Star Wars Fever Dream

[fazdevils]

So I was daydreaming yesterday and doing some armchair imagineering about what I'd like to hear announced at D23 RE:Star Wars land. Actually here's what I'd like to hear:

"Star Wars Land is not coming to Hollywood Studios... it's coming to TOMORROWLAND!"

I think this makes more sense....

• replace the Grand Prix race car bodies with a landspeeder body. Pass Tuskan Raiders, dewbacks, and Jawas along the way down the track.
• Cosmic Rays becomes the Cantina Bar - Cosmic Ray himself is replaced with the cantina band.
• Space Mountain gets a star wars overlay - maybe each ship is part of the armada in Episode IV to destroy the Death Star.
• the astro orbiters are rethemed to X-Wings - with expandable wings.
• star tours is relocated to where the Carousel of Process is. (the Carousel itself is relocated to a "ridethrough" in Innoventions at Epcot. The other side of Innoventions is a redo of Horizons. I think these both fit somewhat into Future World)
• Stitch, Buzz, and Monsters Inc are all replaced with new Star Wars based attractions. I think I like the idea of a Hutt owned comedy club "booohaaahaaaahaaaa!"

This would open up the Studios to be completely Pixar (and if they ever strike a deal - Marvel) focused. The Rock-n-Roller coaster can be rethemed to be somewhat of the Monsters Inc door attraction that was long rumored. Just not sure of what to do with Tower of Terror. The rest of the park could be easily filled with Pixar attractions IMO.

 

[skier_pete]

There was a rumor of Star Wars coming to Tomorrowland...in Dinsneyland. It's a nice fantasy, but it won't happen. I also disagree with you that it makes any sense. Why spend hundreds of millions of dollars to retheme an area that's already popular.

MK doesn't need a big draw like Star Wars - it is already far and away the most popular of the three parks. MK got 19.3 Million visitors in 2015, versus the other parks at 11.4 (Epcot), 10.4 (AK) and 10.3 (DHS). WDW Resorts biggest problem is that imbalance. It has plenty of space for additional visitors, but they can't keep going to MK. The hope (no doubt) is with investment in AK and DHS is they can spread that load across the parks better. Then as they get another say 5 million visitors, they are only seeing a slight increase at MK and a large increase at the other parks.

If done right (and at a rumored $3 BILLION they better do it right), Star Wars land will be a big enough draw to challenge Universal and Harry Potter. IT not only draws new customers, it draws people AWAY from MK. (Make DHS a park that you want to visit more than once on your stay.)

 

[captainmoch]

Eh, I'd rather have an expansive Star Wars Land at Tomorrowland where it won't be replacing much. If we ARE throwing out our daydreams, though... how about a Diagon Alley/Cars Land-level immersive area themed off Tatooine, featuring a RSR-esque Podracer ride as the centerpiece, along with a dark ride based off the Star Wars saga, (or at least one of the movies, preferably New Hope) an indoor rollercoaster themed off practically any of the Star Wars ships/ship chases, cantina restaurant, a new dedicated training academy theater, and a few neat M&Gs.

 

[Andrew015]

Agree with Pete. The last thing they want is more traffic coming to MK at the present time, especially at the expense of taking additional traffic out of the other three parks, which such a move would do. Any SW presence will surely be announced anywhere but MK.

 

[peg110]

While I like Fazdevils idea and I think it has merit, I also agree that MK doesn't need more draw. It has plenty of crowd as it is. I do agree that Tomorrowland would be a good place for it (Themewise) but again, the additional draw is not needed. Personally, I also agree that if an attraction has to go (or needs re-themeing) it's the speedway.

I would hate to see the Carousel of Progress gone, but I also agree it could fit in well at Epcot.

All that said, however, Hollywood Studios is ALSO a good place for Star Wars to expand. Perhaps some more "Rides" (higher on the "Thrill" scale) would be in order as well.

