News Disneyland’s new Star Wars land is enforcing the theme park’s official costume policy

[Curious Constance]

The more I hear about that hotel, the more terrible it sounds. You’ll be given clothing to role play a part?

 

[Professortango1]

Ok we gotta hear this story. How did you sneak in? what are the deatails? i am so curious how you pulled it off.

Nothing too scandalous.

My mom was playing in a band that was set to perform at Carnation Gardens with tickets for band members but not for me and she talked them into letting me backstage to help carry equipment.

When we crossed between backstage areas at the Frontierland and Fantasyland, she instructed me to break off and she'd find me after her show.

I remembered reading that Small World had no cameras in the ride (no idea if its true), so I ran to Small World and rerode it a few times.

 

[Curious Constance]

Yes, but if you follow the current rules of Galaxy's Edge.....they don't let you wear costumes in the land...
But the hotel "experience" is supposed to extend beyond the hotel into SWGE.
So...the rules don't apply to hotel guests?

Maybe it’ll be an after hours type of thing that the hotel guests are invited to.

 

[MisterPenguin]

The more I hear about that hotel, the more terrible it sounds. You’ll be given clothing to role play a part?

We know almost nothing definite about the hotel.

But that doesn't stop dedicated haters from a good rage of a rumor about the hotel.

 

[Texas84]

Maybe it’ll be an after hours type of thing that the hotel guests are invited to.

This. Mingling with ordinary guests would ruin the immersion.

(Read above as Thurston Howell III)

 

[flynnibus]

Again... the root problem isn't really people that people will confuse Joe Doe with Obi Wan... that is much easier to control and is what Disney has largely been doing forever in the rest of the park.

The problem is Random Joe and Random CM looking almost alike. And because you don't have a defined image of what Random CM really looks like... now you need to throw a wide ban on dressing up.

The solution is to make your CMs distinct... and let guests dress up as random jedi or whatever all they want. It's what UNI has done.. it's not that hard of a concept to grasp and implement.

The problem is they blurred the story and CM 'roles' painting them into a corner.

The solution is to change the CM costumes.

Banning people from dressing as SW roles in the SW mecca is a losing proposition.

 

[flynnibus]

Immersion is a silly concept when we know it is based in reality. We have to accept we can never truly be in another place. Immersion can't exist when we as people know that we drove to get somewhere, walked through Disneyland, and are not on another planet. Theming is always great if it is well done though, but I ground any immersion expectations within reality. At the end of the day people know they are in a themepark in southern California.

this is called 'taking things too literally' and missing out all together.

Immersion isn't about convincing you of a different reality... immersion is about suggestion and removing distractions to the point the free mind is allowed to let go and play along with the story.

Star Wars is by definition... fake. By your logic, that precludes anyone from ever having any sort of immersive experience, because the intelligent person should know it's impossible, since the whole thing is fake. But that's no fun... nor is it any way to generate entertainment.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

"Please don't wear the clothes in Disneyland we are selling in Disneyland."

 

[TROR]

this is called 'taking things too literally' and missing out all together.

Immersion isn't about convincing you of a different reality... immersion is about suggestion and removing distractions to the point the free mind is allowed to let go and play along with the story.

Star Wars is by definition... fake. By your logic, that precludes anyone from ever having any sort of immersive experience, because the intelligent person should know it's impossible, since the whole thing is fake. But that's no fun... nor is it any way to generate entertainment.

The extent of immersion in Disneyland just needs to be that you don't feel like you're in the real world anymore. Disneyland accomplishes that pretty well. The attempts at making you feel like you're no longer in Disneyland are a joke.

 

[Mac Tonight]

The extent of immersion in Disneyland just needs to be that you don't feel like you're in the real world anymore. Disneyland accomplishes that pretty well. The attempts at making you feel like you're no longer in Disneyland are a joke.

SWL's immersion is trying to be Disney's version of Inception*.

*complete with BWAAAH sounds.

 

[flynnibus]

I think the land from the looks of it does a great job at immersion and shows they cared about making something look like Star Wars.

The concept of immersion is fine but the minor things that make people say their "immersion is ruined" (and therefore their fun is ruined) is silly. If someone's fun in the land is entirely based on the concept that they are 100% entirely in the Star Wars Universe, it is a losing battle. If someone is there to enjoy the sights and the details, they will have a great time.

