DHS Star Wars Land announced for Disney's Hollywood Studios

[Cosmic Commando]

I'm sure those tunes have changed!

Their tunes haven't changed, but I'd bet 99% of them don't actually carry out their threat.

Does Frozen belong in World Showcase? Absolutely not. Will I ride it? Absolutely yes.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

this is the furthering of a relationship that has lasted nearly thirty years, you only have to look at the popularity of the Star Wars Weekends to see that the films and characters have become an indelible part of DHS in that time.

Yes, Star Wars and DHS are a natural fit! I am not yet convinced that single IP lands are a good way forward, nor of DHS new overall theme as Hollywood gateway to movielands, but at least SWLand does not feel misplaced, like it does in DL.

For the first time in forever we once again beat the Westcoast!

 

[The Empress Lilly]

What posts are you referring to? This is pretty much the most universally (no pun intended) praised thing I've ever seen on these forums. There are always a few "anti-Star Wars" types or "I wanted more!" types, but overall this has had a tremendous reaction.

Me I'm just waving my dollar bills in the air to spur Disney on to get it build already!

 

[Jahona]

Uh...still no Luke...he never gets any love. But I do like the droids. hmmm...may have to get this...lol

Resistance is.... Wait wrong franchise. I'm debating on applying for the chase card now. I like the designs.

 

[Beholder]

Like others, I'm late to this party, and I'm truly excited! This is good stuff, really looking forward to how it all unfolds and takes shape. This is news that the Disney fan base has been wanting to hear for a long time. Not specifically Star Wars, but that DHS is finally getting some overdue attention. Personally, I'm stoked it's Star Wars, and will be looking forward to this next phase (all the parks) of Disney expansion.

 

[BrianLo]

Why do you think such slim chances of Iron Man taking over in DL? It would literally just be switching out a film, doing some work on the cabins and the effects, and the ride could run fine. Obviously the queue and everything would need to be rethemed, but the point is, if there is already a Star Wars area, why keep ST when they can replace an out of place ride very cheaply?

I was going to say this before the presentation, but it is now more evident with the test footage they showed at the P&R keynote. The Iron Man Experience is being designed specifically and only for Hong Kong. The entire concept of the film is that Ironman has set up an Expo at HK Disneyland, he takes you on a tour of the Avengers tower flying from Lantau, to Kowloon... likely over Victoria Bay to Central. The entire ride takes place from Hong Kong Disneyland, over to the city and back again.

Now, Disney certainly has weird priorities. Usually they will take the path of least resistance to save money, or slightly lower down on the list they may consider thematic integrity. However, the entire film would have to be completely re-filmed for DL to make a lick of thematic sense; and you know what is even cheaper than changing it to Ironman? Leaving it as Star Tours.

Never mind the fact that they are designing an Ironman Ride for DCA, which causes the exact same conundrum people have with the new Star Wars Land and Star Tours being separated.

Disney has made thematically poor choices before like adding a Cali version of Soarin' to Epcot, but that was the cheapest route. No one is going to convince me that Disney will take the more expensive route (re-doing the ride) AND the less thematically coherent route (a ride/storyline completely set and dependent on being in the Hong Kong SAR).

That's why everyone's armchair imagineering of Iron Man in lieu of Star Tours is just as ridiculous as moving Small World to Epcot. Unlike moving Small World, it's actually a terrible, terrible idea...

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

You gotta be happy with what Disney is doing. The Fantasyland expansion, The Disney Springs development, the opening of Trader Sam's at the Poly, the announcement of the new Jungle Cruise Themed Restaurant (with somewhat of a hint of AC as an element), Avatar Land, now Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land. And there is still the rumor of a Frontierland expansion...although I think it will be a few years before this comes to fruition. Along with another possible major announcement in a few years..depending on whether or not UNI and Disney can come to terms on the Marvel rights for Florida

Wouldn't surprise me in the least if they announce a new resort or two within the near future. The demand will be there.

 

[Ragetti]

Not sure if this factors into Disney's thinking at all, but if Star Wars land is taking place on a "new" planet that may be in Episodes 7-9, then it wouldn't be thematically appropriate to have Darth Vadar, Obi-Wan, Chewy, etc. meet and greets within it. So, maybe Star Tours and Tatooine Traders exists outside of Star Wars land to keep M&G potential for some of the Episode 4-6 characters?

And yes, I know Chewy is in Episode 7 at least.

Unless the planet popped into existence right after ROTJ, there is no reason you couldn't see Vader, obi-Wan, etc, on that planet.

 

[TheScreed]

Yes, Star Wars and DHS are a natural fit! I am not yet convinced that single IP lands are a good way forward, nor of DHS new overall theme as Hollywood gateway to movielands, but at least SWLand does not feel misplaced, like it does in DL.

For the first time in forever we once again beat the Westcoast!

