Seasons of the Force - Nov 16 plus closings starting January 10

[Malcon10t]

When the original plan was to start SOTF in early 2016,

I believe the plan all along was for SOTF to begin in Nov in Anaheim, and in early 2016 in WDW.

I am hearing quite a few Avenger's runners saying they are going to stay an extra day to see SOTF.

 

[Sherry E]

I just wish they would put some Halloween decorations in DCA, to start, any ideas why they dont do that?

I believe the plan all along was for SOTF to begin in Nov in Anaheim, and in early 2016 in WDW.

I am hearing quite a few Avenger's runners saying they are going to stay an extra day to see SOTF.

I don't know. The Parks Blog originally said

"Season of the Force, a new seasonal event beginning early 2016, brings new experiences to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. In Tomorrowland at Disneyland park, guests will explore the Star Wars galaxy with special entertainment throughout the land, themed food locations and more. Guests also will also climb aboard Hyperspace Mountain, a reimagining of the classic Space Mountain attraction, in which guests will join an X-wing Starfighter battle. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests will close out weekend nights with a new fireworks spectacular set to the iconic score of the Star Wars movies.

Later this year, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue will include a new adventure featuring locations and characters from the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, giving guests a new adventure in the Star Wars galaxy.

Finally, Jedi Training Academy – a favorite of younger fans – will be reimagined with a new experience that includes new characters and a new villain to battle from the popular Disney XD series, 'Star Wars Rebels.'"

. http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...-to-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-resorts/

However, the Launch Bay was originally looking as though it was going to open in October, because the performers were supposed to be able to start work on 10/11. It could have just been to rehearse -- the audition info didn't say that -- but lining them up in October for a January debut would not be unheard of. The Frozen Fun performers were auditioned in October last year, to be ready for a January 2016 official start date. This year the Olaf's Snow Fest folks were auditioned in August, for a November start date. So if the Launch Bay folks needed to be available to work on 10/11, it could have been to begin preparing for a January debut. It's hard to say.

Either way, the Parks Blog seemed to imply (at first) that Season of the Force would begin in early 2016 for Disneyland too, with the Star Tours aspect of it opening later this year. I am guessing they just figured it was silly to start all of the different Star Wars elements at different times -- Star Tours here, Hyperspace Mountain there, etc, and that it would make more sense to start as much of it as the same time as possible.

But it's all starting in November now, minus the Jedi Training thing!

 

[NovemberMom]

My oldest will be so happy she can meet Star Wars characters when we go Nov 19-21st. She is a Star Wars fanatic. Even though I know the crowds will be more that we expected I am so happy we are going when the Seasons of Force begins!! I was contemplating buying AP passes for the year but I think we will wait until Star Wars Land opens.

 

[agamble]

I was contemplating buying AP passes for the year but I think we will wait until Star Wars Land opens.

That could, and likely will, be 5 years from now.

 

[T0rrent]

That could, and likely will, be 5 years from now.

They have an ambitious schedule of 2017. Obviously weather and OSHA can be a factor but I doubt it would go far beyond the 18-24 months they are hoping

 

[agamble]

They have an ambitious schedule of 2017. Obviously weather and OSHA can be a factor but I doubt it would go far beyond the 18-24 months they are hoping

I haven't seen any thing from Disney saying they would have Star Wars Land open by 2017. I've heard the closure of the rivers and train is likely 12-18 months. Then they still have to build SWL. I read that the presidents wanted it done in a few years, but they were told that isn't logistically possible. I'd say a minimum or three years, but probably longer. Carsland wasn't nearly as evasive and it took a long time to build.

 

[Jkpark]

So are we expecting soft openings, or press previews Nov 14th or 15th? With Avengers race weekend and 1st weekend of Christmas season? I think my plan is to use Avengers race weekend to see the things that will be going away - for a while or forever. And then use Star Wars race weekend to see the Season for the Force (which will be insane that weekend I'm sure). My AP expires 12/5 and I think I will just do a park hopper for Star Wars race weekend and then sit out a year (or two). Maybe its time to head back to Aulani. And Harry Potter opens at that other park next fall - haven't been there in almost 20 years.

 

[T0rrent]

There's nothing official yet, just rumors but I highly doubt they will take five years. Star Wars land is not nearly as ambitious as a whole redesign of dca along with a full land. I'd honestly be shocked if my February 2018 it's not open

 

[Sherry E]

When did Cars Land and Buena Vista Street break ground? How long was it from when construction began to the time of their openings in June 2012?

I have no clue -- just guessing, like everyone else -- but I would think that Star Wars Land will be done before 2020 if Disney doesn't run into too many delays or obstacles, simply because they seem to be starting the work earlier than I had anticipated. My initial thought was that it might open in 2019 (summer, like when Cars Land/Buena Vista Street opened). Maybe a late 2018 opening. They're going to have to ride out whatever this coming winter and spring's El Nino rain brings -- which could be a mess -- and then possibly another round of straggler El Nino rain by winter of 2016/spring 2017.

So are we expecting soft openings, or press previews Nov 14th or 15th? With Avengers race weekend and 1st weekend of Christmas season? I think my plan is to use Avengers race weekend to see the things that will be going away - for a while or forever. And then use Star Wars race weekend to see the Season for the Force (which will be insane that weekend I'm sure). My AP expires 12/5 and I think I will just do a park hopper for Star Wars race weekend and then sit out a year (or two). Maybe its time to head back to Aulani. And Harry Potter opens at that other park next fall - haven't been there in almost 20 years.

