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

[YodaMan]

Building is entirely gray now.

 

[danlb_2000]

What's the estimate for an opening date? The facade painting is being done incredibly quickly.

I would think they would want this open as soon as possible.

 

[YodaMan]

I would think they would want this open as soon as possible.

The auditions were listed for late September, so I don't think October would be out of the question.

 

[Bolt]

Building is entirely gray now.

You should post your picture - I saw it on Instagram

 

[rael ramone]

So do I,

People mistake my pessimism about how the company operates their flagship park for a general dislike of Disney, I've been a fan and a visitor at WDW since I was a kid and that spans 30 years The way I look at it if I LOSE we ALL win, And I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is.

The last 6 years or so have been a real downer as far as WDW goes, WDW is being milked for other areas of the company. The 500mil that was spent on Maker Studios - Iger should have just put a pile of cash out and burned it because that investment in a YouTube channel was an utter failure. Imagine if they had spent 500 Million at WDW all at once, What could have been built that we could all enjoy instead of looking at the over under on whether what's been announced for DHS actually gets built.

Yeah I'm frustrated with today's management of the parks, I want to go back to a time when there were always new things to enjoy at WDW not like today where we measure what did Disney close THIS month and not replace.

I've read your posts about your 'experiences' (no need to repeat them). Needless to say, the Mouse has earned your cynicism (and then some)...

The Mouse has earned a lot of distrust about how they have run things in the swamps for years. Aggressive price increases paired what they think they could get away with in quality cuts (cheaper street entertainment in Epcot, noticably reduced cleanliness & maintenance, and running it like it was going to go out of business and not the cash cow that it is).

But they did that under orders from the Street. The Street didn't want capex spend (especially pre-Potter). Questions in the conference calls weren't about building more stuff in the parks, they were about cutting park capex. They wanted them to maximize the profit margin. Pre-Potter the swamps were viewed as a mature property, both by the Mouse and the Street. They believed that nothing outside 'the bubble' would interest anyone worth worrying about (and ESPN would print money forever). And they were more than happy to comply.

This time it's different. Because the Mouse is under new marching orders from the Street. The Street now demands they use all their 'franchises' for maximum synergy - films, toys, theme parks. According to @PhotoDave219 the Star Wars Land was announced ahead of schedule at the last minute to try to stop the stock price from diving - and while it didn't drown out completely the concerns about ESPN/Cable losing some of their heft it was considered a positive pretty much everywhere. Pre-Potter this kind of announcement would not be appreciated by the Street regardless of fan response.

The Street demands that $DIS grow, and grow consistently, and grow big. And if it's present big money maker division (cable/ESPN) brings in less bacon, the rest have to make up for it, and then some (and then some more).

On top of that the Studios needs this BAD. The latest Unofficial Guide 2016 (just bought it today) has come right out and said that if your trip is 3 days or less SKIP THE PARK - that what's there isn't worth $100 admission or even $80 admission as it's share of a park hoppers expense. They said go to UNI instead.

SWL barring something extreme is coming. Will it consist of a unbuilt phase 2? Perhaps, but SWL has to appeal to a broader audience, one that may not appreciate it or forgive them for building it on the cheap or repurposing something already existing that can't possibly handle the demand that it will have (cough, Frozen, cough).

The biggest concern is that if it takes 5 years to build - that's at least 5 price increases in the meantime. By the time it's built the swamps may be no longer affordable to those outside the 1% (unless they forgo funding their retirement or making mandatory repairs to their place of residence).

Oh, since this is about the 'Launch Bay' holdover for the true SWL to be built - in the spirit of their Frozen holdover 'attractions', will they have a Star Wars singalong? (And would they use the Bill Murray rendition ?)

 

[PhotoDave219]

I've read your posts about your 'experiences' (no need to repeat them). Needless to say, the Mouse has earned your cynicism (and then some)...

The Mouse has earned a lot of distrust about how they have run things in the swamps for years. Aggressive price increases paired what they think they could get away with in quality cuts (cheaper street entertainment in Epcot, noticably reduced cleanliness & maintenance, and running it like it was going to go out of business and not the cash cow that it is).

