WDW & Star Wars: What's Next?

[rteetz]

Here's a different approach, change Disney Hollywood Studios to Disney Lucas Studios. With the purchase of Lucas Films, Disney has a wealth of material to use in reinventing DHS. Of course there would be a Star Wars Land. And, what about a Indiana Jones Land? A thrill, dark ride would use the mine train escape from Temple of Doom. There could be an American Graffiti land using all the 1950s themed things that already exists, like the Sci-Fi Drive-in. What other movies would make great attractions or lands for the new DLS?

What about just Disney studios, you can Star Wars, Indiana jones, muppets, Pixar, and other movie related things all in one place. Those things are all already there but expand on those ideas and make new attractions and experiences.

 

[mvk]

Here's a different approach, change Disney Hollywood Studios to Disney Lucas Studios. With the purchase of Lucas Films, Disney has a wealth of material to use in reinventing DHS. Of course there would be a Star Wars Land. And, what about a Indiana Jones Land? A thrill, dark ride would use the mine train escape from Temple of Doom. There could be an American Graffiti land using all the 1950s themed things that already exists, like the Sci-Fi Drive-in.

What other movies would make great attractions or lands for the new DLS?

They would be better off leaving it Disney's Hollywood Studios and developing each section better -

LucasFilms Studios (East side of park)
Muppet Studios (current MuppetVision plus add attraction and maybe retheme Mama Melrose's to Swedish Chef's)
Pixar Studios (Pixar Place plus Backlot & LMA)
Walt Disney Animation Studios (current Animation Courtyard area)
Old Hollywood (Hollywood Blvd/Sunset Blvd/Great Movie Ride/Theatre of the Stars/RnR Coaster/Tower of Terror/Fantasmic)

Just refine and upgrade each area and make them clearly defined and themed.

 

[MeridaLove]

JoWiJo - Holy crap I LOVE your ideas!!! I need you to get to Disney and apply to imagineering NOW!!!

 

[db57me]

Just refine and upgrade each area and make them clearly defined and themed.

Great plan.

 

[DPCummerbund]

I don't think anyone was being overly critical, I think it's natural to question the reality of good ideas. If someone mentions a Marvel park, its hard not to say "Good idea...but it can't happen."

There's lots and lots of options for what they could do with Star Wars. If Disney was really concerned about Universal drawing away their business, they would be fast-tracking something. Since they are not, it tells me that they are still not concerned even with Harry Potter around.

Since people are throwing out ideas, and the mention of hotels close to DHS, what about a Star Wars themed hotel? A value, but with diferent themed areas. Tatooine, Hoth, Endor and the Death Star.

In the Death Star section you could get people to pay to stay in the detention wing with small cramped rooms with metal tables for beds and no windows, advertize "Sleep like a Princess - Princess Leia!". The play area would just be a dumpster and they could call it the "trash compactor".

Oooh, and the Hoth section the beds could be themed as dead Tauntauns. As you are tucking your kids in you realize "Whew, I thought they smelled bad on the outside!" (You think I'm joking -> Click HERE )

Brilliant! Not only would plenty of families stay there, but plenty of adults as well.

And I think that a trash compactor-themed swimming pool would be better - complete with a Dianoga to grab your ankles and drag you under water...

 

[mill4023]

My point I was trying to get at was Disney theme parks have a back story. Epcot was something walt wanted it didn't turn out how he wanted it but that is something he wanted and Disney went through with it as his part of his legacy. AK is only 15 years old and wasn't over budget and didn't get completed like it was supposed to be that's why they are just now doing something. Same could be said for DHS what fan base supports that, and MK. Each park has movie tie ins but nothing that is completely seen across the entire park. I'm not doubt that a Star Wars park could be made but could it really sustain 9 million a year 15-20 years from now? Could it get to the attendance size of Epcot and MK? In my opinion I don't think so.

I don't think most people are choosing to visit the parks based on a back story. And even if it did, Star Wars (and the sci fi theme in general) would provide more than enough back story.
Most people choose to visit parks because of the experiences they offer. They visit to experience great attractions and to be transported to a fantasy world. Whether or not you are a fan of the Star Wars franchise, a park that transports you to a fantasy universe filled with a variety of immersive environments and all kinds of alien characters and exciting rides definitely has the potential to sustain big attendance numbers for many years to come. Obviously part of the long term success would depend on how often they updated the park, just as it does with the existing parks.

