Star Wars and the Parks

[andyman8]

Had lunch today with a friend of mine who works at a firm that, while not directly Disney, works closely with them on several park-projects on both coasts. Can't go into anymore detail on that cause she insists that sharing any more information about her might jeopardize her job and her firm's standing with Disney.

Anyways, we got into talking about Disney and Star Wars and she mentioned this year's Star Wars Weekends. It's no surprise to any of us that this year's SWWs are being entirely revamped with old entertainment scrapped and new options, packages, and entertainment being offered. And, this is apparently no coincidence that these changes are happening this year. According to her, now with SW under its own umbrella, Disney is looking at these now five weekends as testing grounds for components (that's important) of larger concepts they might further explore when it comes to SW in the parks. Specifically, SW character dining and enhanced meet n' greets with SW characters.

So, why is that really important? Moving past five weekends in May (by the way, expect some "surprises" or tests of other new material they are looking to incorporate into SW attractions), these tests are Disney's first big step toward increasing the daily SW presence in the parks. We've heard SW land rumors for a while now (no there probably won't be a SW fifth gate with Mr. Iger in charge) but the primary reason for the inaction (despite finances) is the so many directions they can take a themed land (that's what they've settled on). In order to compete with WWoHP, they've apparently decided that the land needs to be marked not mainly by e-ticket attractions but by incredible character and entertainment opportunities that only Disney can produce and some of these concepts are being tested, in abbreviated forms, at SWW in May and June. In essence, WDW is weeding out the best of the best SW entertainment ideas through SWW. Meanwhile, they've put Scott Trowbridge in charge of developing an attraction or two for this land and some more stuff for DL where they don't have the room to create quite as an immersive an environment, while they focus much of their effort on the streetmosphere and entertainment.

So what does all this mean? SWL is still happening just in a different form. At this point, it's still just a land (it's location is still being contested a bit). There will be more of a focus on entertainment and immersion. This entertainment will be tested, announced or not, at the upcoming SWW events and expect to see a fair amount of Disney surveyors (approach them and report back to us!) wandering.

Anyways, just wanted to share. Sorry for rambling. Interesting to wonder what Disney is facing: is a more immersive Star Wars Land with more of a focus on entertainment and theming more appealing than a land with less of all that but more hard-core attractions? Thoughts?

 

[RalphinSC]

Had lunch today with a friend of mine who works at a firm that, while not directly Disney, works closely with them on several park-projects on both coasts. Can't go into anymore detail on that cause she insists that sharing any more information about her might jeopardize her job and her firm's standing with Disney.

Anyways, we got into talking about Disney and Star Wars and she mentioned this year's Star Wars Weekends. It's no surprise to any of us that this year's SWWs are being entirely revamped with old entertainment scrapped and new options, packages, and entertainment being offered. And, this is apparently no coincidence that these changes are happening this year. According to her, now with SW under its own umbrella, Disney is looking at these now five weekends as testing grounds for components (that's important) of larger concepts they might further explore when it comes to SW in the parks. Specifically, SW character dining and enhanced meet n' greets with SW characters.

So, why is that really important? Moving past five weekends in May (by the way, expect some "surprises" or tests of other new material they are looking to incorporate into SW attractions), these tests are Disney's first big step toward increasing the daily SW presence in the parks. We've heard SW land rumors for a while now (no there probably won't be a SW fifth gate with Mr. Iger in charge) but the primary reason for the inaction (despite finances) is the so many directions they can take a themed land (that's what they've settled on). In order to compete with WWoHP, they've apparently decided that the land needs to be marked not mainly by e-ticket attractions but by incredible character and entertainment opportunities that only Disney can produce and some of these concepts are being tested, in abbreviated forms, at SWW in May and June. In essence, WDW is weeding out the best of the best SW entertainment ideas through SWW. Meanwhile, they've put Scott Trowbridge in charge of developing an attraction or two for this land and some more stuff for DL where they don't have the room to create quite as an immersive an environment, while they focus much of their effort on the streetmosphere and entertainment.

So what does all this mean? SWL is still happening just in a different form. At this point, it's still just a land (it's location is still being contested a bit). There will be more of a focus on entertainment and immersion. This entertainment will be tested, announced or not, at the upcoming SWW events and expect to see a fair amount of Disney surveyors (approach them and report back to us!) wandering.

Anyways, just wanted to share. Sorry for rambling. Interesting to wonder what Disney is facing: is a more immersive Star Wars Land with more of a focus on entertainment and theming more appealing than a land with less of all that but more hard-core attractions? Thoughts?

