own adventure” and have an imaginative experience in Star Wars Land, but right now it doesn’t sit well. It may surprise some of you to learn, especially those who know I am an avid Disneyland goat enthusiast, that it doesn’t bother me that Disneyland is losing Big Thunder Ranch. I love Big Thunder Ranch, and spend a ton of time there. It’s one of those charming, distinctly “Disneyland” things that makes the park special. That said, it takes up a lot of space, and Disneyland doesn’t exactly have the blessing of size. Repurposing that area to better utilize the space makes sense, sadly. I’ll miss my goats, but perhaps I can adopt a few. 😉
I have no such concerns for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where IP has always reigned supreme. “Studio” is basically a cop-out in terms of theme, anyway. As long as they do a good job and each land is internally consistent, I’m satisfied.
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YOUR THOUGHTS…
Do you think this is a good addition? Are you excited for a big-budget Star Wars Land? Excited to pilot the Millennium Falcon? If you could choose, what would be your dream Star Wars Land be? If you have other ideas, questions, or thoughts, please share in the comments!
I too am thrilled at the prospect of a Star Wars themed land, but worried about what it could do to the feeling of Disneyland. I agree with other commenters that it would be better suited to DCA. I’m pretty sure that will all fall to the wayside the moment I set foot in the new land!
I also love getting away to the quiet corner that is Big Thunder Ranch. I’ll miss it, and what about the goats!? I love my Disneyland baby goat encounters!
There was one bit of concept art of a street from a low perspective with high sidewalks and lots of overheads that looks a LOT like the bones of the now empty Animation Courtyard. Considering that is also an edge of the park, that’s my bet where this is going.
They don’t have 14 acres near the animation courtyard. They’d have to split it up to use that space. My own bet looking at the map is that they’ll pillage Indiana Jones, and the Muppet theater, and all the restaurants in between. The backlot / lights-motors area will also have to go, but most of that I expect goes to the 11 acre toy story land. There’s going to be a lot of closures in DHS for these two expansions to find space. I’ve been wondering if the streets and therefore the osborne lights will have to go to make space as well.
I haven’t been to the Magic Kingdom, in Orlando, but I did see some maps on youtube regarding the expansion. From what they did at Disney’s California Adventure, they don’t need to cannibalize any area. They’ll basically take adjacent parking lots to build what they need. If you think that means less parking, it might not, if they build a parking structure, which is what they did at Disneyland. The took away the Timon parking lot, and built the Mickey and Friends parking structure, one of the worlds largest.
I agree that it’s a bit disappointing the West Coast land is going in Disneyland and not CA. Just doesn’t seem right to go in Walt’s park. Alas, it looks incredible and is a very exciting expansion to look forward to, regardless of placement. Hopefully I’ll be so blown away I’ll walk out of there saying, “who cares if it’s not thematically appropriate”?!
Have you guys seen the Secret Cinema Star Wars trailer? Can’t wait to go later this month https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz9pOrim_08
Any speculation or additional details you can share on the location of the new lands (for both DHS and Disneyland? I was hoping for a more comprehensive reimagining of DHS, but exciting times are ahead for the parks.
The ETA from various sources/rumors “looks” like construction starts in 2017 with completion in 2020. So, 5 years! Maybe the “limited time” Season of the Force will be around for 4 years??? Still looking forward to this at Disneyland.
From what I’ve heard, that 2017 construction start applies to Disneyland.
It’s expected the Hollywood Studios work will begin much sooner.
I’m very excited for Star Wars and Toy Story Lands. Wouldn’t it be nice though if the Star Wars Lands in Disneyland and Hollywood Studios weren’t exact copies of each other? It would be cool if they made them a little different and complimentary of each other and give guests a reason to visit both Star Wars Lands. Since we don’t know a lot of the official plan yet, I can still have hope about this.
Hey everyone, they didn’t say there would be only 2 rides! There will be 2 signature rides.
I’m sure with 14 acres there will be other rides also.
Sooo excited!! Wonder how long the wait will be? Thanks for the quick update, Tom.
Thanks for covering the event for us all (I’m also stuck in the Mid West). What’s the word on “Seasons of the Force” at Disneyland? Will they be running this on top of the ongoing 60th celebration? I can’t image them ending the anniversary celebration in less than a year. If they are going to have both, that would be awesome and all the more reason to plan a trip!
Yes, it sounds like “Seasons of the Force” will be an experience (food, entertainment, Hyperspace Mountain overlay) similar to how Halloween and Christmas will be this year while the 60th Anniversary will still be the primary celebration resort-wide.
I just cried a little, Praise Walt, the almighty
If it’s going to exist, I wish it would at least be at DCA instead of DL. For some reason it doesn’t feel right to me for there to be a land themed to one specific movie/series of movies in a MK style park (and the original Disney park). Can’t wait to hear any updates!
That’s what I thought.
I totally agree, it doesn’t feel right at all especially since they have star tours in tomorrow land away from the new land. My husband is a huge fan but I’m not. I’m a disneyland fan and I feel like it has no place in Walt’s original park. Seriously disappointed. It seems like a perfect fit for DHS and it should go in DCA instead.
Is there an ETA?
Thanks for all of the live updates-very helpful for all of us who couldn’t make it out to Anaheim!
Thank you For posting so quickly!!!
Very exciting indeed! Will be checking with you later on more announcements and details! Thank you Tom!
YESSSS!!!!!!!!! As a massive fan of both Star Wars and Disney Parks, I am currently running around the house out of my mind right now. Not understanding the people on facebook. If they don’t want to go there, then they don’t have to go there. There’s a lot more to do in Disneyworld and Disneyland. Star Wars is a Disney property now, and Lucasfilm has always had a relationship with Disney Parks creating Star Tours, the Indiana Jones rides, and Captain EO (for god knows what reason). So this makes complete financial and creative sense.
Also Tom, we were both right and wrong as it is going to be an immersive single planet environment, but not Tatooine like we hoped.
” As a massive fan of both Star Wars and Disney Parks, I am currently running around the house out of my mind right now”
LOL! Me too! We had guests over who were starting to bore me when I casually pulled out my phone under the table and saw the announcement and accompanying photos. They were definitely the kind who wouldn’t like either Disney or Star Wars, so I thought I was going to go crazy waiting until they left so I could run around the house out of my mind.
Boring people who are not fans of Disney or Star Wars?????
And you let them in your house????
Yep! I’m excited. I’m really only a moderate Star Wars fan, but I LOVE to be transported in any well themed theme park area 🙂
So excited to hear this news! can’t wait to hear more! keep us posted!!!!
Finally!!! Can’t wait to read your next update with hopefully more details… Thanks for keeping those of us stuck in the Midwest informed 🙂
As someone also trapped in the Midwest I support this statement! Little disappointed it’s only 2 attractions (and probably a very large gift shop), but will I go? OH YES!