Disney to Reveal Ambitious Star Wars Plans

[Smiddimizer]

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/iger-hints-of-star-wars-in-parks-2013-transitional-year.855654/

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...e-announcing-over-the-next-few-months.870943/

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/iger-confirms-star-wars-domestic-parks-presence.876582/

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/star-wars-theme-park-attractions-to-be-based-on-new-films.893957/

There's biding time....and then there's Iger.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

I know nothing is concrete at the moment but is this what the most accepted rumors are pointing to? I tried to visualize everything I've

I know nothing is concrete at the moment but is this what the most accepted rumors are pointing to? I tried to visualize everything I've read so far.View attachment 81526

How big of an area is this? Acres ???

 

[Captain Neo]

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/iger-hints-of-star-wars-in-parks-2013-transitional-year.855654/

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/bob-iger-‘we’ve-got-some-pretty-exciting-things-that-we’ll-be-announcing-over-the-next-few-months.870943/

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/iger-confirms-star-wars-domestic-parks-presence.876582/

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/star-wars-theme-park-attractions-to-be-based-on-new-films.893957/

There's biding time....and then there's Iger.

To be fair though they only acquired lucasfilm at the end of 2012 and had to wait for the movie plans to be finalized first. Five years from blue sky design to construction isn't that ridiculous.

 

[lazyboy97o]

To be fair though they only acquired lucasfilm at the end of 2012 and had to wait for the movie plans to be finalized first. Five years from blue sky design to construction isn't that ridiculous.

Because there aren't any beloved, decades old films to look to for inspiration.

 

[Captain Neo]

Project will be announced at D23 for a 2018 opening

 

[Smiddimizer]

To be fair though they only acquired lucasfilm at the end of 2012 and had to wait for the movie plans to be finalized first. Five years from blue sky design to construction isn't that ridiculous.

Five years is a damned long time. Think in terms of concept to creation. It'll be a near decade-long endeavour.

 

[Captain Neo]

Because there aren't any beloved, decades old films to look to for inspiration.

There is already star tours and SWW. Lucas Era SW is well represented.

 

[Smiddimizer]

Project will be announced at D23 for a 2018 opening

Probably yes and probably not

 

[Smiddimizer]

Because there aren't any beloved, decades old films to look to for inspiration.

And they had fully fleshed-out concepts ready to go, based on them, after what--a year after the Lucasfilm deal was struck?

 

[Kman101]

And if they just base the new Star Wars land on the new movie alone (yes, some places will likely be re-visted, the main three are back ...) I think they're making a mistake. Whether it's an amazing, immersive environment, I'd imagine most fans of SW would want to actually be able to see the original movies represented in the land and not just based off the new one.

 

[lazyboy97o]

And they had fully fleshed-out concepts ready to go, based on them, after what--a year after the Lucasfilm deal was struck?

Ideas were pitched and kicked around well before Disney bought Lucasfilm.

 

[ford91exploder]

It's all about marketing synergy, If the first 'new' film is a SHTINKER there will be no grand Star Wars expansion.

It's not as though there is no PRIOR material to go on, After all the first 3 spawned the 501'st legion, libraries full of Fan Fiction etc,

But Bobby The Hutt wants the Star Wars land to be a advertisement for his newly imagined Star Wars...

 

[wdwgreek]

That's exactly what I was thinking either that or possibly a gateway to the new land.

Any idea on Star Tours' exterior? I'd hope that with a new ambitious land that something will be done with that because the movie set theme is sure going to stick out even more if not.

Edit I love the swamp idea.

Well the exterior of Star tours has two sides, one set in Endor and one in Tatoonine, given the information that the expansion will be based on the new films and the fact they do occur at least partially on Tatoonine, I'm thinking the exterior would be left as it. Given in 1999 they detailed the gift store as is and the recent Star Tours overhaul I doubt they'll spend any extra money on Star Tours. That's my guess.

 

[wdwgreek]

That's why I feel like it'd be better to keep Echo Lake and create a little Dagobah swamp on the Indy side as a thematic border line.

Swamp idea would be a good transition, nice idea!

 

[Smiddimizer]

But Bobby The Hutt wants the Star Wars land to be a advertisement for his newly imagined Star Wars...

