Star Wars Launch Bay coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios later this year

[AmUK]

Look, they've known about the new Star Wars movies for a fair few years now. They also would have had an inkling that they should probably put some extra Star Wars presence in the parks to compliment the new movie.

DHS has needed new attractions for a while now, and whilst they are planning a new Star Wars Land, it should have been already built and finished now. Not in 5 years time. Nothing has been built because the CEO of Disney, Bob Iger, puts profits before entertainment. He is a corporate suit that doesn't care about the parks. His sole care is profit.

Even if they have workers in tomorrow building, this project will still take a bare minimum three years. And with rumours they are going to build Toy Story Land first then we can expect the project will take longer.

So essentially at best estimates 4-5 years seems like a good timeline. So you then think how much should they commit to a project that will be around for 5 years.

Trust me, it should be more than this. This is so just so bad and laughably bad. It almost would have been better had they not bothered. I wonder what the budget for this was, and how long it came to complete.

Once again Bob Iger cost cutting. Why is he doing this? The sooner he leaves the better Disney will be.

 

[Andrew C]

Look, they've known about the new Star Wars movies for a fair few years now. They also would have had an inkling that they should probably put some extra Star Wars presence in the parks to compliment the new movie. It appears they are committing to building a new land, but it's well known this is going to take a very long time if you look at their last few projects (Avatar, FL) So it's not as if they woke up last week and panicked. They've had this issue for a while.

Even if they have workers in tomorrow building, this project will still take a bare minimum three years. And with rumours they are going to build Toy Story Land first then we can expect the project will take longer.

So essentially at best estimates 4-5 years seems like a good timeline. So you then think how much should they commit to a project that will be around for 5 years.

Trust me, it should be more than this. This is so just so bad and laughably bad. It almost would have been better had they not bothered. I wonder what the budget for this was, and how long it came to complete.

Once again Bob Iger cost cutting. Why is he doing this? The sooner he leaves the better Disney will be.

oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
oh, oh, oh, oh
oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
The right stuff!

 

[SpoiledBlueMilk]

Ventured into this early this morning. Extremely disappointing.

Didn't have huge expectations at all. But honestly felt this is scraping the barrel in terms of budget and entertainment.

Literally no theming at all. Felt like an extended shop. The few exhibits that were there were not very interesting, nor the small movie - which essentially played like an advert for Star Wars. The meet and greets were just what they are - a meet and greet. Felt a little distasteful that it appeared to be just centered around selling merchandise.

Hardly anyone was there, and most around me agreed it was pretty low rent.

Few cast members spoke of the new Star Wars land that could take 5 years or even longer, to summarize it's not coming anytime soon. So this is really not temporary is it? Makes me worry how bad the Frozen attraction will be, if the same people behind that are behind this. I honestly felt a few hardcore fans with a smaller budget could have done something better than this.

Poor.

I'd say give it time. The movie isn't out yet. They can't offer too much actual information until the 18th. I would guess that it will get more content as we roll into the release dates of Rogue One and VIII.

 

[DisneyJeff]

Isn't that exactly what they said it would be? I guess I'm confused as to what people's expectations where. There was never indication that this would be some sort of "immersive" pretend you are in the Star Wars galaxy setting, at least not that I ever saw.

I really didn't know what to expect before going. I thought it was going to have some displays, characters and some type of preview to the new movie. It had all of these, but I expected the whole thing to be more immersive than what it was. The whole thing did not live up to my expectations. I admit that my expectations were high, apparently way too high. I guess I'm just used to Disney's immersive theming on their attractions.

Perhaps I need to learn to set my expectations lower, then I won't be as disappointed in the future. (Kinda like people's expectations of the Frozen Ever After Ride.)

 

[SpoiledBlueMilk]

I watched the videos on YouTube and read the preview from Making Star Wars. I'll be there next week so I guess I'll see for myself. I don't think it was ever truly designed to be as interactive or as themed as maybe it was hyped to be. I mean the concept art over-sold it as a major SW themed attraction. I've always viewed it as a temporary display of DW props and memorabilia while the parks get started on the real themed attractions at SW Land. Even if it isn't as immersive as it could be, I am sure it will be better than the sparsity of the animation building that preceded it.

 

[rucifee]

I watched the videos on YouTube and read the preview from Making Star Wars. I'll be there next week so I guess I'll see for myself. I don't think it was ever truly designed to be as interactive or as themed as maybe it was hyped to be. I mean the concept art over-sold it as a major SW themed attraction. I've always viewed it as a temporary display of DW props and memorabilia while the parks get started on the real themed attractions at SW Land. Even if it isn't as immersive as it could be, I am sure it will be better than the sparsity of the animation building that preceded it.

That's the Iger way, oversell and under deliver.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

That's the Iger way, oversell and under deliver.

Please point us to the quotes where Mr. Iger promised this would be anything more than what it is.

 

[ford91exploder]

Looks like people are taking what I said out of context. Shocking Fine, continue pleasuring yourselves with unfounded personal attacks on my opinion.