So if I understand you correctly, Disney can build identical lands at DL and DHS but the DHS one will be better because it is not "misplaced" like it is at DL? Despite your professed concern that the single concept land is a bad idea and the whole Hollywood Adventure concept is a bad idea, that whole "proper placement" thing is big enough to overcome the gap between DL today and the dumpster fire that is DHS today.

That is some dark, dark stuff, man.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

But ... but Uni is amazing and wonderful and does no wrong! It's just so great that we have to constantly compare the two. Look. I hate Disney's slow pace but it's time to get over the Potter swatter fanboi dreams. Uni's projects thrill me a bit more (well Star Wars now more than anything) but I'm not constantly going on about it in a Disney forum in some effort to start some competition war that doesn't exist the way fans want it to. Universal HAD to do what they're doing. Period.

Let's move on ... (not directed towards you of course, lol, I just happened to quote you)

I'm with you. I just made the comment because when people start to compare the two companies - you get ten pages of back and forth. Yes, let's move on. I'm happy about the Star Wars announcement. The people who are the insiders said we will be disappointed with D23. I was surprised with all of the DHS content.

 

[Wags14]

referring to the strategy of only allowing things for "special people"

I would hardly call it "special people" since practically anyone can sign up for a Chase card. Especially most people who got to WDW. I am sure Chase pays a hefty amount, sponsorships and all.

But I digress.

Thanks for the compliment... I am "special"

 

[Ragetti]

Me I'm just waving my dollar bills in the air to spur Disney on to get it build already!

My family took a longish Disney World trip this summer, kinda thinking, "this is th last one with our dqughter as a kid." After this, I'm thinking she will still be a kid at 20 and we're going!

 

[Kman101]

I'm with you. I just made the comment because when people start to compare the two companies - you get ten pages of back and forth. Yes, let's move on. I'm happy about the Star Wars announcement. The people who are the insiders said we will be disappointed with D23. I was surprised with all of the DHS content.

I sure wasn't disappointed. I think if you werent on the boards or 'in the know' then fans of the Orlando parks got a great deal of info, even more so than California did (and wasn't it said Orlando would be more or less ignored and it be a Disneyland/DCA love fest yet again) I'm happy. I was sort of meh at the time but I really appreciate the detail they seem to be trying to put into these things. They're finally making a solid effort and it deserves kudos.

 

[Wishing Star]

well I'm excited or more like hyped for SW Land, the concept art looks amazing and it seems like it has a lot of present and future potential to be something great.Also if one adds Star Tours than that's 3 attractions. Nice to see DHS finally getting some love with this and Toy Story Land.

 

[danlb_2000]

Unless the planet popped into existence right after ROTJ, there is no reason you couldn't see Vader, obi-Wan, etc, on that planet.

All indications are that this new land will exist in the Episiode 7 time frame at which point Obi-Wan and Vader are no longer alive.

 

[Ragetti]

All indications are that this new land will exist in the Episiode 7 time frame at which point Obi-Wan and Vader are no longer alive.

I get that, but homestly... Star Wars Land without Darth Vader? Nope! If we can have Fantasyland with all the different heroes and princesses together, not one is going to be bothered by mixing Vader and Kylo Ren.

 

[Kman101]

Between the concept art for the Cantina restaurant (animal in a water aquarium? Yes please ... the cantina band on stage ... yes please) and the quick glimpses of the interior of the land and the exterior, SW Land looks really impressive. I'm so happy with what they seemed to have come up with. It placates old school fans with nods to what we wanted to see and it fits with the more current mold. I'm very very pleased. I can't wait to explore it.

Just look at how they themed the rockwork. It looks like nods to the places we're already familiar with. Don't the disc things in the rockwork look like the Ewok village trees, and the other side reminds me a bit of Star Tours and the industrial parts of the galaxy ... just well done

 

[wdwgreek]

I love the concept art for the cantina bar, it looks like a Cosmic Rays for adults!!! It seems like they have a band there too. Im hoping we will see lots of AA's. I loath screen attractions, real set pieces and figures would be very very welcome!

 

[Monkee Girl]

Resistance is.... Wait wrong franchise. I'm debating on applying for the chase card now. I like the designs.

I have Tinkerbell now and I think with October being my expiration date, now is a good time to change it. May have to go on the page and see if they are there.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

So if I understand you correctly, Disney can build identical lands at DL and DHS but the DHS one will be better because it is not "misplaced" like it is at DL? Despite your professed concern that the single concept land is a bad idea and the whole Hollywood Adventure concept is a bad idea, that whole "proper placement" thing is big enough to overcome the gap between DL today and the dumpster fire that is DHS today.

That is some dark, dark stuff, man.

Yes, to the first part. Identical SW lands at DHS and DL means a better SWL at DHS. Compare, for example, identical SSE's being build. One in the middle of Frontierland, the other as centerpiece of FW. The latter is the superior experience.

No to the rest, that was not what was implied.