Star Wars-themed lands heading to Disney parks

Disney is bringing a galaxy far, far away to its two major US theme parks, thanks to its largest single-themed land expansions ever.
August 17, 2015

Disney is bringing a galaxy far, far away to its two major US theme parks, thanks to its largest single-themed expansions ever.

At D23 Expo over the weekend, House of Mouse chairman and CEO Bob Iger revealed ambitious plans to bring Star Wars to life at Disneyland in Anaheim, California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Both parks will feature a 14-acre Star Wars themed land with two signature attractions for fans: a battle experience between the First Order and the Resistance and commanding the Millennium Falcon on a customized secret mission.

Disney and Lucasfilm’s partnership on Star Wars attractions began in 1987, when Star Tours opened at Disneyland. The attraction was redesigned in 2011 as Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, with more than 50 different story outcomes and the option to visit five different planets.

In addition to the new Star Wars attractions, Star Tours will be revamped featuring new locations and characters from the upcoming movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens. And Space Mountain will be reimagined as Hyperspace Mountain, an X-wing Starfighter battle.

Other Star Wars attractions at the themed lands will include the Star Wars Launch Bay with special exhibits, behind-the-scenes footage, merchandise and food; a reimagined Jedi training academy with new characters and a new villain to battle from Disney XD series Star Wars Rebels; and a new seasonal event Season of the Force, which begins in early 2016.

Lastly, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a fireworks show set to the iconic Star Wars score will close out weekend nights at the park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About The Author
Patrick Callan is a senior writer at Kidscreen. He reports on the licensing and consumer products side of the global children's entertainment industry via daily news coverage and in-depth features. Contact Patrick at pcallan@brunico.com.

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