I find it silly how some say "You don't walk up the ramp to the falcon so how could you be getting on? My immersion is ruined". Some complain the cast members do things that ruin their immersion, then also complain that cast members are too into character and won't give show times.

Bottom line is you are in a themepark, a themed park. The Star Wars Land is supposed to look and feel like Star Wars, but when you have 10,000 people in there wearing T Shirts (which is a given) there is no way someone is going to feel immersed. When you have to pull out your visa card from the planet earth and use it at a cash register, the land is no longer immersive.

What your post dances around.. but fails to focus in on is... the things you mention effectively are 'distractions' and work counter to the idea of letting your mind go. They are things that tend to be jarring, or conflicting, and hence work to undo or fight the story you are supposed to be buying into. The real topic is 'are these distractions too much for the immersive experience/story to be effective?'

Because this is always in eye of the beholder... it is not binary, black & white stuff. But there are generalizations people can make and observations about if things are effective for most people or not. Some people will never let go or resist buy-in.. that doesn't mean it doesn't work for others.

The point being - you can't rate this based on individuals in isolation... but rather simply the EFFECTIVENESS for the typical audience... which will be vetted by the success and feedback of many visitors, not just some opinions.

 

[flynnibus]

I guess I just find it odd that people would be unhappy and have their entire experience in Star Wars Land ruined if they see they don't walk up the Falcon ramp or if some droids are motionless or if people can't actively use lightsabers

The TL: DR is simply... 'ignore the irrational people'

 

[truecoat]

I think the land from the looks of it does a great job at immersion and shows they cared about making something look like Star Wars.

The concept of immersion is fine but the minor things that make people say their "immersion is ruined" (and therefore their fun is ruined) is silly. If someone's fun in the land is entirely based on the concept that they are 100% entirely in the Star Wars Universe, it is a losing battle. If someone is there to enjoy the sights and the details, they will have a great time.

I find it silly how some say "You don't walk up the ramp to the falcon so how could you be getting on? My immersion is ruined". Some complain the cast members do things that ruin their immersion, then also complain that cast members are too into character and won't give show times.

Bottom line is you are in a themepark, a themed park. The Star Wars Land is supposed to look and feel like Star Wars, but when you have 10,000 people in there wearing T Shirts (which is a given) there is no way someone is going to feel immersed. When you have to pull out your visa card from the planet earth and use it at a cash register, the land is no longer immersive.



Everyone from the start has said that Star Wars Land will have wall to wall people when it opens. If this is to be the case, and the cool merchandise to get from the land is a glass sword with a metal handle, do you think it's a good idea to allow people to use them in the park? I agree it would theoretically make sense to use the sword in Star Wars Land

Star Wars Land is based on themed entertainment, not the full immersion everything seems to bring up. It is supposed to look and sound like you are in a Star Wars Land and it is supposed to be expertly detailed. If Star Wars Land was supposed to be an immersive concept you would not have rides, as how can everyone have the same adventure as you? How can you go back to the same place and have the same adventure? Why is your cell phone and clothing from planet earth existing in Star Wars Land? Heck, why is your iPhone interfacing with Star Wars Land terminals and why are there phone games to play in the park? Because Star Wars Land is entertainment.

Star Wars Land is a land in a themepark. It is not meant to be an immersive experience, it is a themed entertainment offering.

So why don't they play Star Wars music instead of sound effects over the loud speakers. Why did they not allow Visa and Mastercard to put their signs up or coke to just use the normal bottles? Why do all the CM's have a part to play now? These and other things are why it's meant to be an immersive experience.

 

[Rich T]

It's to make the area feel more like Star Wars. However they aren't trying to entirely make it 100% like Star Wars with no outside distractions or discrepancies because this would not be practical or even possible. No one above the age of 12 going into the park will actually think they are in the world of Star Wars.

Actually, no one above the age of 3 will actually think they are in the world of Star Wars. You'd have to be a pretty deluded 12 year old to forget you were in an American theme park.

 

[Rich T]

So why don't they play Star Wars music instead of sound effects over the loud speakers. Why did they not allow Visa and Mastercard to put their signs up or coke to just use the normal bottles? Why do all the CM's have a part to play now? These and other things are why it's meant to be an immersive experience.

