Iger: Expanded Star Wars Presence Coming to Parks

[iteachlit]

No specifics, other than Iger seeing Star Wars as a response to Harry Potter.

http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/08/05/disney-theme-parks-star-wars/

 

[rteetz]

No specifics, other than Iger seeing Star Wars as a response to Harry Potter. http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/08/05/disney-theme-parks-star-wars/

Iger has said since they have bought Star Wars that it would come to the parks that is nothing new just waiting for something to happen.

 

[jcnewton]

I don't know much about the rep of this site, but they certainly make it sound like a separate park. I don't see them devoting an entire 5th gate to Star Wars, but if it's meant to rival Harry Potter, who knows.

http://laist.com/2014/08/05/disney_is_going_to_build_a_star_war.php

 

[Silock]

They don't need a 5th gate. They already have one-quarter of a gate they need to re-do with DHS.

 

[pork]

As much as I'd like a 5th gate I just can't see it. Id be shocked if Star Wars wasn't a hollywood studios addition.

 

[think-like-tink]

I just heard this on the news with Robin Meade. No details, the caption was Disney World tpo bring Star Wars to the parks.

 

[Odelay]

It boggles the mind to imagine how badly Disney is going to end up botching this.

 

[rag10576]

Since Disney is taking its time, I'm confident it will be a success.

 

[Suger Mag]

It boggles the mind to imagine how badly Disney is going to end up botching this.

Why? I doubt a Star Wars expansion will ever occur quick enough for the jaded DIS fans, but I think Disney has been and will be uber conservative with Star Wars... not rushing to put something out, but when they do it will be amazing and highest quality. Disney's attention to theming details is legendary, and there is so much raw material to work with... I cannot imagine that they would boggle this golden egg... or even if it is 'botchable'.

 

[Aaeolien]

I am hopeful that what they do put out is amazing. They have pretty lofty standards to live up to when it comes to Star Wars. It needs to go above and beyond what universal did with Harry Potter. Star Wars fandom is huge and stuff needs to be amazing or it will be a huge disappointment.

 

[apainterxx44]

Its always funny to see people who think Disney would ruin anything. Sorry they're touching Star Wars at that makes certain people nervous but we all know Disney doesn't take their park expansions lightly. They saw Harry Potter and this was their answer. Disney will throw so much money at this, research it endlessly and ill bet anything the people they have working on it will all be people who are associated with the star wars franchise. I cant wait to see what they can do, we all know no expense will be too high.

 

[MassJester]

I think this has the potential to be quite nice, and presents a real opportunity to add substance to DHS. Sounds like very good news.

 

[ChipnDale79]

Since Disney is taking its time, I'm confident it will be a success.

Why?

The only way I see them screwing this is up is by barely doing anything, or going overboard and creating a 5th park.

DHS needs Star Wars badly, don't be surprised if DHS passes Epcot in attendance if Star Wars is done at there.

 

[jon18uk]

Hopefully they won't make the same mistake as Avatar and announce it 7 years before opening, they need to get it open within 2 years of announcement.

DHS really needs some work done to it quickly and hopefully this will help. at Universal Florida about the only thing left from opening day is ET, at DHS there is still too much limping (since the park was downgraded from a full working studio) on that needs replacing.

I don't see it being a big enough thing to knock Harry Potter off the top spot but if done right and quickly it should keep admissions at DHS growing. Right now I think if it wasn't for the multiday tickets some guests just wouldn't bother with that park.

 

[tfc3rid]

Hopefully they won't make the same mistake as Avatar and announce it 7 years before opening, they need to get it open within 2 years of announcement.

DHS really needs some work done to it quickly and hopefully this will help. at Universal Florida about the only thing left from opening day is ET, at DHS there is still too much limping (since the park was downgraded from a full working studio) on that needs replacing.

I don't see it being a big enough thing to knock Harry Potter off the top spot but if done right and quickly it should keep admissions at DHS growing. Right now I think if it wasn't for the multiday tickets some guests just wouldn't bother with that park.

If it is going to be done right, it will not be done that quickly.

In addition, Star Wars is also likely going to have a presence in Disneyland as well so there is likely to be some lag between capital project expenditures because of the hopeful price tags for these.

That said, DHS desperately needs a real draw, not a temporary thrown together draw... Something substantial that will make them want me to spend a day at DHS and not go to UOR.

 

[apainterxx44]

I think it's pretty smart (and im sure it was planned) that Disney let Universal have WWOHP without saying much. Then once everything was completed Disney is going to go after an even larger and widely loved franchise.

Disney Execs: Universal imma let WWOHP finish but....

 

[Odelay]

Why? I doubt a Star Wars expansion will ever occur quick enough for the jaded DIS fans, but I think Disney has been and will be uber conservative with Star Wars... not rushing to put something out, but when they do it will be amazing and highest quality. Disney's attention to theming details is legendary, and there is so much raw material to work with... I cannot imagine that they would boggle this golden egg... or even if it is 'botchable'.

Based on the time invested versus the actual product quality, Fantasy Land expansion is a pretty good example of how badly Disney can drop the ball on a project.

 

[ninarobin]

I think it's pretty smart (and im sure it was planned) that Disney let Universal have WWOHP without saying much. Then once everything was completed Disney is going to go after an even larger and widely loved franchise.

Disney Execs: Universal imma let WWOHP finish but....

.....but Disney has one of the greatest franchises of all time! (Go Star Wars!)

 

[ludari]

I am excited about this news. It just can't happen fast enough for me.

 

[jon18uk]

If it is going to be done right, it will not be done that quickly.

In addition, Star Wars is also likely going to have a presence in Disneyland as well so there is likely to be some lag between capital project expenditures because of the hopeful price tags for these.

That said, DHS desperately needs a real draw, not a temporary thrown together draw... Something substantial that will make them want me to spend a day at DHS and not go to UOR.

I agree DHS needs a big draw but they also need to time it right, they announced Avatar so far in advance of construction starting everyone will lose interest by the time its done. Diagon Alley wasn't firmly announced until a year or so before opening and actual construction only took 2 and a half years (Jaws closed January 2012).
If Disney have the plans ready for Star Tours I would hope they can get it open for 2017 at the latest, but they should avoid announcing details until 2015 at the earliest, leave some things secret so surprises can happen.