On the Disney Parks Blog today (http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2 ... alifornia/), they've provided some information about the construction of the Star Wars land which will commence in January.
Here is the important bits from the blog post:
Disney Parks is also preparing to take guests to a galaxy far, far away with new Star Wars-themed lands. With groundbreaking scheduled to take place in 2016 for our largest single-land expansions ever, building the new 14-acre lands will be major projects at both Disneyland park in Southern California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida.
Work to make room for this new land at Disneyland park in California will require the Rivers of America and the Disneyland Railroad to close temporarily. The following will suspend operations at the end of the operating day on January 10:
The Disneyland Railroad, including all stations
Attractions along the Rivers of America, including:
“Fantasmic!”
Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia
Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes
We look forward to all of these attractions reopening in the future.
Elsewhere in Frontierland, Big Thunder Ranch – including Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue, Big Thunder Ranch Petting Farm and Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree – will close permanently at the end of the operating day on January 10.
So there you have it! No railroad, Fantasmic, Tom Sawyer or Rivers of America activities for a couple of years. This is a big an exciting project but it will have an impact on your park visits - so keep informed via the internet if you are planning a visit!