Even if its not finished until he's far, far away...

 

[Ignohippo]

Okay, I get what you're saying. I want this. I want this really really bad.

Just realize what I'm saying is what I was told by a couple of people from TWDC. And that is what tempers my comments and excitement.

I was told the same thing about 10 months ago. I don't have any new info either, it's just a feeling I get.

And yes, when there was a phased opening plan (and there still could be), Anaheim was to get a couple of the things first, then DHS would get what's being added in Anaheim plus a couple of additional attractions about six months to a year later. That was mainly because of Pandora.

Now the timetable is so much later than originally envisioned that they'll probably open around the same time and WDW could be getting the whole enchilada at once.

 

[Ignohippo]

Here is an article that talks about the demolition of the Echo Lake area in DHS for the Star Wars expansion.

http://*****.com/blog/2015/02/rumor...-dockside-diner-at-hollywood-studios-history/

From the article:
"Rumors are swirling that the Echo Lake area may close to be demolished by March 2015. This would include the actual lake, Gertie the Dinosaur, and Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner, all opening day features of the Disney-MGM Studios."

This is similar, if not exactly, what Jim Hill has reported on a "pay what you want" Disney Dish podcast. Jim said that walls will go up around Echo Lake soon after the BAH demolition is completed. He also said that there should be Star Wars expansion concept art up on the construction walls in time for the Star Wars weekends.

If his timeline is right, then it seems that the Star Wars celebration in Anaheim this April would be a good time to announce the additions.


**Edited for clarity

I just don't buy it. They're converting AI over to Frozen, so what sense would it make to do that if the whole area around it is going to be SW?

They can simply convert Backlot Express to the Cantina and then demolish the Jedi Academy Stage and run that street right into the vacant land across the back entrance for the SW expansion. There's absolutely no need to demolish a thing.

And maybe it will be announced at SWC this April, but I'd bet they'd want to save something that big for D23. SWC will always be successful; they need big announcements to make D23 relevant.

 

[ford91exploder]

I just don't buy it. They're converting AI over to Frozen, so what sense would it make to do that if the whole area around it is going to be SW?

They can simply convert Backlot Express to the Cantina and then demolish the Jedi Academy Stage and run that street right into the vacant land across the back entrance for the SW expansion. There's absolutely no need to demolish a thing.

And maybe it will be announced at SWC this April, but I'd bet they'd want to save something that big for D23. SWC will always be successful; they need big announcements to make D23 relevant.

D23 is STILL around - Why?

 

[MarkTwain]

To be fair though they only acquired lucasfilm at the end of 2012 and had to wait for the movie plans to be finalized first. Five years from blue sky design to construction isn't that ridiculous.

WDI created a very ambitious slate of several Star Wars attractions for Disneyland's Tomorrowland, and it went far enough into development that it was basically ready for construction. Iger shut it down at the finish line because he felt it didn't feature enough elements from the upcoming movies. Imagineers have since had to start from scratch (hence the Toontown proposal), adding a whole two years to the development process.

Only Iger's desire for franchise cash-ins has prevented Star Wars attractions from being halfway built already.

 

[Captain Neo]

WDI created a very ambitious slate of several Star Wars attractions for Disneyland's Tomorrowland, and it went far enough into development that it was basically ready for construction. Iger shut it down at the finish line because he felt it didn't feature enough elements from the upcoming movies. Imagineers have since had to start from scratch (hence the Toontown proposal), adding a whole two years to the development process.

Only Iger's desire for franchise cash-ins has prevented Star Wars attractions from being halfway built already.

Or you know maybe guests are bored with the original trilogy that has been beaten like a dead horse for the past 30+ years and aren't going to get interested in product based on the prequels. Could it be that people want something fresh and new instead of seeing pod racers and AT-ATs for the umpteenth time? nah

I mean it's not like Disney already has a major Star Wars attraction, a stage show with classic characters, and a annual month long event that celebrates the old films! Iger has some nerve delaying Star Wars Land when he could have cashed in early with an X-Wing spinner, Gungan City with Jar Jar meet & Greet and a recreation of the ewok village with a speeder bike coaster. That would certainly have been timely and stood the test of time and no guest or child would be complaining about why not a single attraction/area/character from Star Wars movies made this decade are in the land.