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

[mickEblu]

The surrounding land requires a redesign.

I thInk the surrounding park needs the TL 98 treatment.

 

[Disney Irish]

Obviously it's not supposed to or they wouldn't have designed it that way. With that said, it's definitely not the aesthetically pleasing choice to me.

I fixed that for you. What is aesthetically pleasing is in the eye of the beholder.

There are plenty of people who think it looks fine, including myself.

 

[mickEblu]

I fixed that for you. What is aesthetically pleasing is in the eye of the beholder.

There are plenty of people who think it looks fine, including myself.

When was the last time you visited the optometrist? Hehe jk jk

 

[Disney Irish]

When was the last time you visited the optometrist? Hehe jk jk

I could say the same to you

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

I thought the Dinky Tower (AKA The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror) was awesome, but I still like the look of the fortress or whatever it is. It has a cool sci-fi Doctor Who look about it. I'm just being honest and trying to be a little positive here. Soarin' Over California and ToT were my favorite things at DCA and I'm bummed about Soarin'. Yet to experience GotG, but I don't see it happening anytime soon.

 

[TP2000]

No, it's a word used to mean the Florida version won't have the same sightline issues as DL and will feel more like its own place rather than an awkward offshoot crammed between Critter Country and Frontierland.

I didn't claim to have any secret information and have carefully separated verified facts from my own opinions. And since I visit DL regularly, why would I care whose land opened first?

Ah, well another poster was using you as a source as if you were an insider of some sort. I don't know you @tirian , so good to know you are just a fan typing on the computer at home like the rest of us.

It would seem to me that Disneyland's version will be the most separated from the park it is in. Earlier we were discussing the close proximity of the Streets of America and MuppetVision and Green Alien Flying Saucer Spin Ride, all of which are just 50 yards or so from the Star Wars entry tunnels at DHS.

Disneyland has none of those issues, and is physically further from any adjacent rides than DHS, much less jarring thematic changes like Toy Story and Muppets. I'm sure they will do wonderful things with a dirt berm and rockwork in DHS to hide Star Wars sightlines, and I expect to see them pushing that dirt into place shortly.

But just looking at aerial photos of the two parks, the Star Wars project at Disneyland seems much further removed and off in its own world compared to DHS.

If anything, and since we are both just fans using Google Earth and online sources to come up with our opinions, I would use the phrase "more encompassing" to apply to the Disneyland version not the DHS version.

 

[TP2000]

The surrounding land requires a redesign.

Yes, but that phrasing assumes it actually had a design to begin with.

The surrounding land is just stucco warehouses with exterior stairwells, flat cement plazas, and fake facades. Also a churro cart. There is no design to redesign.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

It's so bad! Is this really much better than Walt Disney Studios Paris?

 

[Disney Irish]

Yes, but that phrasing assumes it actually had a design to begin with.

The surrounding land is just stucco warehouses with exterior stairwells, flat cement plazas, and fake facades. Also a churro cart. There is no design to redesign.

Its Stuccoland presented by Dow Chemical!

 

[TP2000]

Here's the latest on Disneyland's encompassing Star Wars Land construction, from Tuesday afternoon...

 

[jmuboy]

Fine, I'll stop defending it. It's out of character for me anyway.

The GotG Tower is hideous. The ride is fun

 

[jmuboy]

Yes, but that phrasing assumes it actually had a design to begin with.

The surrounding land is just stucco warehouses with exterior stairwells, flat cement plazas, and fake facades. Also a churro cart. There is no design to redesign.

Ughhhh. I hate this building too.

 

[tirian]

Ah, well another poster was using you as a source as if you were an insider of some sort. I don't know you @tirian , so good to know you are just a fan typing on the computer at home like the rest of us.

It would seem to me that Disneyland's version will be the most separated from the park it is in. Earlier we were discussing the close proximity of the Streets of America and MuppetVision and Green Alien Flying Saucer Spin Ride, all of which are just 50 yards or so from the Star Wars entry tunnels at DHS.

Disneyland has none of those issues, and is physically further from any adjacent rides than DHS, much less jarring thematic changes like Toy Story and Muppets. I'm sure they will do wonderful things with a dirt berm and rockwork in DHS to hide Star Wars sightlines, and I expect to see them pushing that dirt into place shortly.

