Star Wars land Rumor- Reported by Disney Gossip

[Jaaron2]

Oh how I would love to see this happen


A long time ago in a theme park far away

I am hearing just the smallest inklings about an announcement coming at the grand re-opening for Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. While I try to get more clarification, I wonder if it has to do with the parking entrance re-alignment coming to DHS or perhaps confirmation of something bigger I heard about last year.

Early word about the Star Tours upgrade is good. (Although some have reported emerging quite shaken, literally, from the motion of the simulator.) Add to that the slow thaw in the cold war between Disney and George Lucas and you have the potential for a new themed land dedicated to the world of Star Wars.

Backlot Express would be converted to a Cantina style diner, although I've also heard that it could be a 'space junk yard' (as from Episode 1). Then the backstage road and main entrance road would be moved back about 200 yards to make room for a new e-Ticket set in the Star Wars universe. Think Carsland but with speeders racing around. There would also be a lot of Next-Gen touches bringing some hi-tech wizardry to the land as only WDI can do.

Last I heard, this was still just blue sky stuff. But who knows… maybe it's moved forward now that Disney is feeling a little bit of heat from the boy with a wand

 

[ADP]

Great rumor....Have heard it for the past 3 years. It makes a whole lot of sense, but unless George Lucas backs a truck up into DHS with a whole lot of money in it I doubt this concept/rumor will ever gain traction.

The thing I've never understood is the potential behind this concept/rumor. If it ever was announced and built the turnstyles would never stop at DHS. It would seem like a big win for Disney and Lucas in my opinion.

Having the only 1 attraction and JTA and store in the Star Wars area could be viewed as the area with the most potential in any theme park. The inability to do more with it is frustrating from a theme park and Star Wars fans standpoint.

 

[cheerdad]

Are they doing a soft opening for Star Tours? Leaving next Friday for the World, just wondering if there may be a chance it will open the first week of May. Caught Toy Story like that before it "officially opened" walked right on.

 

[Dziactor]

I hope so. Maybe a better TS restaurant as well with a SW theme. One can dream.

 

[Mouse511]

Are they doing a soft opening for Star Tours? Leaving next Friday for the World, just wondering if there may be a chance it will open the first week of May. Caught Toy Story like that before it "officially opened" walked right on.

I hope so - we will be there on May 8th.......fingers crossed !!

 

[chum]

Star Tours was always a weak experience with a great license behind it. The revision should be better with improved digital projection, ride mechanics, story and queue.
I'm sold on an expanded Star Wars land within Hollywood Studios and the rumor seems like a no brainer as it's no surprise how popular Star Wars Weekends are. How about a Republic Gunship ride where we the riders are clones going off to an epic battle?

 

[mdsd8700]

I am thinking this rumor will not come to pass, but boy would I love to be proven wrong!!

My family and I are huge Star Wars fans and love the franchise as a whole. My kids grew up on Stars Wars and it is as much a part of us as Disney is.

Will keep my fingers crossed for this one.

 

[hakepb]

Star Tours was always a weak experience with a great license behind it. The revision should be better with improved digital projection, ride mechanics, story and queue.
I'm sold on an expanded Star Wars land within Hollywood Studios and the rumor seems like a no brainer as it's no surprise how popular Star Wars Weekends are. How about a Republic Gunship ride where we the riders are clones going off to an epic battle?

? I thought I heard it was rather ground-breaking when it opened in DL in 1987

It now seems more tame by current standards.

A few years ago, it was fun taking DS on StarTours for the first time. While in queue, I was explaining the trip into space, and the possible danger that we might get "blown up", to which he gave a horrified reply "I don't want to get blown up!".... So to an un-jaded person, Star Tours still "had it"

 

[2disneydads]

Star Wars all seems so "yesterday." I would be surprised if Disney poured that much money into a land dedicated to a concept that seems long past its prime. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter made a lot of sense because kids will be picking up those books and reading them for generations to come. Those of us who remember the original Star Wars movies will be dying off soon. I was a teenager when the first one came out and I'm about to turn 53. I would rather see Disney focus on something newer and fresher.