Really interesting read. I like the concepts they've introduced thus far. Disney has sucessfully managed to separate me from several hundreds of extra dollars for my SWW trip with the character dining and Feel the Force VIP package.

 

[williamscm3]

It all sounds very exciting and I can't wait to see where Disney will take this! Does anyone know how much extra land Disney has around Hollywood studios? Or would they have to take out a bunch of current attractions or shows to make room for it? Either way I think it will be awesome and my son might just lose his mind at the thought of it all!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I have not planned an additional trip for SWW, and I would not plan another trip for this, as described. At best, I would walk through. I am not interested in any characters and do not enjoy character meals. In short, I am not their target audience for this experience. For me, it would add no value.

Star Wars has a lot of potential. Done properly, it could draw in crowds and expand Disney's market much the same way that Harry Potter expanded US' market. That potential would not be realized with this plan. But I can hope that it draws people into that new area of the park and away from the areas that I currently enjoy.

 

[wuzzy6]

I, too, would consider myself as not really being a part of their target audience, based on the information provided. In spite of not being one to plan a trip, specifically to visit a special SW event or just to see SWL, I admit that it would definitely enhance my typical visit to DHS - no question! It'll be interesting to see how this plays out!

 

[Cory's Gal]

I have a 9 year old Jedi at home and there wouldn't be anything more exciting to him than more Star Wars at Disney Parks! We wish we could do Star Wars Weekends with him but because of weekend baseball tournaments we can't get out of town. The Breakfast at the Sci-Fi sounds right up his alley too, Star Wars movie clips while you eat & meet characters?? Dream come true! Thanks for sharing your info!! It's so exciting to hear about possible upgrades to the parks!!

 

[csmith041177]

The WWOHP definately took things to the next level. It is a completely immersive experience. And yes, the rides are great, but they are small in number. The true experience are the shops, snack stands and experiences. Sounds like Disney wants to go with this completely "immersive" experience also.

 

[MickeyOCD]

But DHS DESPERATELY needs another e-ticket attraction! A Star Wars themed one, along with an immersive land, would be a home run & would turn DHS from a half day park into a full day park. Come on Disney, do this right!!!!

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

This looks promising. I have been worried that Disney was putting all their hopes on Avatar and Magic Bands and they would not be looking at Star Wars till those projects were done and if Fantasyland is any indication how long it takes them on a project, I was thinking it would be forever till we get Star Wars Land.

The good thing about Disney focusing first on things like SW M&G and SW character meals, they can implement them fairly quickly. I know even though we are not going on SW weekend, we jumped at the chance to get both SW character meals and completely changed around our schedule to do them This is now what we are most looking forward to on our trip next week. I really think these should be permanent meals, this will help Disney's appeal to the whole family not just the 2 to 12 year old princess crowd, which is sometimes can feel like.

I do hope they add at least three rides with Star Wars lands, one being like HP ride, would be great, something with new technology that is really pushing the envelop in rides. Then the other two family friendly rides. I looove that they want it immersive environment, that is my fav part in HP in IOA. I really felt like I was in my fav books/movies. I would looove to feel like I really am a Jedi for example and I know lots of other people would love it too.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

I'm glad Disney isn't ignoring the opportunities it has with SW to bring in the non-princess fans. My house full of Star Wars fanatics will probably try SWW for one day next year when we're back in Orlando to see the Harry Potter expansion. They're looking forward to the SW parade and seeing some more obscure characters walking around. I'm sure we'll meet Darth Vader. They are not very into meet and greets, however, and we do not do character meals. They have been dreaming up SW rides that Disney could build at DHS, which is sorely lacking in rides, so I hope that piece isn't abandoned.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I am really excited to see what becomes of all of this. I don't know if I would say that my family are huge Star Wars fans (we do love Star Tours though and we are very excited about having dinner with Mickey and gang dressed as star wars characters) but I think it would be really cool to see a land dedicated to this popular franchise. Also, I think building a land based on this movie makes much more sense then the one they are going to build over at AK, but that is for another thread . I know that DHS is not a favorite park for many people, and most think it is a half day park (however we love it and visit it at least 2 days during our trip), but with this possible expansion I think Disney could really turn this park around and more people would consider it a full day park. There is so much that Disney can do with this, and if they convert the backlot area and get rid of Lights Motor Action, they would have a ton of room. Not sure though if that would affect Streets of America, I would want them to leave that part alone .