Disney to Reveal Ambitious Star Wars Plans

[hpyhnt 1000]

Oh boy, more vague platitudes from the big honcho.

Cut the nonsense, Iger. You've had since October 2012 (which is when the LucasFilm purchase was announced) to list something, anything specific related to SW and the theme parks. After 2+ years of planning there better be some d**n ambitious things coming (no, an X-Wing spinner won't cut it). Otherwise, stop wasting our time.

 

[Incomudro]

To all the people already anticipating a flop...really?

By most accounts of people who actually know anything the word is the plans are extremely ambitious. And for a project that for all intents and purposes IS Disneys real answer to potter there's reason to believe them. At the very least can we wait till Avatar opens (and see if it's the turd everyone insists it will be) or they release concept art before we start the Poo pooing cycle?

Also... Half of DHS is completely shuttered and you really think all they've got planned is a gift shop?

I'm calling August for any major details and possibly annoucement at all. Star Wars weekends would be good---but just imagine the crowd and press reaction they could get at a d23 event if they manage to truly make a "surprise" annoucement.

WDW "Walt Disney World Whiners."

 

[dreamfinder]

Iger has been whipping up Wall Street for Star Wars attractions for over a year, at this point he has to deliever or Wall Street is going to hold him personally accountable.

When was the last time anyone actually used "Wall Street" and "personally accountable" together in the same sentence without snickering and pointing at a mid level manager who agreed to be the scapegoat for a nice golden parachute?

 

[Sora_Keyblade]

Please happen. Please be awesome.

 

[Incomudro]

You people are disappointed over New Fantasyland?
Fantasyland is the little kid - primarily little girls section of the park.
What did you think was going to happen there?

 

[kgaf99]

I really hope for a significant Star Wars land in dhs. It needs the help and I love Star Wars. Of course if they put it in dl maybe I would finally go out there

would they even have room for that?

 

[flyerjab]

What I can add to this is the ideas around attractions based on the new movies vs. the original franchise (I don't typically mention the prequels, because to me, the acting throughout was atrocious and the only redeeming characters to come out were Darth Maul and Qui-Gon Jinn, both being killed off far too early).

Even though the attractions will be based off of the new movies, the settings could be the same. I am assuming that from the teaser that we saw, some of it takes place on a desert planet, and I would bet money that it is Tatooine. They could still build a Tatooine based Land, that even features the cantina. If anything was demonstrated with the revamp of the Star Trek movies, Abrams does not shy away at all from the original canon, going so far as to tamper with possibly the greatest storyline and movie of all - Khan in Star Trek II. I could easily see him revisiting Mos Eisley, as well as the cantina again (it still could exist in this timeline) in this next movie. That would be the perfect way to provide the older fans with a comfortable setting to start off with the next trilogy. So even though there will be new characters, ships, etc., I wouldn't be surprised if Abrams mines the past movies and story lines to provide some familiar context before moving into new directions.

 

[erasure fan1]

^^^ preach on! Like it or not, it's a part of the brand now. If anyone was to be its caretaker, I'd want it to be Disney. I know many would disagree but if you want the franchise to continue someone has grow it.

Just as long as this never happens:

Oh man please don't post such offensive images! I threw up in my mouth a little when I saw this picture.

 

[Disneyfamily4]

Well we can score one for the Cast Members. On my last trip last year, my son asked one of the cast members about the possibility of a Star Wars 5th park expansion. The Cast Member on Star Tours told my son that there will be no 5th park, but that plans are already on the way, for each of the 4 parks to have a huge Star Wars Presence within the next three years. He said even Epcot is going to get something big out of Star Wars.

Perhaps Tatooine will be built next to the new country of Arandelle.

