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

Marc Davis Fan

Marc Davis Fan

Well-Known Member
I feel like part of the problem is SWLB doesn't have an identity. One Man's Dream was an exhibit. Enchanted Tales is a M&G. This is both combined under one name as if it's a single attraction. I feel like if SWLB were an exhibit, with a separately-named M&G area with a separate entrance, it would have set more specific expectations and been able to follow through accordingly.

Also, I was reading the Yelp reviews for SWLB at DL (since WDW is too new to have many), and they're overwhelmingly positive. That confuses the heck out of me, and it makes me wonder how the perceptions and experiences of DL fans like ourselves differ from the general public.

Or maybe the Yelp reviewers were mostly huge SW fans, and thus stoked to see high quality models of the ships, etc.

Which brings me to my last thought: maybe SWLB actually is really cool for people who are big SW fans and who are NOT as much Disney / theme park fans, such that it being an exhibit rather than immersive is less relevant (whereas immersive is more what people like us are seeking / judging things by).
 
A

AmUK

Member
[insert name here] said:
This was never meant to be the next great thing. I think your expectations were way to high. Just wait until this comes...
star-wars-land-concept-art-1.jpg
Click to expand...


This isn't coming anytime soon.
 
RSoxNo1

RSoxNo1

Well-Known Member
The Launch Bay is not a permanent attraction, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it exist in some form for the next few years.
 
*Q*

*Q*

Well-Known Member
I could see a chance of this getting plussed on a regular basis over the next few years, just by the virtue of all of the new developments within the franchise. Say, for example, next year they close off a section of the Launch Bay for a month or so around August or September to install a Rogue One display, and they take the opportunity to plus that section as far as theming and such goes. I don't know how likely it is, but it's certainly possible. If nothing else I expect the place will become more dense with displays over time.
 
ford91exploder

ford91exploder

Resident Curmudgeon
Mark Devries said:
I feel like part of the problem is SWLB doesn't have an identity. One Man's Dream was an exhibit. Enchanted Tales is a M&G. This is both combined under one name as if it's a single attraction. I feel like if SWLB were an exhibit, with a separately-named M&G area with a separate entrance, it would have set more specific expectations and been able to follow through accordingly.

Also, I was reading the Yelp reviews for SWLB at DL (since WDW is too new to have many), and they're overwhelmingly positive. That confuses the heck out of me, and it makes me wonder how the perceptions and experiences of DL fans like ourselves differ from the general public.

Or maybe the Yelp reviewers were mostly huge SW fans, and thus stoked to see high quality models of the ships, etc.

Which brings me to my last thought: maybe SWLB actually is really cool for people who are big SW fans and who are NOT as much Disney / theme park fans, such that it being an exhibit rather than immersive is less relevant (whereas immersive is more what people like us are seeking / judging things by).
Click to expand...


Or like so many other Yelp reviews they are fake and sourced by some SEO outfit in Mumbai
 
ford91exploder

ford91exploder

Resident Curmudgeon
*Q* said:
I could see a chance of this getting plussed on a regular basis over the next few years, just by the virtue of all of the new developments within the franchise. Say, for example, next year they close off a section of the Launch Bay for a month or so around August or September to install a Rogue One display, and they take the opportunity to plus that section as far as theming and such goes. I don't know how likely it is, but it's certainly possible. If nothing else I expect the place will become more dense with displays over time.
Click to expand...

NOTHING gets plussed at WDW except the executive bonus pool
 
note2001

note2001

Well-Known Member
I was there on Wednesday just before closing so perhaps some elements were turned off or roaming characters had gone in. I am a SW fan, not into the animated series but that shouldn't make a difference. The launch bay, while nice and tidy and a few of the features were very well done, brought tears of boredom to my eyes. When I envisioned a space for the preview of movies with interactive elements I didn't imagine Wii U game stands and monitors plastered to the walls. What I did think of was a member of the production team standing out there talking about filming the movie. Didn't have to be anyone high up on the ladder, a basic, but none the less essential, editor or a key grip who could tell some stories of the difficulties or some laughs they had would be just fine. If they couldn't take anyone away from their duties then how about:
  • Add some the sounds and some lighting effects, not too hard to do.
  • Set up some random smoke or air sprays.
  • Create a half replica speeder for the kids (young and not so young) to touch and climb on.
  • Let Darth or Chewbacca roam about free form. Someone who'd send chills up our spine.
  • And finally, how about a skit with a small group of storm troopers barging in, trying to take over the place, only to be driven out by the guests themselves?
For me, it was overwhelmingly boring. Maybe I was just tired from visiting 3 parks in a day.
 
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RSoxNo1

RSoxNo1

Well-Known Member
*Q* said:
I know three cabelleros that would disagree with you.
Click to expand...
The three cabelleros look good in the attraction, but they've been sitting back stage for years. The animatronics themselves were transferred from Tokyo and it took them years to basically pay for the programming and installation.

You're talking about a company that took 9 months to move the trams for the Studio Backlot Tour, and they had wheels and an engine.
 
*Q*

*Q*

Well-Known Member
RSoxNo1 said:
The three cabelleros look good in the attraction, but they've been sitting back stage for years. The animatronics themselves were transferred from Tokyo and it took them years to basically pay for the programming and installation.

You're talking about a company that took 9 months to move the trams for the Studio Backlot Tour, and they had wheels and an engine.
Click to expand...

All I'm saying is that to say that they don't do any plussing at all is ridiculous. They don't do anywhere near as much as they should, but we still get things like the updates in Star Tours, the Jingle Cruise, the various enhancements around DAK, etc.
 
roj2323

roj2323

Well-Known Member
note2001 said:
I was there on Wednesday, just before closing so perhaps some elements were turned off or roaming characters had gone in. I am a SW fan, not into the animated series, but that shouldn't make a difference. The launch bay, while nice and tidy, and a few of the features were very well done, brought tears of boredom to my eyes. When I envisioned a space for the preview of movies with interactive elements I didn't imagine Wii U game stands and monitors plastered to the walls. What I did think of was a member of the production team standing out there talking about filming the movie. Didn't have to be anyone high up on the ladder, a basic, but none the less essential editor, or a key grip who could tell some stories of the difficulties or some laughs they had would do fine. If they couldn't take anyone away from their duties then how about:
  • Add some the sounds and some lighting effects, not too hard to do.
  • Set up some random smoke or air sprays.
  • Create a half replica speeder for the kids (young and not so young) to touch and climb on
  • Let Darth or Chewbacca roam about free form.
  • And finally, how about a skit with a small group of storm troopers barging in, trying to take over the place, only to be driven out by the guests themselves?
For me, it was overwhelmingly boring. Maybe I was just tired from visiting 3 parks in a day.
Click to expand...
All great ideas I think.

Did you watch the video in the theater? I enjoyed that quite a bit and it featured a few cast and crew interviews.
 
Prototype82

Prototype82

Well-Known Member
I'm sad I skipped the preshow, but the gallery of replicas and Star Wars artifacts with the Williams score pulsating through gave me goosebumps. I was so sad about the closing of the Animation Hall, but they did such an amazing job with the Launch Bay. The vibe from the fans and guests is amazing there too. Everyone was really excited walking through there. The cast members were engaging, offering me the chance to hold replica lightsabers while my sis and I did photo-ops. And I love interacting with Greedo and the Jawa without waiting in a massive line. It's a great and impressive temporary Star Wars HQ to have before the big immersive thing opens...It is a simple space with some great theming in areas. But with some really impressive artifacts.
 

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