But they did that under orders from the Street. The Street didn't want capex spend (especially pre-Potter). Questions in the conference calls weren't about building more stuff in the parks, they were about cutting park capex. They wanted them to maximize the profit margin. Pre-Potter the swamps were viewed as a mature property, both by the Mouse and the Street. They believed that nothing outside 'the bubble' would interest anyone worth worrying about (and ESPN would print money forever). And they were more than happy to comply.

This time it's different. Because the Mouse is under new marching orders from the Street. The Street now demands they use all their 'franchises' for maximum synergy - films, toys, theme parks. According to @PhotoDave219 the Star Wars Land was announced ahead of schedule at the last minute to try to stop the stock price from diving - and while it didn't drown out completely the concerns about ESPN/Cable losing some of their heft it was considered a positive pretty much everywhere. Pre-Potter this kind of announcement would not be appreciated by the Street regardless of fan response.

The Street demands that $DIS grow, and grow consistently, and grow big. And if it's present big money maker division (cable/ESPN) brings in less bacon, the rest have to make up for it, and then some (and then some more).

On top of that the Studios needs this BAD. The latest Unofficial Guide 2016 (just bought it today) has come right out and said that if your trip is 3 days or less SKIP THE PARK - that what's there isn't worth $100 admission or even $80 admission as it's share of a park hoppers expense. They said go to UNI instead.

SWL barring something extreme is coming. Will it consist of a unbuilt phase 2? Perhaps, but SWL has to appeal to a broader audience, one that may not appreciate it or forgive them for building it on the cheap or repurposing something already existing that can't possibly handle the demand that it will have (cough, Frozen, cough).

The biggest concern is that if it takes 5 years to build - that's at least 5 price increases in the meantime. By the time it's built the swamps may be no longer affordable to those outside the 1% (unless they forgo funding their retirement or making mandatory repairs to their place of residence).

Oh, since this is about the 'Launch Bay' holdover for the true SWL to be built - in the spirit of their Frozen holdover 'attractions', will they have a Star Wars singalong? (And would they use the Bill Murray rendition ?)

Thats what I was told by two different sources, yes.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I feel sorry for the CMs who will have to answer the same question 90 times a day: "When will Star Wars Land open?"

Followed 30% of the time by a 20 minute rant about how Mommy and Daddy paid x number of dollars for the trip, and the place should be open NOW because they and Bobby, Suzy and Spot all drove down from Jersey to see the place... (and so on).

I've got a 20 minute rant about how I get paid X dollars and its not enough to deal with people from Jersey.

 

[Texas84]

I've got a 20 minute rant about how I get paid X dollars and its not enough to deal with people from Jersey.

I was fortunate enough to be at F&W during Jersey week last year. I've never heard so many f-bombs dropped at WDW.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I was fortunate enough to be at F&W during Jersey week last year. I've never heard so many f-bombs dropped at WDW.

And that was just the children?!?

 

[ford91exploder]

I've read your posts about your 'experiences' (no need to repeat them). Needless to say, the Mouse has earned your cynicism (and then some)...

The Mouse has earned a lot of distrust about how they have run things in the swamps for years. Aggressive price increases paired what they think they could get away with in quality cuts (cheaper street entertainment in Epcot, noticably reduced cleanliness & maintenance, and running it like it was going to go out of business and not the cash cow that it is).

But they did that under orders from the Street. The Street didn't want capex spend (especially pre-Potter). Questions in the conference calls weren't about building more stuff in the parks, they were about cutting park capex. They wanted them to maximize the profit margin. Pre-Potter the swamps were viewed as a mature property, both by the Mouse and the Street. They believed that nothing outside 'the bubble' would interest anyone worth worrying about (and ESPN would print money forever). And they were more than happy to comply.

This time it's different. Because the Mouse is under new marching orders from the Street. The Street now demands they use all their 'franchises' for maximum synergy - films, toys, theme parks. According to @PhotoDave219 the Star Wars Land was announced ahead of schedule at the last minute to try to stop the stock price from diving - and while it didn't drown out completely the concerns about ESPN/Cable losing some of their heft it was considered a positive pretty much everywhere. Pre-Potter this kind of announcement would not be appreciated by the Street regardless of fan response.

