UPDATED: IT'S HAPPENING!! Star Wars, Toy Story officially coming to DHS! Plus new Soarin'!

[dizfan]

The impression the presentation gave is that the two Star Wars Lands would essentially be the same. The layout might be different I guess, but they were both described as 14 acres with the two "signature rides" and the cantina.

They are supposed to similar. DHS will have the Star Wars fireworks as well. There's probably will be some differences but not a lot.

That will save DW and I some money. No need to travel to both parks for unique experiences.

 

[rteetz]

That will save DW and I some money. No need to travel to both parks for unique experiences.

But both places are still worth visiting for other things.

 

[dizfan]

But both places are still worth visiting for other things.

Glad to read this.
DW and I are visiting DL very around New Years Day 2016. I haven't to DL since the 60's and DW hasn't been there since the 80's. We both look forward to it.

 

[atricks]

Agree!
No way this opens in 2021. I get the idea of pushing it so far out in your mind so even the most critical person could not be disappointed or falsely start hoping for it to be done for their next trip... but with 3 movies coming out starting this year, this will be rolled out to build on the anticipation of the films. I give it half the time (3 years) that you do (6 years). Nobody announces rides 6 years in advance with concept art. 2-3 years.

Except they did just that with Avatar. Parts of it may be open before 2021, but Fall (in particular October) is most likely.

They are going to have to close the other half of the park (SOA/LMA/Muppets), and they won't do that until Toy Story is up. The rumored timeline is pretty legit.

 

[JTBE]

Best Disney news ever! We can't wait, hope it doesn't take forever to open.

 

[adam.adbe]

No way this opens in 2021. I get the idea of pushing it so far out in your mind so even the most critical person could not be disappointed or falsely start hoping for it to be done for their next trip... but with 3 movies coming out starting this year, this will be rolled out to build on the anticipation of the films. I give it half the time (3 years) that you do (6 years). Nobody announces rides 6 years in advance with concept art. 2-3 years.

Disney are already on record, are they not, that ground breaking wont happen until 2017. Let's assume they mean Jan 1st 2017, and not spring or later, that's already a year and a half into your three years. They aren't building the new area in a year. Even if they were in a massive hurry, that's not happening. 2019 at the earliest, most likely 2020.

 

[andyman8]

Disney are already on record, are they not, that ground breaking wont happen until 2017. Let's assume they mean Jan 1st 2017, and not spring or later, that's already a year and a half into your three years. They aren't building the new area in a year. Even if they were in a massive hurry, that's not happening. 2019 at the earliest, most likely 2020.

It's interesting because Disney's been very careful about avoiding any comment even close to a timeline. The 2017 date has come from supposedly "in the know fans" regarding DL's SWL, and from what I understand, early 2017 is indeed the target for DL's groundbreaking, but Disney's not necessarily waiting that long because they want to; it's more complicated. Because DL does not have much land readily available, a 14 acre expansion to an existing park (in this case Disneyland Park) means existing facilities need to be relocated. My understanding is that the particular expansion pad they're eyeing is indeed ToonTown but to get to the goal of 14 acres, this project will need to seriously bleed into existing backstage facilities. Disney has since purchased the Carousel Inn and some other land in the area where they'll relocate these facilities. Keep in mind, construction must be fully complete on these facilities before Disney can shut down and bulldoze the existing ones by ToonTown. All this must be really complete before they start breaking ground. Mind you, I'd expect to see TT close in late 2016 and site prep to begin on that so we can see construction commence by the start of 2017 on the entire land.

Meanwhile, in Florida, the plan is for construction to start earlier than DL's with an earlier opening than DL's SWL, because there, you're just bulldozing existing facilities and/or moving out into grasslands, backlots, or parking lots. That said, Toy Story Land construction right now is scheduled to commence first beginning in January (tentative date; could change). Because Disney already has so many resources tied up in the construction of the Hub, Disney Springs, AVATAR, etc..., there's definitely going to be a lull of time before we see ground broken on SWL (plus they don't even have a full complete finalized plan yet!), but the target (as of now; again could easily change) is supposedly sometime later in 2016.

