Disney Set To Announce Ambitious Star Wars Theme Park

[DDLand]

Yes I went four times between the age of 8 months and 3 years. Then when I was six. I didn't go again until I was 13, then 15, and most recently this January. I really don't recall every riding it. It was closed of course when I went in 2012.

I can see why they did what they did with dumbo and that's fine I like the area but it wasn't new. It does fit better thematically though.

DCA just got a big refurb for LM with new affects. WDWs LM is currently under refurb let's hope we get the same affects.

Agreed all around.

 

[DDLand]

Intersting I've never heard of that version of Disney Sea. I can definitely see why it wasn't built.

Yeah, it was going to be astronomically expensive. Plus a thirty minute drive from Disneyland.

The good thing that came out of that project was TDS. It reused many of those concepts. We did lose any reference to science though.

 

[rteetz]

Yeah, it was going to be astronomically expensive. Plus a thirty minute drive from Disneyland.

The good thing that came out of that project was TDS. It reused many of those concepts. We did lose any reference to science though.

I hope to someday get to Disney Sea.

 

[DDLand]

I hope to someday get to Disney Sea.

You and I both.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

They matter to all of the repeat guests. Yes I know that is the minority at WDW. DHS at least got a ceremony, and some merchandise 25th. Same with AK for its 15th. 50 has give us something more than merchandise. New blood will be overlooking the resort at that time. Georgie K and Phil Holmes aren't getting any younger.

Again...gonna have to disagree.

And park/resort heads are just glorified operational managers. Doesn't really matter what they think...they can't approve a dime in reality.

 

[lugnut33]

I see no reason for Disney to do anything with DHS. They shut down an attraction that cost them millions to maintain, and yet attendance is still through the roof. It will be like everything else, the foreign parks will get something first, then Disneyland, and then if there are any scraps left it will got to DHS sometime in 2025. The attractions that eventually make it to DHS will just be replicas of what has already been built elsewhere. Don't believe me, look at the supposed new Pixar kiddie area being built, it's just a replica of what is already being built in Shanghai. What incentive is there for Disney to build anything when the parks run a full capacity 365 days a year? It's just a lot easier for them to sit back and pull in the profits.

 

[rteetz]

Again...gonna have to disagree.

And park/resort heads are just glorified operational managers. Doesn't really matter what they think...they can't approve a dime in reality.

I agree that they are glorified manager but there will be new management all around the company. Staggs the likely CEO, a new P&R head, new CFO, etc. I just don't see how they wouldn't do anything for the 50th.

 

[rteetz]

I see no reason for Disney to do anything with DHS. They shut down an attraction that cost them millions to maintain, and yet attendance is still through the roof. It will be like everything else, the foreign parks will get something first, then Disneyland, and then if there are any scraps left it will got to DHS sometime in 2025. The attractions that eventually make it to DHS will just be replicas of what has already been built elsewhere. Don't believe me, look at the supposed new Pixar kiddie area being built, it's just a replica of what is already being built in Shanghai. What incentive is there for Disney to build anything when the parks run a full capacity 365 days a year? It's just a lot easier for them to sit back and pull in the profits.

DHS has the lowest attendance of the four Disney parks as of last report. I expect to see something Star Wars by 2020 based on what I've heard from various sources.

They shut down the Backlot tour yet just spent thousands on new trams not too long before they shut it down.

Toontown in Disneyland is the likely place for Star Wars there. Shanghai has no big Star Wars plans as of right now.

Incentive? More money. Star Wars is huge people will come if they just build one ride and nothing else. Star Wars weekends is incredibly popular.

 

[DDLand]

I see no reason for Disney to do anything with DHS. They shut down an attraction that cost them millions to maintain, and yet attendance is still through the roof. It will be like everything else, the foreign parks will get something first, then Disneyland, and then if there are any scraps left it will got to DHS sometime in 2025. The attractions that eventually make it to DHS will just be replicas of what has already been built elsewhere. Don't believe me, look at the supposed new Pixar kiddie area being built, it's just a replica of what is already being built in Shanghai. What incentive is there for Disney to build anything when the parks run a full capacity 365 days a year? It's just a lot easier for them to sit back and pull in the profits.

If it was at full capacity, then I'd agree with what you're saying. However, there is an incredible amount of upside that can be drawn out. I think they want to see mid to high teens instead of 10,000,000. Now was it in as bad shape as DCA or HKD? Nope. That's why they got money first. Now that those two parks are either fixed or being fixed, attention will turn to maximize DHS and DAK.

