Wookies, & Rebels, & Droids... OH WHY?! The Anti-SWL in Disneyland Thread

[Earl Sweatpants]

Here's my two cents...
Star Wars has everything. Nostalgia for the adults, and new and exciting stories to tell for future generations. It is a great brand and a solid merchandising cash-cow, and once grabbed up by Disney, I knew this was only a matter of time. However, as far as SWL is concerned, it is disheartening to see Disney throw so much of their efforts at a single, purchased, outside IP.

I worry (with good reason) that this is the way of the future for Disney. Not just in acquiring outside IP, but taking them and implementing them into the parks in a big overstated way. In my lifetime, I highly doubt we will ever get great ORIGINAL rides like Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Matterhorn, etc again (at least in the states).

Furthermore, SW is a HUGE franchise that is certainly worthy of its own entire park. Instead, we're getting two rides and a scaled down world to walk around in. I'm not suggesting the finished product will be bad by any means, but it will just feel like they held back because of their space limitations and gave us the best they could, given the space they had to work with (which is kind of a problem they made for themselves).

Lastly, I hope this means that the remaining SW stuff will get taken out of their current spots in TL and moved over there. Once SWL opens, I vote they give TL a massive de-StarWars-ing overhaul. TL is too important to just keep receiving overlays from whatever the current "big thing" is the studio has going. It needs its own identity back.

Do I plan to visit SWL when it opens? Maybe. Once.

 

[Curious Constance]

Here's my two cents...
Star Wars has everything. Nostalgia for the adults, and new and exciting stories to tell for future generations. It is a great brand and a solid merchandising cash-cow, and once grabbed up by Disney, I knew this was only a matter of time. However, as far as SWL is concerned, it is disheartening to see Disney throw so much of their efforts at a single, purchased, outside IP.

I worry (with good reason) that this is the way of the future for Disney. Not just in acquiring outside IP, but taking them and implementing them into the parks in a big overstated way. In my lifetime, I highly doubt we will ever get great ORIGINAL rides like Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Matterhorn, etc again (at least in the states).

Furthermore, SW is a HUGE franchise that is certainly worthy of its own entire park. Instead, we're getting two rides and a scaled down world to walk around in. I'm not suggesting the finished product will be bad by any means, but it will just feel like they held back because of their space limitations and gave us the best they could, given the space they had to work with (which is kind of a problem they made for themselves).

Lastly, I hope this means that the remaining SW stuff will get taken out of their current spots in TL and moved over there. Once SWL opens, I vote they give TL a massive de-StarWars-ing overhaul. TL is too important to just keep receiving overlays from whatever the current "big thing" is the studio has going. It needs its own identity back.

Do I plan to visit SWL when it opens? Maybe. Once.

You didn't have those two cents in your pants did you?

 

[Earl Sweatpants]

You didn't have those two cents in your pants did you?

No, I can't keep change in these pants...it falls out.

 

[Californian Elitist]

There are rumors of a firework show coming to Disneyland that will be solely dedicated to Star Wars. I don't have a hard time believing this.

This is exactly what I was talking about when I said SWL will open the door for more madness.

 

[Earl Sweatpants]

There are rumors of a firework show coming to Disneyland that will be solely dedicated to Star Wars. I don't have a hard time believing this.

This is exactly what I was talking about when I said SWL will open the door for more madness.

I have no hard time believing this either. And if the rumors are true, then that is sad. Its sad to see an entire outside franchise come in and take over that way, completely overshadowing what Disneyland stands for in the process. Again, Star Wars is great for what it is, but I fear management is allowing it to assert its park dominance in a way that nothing else before it has.

 

[Rich T]

Here's my two cents...
Furthermore, SW is a HUGE franchise that is certainly worthy of its own entire park. Instead, we're getting two rides and a scaled down world to walk around in. I'm not suggesting the finished product will be bad by any means, but it will just feel like they held back because of their space limitations and gave us the best they could, given the space they had to work with (which is kind of a problem they made for themselves).