Again, it's still going to be quite the wait. That's of course why we see Disney putting all of these small-scale SW experiences in the parks (Season of the Force, enhanced JTA, new ST scenes, Star Wars Launch Bay) that can be brought in quickly to fill the long, long, long lull between now and Star Wars Land.

 

[rteetz]

Meanwhile, in Florida, the plan is for construction to start earlier than DL's with an earlier opening than DL's SWL, because there, you're just bulldozing existing facilities and/or moving out into grasslands, backlots, or parking lots. That said, Toy Story Land construction right now is scheduled to commence first beginning in January (tentative date; could change). Because Disney already has so many resources tied up in the construction of the Hub, Disney Springs, AVATAR, etc..., there's definitely going to be a lull of time before we see ground broken on SWL (plus they don't even have a full complete finalized plan yet!), but the target (as of now; again could easily change) is supposedly sometime later in 2016.

That is not the plan. The plan is construction starts in 2017 for both DL and DHS. Toy story construction is actually supposed to start at the start of the new fiscal year which is October 1st of this year.

 

[andyman8]

That is not the plan. The plan is construction starts in 2017 for both DL and DHS. Toy story construction is actually supposed to start at the start of the new fiscal year which is October 1st of this year.

Well, we'll just have to wait and see who's sources are right...

 

[rteetz]

Well, we'll just have to wait and see who's sources are right...

These lands at DL and WDW are supposed to be basically the same opening them at the same time makes the most sense. Toy story will definitely be the focus to get open first. In the announcement they stressed the fact that this will take time and Disney is neve quick with these things.

 

[Lee Matthews]

Ive had a few days now to digest D23 and put my own views across.

WOW, What an incredible show. They announced quite a lot of stuff.

Toy Story Land
So pleased they went with Toy Story rather than Cars Land. Im not a fan of that franchise but Love Toy Story. From what i can see, its going to be smaller rides that appeals to kids which when looking back, is a good move for the studios. The rides do seem to be rehashes of existing rides. The Slinky coaster i imagine is the same as they have in Paris but on a bigger scale?

It seems to me that this will be going into the land where part of the backlot was, and with the theming and rides they are adding, they can probably get this done and open within 3 years before closing off the rest of the park to push forward with finishing Star Wars land which will take up more time to complete. I do hope however, eventually another Pixar ride or area makes its way to DHS like Monsters Inc or The Incredibles but im not sure if they'll have the land available.

Star Wars land
We knew this would be announced and while i am excited as a MASSIVE Star Wars fan, it's tricky to get too excited because the images they have released, it's based on a new Planet from the new movies which nobody knows about so i find it hard to get too invested because it's not somewhere familiar. I think Two rides along with an updated Star Tours is fine once you also add the Cantina and new stores. However, if they are just simulators like Star Tours, i wont be happy. This land is a LONG way away so i guess we'll see what happens with more info in a couple of years. Im pleased though that Star Tours will be updated by the time i go next year along with the Star Wars Bay area.

Avatarland
Much more excited about this land now but saying that, they've still not shown anything of the rides and more concept art, so this land is STILL a long way away before opening.

Other Announcements
Super excited about Rivers of Light and the evening safari. Animal kingdom is becoming one of my favourite parks and this is certainly going to make it a full day park for me. Frozen in Epcot, although controversial, does seem to be happening tastefully in the Norway theming and i'm actually looking forward to trying the ride out.

 

[Letterhead]

Anyone know when Soarin is likely to be closed, as we head next summer?

 

[newdeal]

Good point. I presume you are talking about DHS here. We always enter from Buena Vista Drive (near BW) and I'm amazed that there is only one booth there. I wonder how many folks come in that way as opposed to the World Drive entrance. Can't say I've ever come in that way so I don't know how many booths they have on that side.

