Star Wars Land announced for Disney's Hollywood Studios

[TrojanUSC]

Said this before but it reminds me of Harambe (on a larger scale obviously), which is a lovely little land but has the same “well worn” aesthetic. The key difference there is the uplifting African music, the smiles on the CM faces, great entertainers dancing and singing, a Lion King show, etc. Now imagine taking that all out and replacing it with only the noise of bombs blasting in the background, cast members trained to scare you about an incoming warlord, etc. It totally changes the experience.

 

[ParkPeeker]

Do people here define immersive as something accurate to real life? or just something that completely surrounds your senses? I think something can still be immersive while not being completely accurate. That's escapism to me.

I too like music

 

[eddie104]

Do people here define immersive as something accurate to real life? or just something that completely surrounds your senses? I think something can still be immersive while not being completely accurate. That's escapism to me.

I too like music

This is one my biggest questions I would love to know the answer to as that word keeps getting thrown around.

 

[TJJohn12]

Roaming Droids. I didn't see a single droid zipping around. One robot guy in Ronto's Roasters was turning the bbq spit, and that was so notable because it was one of the only moving props in the entire land. They were even testing these at Disneyland's Tomorrowland several years ago, so we know it was supposed to be a thing.

I’m still not entirely convinced this was simply a bean-counter decision. I’ve watched a good deal of the Jake the Droid test footage. He was abused by guests - particularly children - quite a bit during his test period. There was quite a bit of thumping and banging on his shell. Nearly every child within a ten foot radius felt the need to touch him. Some climbed on him, corralled him into corners, and even tried to ride him. Many were thumping on the head with enough force to make it tilt under their small palms, which would mean the servos inside would receive significant wear and tear.

Guests blatantly abused him and exhibited a good deal of unsafe behavior during the test period. I would wager that - at least in part - the observations of guests unable to treat droids with respect figures into the decision to not deploy them for a variety of reasons: liability, wear-and-tear, crowd flow.

You test things for a reason: to see if they work. Either WDI or Opps obviously drew from the data gathered during the test that roaming droids would not work.

 

[Sped2424]

I’m still not entirely convinced this was simply a bean-counter decision. I’ve watched a good deal of the Jake the Droid test footage. He was abused by guests - particularly children - quite a bit during his test period. There was quite a bit of thumping and banging on his shell. Nearly every child within a ten foot radius felt the need to touch him. Some climbed on him, corralled him into corners, and even tried to ride him. Many were thumping on the head with enough force to make it tilt under their small palms, which would mean the servos inside would receive significant wear and tear.

Guests blatantly abused him and exhibited a good deal of unsafe behavior during the test period. I would wager that - at least in part - the observations of guests unable to treat droids with respect figures into the decision to not deploy them for a variety of reasons: liability, wear-and-tear, crowd flow.

You test things for a reason: to see if they work. Either WDI or Opps obviously drew from the data gathered during the test that roaming droids would not work.

I'd say it's probably a mixture of both, budget and practicality.

 

[999th Happy Haunt]

I’m still not entirely convinced this was simply a bean-counter decision. I’ve watched a good deal of the Jake the Droid test footage. He was abused by guests - particularly children - quite a bit during his test period. There was quite a bit of thumping and banging on his shell. Nearly every child within a ten foot radius felt the need to touch him. Some climbed on him, corralled him into corners, and even tried to ride him. Many were thumping on the head with enough force to make it tilt under their small palms, which would mean the servos inside would receive significant wear and tear.

Guests blatantly abused him and exhibited a good deal of unsafe behavior during the test period. I would wager that - at least in part - the observations of guests unable to treat droids with respect figures into the decision to not deploy them for a variety of reasons: liability, wear-and-tear, crowd flow.

You test things for a reason: to see if they work. Either WDI or Opps obviously drew from the data gathered during the test that roaming droids would not work.

This is why we can’t have nice things. Although having Jawa handlers for the droids could solve this issue and would bring in more aliens that have been noticeably missing in the land.

 

[doctornick]

I’d like music btw.

All things being equal, I'd probably prefer some scores from the movies to be present over ambient marketplace sounds, but I honestly don't think it would make a big difference to me. The noise from the crowds or talking to my group tends to overshadow the background music for me anyway.

