Only this time, it’s as if millions of Star Wars fans suddenly cried out in joy and ecstasy.
Image courtesy of Disney Parks
It is finally official!
“Star Wars-themed lands will be coming to Disneyland park in Anaheim, CA, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL. allowing Star Wars fans to step into the stories from a galaxy far, far away.”
At the 2015 D23 Expo, Bob Iger, chairman and chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, announced that these will be the largest single-themed land expansions in Disney Parks’ history, at 14 acres each. By comparison, the New Fantasyland expansion was approximately 11 acres. That expansion doubled the size of original Fantasyland from 10 to 21 acres.
Image courtesy of Disney Parks
Concept images for the long anticipated project offer fans a peek at what a “galaxy far far away” might look like in a Disney Park. Personally, we are really hoping that’s a Mos Eisley-style cantina on the left. My husband already has plans to relax and drink lots of blue milk.
Attractions
While Star Wars Land is still just a dream, two signature attractions were announced today. The first will be “an epic Star Wars adventure that puts you in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance.” The terminology suggests this attraction is set in the yet-to-be released trilogy films, starting with Episode 7, Star Wars: The Force Awakens (coming to theaters on December 18th).
Image courtesy of Disney Parks
The second signature attraction in Star Wars Land “puts guests behind the controls of one of the most recognizable ships in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon, as they take on a customized secret mission.” Part of the original trilogy, and featured in the trailer for the new films, the Millennium Falcon is a fan favorite. This could be set anytime after the first 3 episodes (which I won’t get into here).
I think it’s a pretty sure bet that, in addition to these 2 announced attractions, the new Star Wars-themed lands will offer guests galactic dining opportunities and an obligatory gift shop or three (just take my money now).
No timeline for the projects has been announced. But with the considerable number of attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios already shuttered, I would expect development to begin sooner rather than later. Check back with Magical DIStractions often as we closely follow development of these projects. Please note, no Bothan spies were harmed to bring us this information.
Leave a Reply