ETA, just looked on Google Maps and it appears that there are 8 lanes available on the World Drive entrance so clearly this is where Disney expected most traffic to be coming from.

I honestly didn't even know there were two entrances, my GPS and the signs on the road always takes me to the same one which always seemed absurdly small

 

[OKW Lover]

Much more excited about this land now but saying that, they've still not shown anything of the rides and more concept art, so this land is STILL a long way away before opening.

Construction is well underway for Avatarland. Other new lands/attractions haven't even begun groundwork.

 

[brazzledazzler]

DH & I are not really "BIG" Star Wars fans (we enjoy the films, but aren't obsessed), but having been to Star Wars weekends at DHS (and the crowds, oh goodness, THE CROWDSSSSS), the Star Wars Expansion NEEDED to happen. This will hopefully allow Disney to capitalize on Star Wars' popularity and thin the crowds that show up only for SWW to see Star Wars themed stuff. The only downside is, what I noticed about DHS during SWW, was that the type of park visitor those days was not the typical Disney World goer; they were of a certain demographic who are REALLY REALLY into Star Wars, more specifically, teenagers...so many rude teenagers!

Toy Story Land sounds very cool, but I really hope they expand it with more Pixar stuff. I only saw the first Toy Story movie as a kid...and though I definitely enjoyed it, there are Pixar movies I love more!

Pandora-The World of Avatar: It sounds like WDW is going to market this beyond just the movie, and it sounds like it will be truly beautiful (at least if the concept art is any indication). I am hopeful!

Soarin'---THANK GOODNESS for changes ..it's about time!
Animal Kingdom stuff----I am looking forward to night shows, night safaris and everything.

All in all, it sounds like Disney is doing some much needed updating to their parks, and I am excited. However, I fear these updates won't be finished for at least 5 years. I mean, "New Fantasyland" was only announced at D23 in 2009, and then didn't start opening until December 2012-ish; and that was only 1 park, 1 expansion. We are talking about at least 3 major expansions in WDW. It is going to be awhile....

 

[Lee Matthews]

2017 sounds about right to start making ground in DHS.

By then, Disney Springs will be complete as well as any major works at Magic Kingdom. Avatarland will be nearing the end of development by then so then the focus can move to DHS. Toy Story land will be easy to drop in once the area is cleared. Its oversized characters and rides that simply need to be shipped in and put in place. Star Wars land can then be worked on over 3-4 years following

 

[johde]

If both of these areas aren't open by 2021 it would be a travesty. I would hope to see Toy Store opening in 2018 and Star Wars open in 2020-2021. You would think they'd want these open for WDW's 50th.

If you look at Universal's timeline for projects of similar scale.

Jan 2012 - Jaws Closes
June 2012 - Soundstage 44 demolished
Sept 2012 - International Food and Film Counter Service Restaurant Closes
June 2013 - Transformers opens (on Soundstage 44 old site) 1 year construction time.
August 2013 - Springfield opens with a new flat ride. 1 year construction time from IFF Closure
July 2014 - Diagon Alley opens: 2 1/2 years from Jaws closing

In those projects you have basically the scale of projects Disney's proposing.

DHS----------------------- USF
Alien Saucer - Kodos and Kang
Slinky Dog Coaster - Transformers
Toy Story Theming - Simpsons Theming
2 Star Wars E tickets - Gringotts and Hogwarts Express
Star Wars Theming - Diagon Alley Theming

Yes, we know from experience that Disney has been taking it's time with these things. But I would hope they could do this in 6-7 years.

With any luck we'd have

Frozen/Soarin' Around the World 2016
Avatar 2017
Toy Story 2018
Star Wars 2020-2021

Disney would have something "big" to advertise as new consistently for many years.

 

[GWS]

All good news!

 

[mvk]

Not sure if this was posted anywhere, but here is the Slinky Dog Coaster POV from the presentation -