News Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland Gets Darth Vader in Major Timeline Expansion

[MisterPenguin]

I agree with so much of what you said, but on the writing...it's awkward to me that in the preshow that Poe says: "I hear you're a fine-looking group of recruits."

You're supposed to say back out loud, "You're not so bad yourself."

 

[DrStarlander]

Two interesting things happening at Disneyland: The Bluey show opening, and First Order Cargo getting an Original Trilogy make-over.

What do they have in common? In a WDNT update from Amanda Finn, the writer says:

"Beyond the lines [for the show] themselves, Troubadour Tavern was swamped. The dining location, with most of the Bluey-themed food, had to stop walk-up guests by 9:30 a.m., and the only guests allowed near the area were those with Order Ready screens for existing mobile orders. Return times for mobile orders were gone for the entire day by 10 a.m. A random time would sometimes pop up; however, for the most part, they were gone. Even our reporter spent an entire hour refreshing mobile orders at Troubadour."

This is a case-study in how an attraction that, well, attracts people, can boost F&B/retail sales. Troubadour Tavern is not directly along a high-traffic walkway, but it's not far off a main walkway near it's a small world and the path to Toontown. But a successful, appealing show at the adjacent theater makes a huge difference in what matters most to Disney.

Meanwhile, First Order Cargo in SWGE got its timeline-shift makeover, also covered on WDNT. It seems that SWGE is struggling to attract crowds, and it stands to reason that the F&B/retail is probably suffering as a consequence. That store in particular is usually dead. It also stands to reason that the land is simply missing the attractions -- and in the right places -- to drive foot traffic.

But Bluey is a reminder: put the right attraction in and guests will respond. Bluey is possibly more resonant and popular with kids -- certainly young kids -- than Star Wars right now. But one wonders if Disney can turn a similar dial in SWGE with, say, the Jedi Training Academy / Trials of the Temple show? That area near First Order Cargo is lacking a draw and seems like a great spot for some activation. It's not hard to see Disney connecting with -- or creating -- Star Wars fans with a demonstrably fun show like that.

Maybe Bluey will remind them of that.

 

[Bocabear]

Two interesting things happening at Disneyland: The Bluey show opening, and First Order Cargo getting an Original Trilogy make-over.

What do they have in common? In a WDNT update from Amanda Finn, the writer says:

"Beyond the lines [for the show] themselves, Troubadour Tavern was swamped. The dining location, with most of the Bluey-themed food, had to stop walk-up guests by 9:30 a.m., and the only guests allowed near the area were those with Order Ready screens for existing mobile orders. Return times for mobile orders were gone for the entire day by 10 a.m. A random time would sometimes pop up; however, for the most part, they were gone. Even our reporter spent an entire hour refreshing mobile orders at Troubadour."

This is a case-study in how an attraction that, well, attracts people, can boost F&B/retail sales. Troubadour Tavern is not directly along a high-traffic walkway, but it's not far off a main walkway near it's a small world and the path to Toontown. But a successful, appealing show at the adjacent theater makes a huge difference in what matters most to Disney.

Meanwhile, First Order Cargo in SWGE got its timeline-shift makeover, also covered on WDNT. It seems that SWGE is struggling to attract crowds, and it stands to reason that the F&B/retail is probably suffering as a consequence. That store in particular is usually dead. It also stands to reason that the land is simply missing the attractions -- and in the right places -- to drive foot traffic.

But Bluey is a reminder: put the right attraction in and guests will respond. Bluey is possibly more resonant and popular with kids -- certainly young kids -- than Star Wars right now. But one wonders if Disney can turn a similar dial in SWGE with, say, the Jedi Training Academy / Trials of the Temple show? That area near First Order Cargo is lacking a draw and seems like a great spot for some activation. It's not hard to see Disney connecting with -- or creating -- Star Wars fans with a demonstrably fun show like that.

Maybe Bluey will remind them of that.

I would hate it if they built a whole land around Bluey...a show maybe...but I think unless you are a toddler or very very young, Bluey is not that interesting....