 

[216bruce]

You never know about what happens at D23.In 2013 there was a display in the WDI pavillion that had some very tempting crates in it that teased something/anything would be said and it wasn't (just a 'we're working on some things'). In fact, there was very, very little that was said at the parks division presentation at all of any substance, even for Avatarland. There was a very tepid response to the presenters and it was pretty disappointing. In 2011 it was pretty good. At least we got some solid FLE stuff...My gut feeling is that this year will be a LOT of Star Wars and some real Avatarland specifics. Just a hunch.
By the way, the films division presentations are tremendous. Worth the trip along with the Legends ceremony.

 

[space42]

You people are disappointed over New Fantasyland?
Fantasyland is the little kid - primarily little girls section of the park.
What did you think was going to happen there?

A space previously occupied by a large scale E-Ticket - 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

 

[twebber55]

You never know about what happens at D23.In 2013 there was a display in the WDI pavillion that had some very tempting crates in it that teased something/anything would be said and it wasn't (just a 'we're working on some things'). In fact, there was very, very little that was said at the parks division presentation at all of any substance, even for Avatarland. There was a very tepid response to the presenters and it was pretty disappointing. In 2011 it was pretty good. At least we got some solid FLE stuff...My gut feeling is that this year will be a LOT of Star Wars and some real Avatarland specifics. Just a hunch.
By the way, the films division presentations are tremendous. Worth the trip along with the Legends ceremony.

my gut feeling is a big presentation for both Pandora and Star wars with the model of Pandora being shown and concept art for Star wars being shown

 

[Phicinfan]

maybe I am wrong, but in the one article with Iger late last year, wasn't there something about an announcement being made at Star wars weekends at DHS this year? Wouldn't that be the perfect time to explain what if any changes are coming to DHS if star wars related?

 

[ford91exploder]

^^^ preach on! Like it or not, it's a part of the brand now. If anyone was to be its caretaker, I'd want it to be Disney. I know many would disagree but if you want the franchise to continue someone has grow it.

Just as long as this NEVER happens:

Unfortunately this is exactly what I am afraid of, This is how TWDC uses IP these days... Of course the could open a Star Wars themed hotel and casino in Macau...

 

[Kman101]

And to the poster who insists Fantasyland is for the wittle children. No, it was not meant to be. Disney World and Disneyland were built with FAMILIES in mind, not JUST appealing to children. Even good old Walt said it's a mistake to appeal to just children. So I hate hearing that argument about kids. Fantasyland had 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Snow White was SCARY, Mr. Toad literally took you to hedoublehockeysticks.

Making it children centric only is a mistake.

 

[NormC]

A space previously occupied by a large scale E-Ticket - 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Which was a boring ride in a dirty swimming pool.

 

[dreamscometrue]

I notice that it says "Disney Parks"....I wouldn't hold my breath for too much in Florida.

@WDW1974 has stated relatively recently that DHS will get a significant Star Wars presence. That dude is a legit insider, and tends to be spot on most of the time.

 

[PhotoDave219]

From today's Variety -

http://variety.com/2015/biz/news/di...us-theme-park-plans-for-star-wars-1201422947/

Don't expect anything to open in Orlando any sooner than 2019/2020 timeframe.

 

[VulcanCafe]

A few things seem obvious to me, what have I got wrong?

1) Star Wars will become a major focal point of a DHS redo. Maybe 1/3 of the park? Most will be unique to DHS.
2) Marvel will become a major presence at DL or DCA because it cannot at WDW. Unique to California. (Maybe we see a Universal/Disney tie up that fixes this issue, but I doubt it unless Disney pays $1b, simply because it allows Universal to remove a competitive advantage from Disney)
3) If the Tomorrowland movie does huge numbers, expect a TL redo at one or both US parks. If it fails, maybe we have found the new location of the Marvel focused area at DL.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Iger has been whipping up Wall Street for Star Wars attractions for over a year, at this point he has to deliever or Wall Street is going to hold him personally accountable.

You and I know that Wall Street is only interested in the stock price and the ROI.

If they wanted to hold him accountable, his feet would be to the fire over NextGen...... but they haven't.