Because in the real world designers follow through with some theming ideas and discard others. No park concept is "all or nothing." They're aiming to please the masses. With a capital M. Welcome to the most crowded theme park land ever created.

Why are some people upset about not being able to wear expensive costumes, but don't mind the fact that they had to pay real Earth money to buy those costumes in the first place? And shouldn't light sabers be earned or inherited? Isn't the very act of paying a corporation big bucks for your very own Light Saber (AKA overpriced toy) completely contrary to what the Star Wars films are all about? No matter how well done something is, if you look closely enough the illusion is going to fall apart. Theme park success is all about the point at which you're willing to lightly suspend disbelief and just have fun with a fanciful idea. Nothing built for the masses is ever going to be completely immersive.

 

[THE 1HAPPY HAUNT]

@Mr Incredible ok so I found the link finally. So over that past week I have seen soo many GE videos I got some of the minor details wrong so let me clarify since I had to find and re-watch the part I was referring to: 1. The guests in question did not build the sabers in the land but brought custom sabers they made based on the real hilts from the films into the land and they can make them turn multiple colors. 2. The "Batuu Resident" did not have his hands linked behind his back like I originally thought but instead in front of him but still comes out of nowhere and he would have no idea these were not made at Savi's. 3. The guests in question were not posing for a pic but were being interviewed and filmed by the person whose channel it is then after the incident they pose for a pic. Interesting to note they are wearing home made looking jedi robes and the "Batuu Resident" is not saying anything to them about that. In fact Disney could have sold what they are wearing because it would be equal to the Harry Potter robes because you can see their street clothes under neath. The time stamp is 11:24-12:43.

 

[Disney Irish]

@Mr Incredible ok so I found the link finally. So over that past week I have seen soo many GE videos I got some of the minor details wrong so let me clarify since I had to find and re-watch the part I was referring to: 1. The guests in question did not build the sabers in the land but brought custom sabers they made based on the real hilts from the films into the land and they can make them turn multiple colors. 2. The "Batuu Resident" did not have his hands linked behind his back like I originally thought but instead in front of him but still comes out of nowhere and he would have no idea these were not made at Savi's. 3. The guests in question were not posing for a pic but were being interviewed and filmed by the person whose channel it is then after the incident they pose for a pic. Interesting to note they are wearing home made looking jedi robes and the "Batuu Resident" is not saying anything to them about that. In fact Disney could have sold what they are wearing because it would be equal to the Harry Potter robes because you can see their street clothes under neath. The time stamp is 11:24-12:43.

You read too much into that. The CM literally said "Just a warning I know the First Order are on the lookout for those, so just be careful.", all with a smirk on his face. He is in character with the story of the land. The whole story is that the First Order is trying to find the Resistance on Batuu. As such all Jedi's are also targeted, so almost all Jedi transactions are done underground, which is why you have to have a password to get into Savi's to build your own lightsaber.

The CM wasn't saying put it away as if to say you can't have it out. Its all part of the fun.

 

[THE 1HAPPY HAUNT]

You read too much into that.

That's nothing. The CM wasn't telling them to put it away. I think it was misinterpreted.

Yeah like I said in a previous post i may have misread what was going on but still I found it interesting because i have never seen a cast member so far in any of the previous GE videos I have seen warn guests about the first order in regards to lightsabers. so it stood out and thought i would share it. i only saw it once before today in passing so i am not surprised i may have misjudged it. i dont even follow that channel. but it is good to get some other point of views from those on here to see if it was anything of note at least. you are welcome. and don't you find it ineteresting they had some type of jedi robes on and it appears nothing was enforced?

 

[THE 1HAPPY HAUNT]

I guess I just find it odd that people would be unhappy and have their entire experience in Star Wars Land ruined if they see they don't walk up the Falcon ramp or if some droids are motionless or if people can't actively use lightsabers. I will be going to the park soon, but I see Disneyland as atmospheric, not immersive. Disney will create environments that will carry an overall atmosphere of other places, however I never once was trying to be convinced that I actually was in the place. If you know Disney created it, there is no point in them trying to fool you to think you are at the real place. It is all about giving a themed experience.

I am standing firm on the ramp thing

 

[truecoat]

I am standing firm on the ramp thing

If you are, you bumped your head.