'Star Wars' coming to Disneyland but no MagicBands & More hints about Star Wars by Iger

[Disneylandfan85]

There is an article by Bob Iger from Variety (and Yahoo) about the hints about Star Wars in the Disney parks in the future: https://www.yahoo.com/movies/s/disney-reveal-ambitious-theme-park-plans-star-wars-003409049.html.

He did not specify what parks, but in Disneyland's case, I really hope that it's not Toontown as is the persistent rumor. It's too small, Toontown is a great section of the park, one primarily intended for the young'uns, and I don't think one small section in Disneyland is enough to do justice to Star Wars. Plus, Toontown has to close for the fireworks, and so would a Star Wars land if one was built back there. I would think that the new fireworks show coming for the 60th will probably stick around for at least as long as Remember Dreams Come True and Magical before it both did, if not longer.

Iger said that he wanted to do Star Wars big and do it right, but there's really no space for a Star Wars land in Disneyland. At WDW, certainly, which is where they should concentrate much of their Star Wars stuff, but not Disneyland - unless they build a third park, which is also rumored, but I doubt that there's going to be one in the near future.

 

[ehrawn]

I heard an interview with Tony Baxter and the development of Star Tours. At the time, simulators were military-level technology. While other Theme Parks were just focused on rushing it out to the public, Disney made the decision to delay until they could secure right and a story that would match the technology. It was really to ensure that guests would be immersed in a story that they already knew and always wanted to be a part of. That's the key to Disney Parks: story. From this standpoint, Disney has a sure winner. But think hard about how much of the story everyone really knows. Would you be able to fill an entire land with attractions?

 

[Canuck16]

Let's hope that they do an amazing job with this in the parks.

Come on Disney step it up and lets gets some attractions that are on par with what Universal has with WWOHP and Diagon Alley!!!!

 

[DahliaRW]

I think the star wars addition would make perfect sense at Hollywood Studios. Get rid of the American Idol building and build it back in that area where star tours and jedi training already are.

At DL it wouldn't make sense outside of Tomorrowland (it'd be like having 2 tomorrowlands at one park), and there just isn't room there.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

They can take out autopia and put something there maybe not a whole big land, but at least a good ride!

 

[Disneylandfan85]

They can take out autopia and put something there maybe not a whole big land, but at least a good ride!

Well, I'm really hoping that whatever happens, it isn't Toontown that is nixed for it. I'm probably in the minority here, but I like Toontown. Granted, it needs help, plenty of help, but putting Star Wars in its place is not the way to go to solve that.

 

[DahliaRW]

Autopia is one of the best rides if you're under 14 or so. My kids LOVE it. And it's a classic. I'd hate for it to go.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I love toontown too... It was such a bummer to see what was left of it in wdw... Sad...

 

[Davey Jones II]

Let's hope that they do an amazing job with this in the parks.

Come on Disney step it up and lets gets some attractions that are on par with what Universal has with WWOHP and Diagon Alley!!!!

Sounds great, but Disneyland has so little room. Maybe Star Wars Land should be the next expansion to DCA?

 

[tarheelalum]

I hope they expand Star Wars to both CA and DL (Toontown). I've never been a fan of Toontown but I think they should leave autopia as is. Its a classic.

 

[Disneylandfan85]

Sounds great, but Disneyland has so little room. Maybe Star Wars Land should be the next expansion to DCA?

Some, including me, think that a Star Wars land would probably fit best at the Studios at WDW, because there really is no room for a Star Wars land at Disneyland.

Along the same lines, the blog Disney and More weighed in on the issue of Star Wars Land replacing Toontown. Here's what it said (in bold):

Frankly, there's something that i don't get. [...] Mice Age is saying ( again ) that Disney envision to build Disneyland Star Wars land where DL Toon Town currently is as well as on a big part of the Festival Arena area. Toon Town will be removed as well as probably the Festival Arena which will be less a pity than Toon Town.

Editing: Please note that it seems that i did a mistake on the picture, indicating the Fantasyland stage as the Festival Arena when in fact this one is more on the left in Frontierland hoods. That will probably make a bit more space on the left for the Star Wars Land but not that much.

Anyway... if you look at this Google Maps screen capture [in the link] above you'll see not only where is what but also the total area where Disney envision to build DL Star Wars Land. Which is not particularly big as you can see. I understand that they don't have much room at Disneyland but what i don't get is this: we're talking here about a new land based on one of the most successful movie license in all movie history which potentially could give birth to dozens of rides, etc.. I mean, if one wanted to build a whole theme park on Star Wars they could do it because there is so many universes and characters in Star Wars that the material to create rides out of it is practically endless.

So, why do they insist to build a Star Wars land inside Disneyland and in that space and don't create a brand new third gate on the land they have opposite Harbor Blvd, in which they would eventually put a Marvel land if they wish? I know, they're supposed to need that land for DL employees car park, etc... Still, even if they remove some of the backstage buildings that you can see behind Toon Town, DL Star Wars land won't be that big. Someone clearly have a vision a bit too narrow on this project, don't you think?

All that said, I really don't want to see Toontown replaced, nor is there a lot of space for anything there larger than a Cars Land-sized land anyway. I would think that the Star Wars universe is so much larger than that.

