'Star Wars' coming to Disneyland but no MagicBands & More hints about Star Wars by Iger

[Angel Ariel]

Add me to the list that actually likes MBs, but isn't sold on fp+. We experienced it in November, and while it was not a bad experience by any stretch, we didn't love it. MagicBands were great, though!

 

[Disneylandfan85]

Well, he said things that people love, so Toontown might be safe. The other two......

On the other hand, Autopia is pretty loved, too. It must be to be literally the only Tomorrowland attraction still around from day one.

Also, according to some sources, Innoventions, having closed on March 31, remains closed until September 30, 2016. That may not be entirely accurate, though; it's only used because it is the start of the new fiscal year.

 

[disneydreamer74]

I was at WDW a year ago and we used the Fastpass + system. I much prefer the FP system DLR is using now! As for the Star Wars info..hooray!!!

 

[Disneylandfan85]

After I reading the article, and a few comments about it on MiceAge, I took it that maybe, just maybe, Toontown was safe after all. But then just recently, I saw a response to a post on the thread about it. This post asked if the Star Wars as Toontown replacement rumor, started by cast members about it closing in 2016, was just another rumor. The response to this post was that it was started by "insiders" with strong ties to management and that the poster claimed that it was still a go at this point, but that Disney was keeping quiet about it. So I have really no idea who to believe, Tom Staggs or the insiders.

 

[larryz]

So I have really no idea who to believe, Tom Staggs or the insiders.

Isn't Tom Staggs an insider?

 

[Disneylandfan85]

Isn't Tom Staggs an insider?

Well, what I meant was insiders with ties to management, which is what Tom Staggs is in, obviously. The people at WDWMagic continue to stand by the rumor of Toontown as being replaced by Star Wars. One "insider" who supposedly has ties to management is WDW1974 at WDWMagic. The people at that site said that Toontown was not a "favorite feature" (the article's phrasing) of the park and that Disney had no qualms about scrapping it for Star Wars. They said that plans could change, obviously, but that right now, Star Wars as Toontown replacement is still pretty likely.

However, there are several things that these people don't seem to take into account. First of all, fireworks. If Star Wars were to go back there, it would have to be closed, as Toontown is. Was the new fireworks show created with the thought of something in its vicinity in the future? Secondly, Iger stated that anything about Star Wars would focus on the new films coming up. Yet, the arguments I've been reading seem to indicate the older films.

 

[disneyphilip]

Well, what I meant was insiders with ties to management, which is what Tom Staggs is in, obviously. The people at WDWMagic continue to stand by the rumor of Toontown as being replaced by Star Wars. One "insider" who supposedly has ties to management is WDW1974 at WDWMagic. The people at that site said that Toontown was not a "favorite feature" (the article's phrasing) of the park and that Disney had no qualms about scrapping it for Star Wars. They said that plans could change, obviously, but that right now, Star Wars as Toontown replacement is still pretty likely.

However, there are several things that these people don't seem to take into account. First of all, fireworks. If Star Wars were to go back there, it would have to be closed, as Toontown is. Was the new fireworks show created with the thought of something in its vicinity in the future? Secondly, Iger stated that anything about Star Wars would focus on the new films coming up. Yet, the arguments I've been reading seem to indicate the older films.

Those insiders you speak of are not insiders at all. Please do not believe them.

 

[disneyphilip]

What I've heard is that Star Wars Land would swallow up Toontown, Big Thunder Ranch, and extend well into the backstage areas. If you look on Google Maps there is quite a lot of backstage acreage, and Disney has been purchasing land around the resort which could be used for new backstage area, freeing up space for DL attractions.

A couple of years ago Disney bought this nearby 11 acre RV park.
http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201309/3643/

By moving support facilities offsite the new Star Wars Land could conceivably be almost as large as the current Tomorrowland.

You know that none of that is true or going to happen.

 

[thmcdonald1]

With the closure of Innoventions, what are the odds that, after the 60th is over, that is where a Star Wars ride will go?

You know, while I was at DLR for the 60th stuff, I heard construction on Innoventions. You could smell the sawdust and they were scraping the paint off of the steps near the bathrooms.

I'm not sure that they would be working on it like that if they were just going to demo it.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

With the closure of Innoventions, what are the odds that, after the 60th is over, that is where a Star Wars ride will go?

