D23 Expo Day Two - What's coming to the Disneyland Resort?

[TP2000]

Well kids, the latest D23 Expo is off and running. There's a great thread over on the WDW News forum about the stuff that happened on the first day, and a few things were Parks related, although nothing really about Anaheim. Yet.

I thought a dedicated thread might be a good place for us to chat through Saturday afternoon until the Parks & Resorts presentation begins at 3:00 PM Pacific time, and/or throughout that afternoon presentation as the news streams out.

If the only thing announced for Disneyland in that presentation is Star Wars Launch Bay in Innoventions, per the latest rumor from Miceage http://micechat.com/108619-disneyland-rumors-starwars/ then we can head over to that existing thread and discuss that. If there's some huge announcement about Marvel Land at DCA or Star Wars Land at Disneyland, then that will probably warrant their own threads after we all pick our jaws up off the floor.

But in the meantime, it could be fun to stay in this thread as little tidbits and news come in throughout Saturday morning and afternoon leading up to the 3:00 show. I know on day one there was a lot of grumbling in the Twitterverse about long lines to get into the convention center. Let's see if they fix that on Saturday, or if lines become a non-issue now that all the Merchandise Resellers have theoretically gotten their loot and returned home to Laguna Niguel and Brea to sell it all on Ebay.

 

[TP2000]

Funny story: Tonight I was at dinner at a restaurant 10+ miles from the Anaheim Convention Center. As I sat on the patio a person walked by in full D23 Expo regalia after he'd obviously been at the Expo all day - wearing mouse ears (on a grown adult man without children), flashing LED lighted Expo credential, dangling Expo pin lanyard full of Expo pins and buttons, an official D23 Expo exhibit hall bag stuffed full of God knows what freebies and brochures, and several D23 Expo branded pieces of merchandise and clothing clipped and tied to his person. He looked like one of those one-man-band things, except without any musical talent.

And I'm thinking... Dude, leave some of that stuff in your car. No one at this restaurant is impressed.

 

[FigmentForver96]

Funny story: Tonight I was at dinner at a restaurant 10+ miles from the Anaheim Convention Center. As I sat on the patio a person walked by in full D23 Expo regalia after he'd obviously been at the Expo all day - wearing mouse ears (on a grown adult man without children), flashing LED lighted Expo credential, dangling Expo pin lanyard full of Expo pins and buttons, an official D23 Expo exhibit hall bag stuffed full of God knows what freebies and brochures, and several D23 Expo branded pieces of merchandise and clothing clipped and tied to his person. He looked like one of those one-man-band things, except without any musical talent.

And I'm thinking... Dude, leave some of that stuff in your car. No one at this restaurant is impressed.

It's great to be a Disney fan, it really is, but some people are nuts. The worse ones are the childless ones. Like seriously we can enjoy Disney, but don't be freaky about it like its a religion!

 

[TP2000]

It's great to be a Disney fan, it really is, but some people are nuts. The worse ones are the childless ones. Like seriously we can enjoy Disney, but don't be freaky about it like its a religion!

I'm an aging bachelor myself. I would never in a million years wear mouse ears into a restaurant 10 miles from Disneyland. The manager might call the police in that instance. And he'd be right to do so.

 

[Travel Junkie]

Iger announces 14 acre Star Wars land for Disneyland! 2 rides including "being able to take control of the Millennium Falcon."

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...-to-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-resorts/

 

[RandomPrincess]

http://www./2015/08/d23-expo-2015-s...-disneyland-ever-14-acres-of-new-attractions/

It will be the largest expansion ever at Disneyland, 14-acres including the Mos Eisley Cantina, Millennium Falcon ride, and a battle between the First Order and the resistance.

Guests will interact with characters in immersive environments, bringing the “Star Wars” worlds to life.

“I am thrilled to announce the next chapter in the long and exciting history between Disney Parks and Star Wars,” said Iger. “We are creating a jaw-dropping new world that represents our largest single themed land expansion ever. These new lands at Disneyland and Walt Disney World will transport guests to a whole new Star Wars planet, including an epic Star Wars adventure that puts you in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance.”

These authentic lands will have two signature attractions. Along with the thrilling battle experience, another attraction puts guests behind the controls of one of the most recognizable ships in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon, as they take on a customized secret mission.

http://www./wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Screen-Shot-2015-08-15-at-3.36.56-PM.jpg

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Better ride Roger Rabbit as much as possible.

 

[TP2000]

Iger announces 14 acre Star Wars land for Disneyland! 2 rides including "being able to take control of the Millennium Falcon."

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/08/star-wars-themed-lands-coming-to-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-resorts/

Buh bye Mickey's Toontown! Suddenly this Miceage map from a couple days ago has a lot more credibility.

More information to come in about two hours when the Parks & Resorts panel begins at 3:00!

 

[Californian Elitist]

If only this was a surprise.

 

[RandomPrincess]

If only this was a surprise.

For us it might not be, for the public at large it is.

 

[Californian Elitist]

For us it might not be, for the public at large it is.

Of course. I was specifically talking about those of us on the DL forum.

 

[FerretAfros]

If only this was a surprise.

I'm rather surprised by this. I was convinced they wouldn't announce it until the Parks & Resorts presentation in a couple hours, at the very earliest...

 

[TP2000]

I'm rather surprised by this. I was convinced they wouldn't announce it until the Parks & Resorts presentation in a couple hours, at the very earliest...

Me too. But announcing it in the Studios presentation just guaranteed it's going to get a lot more media attention. Bob Iger and his team can be pretty smart when they need to be.

 

[Phroobar]

I think I can do without Roger and Jessica now. I wonder what that planet is suppose to represent. It looks like Naboo with large stone walls like Utapau.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Season of the Force coming to DL -

In Tomorrowland at Disneyland park, guests will explore the Star Wars galaxy with special entertainment, themed food locations and Hyperspace Mountain – a reimagining of the classic Space Mountain attraction in which guests will join an X-wing Starfighter battle.

 

[Phroobar]

You mean they will turn on the projections again in Space Mountain? Those things have been off for a very long time.

 

[RandomPrincess]

I'm guessing they will be new Star Wars projections

 

[TP2000]

So let's review what we learned this afternoon:

Disneyland Park

• Star Wars Launch Bay opening in Innoventions this autumn
• Star Wars Seasons of the Force festival coming to Tomorrowland this winter = Upgraded Star Tours with Episode VII material, Hyperspace Mountain overlay, redone Jedi Training Academy
• Star Wars Land - 14 acre expansion to be built on northern end of park, two E Ticket attractions, shops and restaurants

Disney California Adventure

• Soarin' Over The World coming to Grizzly Peak Airfield next year

Things that weren't mentioned, but that are strongly rumored to be on the way soon:

• Pumbaa Parking Structure and associated infrastructure work
• Marvel Land in DCA behind Tower of Terror, indoor coaster E Ticket

 

[RandomPrincess]

http://www.buzzfeed.com/adambvary/star-wars-theme-parks#.blNjrjZj7

A rep for the company told BuzzFeed News that the current plan is to break ground on Disneyland’s Star Wars land by the end of 2017. That land will reside where the Big Thunder Ranch is currently located within Disneyland, as well as some areas within the park that are currently off limits to the public. The Disney rep did not, however, have a time table for the Orlando version of Star Wars land.

 

[Phroobar]

So we have to wait two years for them to break ground and another five for them to build it? Can Disney be any slower?