 

[Andrew015]

IMHO, the Starwars IP isn't a very good fit for Tomorrowland. The land is dedicated to ideas and a vision of the future (even if antiquated by today's standards), with space exploration being one key component. While Starwars takes place in "outer-space", it's focused primarily on the struggle between "Good vs Evil" and has some deep, dark moments throughout (entire planets being destroyed by lasers, stories of betrayal, Luke's arm getting cut off by his own father, etc. etc.). While certainly great I.P. that can be the basis of many great attractions, I just don't see it being a great fit in the wholesome park that is the Magic Kingdom. I think it is much better suited for the Studios.

 

[Lord Fantasius]

Articulated well, Andrew; I was trying to find a way to express the same type of thoughts. Even though alot of Disney movies had a good-vs-evil componet to them, MK itself, as the Florida counterpart of DL, was meant to be a place families could enjoy together. Ergo, with the exception of Fantasyland, most of the other rides @ MK were designed to be tied to an image/concept, not necessarily a specific movie...hence, the park of ideas and dreams.

And to be nerdy technical about it, the other problem is Star Wars occurred "a long time ago..." hence, it was in the past, not our future.

 

[Hunterr]

Magic Kingdom has enough. And Star Tours isn't there, so yeah.
HS needs a bigger draw.

I'm curious if the land will follow a specific themed aesthetic for the area. Will it look like Tattoine? Or the moon of Endor? Or cloud city? I'd imagine it would have to settle on a central LOOK for the area. Or not? Maybe different attractions/shops will take on the look of different places.

 

[bantha09]

Don't you touch my tomorrowland lol. MK is doing fine as others said, DHS needs it much more and it fits with their theme a while lot more.

 

[quagmire0]

Yeah. Tomorrowland is more about the future than necessarily a fictional future. I wouldn't want to see it touched at all. I'm wondering if the Star Wars stuff is more related to the land that they purchased in California though. Would be cool if Disney added another park for older kids/adults with a Star Wars/Marvel theme that you could 'grow into'.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that MK's Tomorrowland could use something but I agree that Star Wars isn't it. Star Wars definitely needs a huge area with a lot of variety and that's just to keep the nerds (of which I'm a member) happy. I think that it fits in well with the more random theming of DHS though.

I do love the thought of an Horizons redo. If only...

 

[LittleDreamer]

IMHO, the Starwars IP isn't a very good fit for Tomorrowland. ...While Starwars takes place in "outer-space", it's focused primarily on the struggle between "Good vs Evil" and has some deep, dark moments throughout

I was just musing on this exact subject not a few days ago. Star Wars is an odd fit for Disney since it is about war and the death, loss, and tragedy that comes with it. Look at Star Tours, you are just bystanders who happen upon battlefields and only act in self defense. Star Tours does not even have name of the property in it, instead relying on the iconic font and characters to make the connection. I'm not sure another Star Wars attraction will find its way inside Disneyland or Magic Kingdom.California Adventure or HS are find though.

 

[peg110]

Tomorrowland is more about the future than necessarily a fictional future

Isn't the "Future" Fictional at least until the point that it's the Present (or past)?

 

[quagmire0]

Isn't the "Future" Fictional at least until the point that it's the Present (or past)?

I guess what I was trying to say is that Tomorrowland was more about Walt's vision for the future. Star Wars is an already existing (and quite established) work of fiction that you'd be slapping on top of it. It may be owned by Disney, but it is not a Disney creation in the tradition of Walt Disney. (i.e. the Imagineers).

 

[peg110]

I guess what I was trying to say is that Tomorrowland was more about Walt's vision for the future. Star Wars is an already existing (and quite established) work of fiction that you'd be slapping on top of it. It may be owned by Disney, but it is not a Disney creation in the tradition of Walt Disney. (i.e. the Imagineers).

Oh I agree. I just thought it was funny the way it was "Initially" stated.

As I stated in a previous post. I could see how Star Wars COULD be integrated in Tomorrowland but I can also see why it shouldn't be. Also I don't think MK needs an "Additional" item that can have a significant draw. Certainly not as much as DHS or Epcot! Can't really see Star Wars (Land) in AK either.

