News Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - Historical Construction/Impressions

[solidyne]

Nothing.

Disney has had the theme park rights to Star Wars since Ron Miller (not Eisner) started the negotiations with George Lucas in the early 80s.

After Star Tours the most they ever did with the property were dance shows and ones were kids would play with plastic light sabers. The company was more than content to cash in on nostalgic and cross brand (ie Jedi Mickey) merch for many years.

So maybe the question is, "What would Disney do in response to Wizarding World if they had licensing rights to Star Wars but didn't own outright the Lucasfilm IP?" In other words, if they never had bought Star Wars, would they have created a huge immersive land based on some other IP?

 

[fctiger]

I initially agreed about the lack of aliens in Pandora. Then I got to thinking that's pretty much the norm in Disney theme parks aside from CMs working attractions, food and retail vaguely dressed for the setting. Historically, the characters are mainly in the rides with some exceptions like Main Street or Buena Vista Street citizens, which may not even be there when you walk through.

Yes, the same way you don't actually see many of the Cars' characters in CL outside of the meet and greet with Mater and McQueen. Everyone else are only seen in RSR. Pixar Pier you see a bit more characters walking around but its not like they are there all day and its only a handful of them.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

So maybe the question is, "What would Disney do in response to Wizarding World if they had licensing rights to Star Wars but didn't own outright the Lucasfilm IP?" In other words, if they never had bought Star Wars, would they have created a huge immersive land based on some other IP?

I believe a modified version of Cars Land was already being considered for Hollywood Studios, so probably that for Florida, then maybe a bigger, better Marvel Land or Frozen for California.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Disneyland is like... "Guys... Guys... Please come back!"

 

[fctiger]

So maybe the question is, "What would Disney do in response to Wizarding World if they had licensing rights to Star Wars but didn't own outright the Lucasfilm IP?" In other words, if they never had bought Star Wars, would they have created a huge immersive land based on some other IP?

Probably what they are doing now for their other parks and put in a Pandora, Frozen or an expanded Marvel area. That's the beauty of Disney, they have so many freaking properties now (and most of them as big as Harry Potter if not bigger) its not exactly a challenge to find something to add for a wide appeal.

Star Wars however is probably the oldest movie IP around (thats super popular I mean) and the most famous. People have dreamed of decades of walking into that world so it was the no-brainer to do I guess.

 

[Darkbeer1]

So maybe the question is, "What would Disney do in response to Wizarding World if they had licensing rights to Star Wars but didn't own outright the Lucasfilm IP?" In other words, if they never had bought Star Wars, would they have created a huge immersive land based on some other IP?

Yes, Disney HAD to do something, as the alternative would create massive damage to its brand.

And since WDW can't use Marvel, they would need to do something. Now Pandora was the first response to HP. Maybe just expanding that more, and the DLR would have had Marvel based Superhero. Land sooner.

Who knows which park it would land in.

Maybe would look internally to a major project to tie into the Frontierland theme.

 

[Touchdown]

Star Wars and Marvel are the only singular properties they own that are on the level of HP. However, as mentioned before Marvel has the problem of being only a slight twist on our world (outside of their galactic properties) which makes theming a land (not a ride) around them difficult. The only other properties I would put on the level of HP, would be Jurassic Park/World, DC Comics, Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, the first has been mismanaged and allowed to stagnate by Universal (let’s see if the retheme fixes this,) DC is wasted at Six Flags (the fictional cities of Gotham and Metropolis with their known landmarks make this a better property then Marvel on a theming level,) LOR isn’t for sale and GoT has the problem of being way too adult orientated to work in a normal theme park setting.

 

[Stripes]

Disneyland is like... "Guys... Guys... Please come back!"

Ha! Hilarious!

We’re going the 24th. It was not my first choice, but it is literally the only day we can go with everybody’s schedules. We could go the 25th as well but we wanted to catch Disneyland Forever too and we wouldn’t be able to do that on the 25th.

 

[Stripes]

I'm not able to give specific dates or timelines, but, as a comparison, se the pretty highly visible Slinky as a comparison. While is much more... simple, it still gives a good idea as to the timelines they are permitted to work within in regards to mandatory testing and training.
Other than that, I would expect the RotR's to open closer together than the lands themselves.

Pardon me if I’ve misunderstood, but is it your understanding that ROTR will be opening in DL before August 29th?

 

[BrianLo]

I think plan 1 with the Endor bike coaster OR the Tatooine pod racer attached to Tomorrowland would have been what happened.

I think the actual impetus to use Star Wars was slightly more driven by the Lucasfilm acquisition rather than Potter. But by all means Potter has had a lasting effect (for better and for worse). It is nice to see another competitor for once driving some of the change.