That said, I think a strong argument can be made for using the music within the rides themselves. Music plays a significant role in setting up quality rides because one is focused on viewing/experiencing what the ride is offering to you. It sounds like that might be an opportunity that was not pursued but we'll see about RotR

 

[doctornick]

I’m still not entirely convinced this was simply a bean-counter decision. I’ve watched a good deal of the Jake the Droid test footage. He was abused by guests - particularly children - quite a bit during his test period. There was quite a bit of thumping and banging on his shell. Nearly every child within a ten foot radius felt the need to touch him. Some climbed on him, corralled him into corners, and even tried to ride him. Many were thumping on the head with enough force to make it tilt under their small palms, which would mean the servos inside would receive significant wear and tear.

Guests blatantly abused him and exhibited a good deal of unsafe behavior during the test period. I would wager that - at least in part - the observations of guests unable to treat droids with respect figures into the decision to not deploy them for a variety of reasons: liability, wear-and-tear, crowd flow.

You test things for a reason: to see if they work. Either WDI or Opps obviously drew from the data gathered during the test that roaming droids would not work.

I tend to agree WRT "roaming" droids, but there is certainly the ability to have droids that are not in guest accessible areas that are moving - either their head/legs moving in someway though the droid is stationary or having some "roving around" on a second level or such. Maybe behind a window.

Same goes with having additional AA aliens. Yes, some costumed CMs would be good, but they could probably benefit from more alien beings around as figures.

 

[doctornick]

Said this before but it reminds me of Harambe (on a larger scale obviously), which is a lovely little land but has the same “well worn” aesthetic. The key difference there is the uplifting African music, the smiles on the CM faces, great entertainers dancing and singing, a Lion King show, etc. Now imagine taking that all out and replacing it with only the noise of bombs blasting in the background, cast members trained to scare you about an incoming warlord, etc. It totally changes the experience.

I feel like the most valid criticism of the land is the lack of "streetmosphere" especially after that aspect was kinda hyped by Disney themselves. There seems to be plenty of ares that wee designed to feature live action but this oddly has not been present (unless I'm wrong, I've try not to read too many spoilery stuff). The live entertainment to compliment a land has always been a big part of Disney parks' appeal and would be a relatively easy add to address some of the criticism of the land. I mean, if they can do a regularly Muppet puppet show in MK they can have periodic "fighting" in GE.

Is it correct that the March of he First Order is going to be happening in the land in DHS?

 

[RobWDW1971]

I feel like the most valid criticism of the land is the lack of "streetmosphere" especially after that aspect was kinda hyped by Disney

"Kinda"?

 

[ParkPeeker]

All things being equal, I'd probably prefer some scores from the movies to be present over ambient marketplace sounds, but I honestly don't think it would make a big difference to me. The noise from the crowds or talking to my group tends to overshadow the background music for me anyway.

That said, I think a strong argument can be made for using the music within the rides themselves. Music plays a significant role in setting up quality rides because one is focused on viewing/experiencing what the ride is offering to you. It sounds like that might be an opportunity that was not pursued but we'll see about RotR

For me, when I say music I don't mean only JW scores from the movies being played everywhere.
They could make music for some parts of the land, maybe the marketplace could play something like this

maybe in the resistance forest area, music like this is played every few minutes

(the intro, ocarina only part).

There already exists similar sounds in the forest exit.

and yea, I hope the RotR experience involves a lot of music, I kinda think it will.

 

[RobWDW1971]

Talk about a bait and switch! What happened to all this stuff? So to answer your valid question, that's "what I truly wanted from this land". I can't be the only one, can I?

Incredible post that clearly outlines both "what people wanted from the land" and why there is so much negative feedback and true disappointment from those that have gone on both coasts.

Your post details the exact reasons why I said earlier WDI failed miserably in the delivery of their promise.

I hope to read some equally articulate counterarguments vs. the usual "You're all negative" posts that do not actually address your points.

If someone on this board disagrees with you, they should respond point by point of why those things actually ARE there or why the land is better because they are NOT there.

All I ever read is complaining about the complaining, changing the subject to how well the concrete is sculpted on a wall, or people creating a fantasy SWGE that exists only in their hopes and dreams of what it may become someday.

 

[RobWDW1971]

This is exactly the star wars land I would *not* want to go to. I want an immersive experience, to feel part of the universe. .

Honest questions:

Have you gone to SWGE?

Did you honestly feel part of the Star Wars universe?

Did WDI succeed or fail in their attempt to fully immerse you in a living, breathing Star Wars experience?

 

[TP2000]

Text from a friend of mine who was at DHS preview today — I asked for her take in a word: “Incredible!” She must be wrong I guess.

She's probably not wrong. I also thought the land was "incredible" from an aesthetic and architectural design standpoint.