 

[tjkraz]

Star Wars all seems so "yesterday." I would be surprised if Disney poured that much money into a land dedicated to a concept that seems long past its prime. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter made a lot of sense because kids will be picking up those books and reading them for generations to come. Those of us who remember the original Star Wars movies will be dying off soon. I was a teenager when the first one came out and I'm about to turn 53. I would rather see Disney focus on something newer and fresher.

I don't know why you would think that Harry Potter is any more timeless than Star Wars. Can you think of another franchise which still has the "legs" to sell toy action figures for $7 a pop nearly 35 years after its debut? Not to mention the books, comics, video games, LEGOs, costumes, ongoing cartoon series and everything else that I'm forgetting.

Future generations will continue to discover Star Wars for decades to come.

"Newer and fresher" is good but timeless is better. US/IOA has often been cursed by newer and fresher. Licenses like Backdraft, Twister, Beetlejuice, The Mummy, Men in Black, Back to the Future...they were all new and fresh at one point. Now they are mostly stale and old.

Disney tends to lean more toward timeless. That's why you don't typically see them throw up an attraction to support every $200+ million box office franchise.

Disney has some great properties of its own and they've done a wonderful job of leveraging them over the years. But expanding their Star Wars tie-ins is (IMO) the best move they could make to steal some of the Harry Potter thunder. With its worldwide fan base, Disney could really cash in via added Star Wars experiences.

 

[staceymay00]

I don't know why you would think that Harry Potter is any more timeless than Star Wars. Can you think of another franchise which still has the "legs" to sell toy action figures for $7 a pop nearly 35 years after its debut? Not to mention the books, comics, video games, LEGOs, costumes, ongoing cartoon series and everything else that I'm forgetting.

Future generations will continue to discover Star Wars for decades to come.

I agree! My boys are 6 and 10 and over the years we have spent an awful lot of money on Star Wars movies, video games, legos, t-shirts, pajamas, light sabers and action figures. Almost every boy I know in the 4-8 year old range loves Star Wars. Even my daughter enjoys the movies.

 

[dis-happy]

LOVE this rumor. Hope it's true!!!

 

[Jaaron2]

This would be a HUGE attraction for DHS. My kids are 15, 13, 11 and they have all watched the entire Star Wars series multiple times. To me Star Wars is timeless. I just dont understand why this hasnt already been done

 

[Greysword]

I would vote for it! Star Wars is probably large enough (in content and popularity) to be the theme for a whole park, if they wanted. However, a dedicated land would definitely be both welcome and huge economically.

How fun would it be to have a resort dedicated to Star Wars, too (Disney's Coruscant Villas Resort & Spa, anyone? ). My 5 year old daughter would go bananas (and so would her dad), and we'd probably have to sell our BLT and SSR contracts . However, my wife would be like

 

[Chuck S]

Since this really isn't a DVC topic, I'm moving it to the Rumors & News board.

 

[Figment632]

Would be nice but probaly no truth to it I'll do some digging.

 

[ASteelersMidget]

Would be cool. However, I believe that ANY expansion with some new rides and attractions, (Preferably a thrill ride as thats what most people consider DHS to be the park for) I'll be happy.

 

[jcvalenti]

I've heard this rumour every year for about 4 years.

Wish it was true, but I doubt it. All I know from the crowds and the madness of Star Wars Weekends is that this would be huge - a Star Wars "land" would be a far bigger draw than Harry Potter world, for the simple fact that Star Wars is now a "generational" thing. I was 6 when Star Wars came out, and I loved it - now I take my kids (11 and 5) down for Star Wars Weekend and we share that together. That would totally fit the Disney theme.

And a Cantina Bar would be about the greatest thing ever. You'd never, ever get me out of a booth there. Even if you had the death sentence in twelve systems.

 

[Figment632]

Done the digging and like I said there is no truth to this.

 

[skiingfast]

Star Wars isn't as popular as Harry Potter? Yeah right.

Did you see this video? It was on the MSN homepage for a bit. It's only going to make this little side event in DL more popular. BTW how old do you think that kid was when the last SW movie came out?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5mK7dzyUkM