 

[DrStarlander]

I would hate it if they built a whole land around Bluey...a show maybe...but I think unless you are a toddler or very very young, Bluey is not that interesting....

For clarity, my post wasn't about building a Bluey land. Or any Bluey attraction. Rather, it was suggesting the enthusiasm for the Bluey experience could be inspirational for Disney to revive Jedi Academy in SWGE.

But, no, I hope Disney doesn't build a Bluey land. Because as popular as it is, children's TV shows -- even big hits like Barney, Wiggles, PAW Patrol, Thomas & Friends, etc. -- usually have a limited time period of extreme popularity. And Disney's projects are so expensive and take so long, that could be dicey.

A think a show and at most a temporary "area," is a great fit.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Troubadour tavern is the only QS place in Disneyland to get a baked potato! Can’t they move the bluey stuff somewhere else.

Also that place is not set up for crowds - if the line got more than 5 people deep the CM’s seemed to get overwhelmed in my experience.

 

[coffeefan]

For clarity, my post wasn't about building a Bluey land. Or any Bluey attraction. Rather, it was suggesting the enthusiasm for the Bluey experience could be inspirational for Disney to revive Jedi Academy in SWGE.

But, no, I hope Disney doesn't build a Bluey land. Because as popular as it is, children's TV shows -- even big hits like Barney, Wiggles, PAW Patrol, Thomas & Friends, etc. -- usually have a limited time period of extreme popularity. And Disney's projects are so expensive and take so long, that could be dicey.

A think a show and at most a temporary "area," is a great fit.

I've never watched the Bluey show, but it appears to be growing in popularity. I also believe Disney is producing a movie based on it, so it wont just be a TV show for long.

I agree that a show is best for now. However, if the movie does well I think a miniland is on the table. Bluey would fit like a glove in my idea for Simba - FantaSea at DCA. The magical islands beyond California, showcasing Moana, Lilo & Stitch, TaleSpin, Nemo, and now Bluey for Oz.

 

[HMF]

even big hits like Barney, Wiggles, PAW Patrol, Thomas & Friends, etc.

I don't even remember much from Thomas other than it was the first context I was introduced to Ringo Starr and George Carlin from.

 

[JD80]

My kids watch Bluey when it was new to Disney+ and loved it. REcently they just started watching all the shows again (ages 13/11/8). It's a fantastic cartoon because each episode is short and easy to watch a few before bedtime.

Bluey is a goldmine. They should definitely build an attraction to it, though I don't think it needs a whole land. Perfect fit for something like fantasyland.

 

[Purduevian]

For clarity, my post wasn't about building a Bluey land. Or any Bluey attraction. Rather, it was suggesting the enthusiasm for the Bluey experience could be inspirational for Disney to revive Jedi Academy in SWGE.

But, no, I hope Disney doesn't build a Bluey land. Because as popular as it is, children's TV shows -- even big hits like Barney, Wiggles, PAW Patrol, Thomas & Friends, etc. -- usually have a limited time period of extreme popularity. And Disney's projects are so expensive and take so long, that could be dicey.

A think a show and at most a temporary "area," is a great fit.

Some kids shows do last the test of time though. Is Bluey one? I don't know but it's big right now.

My 3 year old watches Thomas, Spongebob, Dora, Blue's Clues and Sesame Street. I would also argue that Arthur and Curious George have lasted.

So it's possible Bluey is here for the long term. Peppa Pig even got it's own mini theme park.

 

[Coaster Lover]

But, no, I hope Disney doesn't build a Bluey land. Because as popular as it is, children's TV shows -- even big hits like Barney, Wiggles, PAW Patrol, Thomas & Friends, etc. -- usually have a limited time period of extreme popularity.

FWIW, Thomas still seems to be quite popular (and that's been around for >40 years). I can't speak for other countries, but in the U.S. they have a "Day Out With Thomas" where they have a full size Thomas Steam Train Engine that they ship around the U.S. to various railways where you can get a train ride with Thomas driving. These always seem to be VERY popular (though it's tough to say if that's kids who really want to go or parents who are nostalgic for Thomas and just drag their kids along). The Thomas toy line seems to still be quite popular (not sure how popular the actual TV show is though).