Now on the other hand we do need to acknowledge Carsland was announced before the original Potter. So Disney certainly found the single IP + mega attraction combo on their own.

What is more obvious though is the retail and beverage impacts Potter has had on Disney's approach. Less creep of Mickey plush and the goal of finding the 'next wand' and 'next butter beer'. I'm certain if any Star Wars F&B would have occurred without Potter it still would have been a Cantina with Blue milk... but the dollar signs in their eyes wouldn't have been there as much.

 

[TROR]

 

[DanielBB8]

Yes, Disney HAD to do something, as the alternative would create massive damage to its brand.

And since WDW can't use Marvel, they would need to do something. Now Pandora was the first response to HP. Maybe just expanding that more, and the DLR would have had Marvel based Superhero. Land sooner.

Who knows which park it would land in.

Maybe would look internally to a major project to tie into the Frontierland theme.

From the way they did Star Wars that suggested it goes beyond the Sequel trilogy and the original trilogy is in the memory hole, it’s as if Disney licensed Star Wars instead of owning it outright. A Star Wars Land without Star Wars. How is this marketable?

The more I look at it, the less enamored I feel for it. It’s definitely not repeatable until the big attraction is finally opened. The cantina serving adult drinks is oddly off putting. Adults might like it, but parents could be having second thoughts.

Star Wars is a children’s movie like Harry Potter is from children’s book series. We have now seen where they diverged in the theme parks. Harry Potter is more true to the original source material. Disney was rightly denied the chance to create Harry Potter Land.

 

[drod1985]

I don't see how having a Cantina in Galaxy's Edge is any more off putting than Disney serving alcohol at any other location in any of their parks. It's just a fairly tame but well themed bar. And there are as many non-alcoholic drinks as there are alcoholic. Disneyland even limits you to two drinks and prohibits alcoholic drinks outside of the Cantina, so nobody is getting trashed and the rest of the land is dry. If you don't want your kids around alcohol then don't take them into a bar - pretty simple.

 

[DanielBB8]

I don't see how having a Cantina in Galaxy's Edge is any more off putting than Disney serving alcohol at any other location in any of their parks. It's just a fairly tame but well themed bar. And there are as many non-alcoholic drinks as there are alcoholic. Disneyland even limits you to two drinks and prohibits alcoholic drinks outside of the Cantina, so nobody is getting trashed and the rest of the land is dry. If you don't want your kids around alcohol then don't take them into a bar - pretty simple.

It’s what they are emphasizing. Are they catering more to adults or kids? I would think the adults. If you’re old enough to see the original movie in theaters as I am, they didn’t order fancy drinks. It’s about visiting a rough and tumble cantina to get stuff done and discover secrets.

“9 REASONS WHY THE MOS EISLEY CANTINA IS SO SPECIAL
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF EVERYONE'S FAVORITE TATOOINE WATERING HOLE.”

 

[britain]

I find it amusing / sad that because crowds are staying away - most likely because they are scared of the crowds - now every person feels justified in blaming the few things they would have done differently. Every flaw is now considered a fatal flaw.

 

[DanielBB8]

I find it amusing / sad that because crowds are staying away - most likely because they are scared of the crowds - and thus every person feels justified in blaming the few things they would have done differently. Every flaw is now considered a fatal flaw.

I’m beginning to wonder if Disney relied more on APs for regular attendance, plus reservations for Star Wars Land means casual tourists don’t want to pay full price without Star Wars Land. They should have just have a shorter soft opening and not blocked out APs. They just have to wait this thing out.

 

[Phroobar]

I find it amusing / sad that because crowds are staying away - most likely because they are scared of the crowds - and thus every person feels justified in blaming the few things they would have done differently. Every flaw is now considered a fatal flaw.

Well when the internet pounds into people's head that the place will be packed for the next few years, people stay away. Scary the power that social media has. People are such sheep.

Disneyland is going to be great place to visit this summer!

 

[drod1985]

I don't think people are staying away for fear of crowds. People are staying away because they simply can't get into GE without reservations. (Unless you're disinterested in GE) What's the point in going to Disneyland right now if you don't have a GE reservation?

June 24th will provide the clearest picture of GE's demand.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I don't think people are staying away for fear of crowds. People are staying away because they simply can't get into GE without reservations. (Unless you're disinterested in GE) What's the point in going to Disneyland right now if you don't have a GE reservation?

June 24th will provide the clearest picture of GE's demand.

Totally. Today may have some crowds with Disneyland Forever returning.

 

[Mac Tonight]

This was special. Happy for them.