This is the only thing in your post I really disagree with. TIme and cost aside (both of which are many, many times greater than the cost of SW Land), an entire park based around one IP is a huge risk. Even given the popularity of SW, it's a true all-eggs-in-one-basket scenario for such a project. In the decade it would take to design and build, SW could lose its popularity, wear out its welcome (a likely scenario given Disney's sledgehammer approach to everything), be upstaged by something new and unexpected... And then the park's a future "what went wrong" article in the Financial Times.

One land in an existing park provides the best of both worlds for the company. They reap huge attendance boosts in the short term. If, for some reason, SW loses its luster years out, the entire land can be rethemed to Discovery Bay or, heck, even a Frontierland expansion with a (relatively) easy overlay.

 

[Earl Sweatpants]

One land in an existing park provides the best of both worlds for the company. They reap huge attendance boosts in the short term. If, for some reason, SW loses its luster years out, the entire land can be rethemed to Discovery Bay or, heck, even a Frontierland expansion with a (relatively) easy overlay.

True, but it still gives them the problem of having to condense the entire SW universe into just two rides, and allow for updates whenever a new movie is released with new characters, etc. I don't envy their task now of basically having to make the decision for the audiences what the most enjoyable parts of the SW universe are. I don't think SWL's size will be able to accommodate everyone's desire for a true "Star Wars" experience...but they'll try.

 

[Rich T]

True, but it still gives them the problem of having to condense the entire SW universe into just two rides, and allow for updates whenever a new movie is released with new characters, etc. I don't envy their task now of basically having to make the decision for the audiences what the most enjoyable parts of the SW universe are. I don't think SWL's size will be able to accommodate everyone's desire for a true "Star Wars" experience...but they'll try.

Most of the general public aren't hardcore SW fans, and don't care about 99% of what's in the SW universe. They're the people who see the movie, buy the toys for their kids, and continue on with their lives. They like the Millenium Falcom, Stormtroopers, Lightsabers and an occasional Wookiee... just about everything they cherry-picked for SW Land. I do think making the place a neutral, never-seen-in-the-films outpost was a brilliant catch-all idea. Any time a new film comes out, all they really have to do is bring out a couple of new meet n' greet characters.

 

[Earl Sweatpants]

Most of the general public aren't hardcore SW fans, and don't care about 99% of what's in the SW universe. They're the people who see the movie, buy the toys for their kids, and continue on with their lives. They like the Millenium Falcom, Stormtroopers, Lightsabers and an occasional Wookiee... just about everything they cherry-picked for SW Land. I do think making the place a neutral, never-seen-in-the-films outpost was a brilliant catch-all idea. Any time a new film comes out, all they really have to do is bring out a couple of new meet n' greet characters.

Fair enough. So basically SWL is just going to have to appeal to the lowest-common-denominator SW fan.

 

[Erich]

Even though Disney is well, killing the Tower Of Terror, I'm really undesisive with StarWarsLand. I don't really care to much about it since it isn't effecting the rest of the park much. Except for the fact that the crowds will be bigger, but that's expected with anything new at the park.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I have no hard time believing this either. And if the rumors are true, then that is sad. Its sad to see an entire outside franchise come in and take over that way, completely overshadowing what Disneyland stands for in the process. Again, Star Wars is great for what it is, but I fear management is allowing it to assert its park dominance in a way that nothing else before it has.

Damn skippy.

 

[Rich T]

Fair enough. So basically SWL is just going to have to appeal to the lowest-common-denominator SW fan.

Pretty much. What I'm *hoping* happens though, is similar to what they did with Cars Land. It's a spectacular land with fun rides and a lively atmosphere that anyone can enjoy. Big-time Cars fans (I'm one of 'em), however, can spend hours there exploring every corner; the place is packed with little details about the Cars universe that make it all come alive that much more for the fans. SW Land will probably be dripping with detail like that.

 

[Curious Constance]

Fair enough. So basically SWL is just going to have to appeal to the lowest-common-denominator SW fan.

I think it's going to appeal to both. You won't need a Star Wars BS to understand the place, but on the flip side, if you do have a degree is Starwarsoligy, there will be PLENTY of details that delight you.

 

[Mike S]

There are rumors of a firework show coming to Disneyland that will be solely dedicated to Star Wars. I don't have a hard time believing this.