 

[Fox&Hound]

If you, as an adult, have never viewed Bluey, you really should. To dismiss it as "just a kid's show" is doing it a huge disservice. It is intelligent, heartfelt, and smartly avoids stereotypes you often see in cartoon television (dumb father, anxious mother, kids being cruel to one another or parents just for laughs). It truly is a beautiful show that tackles complex themes like life and death, infertility, and balancing demands of work and play.

 

[Ayla]

Some kids shows do last the test of time though. Is Bluey one? I don't know but it's big right now.

My 3 year old watches Thomas, Spongebob, Dora, Blue's Clues and Sesame Street. I would also argue that Arthur and Curious George have lasted.

So it's possible Bluey is here for the long term. Peppa Pig even got it's own mini theme park.

All shows that my 29 and 24 year old watched...they've stood the test of time.

 

[Ayla]

FWIW, Thomas still seems to be quite popular (and that's been around for >40 years). I can't speak for other countries, but in the U.S. they have a "Day Out With Thomas" where they have a full size Thomas Steam Train Engine that they ship around the U.S. to various railways where you can get a train ride with Thomas driving. These always seem to be VERY popular (though it's tough to say if that's kids who really want to go or parents who are nostalgic for Thomas and just drag their kids along). The Thomas toy line seems to still be quite popular (not sure how popular the actual TV show is though).

We went to a Day Out with Thomas when my nephew was about 18 months, he's 12 now. It was adorable and so much fun for the kids and the adults.

 

[Purduevian]

All shows that my 29 and 24 year old watched...they've stood the test of time.

Yeah... I know there are flashes in the pan with shows sometimes... but it's not like all kid shows only last 5ish years. I would argue something like thomas the tank engine is more relevant today than some of the stuff currently featured in the parks.

EDIT: How on earth did we get here from Vader??

 

[DrStarlander]

Some kids shows do last the test of time though.

Absolutely.

it's not like all kid shows only last 5ish years

No, I would never argue that. It's just hard to know.

So many children's shows have been very popular (product after product in the toy aisles) at one time and ultimately drop back down to earth. And while they are still streaming or on TV and will be for many years (that's not a high bar), they are not the show "of the moment" as many once were.

I'm thinking shows like Dinosaur Train, Octonauts. Backyardigans, Bob the Builder, Blue's Clues, Yo Gabba Gabba, Sid the Science Kid, Super Why, Teletubbies, Arthur, PJMasks, Caillou, Magic Schoolbus, Wild Kratts, Handy Manny, Doc McStuffins, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Thomas, Peppa Pig, Dora, Cocomelon, Chuggington. I'm not equalizing all these -- success-level has varied and their histories are different, and some are currently quite popular. These are just examples.

But for the most part* go walk the toy aisles to see how strong they really are, now. Scrolling through streaming menus tells you little.

(*rarely, some very popular IPs choose not to license out, e.g., book authors who don't like it)

When Disney spends hundreds of millions of dollars on permanent attractions and lands (vs. a regional/kids park), some caution is warranted. Live shows and temporary areas and interactive activities are a fantastic, flexible approach. Disney waits decades to build permanent attractions based on its films (we are just getting an permanent attraction for Lion King over 30 years later) so, if decades later a show has become a permanent cultural icon, then they can invest confidently in permanent attractions.

I would argue something like thomas the tank engine is more relevant today than some of the stuff currently featured in the parks.

I agree. But Thomas (like Dr. Seuss at Universal) has a legacy going back to the 1940s; most shows are not as rooted in pop culture. Disney could have acquired HIT instead of Mattel and I think they could have done well with it in all their mediums though. Literary IPs can have a special gravitas and staying power and it would be wise for Dana Walden to be very close with Penguin Random House for that reason.

 

[Incomudro]

All shows that my 29 and 24 year old watched...they've stood the test of time.

My fraternal twin 24 year old sons as well.
It just kills me to see some shows they watched which had beautiful hand drawn animation of stop action animation, and models like Thomas, Franklin, Little Bear, Bob the Builder etc., went to computer animation.