I think there could be a soft opening of some element or elements of SOTF for the opening weekend of the holiday season, and for the Avengers marathon folks.

 

[Angel Ariel]

According to Wikipedia, the DCA Expansion was announced on October 17, 2007, TSMM opened in June 2008, Construction on Cars Land and Buena Vista street began in 2010, then the grand re-opening was June 15, 2012.

So, 5 years from announcement until the entire DCA refurb. But only 2 years from when construction on CL actually began to when it opened.

 

[Sherry E]

According to Wikipedia, the DCA Expansion was announced on October 17, 2007, TSMM opened in June 2008, Construction on Cars Land and Buena Vista street began in 2010, then the grand re-opening was June 15, 2012.

So, 5 years from announcement until the entire DCA refurb. But only 2 years from when construction on CL actually began to when it opened.

Thank you for looking that up!

Hmmm... Okay, so if they were to actually start working specifically on SWL in 2016, then a 2018 opening would not be out of the realm of possibility. That's all under the assumption that there are no huge delays, and that work on the actual land begins in 2016. If 2016 is mainly devoted to Star Wars Land-related work (preparations), but not specific work on the land itself, then I would still tend to think that 2019 could be likely.

 

[NovemberMom]

I haven't seen any thing from Disney saying they would have Star Wars Land open by 2017. I've heard the closure of the rivers and train is likely 12-18 months. Then they still have to build SWL. I read that the presidents wanted it done in a few years, but they were told that isn't logistically possible. I'd say a minimum or three years, but probably longer. Carsland wasn't nearly as evasive and it took a long time to build.

My family and I will still visit the park with hopper passes but I just won't invest in an AP pass until Star Wars Land is completed. We usually purchase hopper passes when we visit DL but I was seriously contemplating buying the family AP passes this year until I saw this thread about the 2016 closures.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Thank you for looking that up!

Hmmm... Okay, so if they were to actually start working specifically on SWL in 2016, then a 2018 opening would not be out of the realm of possibility. That's all under the assumption that there are no huge delays, and that work on the actual land begins in 2016. If 2016 is mainly devoted to Star Wars Land-related work (preparations), but not specific work on the land itself, then I would still tend to think that 2019 could be likely.

Episode VIII and Episode IX are supposed to open in 2017 and 2019 respectively. A 2018 opening date for SW land would be pretty perfect timing to capitalize on the release of Episode VIII (assuming it's a December open as Episode VII is), and continue excitement and such through the Episode IX opening.

I want to hope that Disney can get SW Land done that quickly...but after Pandora taking so long, I have my doubts. Hopefully Pandora's issues really are mostly the issues in having to work with James Cameron, and since Disney owns SW, those issues won't be present.

 

[BigCheese]

Episode VIII and Episode IX are supposed to open in 2017 and 2019 respectively. A 2018 opening date for SW land would be pretty perfect timing to capitalize on the release of Episode VIII (assuming it's a December open as Episode VII is), and continue excitement and such through the Episode IX opening.

I want to hope that Disney can get SW Land done that quickly...but after Pandora taking so long, I have my doubts. Hopefully Pandora's issues really are mostly the issues in having to work with James Cameron, and since Disney owns SW, those issues won't be present.

Disney has a pretty wide window to work with to ride the SW hype wave and a 2017 opening would be great, but even if SWL opens in 2018 they will still capture the hype and excitement of the films. EPVIII is scheduled for May 26, 2017 and the Han Solo prequel anthology film is scheduled for May 25, 2018. An opening anytime between 2017 and when EPIX is released will be SW nirvana.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I wish I could believe Disney will get all of SW Land done by 2017, but their history in construction just makes that seem very unlikely. I think 2018 is a stretch, but doable.

 

[Jerryp49]

According to Wikipedia, the DCA Expansion was announced on October 17, 2007, TSMM opened in June 2008, Construction on Cars Land and Buena Vista street began in 2010, then the grand re-opening was June 15, 2012.

So, 5 years from announcement until the entire DCA refurb. But only 2 years from when construction on CL actually began to when it opened.

Plus for Buena Vista Street and the new Main Entrance to DCA they had to do it working around an open park with guests. With this project they just close off a whole section and go at it.

 

[Priory]

Wrong thread.

 

[Jkpark]

Plus for Buena Vista Street and the new Main Entrance to DCA they had to do it working around an open park with guests. With this project they just close off a whole section and go at it.

I remember being routed around the back side of Soarin' while they were working on the entrance and Buena Vista street. Wasn't there a temp entrance (or at least exit) that was set up while they were changing out their gates?

 

[Angel Ariel]

I remember being routed around the back side of Soarin' while they were working on the entrance and Buena Vista street. Wasn't there a temp entrance (or at least exit) that was set up while they were changing out their gates?

We were there when they were doing the BV construction, and there was a turnstyle off to the side to enter, and then once through there was a maze of walls to navigate through. THey definitely did construction while the park was open.

 

[grnflash]

I remember being routed around the back side of Soarin' while they were working on the entrance and Buena Vista street. Wasn't there a temp entrance (or at least exit) that was set up while they were changing out their gates?

Yes, they opened up the big gates there to let everyone out at night.