Did Disney improperly time SW:GE Launch?

[Disney Irish]

I agree.


I think the design phase should’ve taken place during the buyout planning instead of waiting, as they did such for the 7th film.


Good point about making it generic.



Of course, I am not saying the land wont be succesful, I’m just saying the land would’ve had a higher demand a few years ago due to the recent films and decrease in popularity.


This is not my point at all. I am not saying the series is dead, I am saying it was much more popular just a few years ago and fans are losing interest. Merchandise sales and box office returns show as much. The brand is far from dead though.


I definitely agree with you about the classic films and characters. This is why they should have based it off classic film locations (Jabbas Palace Restaraunt, Death Star Ride, Hoth, Endor). These locations and stories stand the test of time.

If you read my OP I am not saying Star Wars Land is doomed, I was just pointing out the fact that a Star Wars Land in 2016 would fare much better than a Star Wars Land in 2019. It will do well regardless, but it could have easily been an upcharge event for a long time based on how high the demand was for all things Star Wars upon the series’ return.

You obviously aren't aware of how acquisitions work. Legally WDI couldn't begin working on concepts for a SW themed land in any meaningful way until it came fully under the Disney umbrella, this usually occurs 6-18 months after the acquisition is complete. Until that change of ownership is completed WDI can't just call up LucasFilms and say, "Hey what do you think of xyz as a concept for a land?". Each company has to work as if the other doesn't exist. Because of course WDI wouldn't do any design on any SW related item without first consulting LucasFilms.

As for the films, if the rumors were true, Lucas himself was already looking to film the next trilogy even having scripts already written up before Disney bought LucasFilms. So it wasn't like Disney started from scratch, even if they didn't use most of it.

 

[TwilightZone]

Even if the movies fail forever, the land will still do well for many reasons.
1. Star wars is still popular, or at least the classic stuff is. Heck even the prequels are in a memetic way.
2. The rides have a lot of interesting stuff. If star wars fans won't like it because they are burnt out, theme park fans will.

 

[TP2000]

I'd argue that they didn't wait too long to launch Galaxy's Edge, but that they rushed into making too many films too fast.

With the most recent movies, Disney has also strayed from the core value of telling a really good story first and foremost.

 

[lazyboy97o]

You obviously aren't aware of how acquisitions work. Legally WDI couldn't begin working on concepts for a SW themed land in any meaningful way until it came fully under the Disney umbrella, this usually occurs 6-18 months after the acquisition is complete. Until that change of ownership is completed WDI can't just call up LucasFilms and say, "Hey what do you think of xyz as a concept for a land?". Each company has to work as if the other doesn't exist. Because of course WDI wouldn't do any design on any SW related item without first consulting Lucasfilm.

As for the films, if the rumors were true, Lucas himself was already looking to film the next trilogy even having scripts already written up before Disney bought LucasFilms. So it wasn't like Disney started from scratch, even if they didn't use most of it.

Disney already held the rights to develop theme park attractions based on Star Wars. Nothing stopped them from developing a land as a concept to present to LucasFilms.

Lucas’ definition of “written” has historically been quite loose. Lucasfilm has also since acknowledged that there is no master plan and each film has been made independently.

 

[DanielBB8]

Is it too late to move SWGE to DCA ? Lol

Or the third park? LOL.

Disney has shown no desire to open 4th hotel despite the potentially massive popularity of Star Wars Land that will bring to the resort without tax subsidies. So the 3rd park will never materialize without any city incentives.

Now, the excitement has dissipated with the horrible The Last Jedi. Botching the sequel. Botching the Resort. Frankly, I sitting on my hands until Disney fixes this mess.

 

[Minthorne]

If Jar Jar didn't kill Star Wars, nothing can.

 

[Phroobar]

It's not like Kingdom of the Crystal Skull killed the enjoyment of the Temple of the Forbidden Eye.

 

[Disney Irish]

Disney already held the rights to develop theme park attractions based on Star Wars. Nothing stopped them from developing a land as a concept to present to LucasFilms.

