Star Wars themed land announced for Disneyland

216bruce

Well-Known Member
Honestly, I think they may just be filling in a small portion of the river in that back curve, cutting out a bit of the end of the island there, and then building the railroad into a show building much like they did with Splash. The railroad closed for about a year when Splash was being built.
Sounds totally reasonable...that's why it'll never work. I'm usually OK with change but this one is 'jumping the shark' if they radically and permanently alter the train route and the ROA. I'd gladly sacrifice Toontown unless another "Roger Rabbit" movie would get made. Ugh...
 

Mouse Trap

Well-Known Member
So since we have some hints on what may come I've done some crude mock-ups of what the area may look like. I've added some commentary below each picture. My lines are not the best, but each picture shows an area about 14 acres. I've tried a few different designs the preserve back roads, certain buildings and what not to get some ideas.

Some pictures I attempted to show how the new train track would run (look for the ugly red line) all of these are assuming we get some sort of tunnel effect where we walk under the railroad then BAM!! magnificent, secluded SWL. I've also built the train tracks around Fantasyland Theatre, it's the only people eating stage show facility, but maybe this will just get moved elsewhere.

I apologize in advance for the crooked lines, I don't have THAT much free time or dedication. Maybe someone else will with more familiarity will swoop and provide us something with harder lines and better fits.

Mockup4.png

Probably one of the better cases here. RoA suffers very little and the train track (my ugly red line) pushes around the current borders of RoA, around SWL back to it's station by ToonTown. It's a tight squeeze, but a rough idea.

Mockup1.png

Here we get a sliver of RoA chopped off, but preserves a large area back of house which may be needed or re-purposed for whatever reason. Wouldn't require too much tinkering of RoA to get the railroad across.

Now let's get ugly...

Mockup2.png

RoA really gets spliced here. My line is crooked, but you get the general idea. This would be the hardest pill to swallow as the entire landscape really gets shook up. This layout preserves a lot back of house and I hope does not resemble what we get.

Mockup3.png

Another design preserving lots of buildings back of house. I threw this together for fun mostly to scare the life out of the DL diehards ;)

All in all I see plenty of reasons why the area surronding RoA needs to be shut down for the time being. Lots of very close, nearby construction which may or may not directly effect RoA.

Honestly best case scenario is we get something close to the first picture OR we get jipped a little bit. I'll take less than 14 acres (12-13 acres in DL fits waaaay better) if DL is willing to redo their backstage area and virtually nothing except for Big Thunder Ranch suffers. I hate to say it, but if DL isn't willing to sacrifice more of the backstage 14 acres is just too dang big to please everyone.
 
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Stevek

Well-Known Member
I wonder if they will move the Indian village or get rid of it completely...and will they just decide to completely close TSI forever.
 

CrescentLake

Well-Known Member
Images aren't loading for me, anyone else having this issue?

So since we have some hints on what may come I've done some crude mock-ups of what the area may look like. I've added some commentary below each picture. My lines are not the best, but each picture shows an area about 14 acres. I've tried a few different designs the preserve back roads, certain buildings and what not to get some ideas.

Some pictures I attempted to show how the new train track would run (look for the ugly red line) all of these are assuming we get some sort of tunnel effect where we walk under the railroad then BAM!! magnificent, secluded SWL. I've also built the train tracks around Fantasyland Theatre, it's the only people eating stage show facility, but maybe this will just get moved elsewhere.

I apologize in advance for the crooked lines, I don't have THAT much free time or dedication. Maybe someone else will with more familiarity will swoop and provide us something with harder lines and better fits.

Mockup4.png

Probably one of the better cases here. RoA suffers very little and the train track (my ugly red line) pushes around the current borders of RoA, around SWL back to it's station by ToonTown. It's a tight squeeze, but a rough idea.

Mockup1.png

Here we get a sliver of RoA chopped off, but preserves a large area back of house which may be needed or re-purposed for whatever reason. Wouldn't require too much tinkering of RoA to get the railroad across.

Now let's get ugly...

Mockup2.png

RoA really gets spliced here. My line is crooked, but you get the general idea. This would be the hardest pill to swallow as the entire landscape really gets shook up. This layout preserves a lot back of house and I hope does not resemble what we get.