I don't think there is any other single franchise that could support an entire theme park long term. But I think Star Wars does have that kind of potential.

 

[rteetz]

I don't think most people are choosing to visit the parks based on a back story. And even if it did, Star Wars (and the sci fi theme in general) would provide more than enough back story. Most people choose to visit parks because of the experiences they offer. They visit to experience great attractions and to be transported to a fantasy world. Whether or not you are a fan of the Star Wars franchise, a park that transports you to a fantasy universe filled with a variety of immersive environments and all kinds of alien characters and exciting rides definitely has the potential to sustain big attendance numbers for many years to come. Obviously part of the long term success would depend on how often they updated the park, just as it does with the existing parks. I don't think there is any other single franchise that could support an entire theme park long term. But I think Star Wars does have that kind of potential.

I know most people aren't choosing to go on the back story. I would say most in the parks on any given day don't take into consideration the time and effort put into these parks. I completely agree Star Wars has so much potential and is one of the only franchises that could sustain an entire theme park and if someone were to pull it off it would be Disney but I don't see Disney doing it. There is enough there but I don't see it happening.

 

[Figmentforever24]

I don't think most people are choosing to visit the parks based on a back story. And even if it did, Star Wars (and the sci fi theme in general) would provide more than enough back story.
Most people choose to visit parks because of the experiences they offer. They visit to experience great attractions and to be transported to a fantasy world. Whether or not you are a fan of the Star Wars franchise, a park that transports you to a fantasy universe filled with a variety of immersive environments and all kinds of alien characters and exciting rides definitely has the potential to sustain big attendance numbers for many years to come. Obviously part of the long term success would depend on how often they updated the park, just as it does with the existing parks.

I don't think there is any other single franchise that could support an entire theme park long term. But I think Star Wars does have that kind of potential.

Sure Star Wars has potential to hold its on but would it hold its own for long? Think about the people who don't even have an interest in Star Wars. You never make a theme park off of one or even two single themes. To do a park like Star Wars an adventure park type park like IOA would need to be built. Hollywood Studios has the room it needs to make a proper Star Wars land without overwhelming the park, but a whole park is ludicrous. Find me a very successful theme park that works off one theme and one theme only and then maybe your point will be stronger.

 

[rteetz]

Sure Star Wars has potential to hold its on but would it hold its own for long? Think about the people who don't even have an interest in Star Wars. You never make a theme park off of one or even two single themes. To do a park like Star Wars an adventure park type park like IOA would need to be built. Hollywood Studios has the room it needs to make a proper Star Wars land without overwhelming the park, but a whole park is ludicrous. Find me a very successful theme park that works off one theme and one theme only and then maybe your point will be stronger.

I agree, I just don't see how a one theme theme park could be sustained for a long time.

 

[mill4023]

Sure Star Wars has potential to hold its on but would it hold its own for long? Think about the people who don't even have an interest in Star Wars. You never make a theme park off of one or even two single themes. To do a park like Star Wars an adventure park type park like IOA would need to be built. Hollywood Studios has the room it needs to make a proper Star Wars land without overwhelming the park, but a whole park is ludicrous. Find me a very successful theme park that works off one theme and one theme only and then maybe your point will be stronger.

Ok
Animal Kingdom. One theme - animals.
Epcot. Two themes - Future innovation and world exploration.

They both get 9 to 10 million visitors a year. And neither one is sustained by fans of any particular movie, series, books, etc.
They sustain that attendance because people love the immersive theming and the attractions. In Animal Kingdom, you get to feel like you are walking through the jungles of Asia or Africa.

So my point is really that you don't have to rely on fans of any franchise to build a successful theme park. You have to make visitors feel like they are escaping to a fantasy world(or a number of different fantasy worlds) and you have to give them fun exciting attractions. Star Wars gives you the opportunity to create both of those things. The hundreds of millions of enthusiastic Star Wars fans around the world are just a bonus.

