Star Wars Land

[disneyfirsttimer18]

Has there been any announcement about when SWL may be opening? DH and I think we might wait to go back until SWL opens(not big fans, but the thought of having a ton more space for crowds to spread sounds great!), but I am kind of itching to start saving for our next trip. I think I've heard 2018-2019.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Nothing official, as there are way too many variables to factor in, including construction delay due to weather, and then when installing the attractions, internal construction and testing issues, including that the state of California has to sign off on the safety of the moving rides. Based on multiple sourses, the internal goal currently is Spring of 2019, which is a peak time for marketing the area for summer sales, and why if you go back in history, is the most common time that Disneyland and other Theme Parks in the area, such as Universal, Knott's and Six Flags hold the openings between March and May for new attractions.

 

[GatorChris]

Certainly no time in 2017. I think 2018 might be pushing it, though I wouldn't be surprised if it somehow happened. I mean, if the train and the Rivers of America are back up summer 2017, one year later on the other things might be doable. But then again, I'm just a marketing guru, not a contractor.

 

[Darkbeer1]

This is somewhat similar to the Eastern Gateway Project, phase 1 is currently happening, and that is to place the new infrastructure in place. The rerouting of the River, Train Tracks, etc along with sidewalk/pathway adjustments. This now allows the next phase to begin, which is the actual main work in 2017.

So is a 2018 opening possible, yes. But does it benefit Disney to open the new area during the current popular Halloween and Christmas periods, where the marketing money is focused?

More than likely, the answer is no, and why spring of 2019 is the most likely date, though that is truly a date that can be pushed back, as we have seen in the past. But look at Uninversal Studios Hollywood and what they did with the recent Wizardly World of Harry Potter. They actually got the project finished earlier than scheduled, and decided to have some special events including AP previews, and then soft openings to test the traffic flows and using real guests to get a better gauge on capacity per hour numbers. (The first testers have to be by California law, employees of the park and its contractors until the state officially approves the attraction for public use). Since employees know how to use the safety devices, they load more quickly on average than a regular group of guests. And then held the "official" opening events, including the major marketing in early April, matching up with the Spring date for Marketing.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I've heard it will probably be after the parking structure opens. My best guess is spring 2019. I'd love to see it in 2018, but it just depends how fast it can get built and if it passes all inspections quickly.

If you're only waiting because of crowds, I'm not quite sure having more space to spread out will really do anything, at least for the first year or two after it opens. A ton of people are waiting on pins and needles for this expansion to be complete and my guess it the crowds will be more intense (or at least as intense as the 60th has been). Remember that with more space comes higher capacity. The only thing that might offset the crowds would be a much higher ticket price (which I really hope doesn't happen or we'll have to cut back to every 2 years instead of once a year).

 

[Darkbeer1]

Also note when the Disneyland Anniversary Parties Started the last ten years, early May for Marketing reasons, including getting an 18 month period including two summers.

And going back to the opening of DCA, it was held in February, and since they got done early sold special discounted AP preview tickets, hoping for getting rave reviews of the new park, but that seriously backfired as they offered the previews to folks who were Disneyland customers, and since, for many reasons, DCA was designed to be different (not totally family friendly, etc.), and yes, less expensive, the AP holders reviews were in most cases poor and hurt the opening, and the first few years until Disney seriously addressed the issue, instead fo trying to do a few quick fixes.

Even this years new attractions were held in May (due to delays) and to better time up with the Chinese park opening. Heck, it is Disney Parks now, not just Disneyland......

 

[disneyfirsttimer18]

Chances are we'll be back before the opening of SWL, though it will likely be Spring 2018. If I could afford Disneyland every year as well as seeing all the other places I want to see, I'd be set. I'll just have to live vicariously through this board for the next year and a half!


I was kind of hoping that the heat and crowds a few weeks ago would make me not want to go back for a while, but it just makes me want to go back in February or March!

 

[Kindermouse]

This is somewhat similar to the Eastern Gateway Project, phase 1 is currently happening, and that is to place the new infrastructure in place. The rerouting of the River, Train Tracks, etc along with sidewalk/pathway adjustments. This now allows the next phase to begin, which is the actual main work in 2017.

So is a 2018 opening possible, yes. But does it benefit Disney to open the new area during the current popular Halloween and Christmas periods, where the marketing money is focused?

More than likely, the answer is no, and why spring of 2019 is the most likely date, though that is truly a date that can be pushed back, as we have seen in the past. But look at Uninversal Studios Hollywood and what they did with the recent Wizardly World of Harry Potter. They actually got the project finished earlier than scheduled, and decided to have some special events including AP previews, and then soft openings to test the traffic flows and using real guests to get a better gauge on capacity per hour numbers. (The first testers have to be by California law, employees of the park and its contractors until the state officially approves the attraction for public use). Since employees now how to use the safety devices, they load more quickly on average than a regular group of guests. And then held the "official" opening events, including the major marketing in early April, matching up with the Spring date for Marketing.

I went to the Wizarding World the second week of March and it had been in soft open for nearly 2 weeks and things were running smoothly for sure. That was still a couple of weeks before the official grand opening. We rode HP and the Forbidden Journey like 4 times and each time the "witch" loading the ride stayed in perfect character and added plenty of magic and a spell or two to our interactions and ride mechanism. The ride did stop momentarily once so they were still working out bugs a little bit. The manager in the Three Broomsticks restaurant stood at the counter and made sure everyone stayed in character and gave perfect service. He even made one serving "wizard" stop what he was doing and carry my tray to my table for me since I was pushing my son in a wheelchair and I was by myself. The stress was on for everyone to do everything perfectly-but it made for a truly magical time. If SWL follows a similar pattern for opening i'm gonna plan a trip for the soft opening time. Its awesome.

 

[Darkbeer1]

I should state, there is NO Guarantee of a Soft Opening, I have been to multiple "Official Media" events that were delayed or held without the ride being able to operate by the state. One got a rescheduled date, the other, the President of the park, while speaking in the middle of her speech, was informed that the Media would be allowed to ride, as the State just signed off on it. So if things go smoothly, parks do plan to allow soft openings, but it is used as a "buffer" in case of delays and operation issues which can shorten or cancel the plans.

One benefit of "soft openings" is in less complaints, as the guests are informed that things "can happen and breakdown", a lot less folks go to Guest Relations, as compared to a breakdown on or just after official opening.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I went to the Wizarding World the second week of March and it had been in soft open for nearly 2 weeks and things were running smoothly for sure. That was still a couple of weeks before the official grand opening. We rode HP and the Forbidden Journey like 4 times and each time the "witch" loading the ride stayed in perfect character and added plenty of magic and a spell or two to our interactions and ride mechanism. The ride did stop momentarily once so they were still working out bugs a little bit. The manager in the Three Broomsticks restaurant stood at the counter and made sure everyone stayed in character and gave perfect service. He even made one serving "wizard" stop what he was doing and carry my tray to my table for me since I was pushing my son in a wheelchair and I was by myself. The stress was on for everyone to do everything perfectly-but it made for a truly magical time. If SWL follows a similar pattern for opening i'm gonna plan a trip for the soft opening time. Its awesome.

I experienced this at the Wizarding World soft opening, too. I was there when some of the upper execs were touring, so everyone was extra in character and generally amazing. Short lines, too, and no glitches. IF SWL ends up with a soft opening, I imagine it will be similar, or at least that they will shoot for a similar experience since the Wizarding World is the direct competition in terms of total immersion. But, like Darkbeer1 said, it won't necessarily happen. There are a lot of variables from now until then.