Star Wars Land Comes to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
In one or the worst kept secrets around the theme park industry, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced at the D23 Expo in Anaheim today “the next chapter in the long and exciting history between Disney parks and Star Wars,” the largest land expansion in the Disney theme parks’ history.
The 14-acre Star Wars Land will debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida and Disneyland in California. Star Wars Land will include a Millennium Falcon ride that includes “the ability to take the controls of one of the most recognizable ships in the galaxy,” the iconic cantina, and a second E-ticket ride themed to Episode 7.
“We are creating a jaw-dropping new world that represents our largest single themed land expansion ever,” Iger said. “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.”
In creating the new areas, Disney will now allow Star Wars fans to step into the stories from a galaxy far, far away and to transport them to a whole new Star Wars planet, including an epic Star Wars adventure that puts them in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance. The authentic lands will have two signature attractions along with the thrilling battle experience and another attraction that will put guests behind the controls of one of the most recognizable ships in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon, as they take on a customized secret mission.
No completion date has been revealed for the project and more details will become available shortly as Disney Parks Chairman Bob Chapek will talk more about what’s next at the Disney theme parks during a Disney Parks & Resorts presentation later today.
The partnership between Disney and Lucasfilm dates back to 1987, when the successful Star Tours attraction, inspired by George Lucas’s legendary Star Wars film series, opened at Disneyland. The attraction was then redesigned, emerging as “Star Tours – The Adventures Continue” in 2011 and featuring more than 50 different story outcomes and the possibility to visit five different planets.
For 60 years, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has been delighting millions of people with fantastic storytelling, exceptional entertainment and extraordinary experiences, creating places where guests can make life-long memories with their friends and families. This announcement marks an unprecedented time of growth with exciting developments happening around the world – from Disneyland Resort’s Diamond Celebration to the anticipated opening of Shanghai Disney Resort in China.