 

[lugnut33]

They don't need to build a new area to increase attendance, they can just hold more meet and greets with Star Wars characters though out the year as SWW shows.
DHS may have the lowest attendance, but crowds are still filing in there like crazy. Doesn't matter it has a severe lack of attractions. Why would they sink hundreds of millions into a park when they don't have to?
They've already spent a lot of money taking the hat down.

 

[DDLand]

They don't need to build a new area to increase attendance, they can just hold more meet and greets with Star Wars characters though out the year as SWW shows.
DHS may have the lowest attendance, but crowds are still filing in there like crazy. Doesn't matter it has a severe lack of attractions. Why would they sink hundreds of millions into a park when they don't have to?
They've already spent a lot of money taking the hat down.

I don't think they could honestly boost attendance by 5-7 Million people with Star Wars meet and greets. I mean I don't want to say it's impossible, but...

 

[lugnut33]

I really doubt that any Star Wars land that they build would be able to absorb 5-7 million new visitors. The park would become a solid mass of humanity.

 

[rteetz]

They don't need to build a new area to increase attendance, they can just hold more meet and greets with Star Wars characters though out the year as SWW shows.
DHS may have the lowest attendance, but crowds are still filing in there like crazy. Doesn't matter it has a severe lack of attractions. Why would they sink hundreds of millions into a park when they don't have to?
They've already spent a lot of money taking the hat down.

They also got crowds there with frozen stuff last year. Star Wars is a major money maker I don't see how it isn't. Like I said they don't have to do a lot which I hope they do but a single ride and new restaurant would bring in tons of people.

 

[Reddog1134]

DHS may have the lowest attendance, but crowds are still filing in there like crazy. Doesn't matter it has a severe lack of attractions. Why would they sink hundreds of millions into a park when they don't have to?
They've already spent a lot of money taking the hat down.

Because their neighbor down the road is gaining attendance at a much faster rate. How long before guests decide "there really isn't much to do at DHS, lets spend a day (or another day) at Universal instead"?

 

[DDLand]

I really doubt that any Star Wars land that they build would be able to absorb 5-7 million new visitors. The park would become a solid mass of humanity.

Star Wars and Pixar two of the most cutting edge pieces of IP can create that type of draw. You put that together with arguably some of Disney's best thrill rides, and you have a park that's a boys version of the Magic Kingdom (not that MK is for girls, that's sadly the perception though)

The people who visit Orlando for only a couple days and may have bought a one day ticket to MK are going to have to buy another ticket for HS. This may sound crazy, but I wouldn't be surprised if Mk and HS are the number 1 and 2 parks in Orlando. Especially if they continue to let Epcot decay.

Update: Oh, sorry I misread what you said. The park is going to be a heck of a whole lot bigger. They're planning for it to handle the crowds. Also, as long as it's not a safety risk Disney has every incentive to cram in as many people as possible.

 

[lugnut33]

You touched on my thinking about the way Disney views the Orlando parks when you said, "they continue to let Epcot decay". I really feel they have so missed the boat on park upgrades and refurbs over the last 12 years. That's why my posts are so negative. It just seems they are intent on sapping every dollar they can out of the Florida parks. It's like they know they don't have to lead and be innovative in FL because it rakes in so much money. The last earning report sort of bears that out. You have 3 parks (EP, HS, and AK) that are so starved of attractions and updates, and yet they are setting attendance records.

 

[Reddog1134]

You have 3 parks (EP, HS, and AK) that are so starved of attractions and updates, and yet they are setting attendance records.

I love all the parks but I have to wonder, "how would they do if there were no Magic Kingdom? or if ticket cost per day was a fixed rate?"

 

[ChipnDale79]

Because their neighbor down the road is gaining attendance at a much faster rate. How long before guests decide "there really isn't much to do at DHS, lets spend a day (or another day) at Universal instead"?

This this this.

 

[ChipnDale79]

I love all the parks but I have to wonder, "how would they do if there were no Magic Kingdom? or if ticket cost per day was a fixed rate?"

Without Magic Kingdom, they wouldnt survive....maybe Epcot.

 

[DDLand]

I love all the parks but I have to wonder, "how would they do if there were no Magic Kingdom? or if ticket cost per day was a fixed rate?"

That's the thing, MK is in a league of its own. Disneyland Park, Tokyo Disney Seas, Tokyo Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Parc Disneyland are all super parks that can make or break their Resorts. There's millions of guests of difference between these parks and any others on the Planet. I think Disney wants to bring DHS into this elite group.