While I find this plausible, is there space in that building for anything larger scale than another simulator type ride? I think the simulation thing has been done, and very well at that, with Star Tours. They need a ride involving actual motion. I envision a dark ride. And I still think Autopia could be re-themed as a Star Wars attraction while still giving kids the ability to drive. The submarines can become a Naboo underwater ride...as much as Jar Jar stinks.

 

[Disneylandfan85]

You know, while I was at DLR for the 60th stuff, I heard construction on Innoventions. You could smell the sawdust and they were scraping the paint off of the steps near the bathrooms.

I'm not sure that they would be working on it like that if they were just going to demo it.

Exactly. I found pictures of the lower floor almost completely gutted: https://twitter.com/MintCrocodile/status/600700406377779200. So something has got to be happening over there. On the other hand, however, I read from another poster on MiceChat that the booking of special events at the Big Thunder Ranch area has been removed from their booking inventory and cannot be booked after January. So something has to be happening there, too.

And yet, I really cannot see Star Wars anywhere except Tomorrowland, since they already have several things over there, not just Star Tours, but also Jedi Training.

 

[thmcdonald1]

Exactly. I found pictures of the lower floor almost completely gutted: https://twitter.com/MintCrocodile/status/600700406377779200. So something has got to be happening over there. On the other hand, however, I read from another poster on MiceChat that the booking of special events at the Big Thunder Ranch area has been removed from their booking inventory and cannot be booked after January. So something has to be happening there, too.

And yet, I really cannot see Star Wars anywhere except Tomorrowland, since they already have several things over there, not just Star Tours, but also Jedi Training.

You know, Damon Lindelof made a comment in an interview about Tomorrowland that lambasted the idea of Star Wars in Tomorrowland. It was something to the effect of "Star Wars happened a long time ago in a galaxy far far away... I love it, but I don't want that in Tomorrowland... I want jet packs in tomorrowland!"

I have to agree. I'd like to see Star Tours and the Jedi Training Academy moved to a new area where they fit in. Then, I'd like to see Tomorrowland completely overhauled. But, file that away in "hopeful thoughts that will never happen."

 

[Malela9]

Ok, please don't slam me, but I did not like Magic Bands when I went to WDW in January. I had to wait twice in a 2 hour line so my youngest dd could ride the Snow White Train because the FP's were gone 30 days before we went. Also, I felt so restricted by having to use the 3 FP's before I could leave a park. I am so used to the freedom of doing what I want when I visit DL. I am so glad they are not bringing them to CA. I understand that WDW is a different animal, so the Magic Bands make more sense there. But so many people I know who have annual passes go when the mood strikes.
Thank you Disneyland for understanding your audience!

 

[beachdreamr1229]

FP+ would never have worked at DLR. We're a park of locals who come on a whim. The whole WDW planning thing is overwhelming.

 

[Disneylandfan85]

I have no idea how reliable Screamscape or even the LA Times are, but the article from the Times about Star Wars and Tom Staggs has been referenced on Screamscape:

"Tom Staggs, did seem to confirm that Star Wars attractions were still in the works for Disneyland however, and that they would be added to the park in a new area, and not as a replacement attraction where some other beloved attraction would have to be removed. This seems to confirm the rumors that management had decided not to add more Star Wars attractions to Tomorrowland, but instead create an all new land for them elsewhere in the park. Such an expansion could displa[ce] some of the backstage area behind Toontown, or certain facilities which might need to be moves elsewhere."

(Just so you know, the original message on Screamscape said "display some of the backstage area" and not "displace". I'm pretty sure they mean "displace", which means "display" was a typo.)

As I said countless times before, I really want to see Toontown saved, which may or may not be the case if this article is to be believed.

On the other hand, however, though the article did mention likely needing to relocate backstage behind Toontown and/or elsewhere, I would think that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to do any kind of expansion back there without affecting Toontown in any way. Also, they did not take into account the issue of working around the fireworks. Some have speculated that the Star Wars area could be completely enclosed to remain open while the fireworks are on, but while theoretically doable, it doesn't seem likely.

It also brings up the question of what this means for Innoventions.

