Star Wars Land announced for Disney's Hollywood Studios

[Christian Fronckowiak]

I keep hearing people talk about it so what is the castle float?

The castle float has been used over and over throughout Magic Kingdom parades from the 15th Anniversary all the way through Celebrate a Dream Come True. http://disneyentertainmenthistory.blogspot.com/2008/09/castle-float-disneyland-paradeswdw.html

 

[doctornick]

"Possible" boat ride for SWL? Awesome - that's one ride DHS doesn't have in it's park. It needs a water ride.

As others have mentioned, it was probably an error and it is unlikely that Star Wars is getting a boat ride. That said, I would agree that DHS could use a water based ride. If they really wanted to bring the Shanghai POTC system to WDW, I think an Indiana Jones water ride would actually be a fantastic use and could be done well to fit that theme. It would also enable a WDW IJ offering to be distinct from the one in California (and Tokyo).

 

[Cesar R M]

The castle float has been used over and over throughout Magic Kingdom parades from the 15th Anniversary all the way through Celebrate a Dream Come True. http://disneyentertainmenthistory.blogspot.com/2008/09/castle-float-disneyland-paradeswdw.html

still being in used for Frozen in the 24 hour events.
Hence the joke..

 

[Seanual757]

I might have missed it but where at DHS will star wars land be located. Will it be in the area of the stunt show and the back lot tour?

 

[DVCOwner]

Just got back and if the Star Wars mania that I saw in Hollywood Studios this past week is any indication about how well Start Wars land is going to do, all I can say is they better get going on the expansion. No matter what they build in this first phase is not going to be big enough to handle the crowds. I have never seen so many people in the park as the night we went to the new fireworks.

 

[roj2323]

Any walls up on SOA?

 

[Bolt]

Any walls up on SOA?

Just around the large pieces of Spectacle that are being removed.

 

[roj2323]

Just around the large pieces of Spectacle that are being removed.

Not surprising really.

 

[danlb_2000]

I might have missed it but where at DHS will star wars land be located. Will it be in the area of the stunt show and the back lot tour?

We don't know for sure exactly where it is going but the rumors are that it will go near Star Tours extending towards Indy and then extend out into the current parking lot. There were rumors at one point that it would take the whole Echo Lake area, but those rumors seem to be changing The backlot and LMA area is rumored to be for Phase 3, if and when it happens.

 

[P_Radden]

We don't know for sure exactly where it is going but the rumors are that it will go near Star Tours extending towards Indy and then extend out into the current parking lot. There were rumors at one point that it would take the whole Echo Lake area, but those rumors seem to be changing The backlot and LMA area is rumored to be for Phase 3, if and when it happens.

I was actually thinking more about this today. Originally we had the Echo Lake rumor, then it was said to possibly be where Indiana Jones is, and from there all the way to Star Tours and the land behind.

I am very hopeful that not only Echo Lake, but Indiana Jones Stun Show will survive as that seems to be a big crowd favorite (one of my favorite attractions). Plus Indiana Jones is heavily hidden in the lush tropical trees and landscaping. It would be easy to hide Star Wars Land behind it.

So, from what I can gather at this point, pretty much SWL could begin at Backlot Express then expand east to the back stage areas and parking lot:

Rough outline but u get the idea. I think @marni1971 made a more exact rendering in relation to actual acreage but I can't find it at the moment

 

[LieutLaww]

I wonder after the huge numbers that TFA did if they are considering expanding on what they had planned for SWL ?

 

[doctornick]

I was actually thinking more about this today. Originally we had the Echo Lake rumor, then it was said to possibly be where Indiana Jones is, and from there all the way to Star Tours and the land behind.

I am very hopeful that not only Echo Lake, but Indiana Jones Stun Show will survive as that seems to be a big crowd favorite (one of my favorite attractions). Plus Indiana Jones is heavily hidden in the lush tropical trees and landscaping. It would be easy to hide Star Wars Land behind it.

So, from what I can gather at this point, pretty much SWL will begin at Backlot Express then expand east to the back stage areas and parking lot:
View attachment 125972
Rough outline but u get the idea. I think @marni1971 made a more exact rendering in relation to actual acreage but I can't find it at the moment

I think @marni1971 established that Echo Lake will survive (at least, as of the current plan) but that the IJ theater will be removed and that area will be part of the SW expansion.

 

[Cesar R M]

I might have missed it but where at DHS will star wars land be located. Will it be in the area of the stunt show and the back lot tour?

rumor says that from Indiana Jones, all the way to the the stunt show.
Part of the backlot will be for Pixar Land if I remember correctly.

 

[doctornick]

BTW, here is the map, courtesy of @marni1971 which was first posted in this post.

The red is "Phase 2" which is Star Wars.

 

[P_Radden]

I think @marni1971 established that Echo Lake will survive (at least, as of the current plan) but that the IJ theater will be removed and that area will be part of the SW expansion.

Yes, you're correct. For me, it's simply wishful thinking that IJSS will remain in addition the adjacent Echo Lake area. They certainly have enough backstage & parking lot space to save IJSS and build around it.

 

[doctornick]

Yes, you're correct. For me, it's simply wishful thinking that IJSS will remain in addition the adjacent Echo Lake area. They certainly have enough backstage & parking lot space to save IJSS and build around it.

I think it's too closely located to (the current) Backlot Express to effectively transition into Star Wars stuff. Also, I think it would be tough to create guest access the currently backstage area without removing the IJ theater. My impression is that Backlot Express with retain its footprint, but be converted to themed food so you probably need to use the IJ footprint to create the proper space for guests.

 

[marni1971]

I think it's too closely located to (the current) Backlot Express to effectively transition into Star Wars stuff. Also, I think it would be tough to create guest access the currently backstage area without removing the IJ theater. My impression is that Backlot Express with retain its footprint, but be converted to themed food so you probably need to use the IJ footprint to create the proper space for guests.

I was hoping for one of the earlier proposals which would have created a corridor between Indy and Star Tours (and through the backlot express) into the land. Nothing says 1930 Hollywood from the hub more than seeing an alien planet to the east. Maybe they still will. Details remain scant.

 

[P_Radden]

I was hoping for one of the earlier proposals which would have created a corridor between Indy and Star Tours (and through the backlot express) into the land. Nothing says 1930 Hollywood from the hub more than seeing an alien planet to the east. Maybe they still will. Details remain scant.

Maybe if they do destroy the theater, they'll at least leave as much of that tree line as possible.. A big planet behind Gertie would not look right imo

 

[doctornick]

Maybe if they do destroy the theater, they'll at least leave as much of that tree line as possible.. A big planet behind Gertie would not look right imo
View attachment 125991

Agreed. I'd love to see them keep and even expand the tree line there to create more of a barrier with Star Wars. Since the setting they have decided to use for Star Wars seems to have some vegetation, it hopefully would be a reasonable transition.

 

[captainmoch]

Maybe the IJA space could house one of the show buildings? The entrance to the ride would be on the opposite side, where the parking lot is now and where SWL will be, and they could simply give some building facades on the Hollywood Boulevard side on the back to disguise it. Then the SWL entrance itself can be deeper over by Star Tours.