This is exactly what I was talking about when I said SWL will open the door for more madness.

I have no hard time believing this either. And if the rumors are true, then that is sad. Its sad to see an entire outside franchise come in and take over that way, completely overshadowing what Disneyland stands for in the process. Again, Star Wars is great for what it is, but I fear management is allowing it to assert its park dominance in a way that nothing else before it has.

Yet another instance where DHS is a much better spot for Star Wars. The Star Wars show here is projected onto a recreation of the Chinese Theater, where the first movie premiered.

True, but it still gives them the problem of having to condense the entire SW universe into just two rides, and allow for updates whenever a new movie is released with new characters, etc. I don't envy their task now of basically having to make the decision for the audiences what the most enjoyable parts of the SW universe are. I don't think SWL's size will be able to accommodate everyone's desire for a true "Star Wars" experience...but they'll try.

This, imo, is exactly why Star Tours needs to stay. It's the ride that can very easily be updated with new material. It's a "greatest hits" ride in the same vein as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and it works incredibly well.

 

[flynnibus]

Most of the general public aren't hardcore SW fans, and don't care about 99% of what's in the SW universe.

The same could be said of Harry Potter or many subjects that make up Disney parks. If you build a great entertaining experience you don't need a connection to the source material.

It's why super hero movies are popular with more than the comic book crowd

 

[Donaldfan1934]

I worry (with good reason) that this is the way of the future for Disney. Not just in acquiring outside IP, but taking them and implementing them into the parks in a big overstated way. In my lifetime, I highly doubt we will ever get great ORIGINAL rides like Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Matterhorn, etc again (at least in the states).

I think this sums up are fears for P&R pretty well in a nutshell. If TWDC doesn't get its act together after Iger leaves, then I see no reason why we shouldn't start fearing the removal of said originality and frankly, any and all sense of identity in the parks. But even if some sort of miracle turnaround were to happen in the company, SWL at DL will remain the biggest lasting scar of a potential death spiral and that is depressing.

 

[Rich T]

SWL at DL will remain the biggest lasting scar of a potential death spiral and that is depressing.

Again, I can relate to most of your statements except for this exaggeration. If by "death spiral" you mean "no longer being the DL we all grew up with and loved while still existing and being more financially successful than ever," then okay, yeah, I agree that's a possibility. But, in the physical sense, SW Land is possibly going to make DL the most popular and successful theme park in existence (certainly the park with the best collection of great rides) and the park is in no danger of disappearing forever. It's odd to think that "death spiral" could be used to describe "skyrocketing profits" but...in all honesty, I do get what you're saying.

 

[Stevek]

Fair enough. So basically SWL is just going to have to appeal to the lowest-common-denominator SW fan.

I don't know if I'd go that far. If they were trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator fan, they would have set it in Mos Isley, Cloud City, Coruscant, Yavin...places that folks are familiar with. Instead, they created an entire new setting that even the most hardcore fan has yet to see other than concept art. Placing things that are familiar, like the falcon, just gives it that extra boost of Star Wars believeability. And seriously, there really isn't a more iconic ship from the SW universe than the Falcon and guest will love the opportunity to get up close and personal with it.

 

[Stevek]

I think this sums up are fears for P&R pretty well in a nutshell. If TWDC doesn't get its act together after Iger leaves, then I see no reason why we shouldn't start fearing the removal of said originality and frankly, any and all sense of identity in the parks. But even if some sort of miracle turnaround were to happen in the company, SWL at DL will remain the biggest lasting scar of a potential death spiral and that is depressing.

What do you mean by "Death Spiral?" Are you suggesting that the park will fail or that the landscape of the parks will survive but will be forever altered and this could lead to tearing out everything "original" and putting in more things like SW? I personally don't think either will happen. I'm fairly confident we'll always have the Matterhorn, Pirates, Space, FL and things that make DL what it is.

 

[Curious Constance]

And seriously, there really isn't a more iconic ship from the SW universe than the Falcon and guest will love the opportunity to get up close and personal with it.

Just what exactly are you planning to do to the Falcon!?