It is evident to everyone who has been to any of the Disney parks recently that the company has been aggressively promoting Star Wars everywhere. You’ll see the same at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World where there is a Star Wars merchandise store. Soon, there will be a Star Wars explosion everywhere, mark my words.
At Disney’s D23 convention in August 2015 which is just over a year ago, the company officially announced their plans for a Star Wars. In it, they discussed that they will venture into a Star Wars themed parks in both Disney land and Walt Disney World. It is now unofficially dubbed “Star Wars Land” and its construction started in April. It is considered to be one of the single biggest expansions ever for both resorts. The Anaheim Star Wars Land will be located at Disneyland and Orlando’s will be at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where Star Tours is located.
Here is a look at the expansions which will be about 14 acres. As of now, Disney hasn’t publicly set an opening day for the attractions.
1. Land Bought in Anaheim Thought to be for the Park but was actually for a Parking Garage
Disney Imagineers have never had to worry about space at the expansive Walt Disney World resort but the same has always been a sort of a thorn in Anaheim. With each Disney plan for an expansion for Disneyland, the company has to invest in real estate in the area. Each time it does so, it sparks speculation about its plans. However, this particular land wasn’t meant for the Star Wars project.
As reported by the Los Angeles Times on August 5, 2015, Disney bought 14.7 acres. This deal took place a few months after shareholders were told by Disney CEO Bob Iger that there were plans for a Disneyland expansion.
Just a few days after that, Disney officially announced the Star Wars lands at D23.
New reports later emerged that the purchased land was not bought for the Star Wars project. Rather, it is for a new parking garage. Sources from Theme Park Insider inform that Disney is planning to build a seven-story, 6,800-space parking garage.
2. Two Rides – The Millennium Falcon &another That Will Put You in a Fight with the First Order
As of now, only two rides have been announced for the park so far. The first one will have to be a ride in the iconic Han Solo’s Millennium Falcon. According to Iger, the ride will give visitors control the ship for a “customized secret mission.”
The other ride will introduce the visitors to the scene in the midst of a battle between the Resistance and the First Order. That strategy means that Disney is playing it safe and clever by catering to fans of the old films as well as the new ones who loved The Force Awakens. It also means that fans of the prequels will be left out.
“We are creating a jaw-dropping new world that represents our largest single-themed land expansion ever,” Iger said at D23. “These new lands at Disneyland and Walt Disney World will transport guests to a whole new Star Wars planet.”
