Significant ‘Star Wars’ Presence Planned for Disney Theme Parks

[LuccaDrake]

Not shocking news, but worth a mention:

http://variety.com/2014/biz/news/si...ce-planned-for-disney-theme-parks-1201276296/

The Walt Disney Co. plans for “a far greater ‘Star Wars’ presence” in its theme parks, company chief Bob Iger said Tuesday.

The first look at new attractions based on the sci-fi franchise, beyond “Star Tours” that currently operates at several of its parks, will be revealed next year, Iger said during a conference call with analysts to discuss Disney’s record third quarter results.

The move comes as Disney is readying to release a new “Star Wars” film in theaters starting Dec. 18, 2015, that J.J. Abrams is currently directing.

Lucasfilm and Disney also will host Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim on April 16-19, while “Star Wars” is expected to have a major presence at the D23 Expo, Aug. 14-16, again from the Anaheim Convention Center.

During the call, Iger said when Disney now decides to build new attractions, “the likelihood of their success is greater” when they’re branded. “When we grow ‘Star Wars” presence, which we will do significantly, you will see better bets being made that will pay off for us than were made in the past,” adding that leveraging the collection of popular franchises and properties that the company owns for rides and experiences will deliver “better returns than we saw in the past.”

When asked if it was looking to broker new licensing deals with other franchise owners for attractions the way it did with James Cameron’s “Avatar” for a land inside Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, Iger dismissed the notion, citing properties owned by Marvel, Pixar and Lucasfilm,
“We don’t have to license from third parties,” he said. “We own them all.”

 

[Jennasis]

Mmmmmmm...Star Wars. I've been saying since the day they announced the purchase, that there will be a MASSIVE announcement at D23 2015 about the addition of Star Wars in the park. I can't wait to see what they do...and I believe it will rival the epicness of the Wizarding World/Diagon Alley!

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Seems like a no brainer, just hoping they design the attractions around both the old and new movies and not just focus on the new Disney backed ones.

Also I hope they get the rides launched before all Star Wars related technology is a reality on this planet.

 

[Raenstoirm]

They scrapped bring cars land to DHS in favor of star wars land a long time ago. I thought we all knew this. I made that comment about star wars land to an imagineer when we did dine with an imagineer in 2013 and she turned a lovely shade of purple and asked me where I had heard that. Her "non" reaction was reaction enough for me to know it was true.

 

[sethschroeder]

Do I need to?

OH COME ON WHY STAR WARS

BOO I LOVE STAR TREK

DISNEY IS DUMB

Hows that? Trying to act like all the anti-Disney people who hang around here. Hopefully this also opens some peoples minds back up to Avatar in AK as I can only guess this will be for HS...

Do you think they are also slow rolling Avatar to have budget to slam Star Wars through in record time? I mean they do have a ton of space around HS.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Do I need to?

OH COME ON WHY STAR WARS

BOO I LOVE STAR TREK

DISNEY IS DUMB

Hows that? Trying to act like all the anti-Disney people who hang around here. Hopefully this also opens some peoples minds back up to Avatar in AK as I can only guess this will be for HS...

Do you think they are also slow rolling Avatar to have budget to slam Star Wars through in record time? I mean they do have a ton of space around HS.

Get real, Seth. Show me where anyone (even the "haters") have said that they wouldn't be pleased with a SW presence in the FL parks.

Besides...Star Trek is probably going to that other place.

 

[Laketravis]

I was actually able to get my hands on a secret leaked video of the first Star Wars attraction to be announced for HS later this year.

Folks, this has the potential to make 7DMT look like a parking lot carnival ride: SW Attraction Prototype

 

[Mad Hattered]

I was actually able to get my hands on a secret leaked video of the first Star Wars attraction to be announced for HS later this year.

Folks, this has the potential to make 7DMT look like a parking lot carnival ride: SW Attraction Prototype

 

[dobtia]

I think most people have seen this coming and for the most part I think most people will welcome it.

They could easily upgrade DHS with a Star Wars land. Using either/or Backlot Tour and Lights Motor Action. I would love to see and E ticket ride. Maybe not a coaster but a fast ride based on the pod race or the speeder chase on Endor. One or two smaller style rides to go along with Star Tours. Take the upper areas of Star Tours with AT-AT and maybe a permanent character spot. Heck they could even have a live action show based along the Hyper Space Hoopla they used to run on the Star Wars weekends.

Most of all, well for Disney, a much bigger shop or two. i would also put in a Mos Eisley Cantina area. Could be character dining all day. Or maybe character breakfast and then regular site down place rest of day. Maybe a line of awesome different style burgers and/or bar foods.

