Iger: Expanded Star Wars Presence Coming to Parks

[jamarmiller]

I do like what DHS has currently and I do not want to see them close anything that is open at the moment either. So I too hope they expand the park and do this right without them closing existing attractions.

DHS desperately needs this

 

[Networth]

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

Yeah because the redo of Star Tours is just awful...not

Disney may not have done many things great recently but Star Wars will be one of those exceptions. Iger smells money which typically means he we will allocate more resources and greater creative control, so the Imagineers will get all they want to make Star Wars great. If Disney does Star Wars right your talking about something to dwarf Harry Potter and Iger knows it as does the rest of Disney. That doesn't even include the new movies coming down the pipeline. If Abrams does to Star Wars to what he has done to Star Trek your talking about an entire reboot/rebirth of one if not the largest franchise in history.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

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

or perhaps they are just drawing it out to try and suck the life out of the old stuff?

 

[dgmckee]

If they add it to dhs I would really like to see them expand outside the current park's borders. I know it won't happen, but I don't think closing existing attractions and shoehorning it into an existing part of the park will do it justice.


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Reading through this thread and seeing so many comments about this likely going to DHS (for it's presence in WDW any ways) I was vaguely remembering something about space constraints on the size of DHS. Is that what you mean by the above in bold? It would be a shame if DHS wasn't expanded for this effort. A 5th park would probably be a mistake but so too would be a half-measure approach.

 

[skier_pete]

Reading through this thread and seeing so many comments about this likely going to DHS (for it's presence in WDW any ways) I was vaguely remembering something about space constraints on the size of DHS. Is that what you mean by the above in bold? It would be a shame if DHS wasn't expanded for this effort. A 5th park would probably be a mistake but so too would be a half-measure approach.

I do think the original poster is referring to the space restraints of the park, though to me that is not really much of an issue. However, this is the one park that really could be re-habbed without expansion. Think about the HUGE amount of space used for the (awful shell of a) Backlot tour, the LMA Stunt Show and the Streets of America alone. You could close this whole back section of the park off and gut it completely, adding many rides and attractions without having to increase the park footprint. Not even mentioning the American Idol Theater, and that other theater used for Drew Carey Sounds Dangerous. And some dead space in the back of Pixar Place.

God, the more I think about it, that park is such a total mess.

 

[ahoyle]

Count me as one that hopes to see this in my lifetime!

Although, after this past Saturday at Epcot, where Test Track broke down without us being able to ride (after designing our car), then Mission Space broke down for 5 minutes while we were on it, they might need to allocate some of that money to maintenance on their only big rides at Epcot.

 

[wallrock]

Given what we've seen thus far my gut tells me that the best we can expect is:

1) An expanded gift shop (probably the one you're dumped into after Star Tours).

2) A themed restaurant (probably a refurbished Backlot Express) in a similar vein of Be our Guest that will have Fast Pass Plus and regularly booked solid six months out.

3) Indiana Jones will be cleaned out in favor of a Fantasmic-type show with a Star Wars theme.

4) The Fantasmic-type show will be augmented with 'something special' during Star Wars Weekends and will become a hard ticket event.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Given what we've seen thus far my gut tells me that the best we can expect is:

1) An expanded gift shop (probably the one you're dumped into after Star Tours).

2) A themed restaurant (probably a refurbished Backlot Express) in a similar vein of Be our Guest that will have Fast Pass Plus and regularly booked solid six months out.

3) Indiana Jones will be cleaned out in favor of a Fantasmic-type show with a Star Wars theme.

4) The Fantasmic-type show will be augmented with 'something special' during Star Wars Weekends and will become a hard ticket event.

Come on, now...this is serious!


(I tend to believe everything you say and would put the money on black if I had to...but nonetheless)

 

[Twin Dad]

Given what we've seen thus far my gut tells me that the best we can expect is:

1) An expanded gift shop (probably the one you're dumped into after Star Tours).