 

[rteetz]

Ok Animal Kingdom. One theme - animals. Epcot. Two themes - Future innovation and world exploration. They both get 9 to 10 million visitors a year. And neither one is sustained by fans of any particular movie, series, books, etc. They sustain that attendance because people love the immersive theming and the attractions. In Animal Kingdom, you get to feel like you are walking through the jungles of Asia or Africa. So my point is really that you don't have to rely on fans of any franchise to build a successful theme park. You have to make visitors feel like they are escaping to a fantasy world(or a number of different fantasy worlds) and you have to give them fun exciting attractions. Star Wars gives you the opportunity to create both of those things. The hundreds of millions of enthusiastic Star Wars fans around the world are just a bonus.

Animals, the world, and the future are such broad themes tho some much can be put into those things. Star Wars is just one movie franchise, again yes Star Wars has plenty to make an entire theme park but it's not feasible at this time. Every Disney park has movie and character tie ins but there is more than one in each park. AK has the least high attendance in WDW and that's why they are giving it help with a movie tie in. I would love to see Star Wars at DHS but I don't know if I would spend a whole day at a Star Wars theme park. I'm not opposed to Star Wars but I just can't see it happening.

 

[Figmentforever24]

Ok
Animal Kingdom. One theme - animals.
Epcot. Two themes - Future innovation and world exploration.

They both get 9 to 10 million visitors a year. And neither one is sustained by fans of any particular movie, series, books, etc.
They sustain that attendance because people love the immersive theming and the attractions. In Animal Kingdom, you get to feel like you are walking through the jungles of Asia or Africa.

So my point is really that you don't have to rely on fans of any franchise to build a successful theme park. You have to make visitors feel like they are escaping to a fantasy world(or a number of different fantasy worlds) and you have to give them fun exciting attractions. Star Wars gives you the opportunity to create both of those things. The hundreds of millions of enthusiastic Star Wars fans around the world are just a bonus.

Epcot and Animal Kingdom do have many different themes and ideas all placed into one concept. Star wars is once concept with one theme. You can make different Star Wars worlds but you still have Star Wars. Future World at Epcot is themed to the future but the themes are all different revolving around a core concept. Imagination, oceans, land, cars, space, communication and energy do not relate to each other alone but together they make one concept. Star wars is one theme and one concept.

 

[beer dave]

I don't think most people are choosing to visit the parks based on a back story. And even if it did, Star Wars (and the sci fi theme in general) would provide more than enough back story.
Most people choose to visit parks because of the experiences they offer. They visit to experience great attractions and to be transported to a fantasy world. Whether or not you are a fan of the Star Wars franchise, a park that transports you to a fantasy universe filled with a variety of immersive environments and all kinds of alien characters and exciting rides definitely has the potential to sustain big attendance numbers for many years to come. Obviously part of the long term success would depend on how often they updated the park, just as it does with the existing parks.

I don't think there is any other single franchise that could support an entire theme park long term. But I think Star Wars does have that kind of potential.

I like this kind of thinking-- please insert Avatar.

 

[mill4023]

I like this kind of thinking-- please insert Avatar.

This is exactly the reason I'm excited to see what they do with Avatar, even though I'm not a fan and thought this was a pretty bizarre choice when they announced it.

If they can create a successful land based on Avatar, a movie with only one location and a couple of creatures, I don't see why they couldn't create a successful park based on Star Wars, a franchise with dozens of unique locations and hundreds of different creatures.

The reason I disagree with the posters above me is that I don't see Star Wars as one concept and one theme. I think it's much more than that. Sure, there are some core characters and an overriding theme of the good guys vs the evil empire.
But in my fantasy vision of a Star Wars park, I see the Star Wars universe as just a starting point to be used as inspiration.
You could take different elements/environments from the movies and expand on them to create 5 different lands with their own very unique atmosphere, theme, characters, and attractions.

 

[Figmentforever24]

This is exactly the reason I'm excited to see what they do with Avatar, even though I'm not a fan and thought this was a pretty bizarre choice when they announced it.

If they can create a successful land based on Avatar, a movie with only one location and a couple of creatures, I don't see why they couldn't create a successful park based on Star Wars, a franchise with dozens of unique locations and hundreds of different creatures.

The reason I disagree with the posters above me is that I don't see Star Wars as one concept and one theme. I think it's much more than that. Sure, there are some core characters and an overriding theme of the good guys vs the evil empire.
But in my fantasy vision of a Star Wars park, I see the Star Wars universe as just a starting point to be used as inspiration.
You could take different elements/environments from the movies and expand on them to create 5 different lands with their own very unique atmosphere, theme, characters, and attractions.

