Star Wars Land announced for Disney's Hollywood Studios

[Ragetti]

...and this is why we aren't going back to WDW until it's all done at DHS and (AK will be done by then too). The way the crowds are now, can you imagine the normal DHS crowds being absorbed into the already crowded remaining parks?

If I go back to Florida before then it will be to the Keys or the Gulf Coast and renting a vacation home. It's sad because our little girls will be middle school by then but it gives us time to school them in all things SW. Plus, my sister and bro in law should have their adopted baby by then it would be a toddler - so we will still have a little one in tow.

I feel your pain. I think this summer we probably took out last trip there until this is all done. My daughter is 13 now, and she'll be in college by the time this is done. I hope she will enjoy one last trip to Disney with us when this all gets done, even if just to indulge her ole man the Star Wars geek. I think she will. She cried though the entirety of wishes this trip.

 

[NormC]

However, Prime Time is practically in the demolition zone. While popular, a Star Wars restaurant will be twice as more popular than the 50's diner ever was.

So put it in the Sci-Fi diner instead. That is closer to the proposed demo/construction zone.

 

[Mawg]

I feel your pain. I think this summer we probably took out last trip there until this is all done. My daughter is 13 now, and she'll be in college by the time this is done. I hope she will enjoy one last trip to Disney with us when this all gets done, even if just to indulge her ole man the Star Wars geek. I think she will. She cried though the entirety of wishes this trip.

I feel your post. It so hard to take your kids and know that your days to enjoy their youth at the parks is numbered and that they will be so much older by the time these things are completed. I guess there's always grandkids but it's just not the same.

 

[SirLink]

First time I ever got picked was in Disneyland. Wasn't flirting, though. I think it was the WDW shirt I was wearing that got me picked.

Last time was in World I was picked wearing a Universal shirt, CMs have a sense of humor at least ...

 

[Mike S]

Last time was in World I was picked wearing a Universal shirt, CMs have a sense of humor at least ...

Lol, gotta try that next time. Then again they might not pick me if I'm wearing a JP T-Rex shirt that says "Bite Me." Only Uni shirt I have.

 

[Ignohippo]

So put it in the Sci-Fi diner instead. That is closer to the proposed demo/construction zone.

No, not even close. The SW expansion will be the Echo Lake area.

 

[Ignohippo]

Ok, I actually didn't find your rumors until a few minutes ago and thought we were just speculating. I find the opening onto Hollywood Blvd awkward at best.....it would make more sense to me if they left Echo Lake as is so Star Wars wouldn't immediatley juxtapose with Old Hollywood. Open the land around the Stunt Show, let it occupy the entire parking lot. Then again it wouldn't surprise me that they'd want SW to become essentially half the park.

With all due respect, I hope you're wrong!

Oh trust me, my heart sank when I was told where this was going and how they were basically just value-engineering this thing. I never in a million years would have thought they'd go this route.

 

[NormC]

No, not even close. The SW expansion will be the Echo Lake area.

Star Tours is next door to Sci-fi Diner. 50's is next door to Indy. Both are within range and it is still not confirmed that Echo Lake is going anywhere as it would likely make a good transition from Hollywood to Star Wars Land.

 

[Beholder]

I feel your post. It so hard to take your kids and know that your days to enjoy their youth at the parks is numbered and that they will be so much older by the time these things are completed. I guess there's always grandkids but it's just not the same.

My daughter just started college, 19, knows everything, too cool for me, yet still talks non-stop about going back to WDW. I think that for me, going with her as a young adult, the hardest thing will be not having her be that "little girl" with the wide eyes and thinks everything is "magical". What makes it easier though, for me, is that I was there in 71' when it opened, though I was an infant. I've grown up with WDW, so as she becomes more independent and goes her own way, I'll be able to enjoy things without the expectation of making sure she is entertained. I can revert a little I guess, embrace the 10 year old "me" that's still within. Watching them become adults is bitter sweet, so I find the silver lining to ease these difficult stages in life. And being at WDW certainly helps!

 

[Ignohippo]

Star Tours is next door to Sci-fi Diner. 50's is next door to Indy. Both are within range and it is still not confirmed that Echo Lake is going anywhere as it would make a good transition from Hollywood to Star Wars Land.

