Star Wars themed land announced for Disney's Hollywood Studios

Aug 15, 2015 in "Disney's Hollywood Studios"

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Star Wars themed land concept art

Posted: Saturday August 15, 2015 3:49pm EDT by WDWMAGIC Staff

Star Wars land is coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios featuring two signature attractions, including the ability to take the controls of one of the most recognizable ships in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon, on a customized secret mission, and an epic Star Wars adventure that puts guests in the middle of a climactic battle.

Star Wars themed land concept art

Today at the D23 EXPO 2015, The Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Bob Iger announced to an audience of more than 7,500 fans that Star Wars-themed lands will be coming to Disneyland park in Anaheim, Calif., and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., allowing Star Wars fans to step into the stories from a galaxy far, far away.

Bog Iger announcing Star Wars Land

Ambitious plans to bring Star Wars to life in the two parks include creating Disney’s largest single themed land expansions ever at 14 acres each, transporting guests to a never-before-seen planet, a remote trading port and one of the last stops before wild space where Star Wars characters and their stories come to life.

“I am thrilled to announce the next chapter in the long and exciting history between Disney Parks and Star Wars,” said Iger. “We are creating a jaw-dropping new world that represents our largest single themed land expansion ever. These new lands at Disneyland and Walt Disney World will transport guests to a whole new Star Wars planet, including an epic Star Wars adventure that puts you in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance.”

These authentic lands will have two signature attractions. Along with the thrilling battle experience, another attraction puts guests behind the controls of one of the most recognizable ships in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon, as they take on a customized secret mission.

Iger also shared concept images of the Star Wars-themed lands, giving fans a glimpse at what is to come for Disney parks.

Star Wars themed land concept art

The partnership between Disney and Lucasfilm dates back to 1987, when the successful Star Tours attraction, inspired by George Lucas’s legendary Star Wars film series, opened at Disneyland. The attraction was then redesigned, emerging as “Star Tours – The Adventures Continue” in 2011 and featuring more than 50 different story outcomes and the possibility to visit five different planets.

No timeline has yet been given for the completion of the project.

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mergatroid25 days ago

Ok thanks for that, that makes some sense.

britain25 days ago

I think they are an element that adds to an effective advertisement, but most observers wouldn’t book a trip JUST to see the droids. The droids in an ad communicates what KIND of things are at the parks. It definitely IMPLIES that you will see these things if you book a trip to the parks, but most guests understand that they might not see every character, parade, or performance that is advertised when they get there. To put it bluntly, it is bait and switch, but one that is more permissible and overlooked by the general public. And, sure, this is legitimate R&D, but by saying “it’s a test“, they are under no obligation to make these fanciful characters perform like work horses every day in the sun and the crowds.

mergatroid29 days ago

So you're saying that they're not needed then because people won't even notice their absence? I've read your sentence several times and can't work out why if people booked to go on the basis these droids are there that they won't recognise the droid's absence, unless what's there already is so fantastic that it will make them forget why they went? Is that right? I love Galaxies Edge but think these additions would be great if feasible, certainly if I went expecting them I'd notice them not there though.

adam.adbeOct 20, 2023

Those are definitely not the droids we're looking for. :confused:

britainOct 15, 2023

These R&D tests have earned back their investment money already. These videos have spread across social media making the non-careful observer think that Galaxy’ Edge is full of cool stuff like this. It is advertising, and when those observers become guests, they will not recognize the droids’ absence during their trip.

No NameOct 13, 2023

The whole criticism of Disney being too cheap to have roaming droids in Galaxy’s Edge is kind of ironic, because there will come a time when it becomes financially beneficial for Disney to replace some of their guest-facing staff with robots, and fans will be like “finally, they’re giving us the droids we were promised!”