Mockup3.png

Another design preserving lots of buildings back of house. I threw this together for fun mostly to scare the life out of the DL diehards ;)

All in all I see plenty of reasons why the area surronding RoA needs to be shut down for the time being. Lots of very close, nearby construction which may or may not directly effect RoA.

Honestly best case scenario is we get something close to the first picture OR we get jipped a little bit. I'll take less than 14 acres (12-13 acres in DL fits waaaay better) if DL is willing to redo their backstage area and virtually nothing except for Big Thunder Ranch suffers. I hate to say it, but if DL isn't willing to sacrifice more of the backstage 14 acres is just too dang big to please everyone.
 

hpyhnt 1000

Well-Known Member
Well this really messes with my trip. Oh joy.

I feel you there. First DL trip planned for spring 2016. So much for seeing Fantasmic or riding any of the RoA boats.

A bit surprised they are doing this right in the middle of the Diamond Celebration. I'd have thought they would have waited an extra 7-8 months, not only from a capacity issue given the loss of shows/attractions, but also as a symbolic thing. Let everyone celebrate DL's anniversary and history before tearing up the entire NW section of the park.

Definitely need more details (i.e.: leaked blueprints) before fully judging the impact on RoA and the DLRR. It all depends how much backstage infrastructure they want/can absorb in order to build everything.
 

PrincessJenn5795

Active Member
I will wait to see what they actually have planned before I get excited or freak out. I am not as much of a purist as some are, and I actually like it when DL does big new things. As others have stated, much of TSI isn't used, and the wooded areas with the mannequins is hardly a major plus for the park now. I wonder if they are going to incorporate the river and train somehow so they goes through StarWars land?
 

Tigger1988

Well-Known Member
A bit surprised they are doing this right in the middle of the Diamond Celebration. I'd have thought they would have waited an extra 7-8 months, not only from a capacity issue given the loss of shows/attractions, but also as a symbolic thing. Let everyone celebrate DL's anniversary and history before tearing up the entire NW section of the park.

Definitely need more details (i.e.: leaked blueprints) before fully judging the impact on RoA and the DLRR. It all depends how much backstage infrastructure they want/can absorb in order to build everything.
Same, I figured the park would be in tip top shape, not looking torn up during the celebration. Massively disappointing.
 

Mouse Trap

Well-Known Member
Here's the post with embedded pics, click to enlarge....

So since we have some hints on what may come I've done some crude mock-ups of what the area may look like. I've added some commentary below each picture. My lines are not the best, but each picture shows an area about 14 acres. I've tried a few different designs the preserve back roads, certain buildings and what not to get some ideas.

Some pictures I attempted to show how the new train track would run (look for the ugly red line) all of these are assuming we get some sort of tunnel effect where we walk under the railroad then BAM!! magnificent, secluded SWL. I've also built the train tracks around Fantasyland Theatre, it's the only people eating stage show facility, but maybe this will just get moved elsewhere.

I apologize in advance for the crooked lines, I don't have THAT much free time or dedication. Maybe someone else will with more familiarity will swoop and provide us something with harder lines and better fits.


Probably one of the better cases here. RoA suffers very little and the train track (my ugly red line) pushes around the current borders of RoA, around SWL back to it's station by ToonTown. It's a tight squeeze, but a rough idea.


Here we get a sliver of RoA chopped off, but preserves a large area back of house which may be needed or re-purposed for whatever reason. Wouldn't require too much tinkering of RoA to get the railroad across.

Now let's get ugly...


RoA really gets spliced here. My line is crooked, but you get the general idea. This would be the hardest pill to swallow as the entire landscape really gets shook up. This layout preserves a lot back of house and I hope does not resemble what we get.


Another design preserving lots of buildings back of house. I threw this together for fun mostly to scare the life out of the DL diehards ;)

All in all I see plenty of reasons why the area surronding RoA needs to be shut down for the time being. Lots of very close, nearby construction which may or may not directly effect RoA.

Honestly best case scenario is we get something close to the first picture OR we get jipped a little bit. I'll take less than 14 acres (12-13 acres in DL fits waaaay better) if DL is willing to redo their backstage area and virtually nothing except for Big Thunder Ranch suffers. I hate to say it, but if DL isn't willing to sacrifice more of the backstage 14 acres is just too dang big to please everyone.
 

