Star Wars Land announced for Disney's Hollywood Studios

HauntedMansionFLA

Well-Known Member
Well, the board rejected their first attempt at SW land back in 2014 ( I believe ). So, Iger wanted the new movies to be involved. WDI would have to have a good presentation for the board to sign off on that type of money. If I were on the board, I probably wouldn't sign off on the project if they just say "let's build a SW land" with no details.
 

doctornick

Well-Known Member
I just got two posts saying we don't know how far R&D is, and I only pointed out that Avatarland was announced before they did anything but pretty concept art, so it wouldn't be anything new. I wouldn't be shocked if the same was for SW. I will be shocked if this thing is ready before 2020.

Um, there was no concept art when Avatar was announced in 2011. There was literally nothing except a press release saying that Disney and Cameron reached an agreement to bring Avatar to WDW. People in WDI had no idea at the time and nothing was working on -- no ideas for rides or setup for the land or anything. It wasn't until the D23 in Tokyo in 2013 that we even had concept art. It wasn't until D23 in 2015 that we actually had descriptions of the rides and some info on content.

Meanwhile, additional Star Wars content has been in development for ages. Buying Lucasfilm in 2012 surely accelerated the process. There's been hints and mentions of a larger Star Wars presence continuously since the purchase. When things were announced at D23 this past year, it involved concept art and descriptions of 2 rides and talk of other aspects (e.g. cantina for food). Star Wars 2015 is basically where Avatar was in 2013.

Ground breaking for Pandora did not occur until early 2014 and the land will open in spring 2017 -- that's basically a little longer than 3 years. If Star Wars breaks ground in 2016 as announced, then the same timeframe has the land opening by the end of 2019. I don't see any reason to think that is implausible or unlikely, especially since insiders have suggested that the projects for DHS has been out into an accelerated timeline.
 
Um, there was no concept art when Avatar was announced in 2011. There was literally nothing except a press release saying that Disney and Cameron reached an agreement to bring Avatar to WDW. People in WDI had no idea at the time and nothing was working on -- no ideas for rides or setup for the land or anything. It wasn't until the D23 in Tokyo in 2013 that we even had concept art. It wasn't until D23 in 2015 that we actually had descriptions of the rides and some info on content.

Meanwhile, additional Star Wars content has been in development for ages. Buying Lucasfilm in 2012 surely accelerated the process. There's been hints and mentions of a larger Star Wars presence continuously since the purchase. When things were announced at D23 this past year, it involved concept art and descriptions of 2 rides and talk of other aspects (e.g. cantina for food). Star Wars 2015 is basically where Avatar was in 2013.

Ground breaking for Pandora did not occur until early 2014 and the land will open in spring 2017 -- that's basically a little longer than 3 years. If Star Wars breaks ground in 2016 as announced, then the same timeframe has the land opening by the end of 2019. I don't see any reason to think that is implausible or unlikely, especially since insiders have suggested that the projects for DHS has been out into an accelerated timeline.

They're certainly going need an accelerated timeline on this since there's very little in the park right now!
 

misterID

Well-Known Member
Um, there was no concept art when Avatar was announced in 2011. There was literally nothing except a press release saying that Disney and Cameron reached an agreement to bring Avatar to WDW. People in WDI had no idea at the time and nothing was working on -- no ideas for rides or setup for the land or anything. It wasn't until the D23 in Tokyo in 2013 that we even had concept art. It wasn't until D23 in 2015 that we actually had descriptions of the rides and some info on content.

Meanwhile, additional Star Wars content has been in development for ages. Buying Lucasfilm in 2012 surely accelerated the process. There's been hints and mentions of a larger Star Wars presence continuously since the purchase. When things were announced at D23 this past year, it involved concept art and descriptions of 2 rides and talk of other aspects (e.g. cantina for food). Star Wars 2015 is basically where Avatar was in 2013.

Ground breaking for Pandora did not occur until early 2014 and the land will open in spring 2017 -- that's basically a little longer than 3 years. If Star Wars breaks ground in 2016 as announced, then the same timeframe has the land opening by the end of 2019. I don't see any reason to think that is implausible or unlikely, especially since insiders have suggested that the projects for DHS has been out into an accelerated timeline.
You are correct, the artwork was more generic, but the timeline was ridiculous, their rate of construction is ridiculous, that ridiculousness seeps into everything they do, so I'm prepared for more.