2) A themed restaurant (probably a refurbished Backlot Express) in a similar vein of Be our Guest that will have Fast Pass Plus and regularly booked solid six months out.

3) Indiana Jones will be cleaned out in favor of a Fantasmic-type show with a Star Wars theme.

4) The Fantasmic-type show will be augmented with 'something special' during Star Wars Weekends and will become a hard ticket event.

5) Another Dunno ride

6) A display of artifacts and props from the films

 

[lockedoutlogic]

5) Another Dunno ride

if you believe jim hill...this has already been "green lit"


i'm gonna write a treatment for a book and submit it to Hyperion...

anyone read the book "Disney Mountains: Imagineering at its Peak"?
(i'm guessing quite a few here have)

I'm gonna write an homage to spinners and call it one of two working titles:

"The Disney Spinners: Ehhh...Whatever"

or

"The Disney Spinners: Imagineering the Wildwood, NJ Way"
(second is a tribute to the bold move of installing not one...but TWO spinners in 2002 during a crushing change/halt to travel patterns - Magic Carpets and Triceratop Spin - Thanks, Mikey, Al)

what do ya think?

 

[wallrock]

5) Another Dunno ride

6) A display of artifacts and props from the films

7) A Darth Vader ice cream bar

8) A Star Wars themed bathroom, known as 'The Death Star Throne Room'

 

[skier_pete]

Not sure why everyone thinks they will half-a&& a Star Wars Expansion, the last two major Disney Refurbs (Carsland and New Fantasyland) were certainly some of the best theming and attraction design Disney's ever done, and the third (Pandora) looks to possibly beat both of those.

Now concern that they could take 6 years to do it, now that's more realistic. Nothing seems to move quickly with Disney. BUT, I would argue it won't be that slow. With Pandora they made an announcement before they'd even put pen to paper. A Major expansion takes at least 2 years to design. My guess is the DHS/Star Wars work has been underway for at least a year. I think you'll see an announcement, and then shovels in the ground almost immediately. Yeah, we're still probably talking 2018 if they are announcing in 2015.

 

[clsteve]

if you believe jim hill...this has already been "green lit"


i'm gonna write a treatment for a book and submit it to Hyperion...

anyone read the book "Disney Mountains: Imagineering at its Peak"?
(i'm guessing quite a few here have)

I'm gonna write an homage to spinners and call it one of two working titles:

"The Disney Spinners: Ehhh...Whatever"

or

"The Disney Spinners: Imagineering the Wildwood, NJ Way"
(second is a tribute to the bold move of installing not one...but TWO spinners in 2002 during a crushing change/halt to travel patterns - Magic Carpets and Triceratop Spin - Thanks, Mikey, Al)

what do ya think?

What about - "Disney Spinners: How We Train Our College Interns...."

 

[clsteve]

Not sure why everyone thinks they will half-a&& a Star Wars Expansion, the last two major Disney Refurbs (Carsland and New Fantasyland) were certainly some of the best theming and attraction design Disney's ever done, and the third (Pandora) looks to possibly beat both of those.

Now concern that they could take 6 years to do it, now that's more realistic. Nothing seems to move quickly with Disney. BUT, I would argue it won't be that slow. With Pandora they made an announcement before they'd even put pen to paper. A Major expansion takes at least 2 years to design. My guess is the DHS/Star Wars work has been underway for at least a year. I think you'll see an announcement, and then shovels in the ground almost immediately. Yeah, we're still probably talking 2018 if they are announcing in 2015.

It would be great if you're right. But, it would be a strategic shift for them to have 2 major construction projects running concurrently. It would also mean just a 12 month period between openings. You would expect they would want at least a 2 year spread between openings so as not to dilute the buzz and uplift from the Pandora Grand Opening. That also assumes that SW will be more than just retrofits of existing infrastructure and truly a "dirt moving" Project. A lot still to learn on this.