The Street demands that $DIS grow, and grow consistently, and grow big. And if it's present big money maker division (cable/ESPN) brings in less bacon, the rest have to make up for it, and then some (and then some more).

On top of that the Studios needs this BAD. The latest Unofficial Guide 2016 (just bought it today) has come right out and said that if your trip is 3 days or less SKIP THE PARK - that what's there isn't worth $100 admission or even $80 admission as it's share of a park hoppers expense. They said go to UNI instead.

SWL barring something extreme is coming. Will it consist of a unbuilt phase 2? Perhaps, but SWL has to appeal to a broader audience, one that may not appreciate it or forgive them for building it on the cheap or repurposing something already existing that can't possibly handle the demand that it will have (cough, Frozen, cough).

The biggest concern is that if it takes 5 years to build - that's at least 5 price increases in the meantime. By the time it's built the swamps may be no longer affordable to those outside the 1% (unless they forgo funding their retirement or making mandatory repairs to their place of residence).

Oh, since this is about the 'Launch Bay' holdover for the true SWL to be built - in the spirit of their Frozen holdover 'attractions', will they have a Star Wars singalong? (And would they use the Bill Murray rendition ?)

@rael ramone, I hope you are correct in your assessment about the Street giving the Mouse new marching orders, Most of the CP 'Brand Advocates' are too young to remember but WDW at one time WAS the place to be seen. John Lennon and Yoko Ono at the Poly for example - I had not visited WDW as I was a bit too young (began to visit in early teens) then but it WAS in all the papers.

Ouch, Just Ouch on the Unofficial Guide, I buy one every year along with a subscription to Passporter - They have always been a $DIS cheerleader and if they say SKIP a park that's a real slap at Disney and it's management of the park.

I am also concerned with the extended timeframe for construction of SWL and $DIS recent tendency to 'value engineer' stuff, I really don't think $DIS has 5 years to fix the park as Orlando is growing and there is a LOT of stuff to do outside the bubble.

I really would like to see WDW once again be 'The place to be seen' once again, It has the potential all it needs is the will and the funding to be great once again.

 

[ford91exploder]

I would think they would want this open as soon as possible.

One would think but this IS WDW...

 

[rael ramone]

@rael ramone, I hope you are correct in your assessment about the Street giving the Mouse new marching orders, Most of the CP 'Brand Advocates' are too young to remember but WDW at one time WAS the place to be seen. John Lennon and Yoko Ono at the Poly for example - I had not visited WDW as I was a bit too young (began to visit in early teens) then but it WAS in all the papers.

Ouch, Just Ouch on the Unofficial Guide, I buy one every year along with a subscription to Passporter - They have always been a $DIS cheerleader and if they say SKIP a park that's a real slap at Disney and it's management of the park.

I am also concerned with the extended timeframe for construction of SWL and $DIS recent tendency to 'value engineer' stuff, I really don't think $DIS has 5 years to fix the park as Orlando is growing and there is a LOT of stuff to do outside the bubble.

I really would like to see WDW once again be 'The place to be seen' once again, It has the potential all it needs is the will and the funding to be great once again.

Actually I thought it was John Lennon w/ May Pang (during the 'lost weekend'). Supposedly the official legal disbanding of the Beatles happened in the main restaurant there (where Ohana is now) when John finally signed the papers.

The combination of Street pressure, likely failure of the Studios in it's present form to sell it's share of merchandise (less stuff to do likely hurts merch./food sales far worse then it does turnstile clicks), competition up I-4, and the ever present EGO is an equation that comes out to a SWL happening in the swamps far, far, more likely then not - and more likely than not then an increased attention to detail/quality then in the very recent past.

 

[tirian]

@rael ramone, I hope you are correct in your assessment about the Street giving the Mouse new marching orders, Most of the CP 'Brand Advocates' are too young to remember but WDW at one time WAS the place to be seen. John Lennon and Yoko Ono at the Poly for example - I had not visited WDW as I was a bit too young (began to visit in early teens) then but it WAS in all the papers.