 

[ajjoplin1]

And to be nerdy technical about it, the other problem is Star Wars occurred "a long time ago..." hence, it was in the past, not our future.

I was just getting ready to post this very sentiment! LOL

I guess what I was trying to say is that Tomorrowland was more about Walt's vision for the future. Star Wars is an already existing (and quite established) work of fiction that you'd be slapping on top of it. It may be owned by Disney, but it is not a Disney creation in the tradition of Walt Disney. (i.e. the Imagineers).

Absolutely...Tomorrowland is, and always will be, I hope, about innovative new ideas and looking toward the future. That was Walt in a nutshell. Star Wars fits much better in HS. HS is old-school: vintage Hollywood, Muppets, Han Solo with a 70's haircut! Looking forward with much anticipation to Star Wars Land!

 

[iamsarahpotts]

So I was daydreaming yesterday and doing some armchair imagineering about what I'd like to hear announced at D23 RE:Star Wars land. Actually here's what I'd like to hear:

"Star Wars Land is not coming to Hollywood Studios... it's coming to TOMORROWLAND!"

I think this makes more sense....

• replace the Grand Prix race car bodies with a landspeeder body. Pass Tuskan Raiders, dewbacks, and Jawas along the way down the track.
• Cosmic Rays becomes the Cantina Bar - Cosmic Ray himself is replaced with the cantina band.
• Space Mountain gets a star wars overlay - maybe each ship is part of the armada in Episode IV to destroy the Death Star.
• the astro orbiters are rethemed to X-Wings - with expandable wings.
• star tours is relocated to where the Carousel of Process is. (the Carousel itself is relocated to a "ridethrough" in Innoventions at Epcot. The other side of Innoventions is a redo of Horizons. I think these both fit somewhat into Future World)
• Stitch, Buzz, and Monsters Inc are all replaced with new Star Wars based attractions. I think I like the idea of a Hutt owned comedy club "booohaaahaaaahaaaa!"

This would open up the Studios to be completely Pixar (and if they ever strike a deal - Marvel) focused. The Rock-n-Roller coaster can be rethemed to be somewhat of the Monsters Inc door attraction that was long rumored. Just not sure of what to do with Tower of Terror. The rest of the park could be easily filled with Pixar attractions IMO.

I think we all know (including the OP) that this particular vision of Star Wars and Tomorrowland merging is not just unlikely, it's not even in the realm of reality. I love Tomorrowland's vibe and even though its now kitschy, I still would prefer any updates or refurbs that occur do so in a manner that maintains the past's vision of the future.

That being said, I love your ideas! I haven't seen the phrase "armchair Imagineering" before and I also love that. haha It would be awesome if rides (like Carousel of Progress) could just be up and moved and the parks could be rearranged/rethemed every few years. I REALLY hope a Star Wars expansion in HS includes the cantina band!

 

[dinolounger]

MK doesn't need a big draw like Star Wars - it is already far and away the most popular of the three parks. MK got 19.3 Million visitors in 2015, versus the other parks at 11.4 (Epcot), 10.4 (AK) and 10.3 (DHS). WDW Resorts biggest problem is that imbalance. It has plenty of space for additional visitors, but they can't keep going to MK. The hope (no doubt) is with investment in AK and DHS is they can spread that load across the parks better.

You hit the nail on the head, in terms of the core Disney agenda being to better spread guest volume to maximize capacity.

Frankly, within a given park that already is the primary objective of Faspass+. Yes, the "advance reservation" element is promoted as a benefit, but that is less important to Disney than the fact it can now use rationing to manage capacity. By forcing guests to accept bundles of top and second/third tier attractions, Fastpass+ is intentionally designed to spread guests more evenly across all sections of a given park (which in turn maximizes use of capacity).

 

[Mousewerks]

Two words: Fifth gate

 

[rteetz]

Two words: Fifth gate

One word: no

Disney will not do a whole park on a single IP