 

[sheetz]

What I've heard is that Star Wars Land would swallow up Toontown, Big Thunder Ranch, and extend well into the backstage areas. If you look on Google Maps there is quite a lot of backstage acreage, and Disney has been purchasing land around the resort which could be used for new backstage area, freeing up space for DL attractions.

A couple of years ago Disney bought this nearby 11 acre RV park.
http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201309/3643/

By moving support facilities offsite the new Star Wars Land could conceivably be almost as large as the current Tomorrowland.

 

[Disneylandfan85]

What I've heard is that Star Wars Land would swallow up Toontown, Big Thunder Ranch, and extend well into the backstage areas. If you look on Google Maps there is quite a lot of backstage acreage, and Disney has been purchasing land around the resort which could be used for new backstage area, freeing up space for DL attractions.

A couple of years ago Disney bought this nearby 11 acre RV park.
http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201309/3643/

By moving support facilities offsite the new Star Wars Land could conceivably be almost as large as the current Tomorrowland.

I assume that the space you're talking about is in the red up in the corner. If that's the case, the article mentioned that that spot is actually intended for cast member parking. If that were to happen, there's one less space where new facilities can go. I also really don't think it makes a lot of sense for them to move actually working facilities away from the park itself, across at least one public road, if not more.

And let's not forget that Toontown has to close every night for the fireworks. If a Star Wars land were to be placed back there, it, too, would have to close every night. That does not seem to make a lot of sense, either.

 

[sheetz]

Just because that space was intended for cast member parking in 2013 doesn't mean that more couldn't fit more onto that plot in the future. It's likely that Star Wars wasn't even on the radar at the time of the purchase.

As the rest of the article stated,

Having a closer parking lot certainly will benefit Disneyland employees, but let's not overlook the longer-term potential for the site. If Disneyland could build a multi-level parking structure there instead of leaving it as a mere surface lot, that could create space on the site for additional offices and other back-of-house support facilities. Conceivably, that could one day open space now used for those purposes on the north side of Disneyland Park, allowing the park to expand into those areas.

As for fireworks, it's possible the new area could be designed in such a way as to minimize the impact, or even the fireworks shows themselves could be redesigned. Maybe it'll work, maybe not, but the point of my response was to address concerns that the space itself is too small. Looking at the satellite imagery that does not appear to be the case.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I would not mind the nemo subs and the car ride in dl going and making all of tomorrow land based on star wars. I also think toon town needs to be changed up maybe the new wdw fantasy land should come to dl too. Also dca needs to take the paradise piers board walk away and put in an Epcot like place.
As you can see, I would have a lot of ideas for DL to make it better.
I also am waiting for the third park I have heard about. Hoping for the superhero park. Or maybe It could be a Star wars, Land, Marvel Land"Asgard, new York or shield land, something", and one or two other action lands like that for boys? (or us girls who like them all too)

 

[wallawallakids]

I really hope Toontown doesn't go. It is such a great area for little kids. Although my kids are getting older, they still like it and want to go there when we visit. It is fun to meet Mickey in his house. That is my personal opinion. I would love Star Wars to come to the park but I will not be happy to sacrifice the one area that is perfect for the toddler set to bring it. Also Tomorrowland NEEDS something, and already has Star Tours. Seems strange to have Star Tours in one area and then Star Wars land in another. I suppose they could move Star Tours, but that seems like a ton of work for little gain and would leave Tomorrowland worse off then it already is! Just my two cents though.

 

[Disneylandfan85]

At least one rumor seems to hint that a Star Wars land might land at WDW, most likely at the Studios, which is already closing down several old elements of the park such as the backstage tour. I really hope that is the case. They claim that the Disneyland Resort may receive a Star Wars land in the future but that WDW will get one first. I hope that is the case.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

I'm a West Coaster and relatively new to Disboards, but as I'm a super-fan geek, here's what I think would work great: A third park as a pp mentioned, bringing together Star Wars and Marvel. I don't know the surrounding area well enough to place it in a location, but I do know Fandoms and fans are very protective and proprietory of their fandoms.

I think they'd need two seperate locations for Star Wars and Marvel - just based on the planets alone - Tatooine, Alderaan (that'd be an easy one though ), etc. Plus the different species, the Jedi, the Darth guys... etc etc. LOTS of possibilities for rides and attractions.

Marvel would need space for Asgaard as well as Earth, cities like Gotham, etc, plus buildings like the Daily Planet, X-Men stuff... That would be so awesome to incorporate the Avengers with the X-Men and the Fantastic 4... Excuse me while I freak out a bit

There would be millions of people who would make that their second home, and if it was the third spoke in the Disneyland wheel (so to speak), the business opportunity is outstanding as all the parks would benefit from the themes.

But... that's a pipe dream.

 

[dae3dae3]

Marvel would need space for Asgaard as well as Earth, cities like Gotham, etc, plus buildings like the Daily Planet, X-Men stuff... That would be so awesome to incorporate the Avengers with the X-Men and the Fantastic 4... Excuse me while I freak out a bit

Except Daily Planet and Gotham are DC Comics. Not Marvel. Also, not really replying to you but to be especially pedantic in the thread I don't know why everyone keeps saying Star Wars belongs with Tomorrow Land when it happened a long time ago. It's literally the first thing that comes on the screen in the movie.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

I thought it was DC but then I second-guessed myself and put it in anyway because I couldn't remember the other cities... Too much of a fan in too many places...

And yes, it WAS long ago in a galaxy far away...