But just looking at aerial photos of the two parks, the Star Wars project at Disneyland seems much further removed and off in its own world compared to DHS.

If anything, and since we are both just fans using Google Earth and online sources to come up with our opinions, I would use the phrase "more encompassing" to apply to the Disneyland version not the DHS version.

"Insider" for DL? No.

 

[JediMasterMatt]

No, it's a word used to mean the Florida version won't have the same sightline issues as DL and will feel more like its own place rather than an awkward offshoot crammed between Critter Country and Frontierland.

Ah, well another poster was using you as a source as if you were an insider of some sort. I don't know you @tirian , so good to know you are just a fan typing on the computer at home like the rest of us.

It would seem to me that Disneyland's version will be the most separated from the park it is in. Earlier we were discussing the close proximity of the Streets of America and MuppetVision and Green Alien Flying Saucer Spin Ride, all of which are just 50 yards or so from the Star Wars entry tunnels at DHS.

Disneyland has none of those issues, and is physically further from any adjacent rides than DHS, much less jarring thematic changes like Toy Story and Muppets. I'm sure they will do wonderful things with a dirt berm and rockwork in DHS to hide Star Wars sightlines, and I expect to see them pushing that dirt into place shortly.

But just looking at aerial photos of the two parks, the Star Wars project at Disneyland seems much further removed and off in its own world compared to DHS.

If anything, and since we are both just fans using Google Earth and online sources to come up with our opinions, I would use the phrase "more encompassing" to apply to the Disneyland version not the DHS version.

Re: the topic of SWL's integration into both coasts - DL's should feel the most like it was designed to fit in the place it's going because it WAS designed to fit DL first and foremost. DHS is just tagging along for the ride and reaping the benefits of the design work done for DL. While the distances in the "buffer" zones between Lands in DHS and DL will be different, DL's integration with the new RoA backdrop and the gateway to the spaceport and subsequent reveal moments (like Diagon Alley's main entry), should be better done in DL. The topography and colors in use in the new RoA will help make this possible. One "show" way I've heard this described for DL is imagine exploring the American wild west frontier and stumbling into a magical cave that transports you into a galaxy far, far away (cue John Carter of Mars here).

Regarding the timing of the opening, don't put too much stock into anything at this point. The stretch goal is still very much in play of having soft openings in time for the holiday season next year for DL. Will they make it? I don't know; but, I have to give the project teams credit - they are still in the window where it can work. RoA is returning from its chrysalis in the planned window (which was June - July)and if anything the last year or so has shown, they are willing to add as many man hours as needed to hit their dates. If they miss getting it open in late 2018 for the holidays, it will come online in early 2019.

I don't doubt MC's report about upcharge events and access around the official opening. There is a gold mine beyond the RoA frontier that is just waiting to be tapped into.

 

[britain]

It's possible that they mean DL's mountains are going to be a organized in a bit more of a crescent (no tall mountains directly up against the Rivers of America) but DHS might feel a little more encircled.

 

[BrianLo]

I don't expect much of anything to be visible in either land...

Maybe Big Thunder, which really isn't a big deal given the design choice.

Crammed is also not the word I'd use in terms of placement. It abuts Big Thunder I suppose, but Critter country is several hundred meters away down a winding trail.

 

[TP2000]

Re: the topic of SWL's integration into both coasts - DL's should feel the most like it was designed to fit in the place it's going because it WAS designed to fit DL first and foremost. DHS is just tagging along for the ride and reaping the benefits of the design work done for DL. While the distances in the "buffer" zones between Lands in DHS and DL will be different, DL's integration with the new RoA backdrop and the gateway to the spaceport and subsequent reveal moments (like Diagon Alley's main entry), should be better done in DL. The topography and colors in use in the new RoA will help make this possible. One "show" way I've heard this described for DL is imagine exploring the American wild west frontier and stumbling into a magical cave that transports you into a galaxy far, far away (cue John Carter of Mars here).

Regarding the timing of the opening, don't put too much stock into anything at this point. The stretch goal is still very much in play of having soft openings in time for the holiday season next year for DL. Will they make it? I don't know; but, I have to give the project teams credit - they are still in the window where it can work. RoA is returning from its chrysalis in the planned window (which was June - July)and if anything the last year or so has shown, they are willing to add as many man hours as needed to hit their dates. If they miss getting it open in late 2018 for the holidays, it will come online in early 2019.