One thing for sure, Disney are the masters of creating buzz and excitement just by announcing the date of the announcement where they will announce that they are doing something. They are genius at managing expectations and excitement, by using the full Project Life Cycle. Amazing....

 

[wallrock]

Not sure why everyone thinks they will half-a&& a Star Wars Expansion, the last two major Disney Refurbs (Carsland and New Fantasyland) were certainly some of the best theming and attraction design Disney's ever done, and the third (Pandora) looks to possibly beat both of those.

Now concern that they could take 6 years to do it, now that's more realistic. Nothing seems to move quickly with Disney. BUT, I would argue it won't be that slow. With Pandora they made an announcement before they'd even put pen to paper. A Major expansion takes at least 2 years to design. My guess is the DHS/Star Wars work has been underway for at least a year. I think you'll see an announcement, and then shovels in the ground almost immediately. Yeah, we're still probably talking 2018 if they are announcing in 2015.

Because Disney isn't known for using a lot of their intellectual property movie-wise for major projects. The fact that Avatarland is going on now is a testament to that. I've said it before and I'll say it again, but I think the only reason Avatar is being done is because James Cameron and company are forking over the majority of the cost to construct.

I'll agree that Carsland is impressive, but I wouldn't put New Fantasyland into that category. It's nice, but no where near 'best theming that Disney's ever done'.

As mentioned above I also hope your right, but history and recent behavior isn't on your side.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Not sure why everyone thinks they will half-a&& a Star Wars Expansion, the last two major Disney Refurbs (Carsland and New Fantasyland) were certainly some of the best theming and attraction design Disney's ever done, and the third (Pandora) looks to possibly beat both of those.
.

Recent history is my prime concern...

And with all due respect...fantasyland - now that I've taken a couple of spins on the dwarf coaster (still trying to figure out what's "innovative" about the design)...is basically an elaborate overhaul that the OLD Disney could have completed in 2 years flat...lets not BS
Cars had little budget restraints because they were suffering an actual financial loss due to steep attendance drops at DCA...they had no choice. The timeframe and lack of clear direction in avatar has been a complete joke.

If I am too critical of what they do...and I am...
Then you are giving a 500 billion dollar company way too much benefit of the doubt/searching for praise.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

What about - "Disney Spinners: How We Train Our College Interns...."

Their real "training" goes on at Vista Way

 

[IamJBo]

8) A Star Wars themed bathroom, known as 'The Death Star Throne Room'

I would wait in line to use this bathroom.

 

[clsteve]

Their real "training" goes on at Vista Way

Hah!

That explains the big chunk in one of the new Dumbos when they first installed them.....

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, but I think the only reason Avatar is being done is because James Cameron and company are forking over the majority of the cost to construct.

I've had very "spirited discussions" about this very thing on this board for 3 years...

The Disney "stalwarts"... Shall we say...swear that there is no favorable financial arrangements on this project...

Shenanigans...that was the ONLY way this ever made sense.

From accounts it seems that Cameron has been going door to door around Hollywood peddling this IP for decades...and even after he managed to cgi his way to a billion dollar box office - he still can't get people lining up to take it further...

That is impossible in today's Hollywood climate. They green lit a ninja turtles sequel on a terrible movie 5 days after release...

I thinks that Cameron is financing up front cost, long term cost (what Disney is really after), concessions on marketing, or leasing the IP for free...

Perhaps a combination of all of the above.

Disney knows when they've got a marketable product...they paid 6 billion for the Skywalker and Indiana Jones...

Avatar is NOT that product...there is no loyal fanbase or conventioneers to speak of...there are no lucrative merchandise tie ins.

Disney is "allowing" construction in a lagging park...but they are not gonna do it with exploiting the weaknesses of the avatar product...don't be fooled.

The potential is that the IP can integrate very well with animal kingdom (I'm not disputing that)...
But it's a weak franchise (that's not even an accurate description based on ZERO staying power) and the cash registers aren't going to ring away.