Down Under Disneyana Australian Disney Forum

It is really happening folks!!!!!! And it is going to be EPIC!

At D23 today, Bob Iger himself (with some help from Harrison Ford and the cast of the new Star Wars film) announced that one of Disney's biggest ever expansions is coming to Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios!!!!

Read the official announcement below - but there will also be more information later today during the Disney Parks and Resorts panel at the D23 Expo!!!


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.

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, 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.

Here is some of the concept art:

(C) Disney/Lucasfilm


(C) Disney/Lucasfilm


(C) Disney/Lucasfilm

This going going to be a game changer I think. It will bring a whole different people into the parks that normally wont. I wonder how Universal will respond.

Can. Not. Wait.

Build it fast as you can please Disney. First Gen Star Wars fans have waited long enough.

Well as we know disney dont build things fast.

Well as we know disney dont build things fast.

haha... so true

Four years later and Disney have announced the opening dates for the two Star Wars lands (sort of...)

May 29 for Disneyland
August 29 for Walt Disney World

Interestingly they are only going to have the Millennium Falcon ride open initially - and you will need to book entry to the land (at least for Disneyland).  The Resistance attraction will open at a later date - I don't know if that is to spread the crowds or diminish over crowding or what, but I'm sure they have their reasons.  It is going to be super interesting watching how this all plays out over the next 12 months!!!

I'm looking forward to Star Wars land in WDW - mainly in the hope that it takes the crowds away from Pandora and Toy Story land.  That said, I will try to visit the different Star Wars lands at some stage, I may not be a fan of the movies but I'm always up for seeing and enjoying what Disney create.

You have to book entry to a Land? Is that a Disney first?

I guess it's a good thing because it would be seriously shoulder to shoulder otherwise.


Greg

Yeah - I think that is a first.  They still haven't released details on how that is going to work yet.  I think it is only up until the end of June or something like that.

Wayne is heading to Disneyland for the D23 Expo - so hopefully he'll be able to get in and tell us all about it

Wayne is heading to Disneyland for the D23 Expo - so hopefully he'll be able to get in and tell us all about it

I hope he is a big enough Star Wars fan to be able to give us a nuanced report, going into full detail on the themeing etc.

Greg

Can't believe it finally opens tomorrow!  I saw a news article on news.com.au today and one yesterday in the Sydney Morning Herald, so the media stuff is kicking off already.  Expect to see a lot more in the coming days.

I so want to go but I also so want to be able to take my time and have a bit of breathing space when I do go.


Greg

There has been a bit of advertising for them here in Sydney this last week or two.

I've seen buses in the City with the adverts, I've seen the advert playing on the big screens in the underground railway stations, and I've seen the advert a couple of times on TV.  I thought it might be a while before they started to push commercials here in Australia, but they aren't holding back!

Yeah I’ve seen those ads Keith. I am busting to get over and see it. We’ll try and get there when we got rob alaska next year, but if not we’ve committed to the new ship sailing which is now Jan 22 so then for sure.

Awesome - I think we'll probably go when the new ships sails again too.  We were hoping to take the ship around October 2021, but with its delay to 2022, we'll probably just do Tokyo in 2021 now I guess.  I can't wait to see Galaxy's Edge.