I don't doubt MC's report about upcharge events and access around the official opening. There is a gold mine beyond the RoA frontier that is just waiting to be tapped into.

Thank you for that info and summary. That's pretty much what I see from Google Earth, the info from some trusted insiders online, and the various images Disney has released on the project on both coasts. Plus just me staring at it from the roof of the Mickey & Friends parking structure.

I can't wait to see the big model at D23 Expo in a few months! I think that will answer some questions we all still have.

As for timing on opening, Christmas '18 seems like such an aggressive schedule. That's less than 18 months away! I could see February or March '19 for upcharge previews with an early April '19 grand opening.

But that means DHS's version then opens mid '19 sometime, and my God the weather in Orlando anytime from April through October is just hideous. I don't envy the planning team in charge of the DHS opening a few months after Disneyland for several reasons, but now add weather to that. A shame they couldn't open it in DHS in January or February.

 

[Ismael Flores]

No, it's a word used to mean the Florida version won't have the same sightline issues as DL and will feel more like its own place rather than an awkward offshoot crammed between Critter Country and Frontierland.

I didn't claim to have any secret information and have carefully separated verified facts from my own opinions. And since I visit DL regularly, why would I care whose land opened first?

seems like the park that will have the bigger sightline issues and abrupt transition would be the Florida version. The land in California is set back behind the river and all three entrances have a smooth transition that includes plenty of green area.

Someone had mentioned that the transition in Florida will actually be a city park with residential facades and that the main entrance cave will actually be themed to a theater with a Star Wars Marquee. So if that is correct guests will enter a theater and all of a sudden exit the back end into a forest area. in the other entrance guests go from being in a Toy themed land into a market area within a forest theme.

It will sure be interesting to see how it all plays out especially how the berm in Florida is created. The southern entrance with residential facades should be especially interesting since any kind of berm will most likely contain large greenery. In California that greenery looks like a continuation of the Columbia Gorge and rockwork. In Florida the greenery on top of the Berm will be over what might be residential facades

 

[TP2000]

I don't expect much of anything to be visible in either land...

Maybe Big Thunder, which really isn't a big deal given the design choice.

Crammed is also not the word I'd use in terms of placement. It abuts Big Thunder I suppose, but Critter country is several hundred meters away down a winding trail.

This image that was used in a famous Miceage Update back in 2015 seems more and more accurate with each passing month here in 2017. Those long pathways into the land, through tunnels and around berms and rockwork, are quite impressive to think about now.

The new Big Thunder Trail and rerouted Railroad that debuted last week is already a wonderfully plussed up buffer. But consider we are still walled off from the long branches of pathway that split from the Big Thunder Trail and head towards the tunnels north of Big Thunder Mountain.

Then there's the third winding pathway from the Hungry Bear Restaurant, that goes along the River and then through another tunnel and along the backside of the new berm; that path is the longest and is equitable in length to the Big Thunder Trail itself.

Star Wars Land is in a galaxy far, far away, and in an expansion area quite a decent walk away too.

 

[nevol]

seems like the park that will have the bigger sightline issues and abrupt transition would be the Florida version. The land in California is set back behind the river and all three entrances have a smooth transition that includes plenty of green area.

Someone had mentioned that the transition in Florida will actually be a city park with residential facades and that the main entrance cave will actually be themed to a theater with a Star Wars Marquee. So if that is correct guests will enter a theater and all of a sudden exit the back end into a forest area. in the other entrance guests go from being in a Toy themed land into a market area within a forest theme.

It will sure be interesting to see how it all plays out especially how the berm in Florida is created. The southern entrance with residential facades should be especially interesting since any kind of berm will most likely contain large greenery. In California that greenery looks like a continuation of the Columbia Gorge and rockwork. In Florida the greenery on top of the Berm will be over what might be residential facades

Frankly DHS is a mess and even with Star Wars Land I can't imagine it being awesome. Disneyland is already awesome and getting a star wars land. DHS isn't, and neither is Toy Story Land. I'm picturing walking from the toy story play land in paris right into star wars... Sure, it could be better than that, but really? By how much?