Star Tours is not next door to Sci-fi. While there is no building between (besides the New York backdrop) they are pretty far from each other.

 

[NormC]

Star Tours is not next door to Sci-fi.

Next door, Less than 200 feet away from Tatooine traders. I agree 50's is closer to Indy's outpost though.

 

[Mawg]

Star Tours is not next door to Sci-fi. While there is no building between (besides the New York backdrop) they are pretty far from each other.

So as you look down streets of America and see the backdrop are you going to see large rock work behind the NY backdrop. Streets of America may not work thematically any more will it? May be more evidence that it has to go?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

No, it is not irrelevant if the rides are based on the story. The attractions themselves are not theming, they are attractions. That is what will be disappointing about Pandora. Not the themed 'land'.

I'm sorry but that has nothing to do with it whatsoever. There's no movie for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or Space Mountain, and they're both fantastic rides. Tower of Terror is based on a decades-old TV show that was popular at the time but certainly hasn't aged well. There's no reason why an attraction inspired by a mediocre film (or no film at all) can't be a fantastic attraction in its own right.

 

[Ignohippo]

So as you look down streets of America and see the backdrop are you going to see large rock work behind the NY backdrop. Streets of America may not work thematically any more will it? May be more evidence that it has to go?

I have no idea. Heck, we don't even know if SOA is staying or going but, and this is purely speculation, I don't think the rock work will be nearly as tall as it looks on the concept art. I would imagine there were some major artistic liberties taken with that.

For instance, the rock work at the entrance would probably be more like the size of the turrets on the wall of the entrance to New Fantasyland (maybe 3-4 stories at most?).

If you look at the people in the concept art, those mountains would have to be 15+ stories high and we all know that ain't happening.

 

[OvertheHorizon]

I've been thinking about the existing Star Tours ride at WDW compared with the "immersive" new Star Wars land. It was noted at D 23 that Hollywood Studios would be evolving from a place (I'm paraphrasing) that talked about making movies to one that puts the guest in the middle of the action. The trees that stand in front of the Star Tours entry are a good example. From the front it depicts a "real" environment, but no attempt has been made to hide the support structure behind the trees. From everything that has been said so far, whatever is developed will be designed to be more complete than the facades used in prior DHS exhibits.

 

[wdwmagic]

So as you look down streets of America and see the backdrop are you going to see large rock work behind the NY backdrop. Streets of America may not work thematically any more will it? May be more evidence that it has to go?

Streets of America is not around the long term, one way or another, it's going. Just the timeline isn't clear.

 

[Mawg]

Streets of America is not around the long term, one way or another, it's going. Just the timeline isn't clear.

Yeah, it's pretty obvious it has to go I'm just pointing out hints that there is no way these are the end of the announcements coming for this park, these announced changes only indicate that there have to be more announcements on there way.

 

[Smiddimizer]

Oh trust me, my heart sank when I was told where this was going and how they were basically just value-engineering this thing. I never in a million years would have thought they'd go this route.

I wouldn't fall into despair just yet. I'm sure you're not lying but I have sincere doubts that this is how the project will proceed. Why replace Star Tours within a decade of plussing it--twice? How does it convincingly turn into the Falcon? Wasn't DL promised two rides as well? At least the best laid plans of mice and jedi can change. At the very least, awkwardness aside, however many attractions it has, it will be quality.

Regardless thanks for passing that along.

 

[wdwmagic]

Yeah, it's pretty obvious it has to go I'm just pointing out hints that there is no way these are the end of the announcements coming for this park, these announced changes only indicate that there have to be more announcements on there way.

Yep agreed

 

[dstrawn9889]

I wouldn't fall into despair just yet. I'm sure you're not lying but I have sincere doubts that this is how the project will proceed. Why replace Star Tours within a decade of plussing it--twice? How does it convincingly turn into the Falcon? Wasn't DL promised two rides as well? At least the laid plans of mice and jedi can change. At the very least, awkwardness aside, however many attractions it has, it will be quality.

Regardless thanks for passing that along.

would think the MF ride would be a perfect Kuka ride, either the centrifuge-type(M:S) or a tracked combo ride(HP:FJ)... that would put you 'in the ride' and 'be customizable'