I was not trying to attack your opinion, I'm sorry if it felt like that, I'm just explaining why I AM so negative about it, And my wife who IS the SW Fangurl in the family, Let's just say you can't even print her comments on a family website. She's the one who goes to the SW Celebrations with her BFF who is also a huge SW fangurl.

Let's face it SW is a cultural phenomenon which spans GENERATIONS, It surely deserved something better than what Disney is offering now.

 

[ford91exploder]

Please point us to the quotes where Mr. Iger promised this would be anything more than what it is.

The concept art for one.

 

[rucifee]

The concept art for one.

BOOM! @ford91exploder drops the mic.

 

[ToTBellHop]

You know I'm all for criticizing the mouse when its called for - like when they take forever to build things and things are nowhere near as advertised - but this wasn't advertised as much of anything and thats exactly what it is: Not Much. But thats all it needs to be....


Pretty much my attitude..... Say hi if you see me there. Likely it was rushed to get open and hence the lack of theming.

Yes, I know it's minor and I've said as much (and that I look forward to other new offerings). I just thought Disney was above plywood scenery. Even my local zoo builds faux rockwork for the simplest of projects. At the end of the day, this has no impact on me though. About the same impact as the Animation tour. I get fireworks and a lemon cupcake, both of which I'm thankful for. And all of this is a nice, unexpected plus for holiday crowds.

 

[ford91exploder]

How 'temporary' do you think this is?

Big A-- Hat temporary I fear, which is why it's so underwhelming. IF this were a SWW setup, I would have no problem accepting it just as we accepted "Watto's Grotto" since it will probably be on the order of the BAH in permanence the disdain for the product is fully justified in my opinion.

 

[ford91exploder]

How 'temporary' do you think this is?

Big A-- Hat temporary I fear, which is why it's so underwhelming. IF this were a SWW setup, I would have no problem accepting it just as we accepted "Watto's Grotto" since it will probably be on the order of the BAH in permanence the disdain for the product is fully justified in my opinion.

 

[Minthorne]

We all need a Jedi Mind Trick...

 

[Ignohippo]

Pretty much my attitude..... Say hi if you see me there. Likely it was rushed to get open and hence the lack of theming.

It was absolutely rushed. Same scenario as the Frozen Summer Fun last year. I'm actually shocked it looks as good as it does.

...And won't close until the day the new SW Land opens. It will eventually be the preview center for the new expansions as well. Expect different areas to open and close frequently as the area evolves from movie to movie.

@PhotoDave219 I'll look for you. I'll be the guy in the Star Wars shirt.

 

[DisneyJeff]

We all need a Jedi Mind Trick...

"This is not the experience you were looking for."

 

[DisneyFans4Life]

We shouldn't base a final product on concept art. Concept art is exactly that...and the final product doesn't/won't necessarily represent the artwork...

 

[Minthorne]

I am of the opinion that it is the presenter's job to manage both the expectation and the experience. I have yet to see this (I will next week) and I am a big SW fan (I was 7 when the first film came out).

Based on the concept art, the photos, and what I know about previous similar "attractions" at DHS this appears to be what I expected.

Now, wouldn't it be nice if they exceeded my expectations? I think that is where the negativity starts to foster. Once Disney was about "plus-ing" things. The theme was: "How can we do it better?" I just don't expect that as much anymore - and that is sad. I hope I am proven wrong but I think I have to wait until at least 2017 (Avatar) to start to see.

 

[ford91exploder]

I am of the opinion that it is the presenter's job to manage both the expectation and the experience. I have yet to see this (I will next week) and I am a big SW fan (I was 7 when the first film came out).

Based on the concept art, the photos, and what I know about previous similar "attractions" at DHS this appears to be what I expected.

Now, wouldn't it be nice if they exceeded my expectations? I think that is where the negativity starts to foster. Once Disney was about "plus-ing" things. The theme was: "How can we do it better?" I just don't expect that as much anymore - and that is sad. I hope I am proven wrong but I think I have to wait until at least 2017 (Avatar) to start to see.

I agree with your point, Disney USED to be about plussing things to the n'th degree, Now it's all about how little can we do and I think that's the real source of the negativity seen Anyone who went to the SW Celebration saw far more immersive exhibits with far more layers of detail and those things had a lifetime of 5 Days, This will have a lifetime measured in years. Boo to you Disney.

 

[Kman101]

I'll link to it if I can but Orlando Sentinel had an article up and it seems Mangum is suggesting this exhibit is permanent but things will be switched out to keep it updated. And Chewbacca and Vader aren't necessarily going to always be there, so get those photos in. And they also defend the cheap design as deliberately not wanting to put you into the world. LOL. Seriously. But anyway ... it is what it is. I'm looking forward to judging it for myself soon. It's alright for what it is. COULD more effort have gone into it? Absolutely. Is it what they claimed it would be? Yes it is. So ... is what it is.

LINK: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...tudios-star-wars-fireworks-20151204-post.html