 

[Riverrunner]

I have also been to WDW and while the MBs were passable, the FP+ experience was horrible. You had to spend a lot of time trying to figure out in advance what you wanted to ride. Then, if you had used up your FPs, you could walk across the park to stand in line just to find out that no more FPs were available for the ride you wanted, or they were at a bad time. They could have at least posted some electronic signs around the park or made them available online. While you still have to walk to a particular place to get FP tickets, they aren't all gone as early as they were at WDW with FP+ because everyone booked them in advance. Now, you have to do something to get them which means you'll probably use them.

MBs are a good idea to remove some paper, but they had issues at WDW where half of my party's tickets and FPs weren't mapped to them - they still had to use their paper admission tickets. If they get the kinks worked out, they could be great. But, no FP+! It's too hard already to plan things without doing it 60 days in advance. Trying to schedule meals and rides is too complex.

 

[Disneylandfan85]

I have no idea how reliable Screamscape or even the LA Times are, but the article from the Times about Star Wars and Tom Staggs (http://www.latimes.com/business/la-...eyland-but-no-magic-bands-20150521-story.html) has been referenced on Screamscape:

"Tom Staggs did seem to confirm that Star Wars attractions were still in the works for Disneyland, and that they would be added to the park in a new area, and not as a replacement attraction where some other beloved attraction would have to be removed. This seems to confirm the rumors that management had decided not to add more Star Wars attractions to Tomorrowland, but instead create an all new land for them elsewhere in the park. Such an expansion could displa[ce] some of the backstage area behind Toontown, or certain facilities which might need to be moves elsewhere."

(Just so you know, the original message on Screamscape said "display some of the backstage area" and not "displace". I'm pretty sure they mean "displace", which means "display" was a typo.)

As I said countless times before, I really want to see Toontown saved, which may or may not be the case if this article is to be believed.

On the other hand, however, though the article did mention likely needing to relocate backstage behind Toontown and/or elsewhere, I would think that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to do any kind of expansion back there without affecting Toontown in any way. Also, they did not take into account the issue of working around the fireworks. Some have speculated that the Star Wars area could be completely enclosed to remain open while the fireworks are on, but while theoretically doable, it doesn't seem likely. It also brings up the question of what this means for Innoventions.

Mind you, "seems" and Tom Staggs' hints were so vague as to not mean much, so this is open to interpretation. However, it's difficult to ignore people who hint at Star Wars going back behind the park, whether it affects Toontown or not.

 

[larryz]

You know, Damon Lindelof made a comment in an interview about Tomorrowland that lambasted the idea of Star Wars in Tomorrowland. It was something to the effect of "Star Wars happened a long time ago in a galaxy far far away... I love it, but I don't want that in Tomorrowland... I want jet packs in tomorrowland!"

When did Damon Lindelof become majority stockholder in DIS?

 

[Gisele]

I will never relate to anything star wars with Disney. They just don't go together. It is like nbc plastered upon and within the haunted mansion.
Blech......

 

[disneyphilip]

I have no idea how reliable Screamscape or even the LA Times are, but the article from the Times about Star Wars and Tom Staggs (http://www.latimes.com/business/la-...eyland-but-no-magic-bands-20150521-story.html) has been referenced on Screamscape:

"Tom Staggs did seem to confirm that Star Wars attractions were still in the works for Disneyland, and that they would be added to the park in a new area, and not as a replacement attraction where some other beloved attraction would have to be removed. This seems to confirm the rumors that management had decided not to add more Star Wars attractions to Tomorrowland, but instead create an all new land for them elsewhere in the park. Such an expansion could displa[ce] some of the backstage area behind Toontown, or certain facilities which might need to be moves elsewhere."

(Just so you know, the original message on Screamscape said "display some of the backstage area" and not "displace". I'm pretty sure they mean "displace", which means "display" was a typo.)

As I said countless times before, I really want to see Toontown saved, which may or may not be the case if this article is to be believed.

On the other hand, however, though the article did mention likely needing to relocate backstage behind Toontown and/or elsewhere, I would think that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to do any kind of expansion back there without affecting Toontown in any way. Also, they did not take into account the issue of working around the fireworks. Some have speculated that the Star Wars area could be completely enclosed to remain open while the fireworks are on, but while theoretically doable, it doesn't seem likely. It also brings up the question of what this means for Innoventions.

Mind you, "seems" and Tom Staggs' hints were so vague as to not mean much, so this is open to interpretation. However, it's difficult to ignore people who hint at Star Wars going back behind the park, whether it affects Toontown or not.

None of that is true. Please relax and stop believing the fibs.