But for a theme park land, especially in Disneyland - arguably the best theme park on the planet - it was not incredible when it came to entertainment, soul, charm, vibe and being IMMERSIVE! that Mr. Chapek so often said it would be.

Maybe they've fixed these glaring problems at DHS? I'm still awaiting reports that detail how the DHS version may be operated and staffed differently. Anyone who has been to a DHS preview care to weigh in on that with some solid details? We're dying to know!

 

[TP2000]

This is one my biggest questions I would love to know the answer to as that word keeps getting thrown around.

I think the joke that has become the word IMMERSIVE! only exists because of the farce of an executive leader that Disney has had running its parks for the last four years. I'm of course referring to Mr. Bob Chapek. He is that typical 21st century executive moved into a division he knows nothing about, who then relies on his speechwriters and talking point creators in his Corporate Communications department to feed him lines and phrases to say publicly that will make it sound like he knows what he's talking about.

Mr. Chapek has shown no personal knowledge of, nor care for, Disney theme parks. Or even the theme park industry in general. He used to work at Heinz selling ketchup. Then he moved to the Disney Stores selling t-shirts, pajama sets and plastic crap made in China. Then he moved to the Disney Parks division and he runs theme parks. But he is clueless and it's obvious he has no personal interest or passion in this "product" aside from what can pad his retirement fund.

Mr. Chapek had to get up on stage and do a dog and pony show for the fans at least once a year at some venue or another. So his Communications team fed him the line that these projects he was cutting the budgets on would all be IMMERSIVE! So he just kept saying it, because that's what his TelePrompTer told him to say.

It's become a giant joke at this point. I will be interested to see if Mr. Chapek is idiot enough to keep using it a few weeks from now at D23 Expo, or if the Burbank team realizes the fans are laughing at them and they move on to a new buzzword.

 

[Mickeyboof]

Do I spy another prototype of the Bantha vehicle?!

Large belly structure with leg(s) to give the illusion of supported movement?

People would sit up top?



Also check out 3:08mins for what seems to be another half second ROTR vehicle sneak peak.

 

[eddie104]

I think the joke that has become the word IMMERSIVE! only exists because of the farce of an executive leader that Disney has had running its parks for the last four years. I'm of course referring to Mr. Bob Chapek. He is that typical 21st century executive moved into a division he knows nothing about, who then relies on his speechwriters and talking point creators in his Corporate Communications department to feed him lines and phrases to say publicly that will make it sound like he knows what he's talking about.

Mr. Chapek has shown no personal knowledge of, nor care for, Disney theme parks. Or even the theme park industry in general. He used to work at Heinz selling ketchup. Then he moved to the Disney Stores selling t-shirts, pajama sets and plastic crap made in China. Then he moved to the Disney Parks division and he runs theme parks. But he is clueless and it's obvious he has no personal interest or passion in this "product" aside from what can pad his retirement fund.

Mr. Chapek had to get up on stage and do a dog and pony show for the fans at least once a year at some venue or another. So his Communications team fed him the line that these projects he was cutting the budgets on would all be IMMERSIVE! So he just kept saying it, because that's what his TelePrompTer told him to say.

It's become a giant joke at this point. I will be interested to see if Mr. Chapek is idiot enough to keep using it a few weeks from now at D23 Expo, or if the Burbank team realizes the fans are laughing at them and they move on to a new buzzword.

I wonder who put him in charge of the parks division ?

 

[TrojanUSC]

I feel like the most valid criticism of the land is the lack of "streetmosphere" especially after that aspect was kinda hyped by Disney themselves. There seems to be plenty of ares that wee designed to feature live action but this oddly has not been present (unless I'm wrong, I've try not to read too many spoilery stuff). The live entertainment to compliment a land has always been a big part of Disney parks' appeal and would be a relatively easy add to address some of the criticism of the land. I mean, if they can do a regularly Muppet puppet show in MK they can have periodic "fighting" in GE.

Is it correct that the March of he First Order is going to be happening in the land in DHS?

Streetmosphere is only part of it. It's the lack of music, it's the lack of shows, its that there is really only one thing to do unless you have a reservation for the Cantina or spend $200.

 

[Stripes]

Courtesy of Schmoofy on Twitter. Would you just look at that? They nailed the petrified tree look! And the colors are fantastic!

 

[mikejs78]

Streetmosphere is only part of it. It's the lack of music, it's the lack of shows, its that there is really only one thing to do unless you have a reservation for the Cantina or spend $200.

What else is there to do in Pandora? Yet everyone considers that land a success. Lands typically start small and grow. Once RotR opens it will be more fleshed out, and the addition of streetmosphere would help immensely.