I get what your saying but that fact is it is still Star Wars. Even if you ignore the main characters to just explore the worlds you are still left with one franchise. Imagine if they did an entire land on Oz. They didn't focus on the main people from the movie but the park was just made to be Oz. Different lands with different themed areas. Well now you are locked in to sticking with that one theme. What happens when you would want to add anything else? To add another movie or something different would be a violation of the theme of the park. Can do they do it? sure. Would it be good? Most likely. Should they....no.

 

[skier_pete]

I get what figmentforever24 is saying. While there is certainly the material there to build an entire theme park around it, the risk of tying your theme park to a single theme, even if it is Star Wars, is too great for even Disney to take. You want something the can survive 50 years or more into the future. By building a theme park based around a variety of properties, you can save yourself a lot of potential risk. Sure, right now Star Wars is hot again, mostly based on a movie that hasn't even started filming, but will it be hot in 20 years. Or will people have moved on to the next big thing.

It's why Universal was smart enough to know that even with Harry Potter's massive popularity, it doesn't make sense to build an entire GATE around it.

 

[rteetz]

I get what figmentforever24 is saying. While there is certainly the material there to build an entire theme park around it, the risk of tying your theme park to a single theme, even if it is Star Wars, is too great for even Disney to take. You want something the can survive 50 years or more into the future. By building a theme park based around a variety of properties, you can save yourself a lot of potential risk. Sure, right now Star Wars is hot again, mostly based on a movie that hasn't even started filming, but will it be hot in 20 years. Or will people have moved on to the next big thing. It's why Universal was smart enough to know that even with Harry Potter's massive popularity, it doesn't make sense to build an entire GATE around it.

Exactly on point

 

[JoWiJo]

So, I like several of these ideas, although I have watched all the movies many times, I can't remember all the names of everything.

I can relate to that. It's why I picked more obvious things for my random suggestions

I think moving the entry gate one way or another is a good idea.

It's not my idea. There was a thread posted about a year ago saying that it's already in the plans. BUT, I think that one was about making a Cars Land.

Catina restaurant would be a must, and I love the idea of an animatronic band playing!

I was thinking of my childhood at Chuck E. Cheese when I came up with that one. Disney can do better than Chuck E., though.

The C-3PO ride/story idea is a good one, remember, Star Wars reaches out to a lot of young audiences, so this will not just be thrill rides.

Precisely why I went that way. That idea was based off the scene where he tells the Ewoks the story, so it was kinda like family night story time.

Also, I think someone else mentioned... Star Wars themed Hotel? Absolutely, I'd be shocked if there aren't already some primarily sketches somewhere.

I was thinking of an oversized (but to scale) Millennium Falcon, myself.

------

JoWiJo - Holy crap I LOVE your ideas!!! I need you to get to Disney and apply to imagineering NOW!!!

Aw, thanks. they are probably looking for someone with a bit more though.

 

[luisov]

A Star Wars themed park wouldn't work for different reasons in my opinion. More people than you think go to Disney World or Disney Land because they want to see Disney stuff.

A Star Wars park sounds to me like early California Adventures. John Lasseter said it himself: DCA's problem is that it didn't have enough Disney in it, even having a strong theme and great attractions.

Point is, everyone can relate to at least a few Disney characters, but not everyone knows what Star Wars is all about, especially since its popularity peak was a long time ago.

 

[rteetz]

A Star Wars themed park wouldn't work for different reasons in my opinion. More people than you think go to Disney World or Disney Land because they want to see Disney stuff. A Star Wars park sounds to me like early California Adventures. John Lasseter said it himself: DCA's problem is that it didn't have enough Disney in it, even having a strong theme and great attractions. Point is, everyone can relate to at least a few Disney characters, but not everyone knows what Star Wars is all about, especially since its popularity peak was a long time ago.

Exactly Star Wars has a lot to work off of and could be a good theme park by itself but it could never sustain 9+ million a year for 30+ years. Yes new movies are coming out yes there are millions of fans but are those millions of fans going to continue every year to come back again and again I don't think so. I think it is just perfect for an expansion of an existing theme park Star Wars land would be great.