Just because they had rights previously to build Star Tours doesn't mean they had the rights to the entire universe to build multiple attractions, nor have the rights for an entire land. If they did why didn't they build one previously. One would think its because LucasFilms had to sign off on it. And unfortunately during an acquisition there are very very clear rules about the contact you have between the companies. No new projects or agreements, or even modifications of existing agreements can happen between the two companies until Legal Entity Change occurs.

 

[SuddenStorm]

I'd argue that they didn't wait too long to launch Galaxy's Edge, but that they rushed into making too many films too fast.

I've heard people say this- but I've never understood it. Look at the Marvel films Disney's been putting out- in the last year alone we've had Thor Ragnarok, Black Panther, Infinity War, and Ant Man and the Wasp. Each was a huge box office success and each was a quality film.

The one film a year approach with Star Wars seemed great- but the problem is the lack of quality and overall vision for the franchise.

I'd argue that it's not the frequency of films that's the problem- but poor management. How many Star Wars directors have we seen fired? What kind of overarching plan for the Star Wars Universe have we seen? Lucasfilm is a mess right now, and if they don't turn something around, the quality and consistency of the Disney era Star Wars films will only continue to decline.

 

[DanielBB8]

It's not like Kingdom of the Crystal Skull killed the enjoyment of the Temple of the Forbidden Eye.

It’s not like the Phantom Menace killed Star Wars. It’s not because The Last Jedi really might have killed Star Wars. They can only make so many mistakes, some intentional.

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

I think the original characters will exist for a long time. The new characters will be forgotten in no time. Timeless isn’t exactly something that’s “trending” in today’s world.

Companies keep trying to be bigger and better than the original by catering to today’s world, it’s not going to happen. Today’s world doesn’t live in reality, only lofty ideals they wish were true. So things don’t often work out as expected or desired.

But Darth Vader and Yoda, they’ll be fine.

I think some of the new characters will be OK. But not all will stand the test of time like the originals.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I think some of the new characters will be OK. But not all will stand the test of time like the originals.

How long do we think it’ll take for the park(s) to just add a Darth Vader meet and greet? The lack of Skywalkers in Star Wars Land is the thing that most surprises people in my conversations about the land.

 

[Stevek]

How long do we think it’ll take for the park(s) to just add a Darth Vader meet and greet? The lack of Skywalkers in Star Wars Land is the thing that most surprises people in my conversations about the land.

Considering both Anakin Skywalker and Vader are both featured in the most recent SW novel, both visiting Batuu, you could very easily see one of them appear. It’s an outpost, they could very easily say that multiple SW characters have visited it

 

[Phroobar]

I think there will be a meet and greet with other characters that aren't part of the sequel movies. I also think there will be a stage somewhere for a new version of the Jedi Training Academy. Both of these things are perfect fits for the land and don't belong in Tomorrowland.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Considering both Anakin Skywalker and Vader are both featured in the most recent SW novel, both visiting Batuu, you could very easily see one of them appear. It’s an outpost, they could very easily say that multiple SW characters have visited it

That novel is decades before the land. Anakin is dead.

 

[Stevek]

That novel is decades before the land. Anakin is dead.

There are 2 timelines. Anakin appears during a portion, Vader appears during a portion. But yes, if the timing of the land is around the end of the novel then absolutely, it would be Vader only. It would be very odd if both characters showed up in the land for obvious reasons.

 

[TROR]

There are 2 timelines. Anakin appears during a portion, Vader appears during a portion. But yes, if the timing of the land is around the end of the novel then absolutely, it would be Vader only. It would be very odd if both characters showed up in the land for obvious reasons.

The land is post Return of the Jedi

 

[Phroobar]

The land is post Return of the Jedi

The rides are post Jedi. The land can be anytime because it is whatever marketing decides.

 

[lazyboy97o]

The rides are post Jedi. The land can be anytime because it is whatever marketing decides.

The lands clearly features T-70 X-Wings and First Order TIE Fighters.

 

[Stevek]

The lands clearly features T-70 X-Wings and First Order TIE Fighters.

Then if they want to have it fit continuity (which will probably go out the window), you should not see Vader. Depending on who lives or dies during EP IX, you may have fewer and fewer recognizable characters. Kylo, Rey, Poe, Finn, Artoo, Chewie, 3PO...?