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
At DL no, which is exactly my point. However, the scope of the DCA redo was big and definitely bold. Although Disney didn't pay the bill WDI's work on TDS set a new standard for immersive theming and storytelling. SDL appears to be a compelling re-imagining of the magic kingdom concept (with the exception of maybe FL), and the DHS overhaul looks like its going to be at least as elaborate as what they did at DCA. I get your skepticism, but the sky is falling routine seems out of place here given that we've seen no renderings, models, or other details to tell us what the plans are.
The Asian parks are irrelevant since they have separate owners who dictate content. Neither Disney's California Adventure or Disney's Hollywood Studios have so far done anything beyond obvious brand experiences.

Cars Land isn't big and bold? Or are you specifically saying they won't take a risk and do something bold like Western River Expedition that isn't tied to IP? Unfortunately, those days are most likely long gone. It's all about synergy which quite honestly, the average guest nowadays probably enjoys and/or expects. By average, I mean those that don't spend considerable time like us on message boards debating, praising or condemning everything Disney does.
Cars Land is derivative of a multibillion dollar toy franchise where most of the look was well established beforehand. Even then, getting it done cost John considerable influence. It is a feat of engineering far more than of design and story creativity.

The average guest is a stupid, nonsense metric tirelessly trotted out to justify crap. Nobody liked Frozen until they saw it and they most certainly didn't go into it expecting to only see the Fab Five in it.

Lazyboy is talking about original concepts big in scope, and he's absolutely correct. Disney hasn't accomplished anything like that in years.
They don't even have to be original (non-IP), just not painfully obvious. Every half-wit Armchair Imagineer has been talking about a Star Wars Land with a cantina and the Millenium Falcon since well before the Lucasfilm acquisition. It's the entire mindset that themed entertainment is for dolts.
 
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britain

Well-Known Member
So, I was trying to imagine worst case scenario, and I think they could still pull it off well:
  • The Fort on TSI stays because that is required prep area for Fantasmic.
  • I thought having the DLRR hug BTM in a manner similar to how it does at WDW might be nice.
  • I'm also skewing the entrances to SWL using some of the Skyway area and the back of Cascade Peak to help hide sightlines and create more of a discovery feeling when arriving at SWL (a la entrance to Animal Kingdom).
 

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Stevek

Well-Known Member
The average guest is a stupid, nonsense metric tirelessly trotted out to justify crap. Nobody liked Frozen until they saw it and they most certainly didn't go into it expecting to only see the Fab Five in it.

The average guest is stupid? That's about as ridiculous as it gets. As Disney fans, many of us have set our expectations so high that quite honestly, Disney probably things we are the ones that are stupid. The reality is, whether we like it or not, the Disney theme park experience has been changing for decades. IP was always a part of it from day one and the success of Star Tours & Indy only reinforced that to Disney...a significant number of guests (dare I say the majority) want experiences that they can relate to. They want to step into those worlds they've seen on film.
 

Stevek

Well-Known Member
So, I was trying to imagine worst case scenario, and I think they could still pull it off well:
  • The Fort on TSI stays because that is required prep area for Fantasmic.
  • I thought having the DLRR hug BTM in a manner similar to how it does at WDW might be nice.
  • I'm also skewing the entrances to SWL using some of the Skyway area and the back of Cascade Peak to help hide sightlines and create more of a discovery feeling when arriving at SWL (a la entrance to Animal Kingdom).
I think your map is a best case scenario...and likely way too small for the acreage Disney originally announced.
 

britain

Well-Known Member
Ah - there's that rectangular building north of the ranch that I forgot to include. Do that and also use a bit more backstage land on the west and you're at 14 acres.
 

Stevek

Well-Known Member
Hmmm... you sure? I'm thinking it does.
I tried to replicate your idea pretty closely in a google maps area calculator and it comes out to around 10-11 acres. The announced area is 14 acres. You would probably need to include the warehouse area just north of the Circle D ranch to get you to 14...that's what most of the folks that did your exercise used back when first announced.
 

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