I hope you're right, even with your most excellent condescending snarkiness in that "um", dude. I'm not arguing anything, I'm stating my opinion about the silliness that is WDI. The only reason I have hope is that DLR is getting this too and perhaps that will keep things on track in regards to R&D. If, and I mean if, Avatar land is pushed back, and we start getting the typical construction/contractor ridiculousness about SWland I will have to respond with my own snarky "I told you so." :p
 

doctornick

Well-Known Member
You are correct, the artwork was more generic, but the timeline was ridiculous, their rate of construction is ridiculous, that ridiculousness seeps into everything they do, so I'm prepared for more.

You can prepare for whatever you want. I was just pointing out where you were factually incorrect. There was no concept art released with the initial Avatar announcement in 2011.

I hope you're right, even with your most excellent condescending snarkiness in that "um", dude.

I was not trying to be snarky, but was rather explaining how your statement was false. Concept art was not released with the Avatar announcement in 2011. How could it be? Imagineers weren't even aware at the time that there was an Avatar project. In 2011, all that existed was an agreement between Cameron and Disney to develop a land. That's when work on that land began.

I'm not arguing anything, I'm stating my opinion about the silliness that is WDI.

I'm not sure why you pin anything about Avatar's timeline on WDI. Disney has drawn out timelines for construction, but the development and build out with Avatar is perfectly in line with other projects that Disney has done in the park. They typically take ~3 years from groundbreaking to completion to finish a new land. That's the timeframe that is planned for Avatar and what occurred with Cars Land and the Fantasyland expansion (the overall FLE took longer, but that's because they didn't start work on the Mine Train until well after the rest of the land; the individual attractions were all completed by 3 years or so).

I'm not making any prediction as to when Star Wars Land will open. I'd suggesting when it could open based on previously established timelines by Disney. 3 years is a long time to build a land, but that is what Disney typically does. So, when I say it reasonably could be open in 2019, that's taking into account Disney's bloated timeframes to build. Maybe it will open by then, maybe not -- but you are making it sound like that's some unprecedented pace for Disney and it's not. That's my only point.
 
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gonzoWDW

Well-Known Member
Um, there was no concept art when Avatar was announced in 2011. There was literally nothing except a press release saying that Disney and Cameron reached an agreement to bring Avatar to WDW. People in WDI had no idea at the time and nothing was working on -- no ideas for rides or setup for the land or anything. It wasn't until the D23 in Tokyo in 2013 that we even had concept art. It wasn't until D23 in 2015 that we actually had descriptions of the rides and some info on content.

Meanwhile, additional Star Wars content has been in development for ages. Buying Lucasfilm in 2012 surely accelerated the process. There's been hints and mentions of a larger Star Wars presence continuously since the purchase. When things were announced at D23 this past year, it involved concept art and descriptions of 2 rides and talk of other aspects (e.g. cantina for food). Star Wars 2015 is basically where Avatar was in 2013.

Ground breaking for Pandora did not occur until early 2014 and the land will open in spring 2017 -- that's basically a little longer than 3 years. If Star Wars breaks ground in 2016 as announced, then the same timeframe has the land opening by the end of 2019. I don't see any reason to think that is implausible or unlikely, especially since insiders have suggested that the projects for DHS has been out into an accelerated timeline.

Thank you for this, since it really helped answer my question about where the current SWL announcement compares to Avatar. It does sound like SWL compares more to Avatar in 2013 than 2011, so maybe a 2019 summer or holiday opening is in the cards. You've given me a new hope in the ability of this land to open prior to the year of perfect vision.
 

note2001

Well-Known Member
No, but we are talking about what is reasonable possible for Disney, and 3 years is reasonably possible.
I suspect Disney will coordinate construction and aim for SWL DHS to open at the same time as SWL Anaheim. Since one may incur more challenges than the other it seems likely one will open just prior to the other. Hm, take a wild guess which one will be done first. (I have $20 on CA even though it is more likely to encounter issues.)
 

boufa

Well-Known Member
I suspect Disney will coordinate construction and aim for SWL DHS to open at the same time as SWL Anaheim. Since one may incur more challenges than the other it seems likely one will open just prior to the other. Hm, take a wild guess which one will be done first. (I have $20 on CA even though it is more likely to encounter issues.)

First, I'm not so sure that the coordination of the timing would be anything less than coincidence. These things are a giant cash cow, waiting to happen. They are not going to let 1 single day of potential income slip by just for a PR stunt. If either one is done a month before the other, then I am certain that they will open it up.

Second, I am not so sure about your guess that Anaheim will be done first. All things being equal, the WDW version would seem to have an easier potential construction process. Mostly backstage, own and manage nearly everything involved in the project at WDW.
 

doctornick

Well-Known Member
Thank you for this, since it really helped answer my question about where the current SWL announcement compares to Avatar. It does sound like SWL compares more to Avatar in 2013 than 2011, so maybe a 2019 summer or holiday opening is in the cards. You've given me a new hope in the ability of this land to open prior to the year of perfect vision.