Ouch, Just Ouch on the Unofficial Guide, I buy one every year along with a subscription to Passporter - They have always been a $DIS cheerleader and if they say SKIP a park that's a real slap at Disney and it's management of the park.

I am also concerned with the extended timeframe for construction of SWL and $DIS recent tendency to 'value engineer' stuff, I really don't think $DIS has 5 years to fix the park as Orlando is growing and there is a LOT of stuff to do outside the bubble.

I really would like to see WDW once again be 'The place to be seen' once again, It has the potential all it needs is the will and the funding to be great once again.

Heck, Robin Williams would show up unannounced at Pleasure Island and do stand-up...and the Easter/July 4th/Christmas specials had A-list musical guests...and yes, CP fanboys, Disney had 3 televised specials a year...WDW was indeed THE place for about 25 years...

That said, I rode the GMR earlier today, and it is in very good shape! Almost every special effect was working brilliantly, from fog to bubbles. The TCM sponsorship is really improving things.

 

[FigmentJedi]

Oh, since this is about the 'Launch Bay' holdover for the true SWL to be built - in the spirit of their Frozen holdover 'attractions', will they have a Star Wars singalong? (And would they use the Bill Murray rendition ?)

No, they'd use the "Star Wars tunes with lyrics" they actually own.

 

[ford91exploder]

Actually I thought it was John Lennon w/ May Pang (during the 'lost weekend'). Supposedly the official legal disbanding of the Beatles happened in the main restaurant there (where Ohana is now) when John finally signed the papers.

The combination of Street pressure, likely failure of the Studios in it's present form to sell it's share of merchandise (less stuff to do likely hurts merch./food sales far worse then it does turnstile clicks), competition up I-4, and the ever present EGO is an equation that comes out to a SWL happening in the swamps far, far, more likely then not - and more likely than not then an increased attention to detail/quality then in the very recent past.

As I said I was a bit young at the time, I cared more about Tonka Trucks and Lionel trains than the Beatles at the time but I did read the papers and every other printed word I could get my hands on.

 

[wdwmagic]

PHOTOS - The former Magic of Disney Animation building goes gray ahead of Star Wars Launch Bay

 

[The Empress Lilly]

PHOTOS - The former Magic of Disney Animation building goes gray ahead of Star Wars Launch Bay

Hmmm....it is not necessarily disastrous (my default expectation of modern WDW architectural expansions). But the building is not an empty cardboard box. Streamline Moderne has architectural conventions that you need to adhere to if you want it to look, well, like Streamline Moderne. (Not that they do...). Like so:

The grey colour expansion at first glance seems to works against the building, rather than with it. For example, the grey metal lines are lost in the surrounding grey walls, losing their essential function as a distinctive streamline.
Not to mention, the colour needs to correspond with the surrounding architecture, all the way to the arch. Which in turn corresponded nicely with the look of the Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank.

Fortunately that altogether too large marquee, entrance sign, and over the top entrance paint scheme is gone. I hope for a more modest entrance sign expansion this time, one that lets the architecture speak for itself. The building is designed so well that nobody could be mistaken where the entrance is.

 

[Fox&Hound]

In the concept art you can see people playing xbox, disney infinity game, the movie trailer running in the background and a little girl with some r2d2 merchandise. This essentially looks like Wattos Grotto with some video games, some displays and a character meet and greet. Why they didn't just add this into the upcoming Watto Grotto area is beyond me.

Well this way they can advertise it as two separate places on the map and therefore more experiences to enjoy. "DHS is not a 1/4 day park, look at all the fun things you can do" says Disney management.

 

[xipetotec]

As someone who can't semantically go during Star Wars weekends, and knowing that "Star Wars Land" won't be open for like 5 years, I'm ridiculously excited about this being open when we go in Feb/Mar!

 

[rael ramone]

No, they'd use the "Star Wars tunes with lyrics" they actually own.

I'm liking this.... though from what I've heard, if I'd actually had seen the Holiday Special, I probably wouldn't...