From the moment Disney bought Lucasfilm it was obvious their plans for it went way beyond just movies and TV shows. The real long-term gain comes in merchandising and other profits associated with the franchise, so it was only a matter of time before Disneyland and Disney World were taken over by Star Wars. While there have been rumors of it happening for a while, Disney officially announced at D23 that two massive Star Wars lands are coming to Disneyland in Anaheim, California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Get ready for those crowds to be even bigger and the tickets more expensive than ever.
Similar to Universal's The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Disney's Star Wars theme parks will be full of stores and characters unique to the franchise. So if you want to go into the Mos Eisley cantina and jam with Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes, you'll probably be able to do that. Each section will be fully immersive and allow guests to engage in a battle sequence, and at one point even pilot the Millennium Falcon. Disney also plans to enhance the current Star Tours exhibit, and will add a new Launch Bay which will be located at Tomorrowland. Both of these will be open later this year, with a seasonal event known as "Season of the Force" beginning early 2016.
Check out concept art and details below:
Star Wars Enhancements & New Experiences
From a new Star Tours adventure to Star Wars Launch Bay, from a new Jedi Training Academy to “Season of the Force,” soon guests will be part of both new and enhanced experiences at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue – Later this year, Star Tours will include a new adventure featuring locations and characters from the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, giving guests a new adventure in the Star Wars galaxy.
Star Wars Launch Bay – This interactive experience will take guests into the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with special exhibits and peeks behind-the-scenes, including opportunities to visit with new and favorite Star Wars characters, special merchandise and food offerings. Star Wars Launch Bay will be located in the Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and in Tomorrowland at Disneyland park. Also atDisneyland park, Star Wars Launch Bay will share the space with the reimagined Super Hero HQ, featuring opportunities to meet and take photos with super heroes like Captain America and Thor, as well as experience the returning Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries. Both experiences will be available for guests later this year.
Jedi Training Academy— A favorite of younger fans is reimagined with a new experience that includes new characters and a new villain to battle from the popular Disney XD series “Star Wars Rebels.”
Season of the Force – This new seasonal event, beginning early 2016, brings new experiences to both coasts. In Tomorrowland at Disneyland park, guests will explore the Star Wars galaxy with special entertainment throughout the land, themed food locations and more. Guests also will be thrilled to climb aboard Hyperspace Mountain, a reimagining of the classic Space Mountain attraction, in which guests will join an X-wing Starfighter battle. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests will close out weekend nights with a new fireworks spectacular set to the iconic score of the Star Wars movies.