Yeah, if we want to draw parallels, I'd say this:

Initial Avatar announcement in 2011 = Bob Iger talking about adding more Star Wars to the parks in 2012-13
Tokyo D23 concept art for Avatar 2013 = Anaheim D23 concept art for Star Wars 2015
Construction starting Avatar early 2014 = hopefully, construction starting 2016 as announced by Disney
Anaheim D23 model and further information Avatar 2015 = (possible what we'd see at the 2017 D23 for Star Wars)
Announced completion Avatar Spring 2017 = ? completion date for Star Wars

As you can see, Star Wars is running pretty much 2 years behind Avatar at this time
 

misterID

Well-Known Member
You can prepare for whatever you want. I was just pointing out where you were factually incorrect. There was no concept art released with the initial Avatar announcement in 2011.



I was not trying to be snarky, but was rather explaining how your statement was false. Concept art was not released with the Avatar announcement in 2011. How could it be? Imagineers weren't even aware at the time that there was an Avatar project. In 2011, all that existed was an agreement between Cameron and Disney to develop a land. That's when work on that land began.



I'm not sure why you pin anything about Avatar's timeline on WDI. Disney has drawn out timelines for construction, but the development and build out with Avatar is perfectly in line with other projects that Disney has done in the park. They typically take ~3 years from groundbreaking to completion to finish a new land. That's the timeframe that is planned for Avatar and what occurred with Cars Land and the Fantasyland expansion (the overall FLE took longer, but that's because they didn't start work on the Mine Train until well after the rest of the land; the individual attractions were all completed by 3 years or so).

I'm not making any prediction as to when Star Wars Land will open. I'd suggesting when it could open based on previously established timelines by Disney. 3 years is a long time to build a land, but that is what Disney typically does. So, when I say it reasonably could be open in 2019, that's taking into account Disney's bloated timeframes to build. Maybe it will open by then, maybe not -- but you are making it sound like that's some unprecedented pace for Disney and it's not. That's my only point.
Oh, Christ on a cracker, dude, I said you were correct. Yes, there was no real artwork at the announcement, I was wrong, but if you still want it, there yah go. Thank you for pointing out I was incorrect and then reiterating twice after I said so. The only reason I brought up avatar was the ridiculousness of it all. And with your insight into WDI you should know the biggest problems with the overrun of time and money with these projects is the relationships between WDI and certain contractors, so yes, blame does lie with them also. I've heard this with my own ears by people who really know what they're talking about. I think you're making up an argument about what I'm saying now, about anything being unprecedented. I only chose avatar because Disney hasn't done jack to REALLY plussing WDW like this in a long time, and Avatar was the closest comparable for me to do so.

And thanks for allowing me to prepare whatever I want, totally not a snarky response, like this project will likely go over budget and over time. I think people are really hoping this comes out before 2020. I hope it does.

But let me get to the most important part of the thread, I was mistaken about them having pretty artwork at Avatars announcement. I sincerely apologize and am in awe at your factual pointing out of my mistakes.
 

RSoxNo1

Well-Known Member
Do we know they've already completed research and development yet?

Avatarland-

Announced on September 20 2011, the project will see an AVATAR-themed land begin construction at Disney's Animal Kingdom in 2013, with opening expected in 2017. The budget is speculated to be in the region of $500 million.
First concept art was revealed in 2013, expected opening is 2017. 3-4 years from concept art is a realistic time frame. I would guess 2019, but I wouldn't be surprised it it's 2020-2021
 

1023

Provocateur, Rancanteur, Plaisanter, du Jour
Avatar early 2017, Toy Story late 2017, Star Wars late 2018?
That looks like the way it is rolling out. The "unannounced" will be in construction mode about 1 year before SWL opening. TSL could be pushed back a little, there is a ton going on in that area to make things happen. In turn, SWL could fall back to early 2019, but they really want to be done with all construction by the end of 2020. (Early 2021).

*1023*
 

HauntedMansionFLA

Well-Known Member
That looks like the way it is rolling out. The "unannounced" will be in construction mode about 1 year before SWL opening. TSL could be pushed back a little, there is a ton going on in that area to make things happen. In turn, SWL could fall back to early 2019, but they really want to be done with all construction by the end of 2020. (Early 2021).

*1023*
Even with the mysterious phase three at wasn't announced but members here have talked about? It should be a pretty sweet park once said and done.
 

SJN1279

Well-Known Member
I'm guessing:

December 2017-Avatar 2 and Avatarland

May/June 2018- Toy Story 4 and Toy Story Land

May 2019- Star Wars Episode 9 and Star Wars Land
 

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