That could really up the ante on how much time people stay at DHS.

 

[TygerHawks]

Duh...its the new Theme Park they are opening in Texas! You know with Star Wars Land, Marvel Land, Pixar Land, and...and... and...

Anyway, the question is where will they start. While HS is the optimal place, there are rumblings that they will start with DisneyLand, especially with the Marvel namedrop.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

Maybe not a coaster but a fast ride based on the pod race or the speeder chase on Endor.

This is my first thought every time I think of new Star Wars rides. Both the pod racers and the speeders would be perfect themes for a low to the ground, high speed, coaster/other without the huge cost of a mountain to hide the supports. Realistically they could do both using a Radiator Springs Racers style ride for the pod racers and a low to the ground coaster through the trees for the speeders.

Add in a few themed restaurants and shops, a couple flat rides, and a meet and greet and you've matched the size and scope of Cars Land at DCA or HP at IOA.

They could build several different themed areas (Coruscant, Hoth, Cloud City, Endor, etc) using Star Tours to travel between them.

 

[btk2333]

 

[Jennasis]

I saw a rumor (complete with specs and drafts) of a dueling coaster where one side is a tie-fighter and the other side is an x-wing and they "fight" along the track.

Here it is...not a Disney patent but cool nonetheless: http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2011/05/all-about-incredible-star-wars-warring.html

 

[cassiejo2711]

Just plain old regular Star Wars? I demand Star Wars+ How will I know how amazing it is without the +? Sad face.

 

[Planogirl]

I was actually able to get my hands on a secret leaked video of the first Star Wars attraction to be announced for HS later this year.

Folks, this has the potential to make 7DMT look like a parking lot carnival ride: SW Attraction Prototype

That is hilarious!

Seriously, the Star Wars franchise is VERY important around here. I hope that Disney does it justice.

 

[jhaig]

Anything but Frozen - enough already with the sisters. Gimme AT AT's and X-wings!!!

 

[sethschroeder]

Get real, Seth. Show me where anyone (even the "haters") have said that they wouldn't be pleased with a SW presence in the FL parks.

Besides...Star Trek is probably going to that other place.

People always find something to complain about. Said this before but reminds me of EA with video games. They just announced for half the price of 1 game you get 3-4 games yearly and people still complained because they won't own the games but it's a subscription.

I feel as soon as Disney announce the first ride or what the area will be themed after it will be nothing but crying.

It will be because it's not the right planet or version of a planet if they go with a episode VII version, or that they are trying to promote the movie too much in the new area, or the rides aren't extreme enough, or the rides are to extreme and not for kids, or the rides dont load fast enough so there isn't enough FP+, or....

Could go on and on. I am personally happy and can't wait to see it all but I said the same thing on Avatar and knew Star Wars would come at some point but no matter what Disney will do some people will be upset and hold them to an unrealistic standard.


Ps- I was not referencing you as anti-disney I find you more pro-universal which is something completely different. I meant anti-disney in an abstract way.

 

[Mikie]

Just plain old regular Star Wars? I demand Star Wars+ How will I know how amazing it is without the +? Sad face.

 

[Jennasis]

Yes, someone will always be unhappy or letdown by whatever Disney does, but for now, let's all just be happy that Star wars is coming, so we can look back on this time NEXT year and remember how excited we WERE before they announced the disappointing reality of the changes LOL.

Does that work for you Seth?

 

[Mad Hattered]

People always find something to complain about. Said this before but reminds me of EA with video games. They just announced for half the price of 1 game you get 3-4 games yearly and people still complained because they won't own the games but it's a subscription.

I feel as soon as Disney announce the first ride or what the area will be themed after it will be nothing but crying.

It will be because it's not the right planet or version of a planet if they go with a episode VII version, or that they are trying to promote the movie too much in the new area, or the rides aren't extreme enough, or the rides are to extreme and not for kids, or the rides dont load fast enough so there isn't enough FP+, or....

Could go on and on. I am personally happy and can't wait to see it all but I said the same thing on Avatar and knew Star Wars would come at some point but no matter what Disney will do some people will be upset and hold them to an unrealistic standard.


Ps- I was not referencing you as anti-disney I find you more pro-universal which is something completely different. I meant anti-disney in an abstract way.

How about just letting things play out instead of throwing stuff against the wall to see if it will stick or not? There are a lot of SW fans here, including myself. No need to make this thread messy right off the bat.

We will have plenty of time to discuss this once it's made official. And for the record, I am pro-whatever park gives me a reason to want to visit.