Disney reveals Star Wars land model in advance of D23 Expo

July 13, 2017 at 7:42 PM · it's theming is very intricate. really too much. did they say, that was anywhere close to scale? everything, is so close together. how, Is it going to be able to handle large crowds?

July 13, 2017 at 8:12 PM · There's a model for the ride vehicle for the First Order ride on display that looks a lot like the Oceaneering ride vehicles from Six Flags' Justice League and Universal's Transformers and Spider-Man rides.

First Order Fleet Transport ride vehicle!#D23Expo pic.twitter.com/dacPd7VW9q

— MouseInfo (@MouseInfo) July 14, 2017

July 13, 2017 at 9:09 PM · 1) Disney might have a rock work problem. Carsland, Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Mine Train, Everest, ect... I was hoping they could be a bit more creative in their landscaping this time considering the topographical scope Star Wars has to offer.

2) I hope the droids in the ride vehicle are more than hood ornaments. A la the ET ride, but with better execution.

July 13, 2017 at 9:18 PM · Heard complaints of "not Coruscant" but come on, this is what people want of Star Wars, a far-off vista, not a city place. This looks wonderful, can't wait to see it for real.

Of course, still the question: If folks are willing to wait four hours for Avatar, how long are these lines going to be?

July 13, 2017 at 10:08 PM · Hey everyone,

As Robert is out of town and unable to attend D23 Expo this year, I'll be covering the event for Theme Park Insider in his place. I will be there all day Friday and Saturday (and possibly part of Sunday...exact plans are unconfirmed) and will be posting a few articles over the next couple days about what's on display and what's presented at panels I attend. I'll try to get anything theme park related posted here as quickly as possible, but I also welcome all TPI readers to follow me on Facebook for live updates during the event (if interested).

Stay tuned for a full report on the Star Wars display (and whatever else Imagineering has on display this year) tomorrow, as well as coverage of announcements at the Parks and Resorts Presentation on Saturday.

July 13, 2017 at 11:28 PM · I shudder to think about the tidal wave of crowds that will assault these new lands. It's going to be a feeding frenzy.

July 14, 2017 at 12:20 AM · Can't wait!

Ok, I do have to wait. It's still 2 years away and like Still a fan implied, will have massive crowds opening month (year?).

July 14, 2017 at 2:02 AM · Still a Fan writes: "I shudder to think about the tidal wave of crowds that will assault these new lands. It's going to be a feeding frenzy."

I Respond: Yep. Also the opening of Pixarland at DHS. And of course Animal Kingdom is jumping due to Pandora, there is the monumental success of Disney Springs, the dramatic expansion plans for EPCOT, the Tron Lightcyles coming to Magic Kingdom ... and on and on and on.

It's pretty easy to see which themed entertainment company is going to lead the way in the Orlando market in the decades to come.

July 14, 2017 at 4:09 AM · I know, congratulations to Universal for being the new leader of theme park technological advancement

July 14, 2017 at 5:13 AM · @TH Creative,

I think it will be cutting it close with the "other guys" acquiring more land and adding more hotels to their resort. Not to mention, the addition of another big IP to their parks. For me, it's not so much who's better than the other, but it's an "I'm glad Disney is finally stepping up!" This competition between the two giants is a win-win for us theme park fans.

July 14, 2017 at 5:13 AM · I think they have to modify or change the FP+ in Orlando before this opens. This is going to be much more popular than Pandora, Potter, or Cars. It will not work with the current system and will be a PR nightmare with what they have now.

July 14, 2017 at 5:38 AM · I shudder to think what the prices for admission will be by then.

July 14, 2017 at 5:40 AM · TH Creative wrote: "It's pretty easy to see which themed entertainment company is going to lead the way in the Orlando market in the decades to come."

It's pretty easy to see that you're still a Disney Fanboy.

This is going to appeal to the current "new generation" Star Wars fans -- in the short term there will be no lack of attendance. For old generation Star Wars fans, I'm not sure it has much appeal.

July 14, 2017 at 6:38 AM · @ DB Cooper: When I asserted that it's "pretty easy to see which themed entertainment company is going to lead the way in the Orlando market in the decades to come" the basis for the opinion is not limited to the massive expansion of the Star Wars footprint in Disney's Hollywood Studios. It also makes note of the 'Pandora: The World of Avatar' expansion at Disney's Animal Kingdom (which includes 'Flight of Passage' the winner of TPI's "Best New Attraction" award for 2017), the undeniably enormous success of Disney Springs (which will continue to grow with the addition of the 'NBA Experience'), the planned 'Guardians of the Galaxy' and 'Ratatouille' attractions (as well as the addition of other shows and projects) at EPCOT and the Tron Lightcycle coaster at the Magic Kingdom. So WDW's future success is certainly not dependent on appealing to just "old generation Star Wars fans."

However, regarding the Star Wars plans for DHS, DB Cooper writes: "For old generation Star Wars fans, I'm not sure it has much appeal."

I Respond: Have you seen any indication that either 'The Force Awakens' or 'Rogue One' (combined worldwide box office $3.1 billion) have no appeal to the "old generation Star Wars fans?"

July 14, 2017 at 7:01 AM · DBCooper, as an original Star Wars trilogy fan (and not a huge prequel trilogy fan) I've got to say that most people I know who liked the original quite enjoy the new ones. I know one who doesn't like episode 7 (who loved Rogue One), but generally the new movies are very well received (both critically and by the public)

July 14, 2017 at 7:24 AM · I am not a Star Wars fan, and never have been, but I have salivated all over my keyboard. Amazing! I'd pay just to see the model. This really could raise the bar even higher than Potter.

July 14, 2017 at 7:43 AM · I love the new model, BUT it has a twilight backdrop that just won't happen at Disneyland. You'll likely see the Mickey & Friend parking structure at certain angles if they aren't careful. Thus, I hope they install much taller trees behind the buildings or add scrims to the parking structure to hide it much better.

July 14, 2017 at 8:12 AM · It appeals to me and I've been a huge SW fan since 1977. I expect that it'll be popular with the vast majority of SW fans, new and long time. Of course, it's impossible to please everyone.

July 14, 2017 at 8:24 AM · I am an old generation Star Wars fan, and I cannot wait. As all of my posts indicate, my fear is that it is going to be too popular. I love the Potter areas, and I could easily go to Universal and never leave those areas, but people have no idea how rabid Star Wars fans really are. There will be people that want to scatter their ashes when they die there. I bet they have to use cattle prods at the end of the day to clear it out.

July 14, 2017 at 8:52 AM · I think both Disney and Universal are in a golden age for Theme Park fans . I don't think either of them are leading the way , they are both creating fantastic experiences for us all to enjoy , I love Pandora especially at night, I love Wizarding World I cant wait for Star Wars and am so excited for Nintendo. Thank god I moved to Orlando or I would have been bancruot spending on Vaccations,

July 14, 2017 at 9:33 AM · The same design firm has done Diagon Alley, Pandora, and now Star Wars. They are the ones to watch.

July 14, 2017 at 9:33 AM · The same design firm has done Diagon Alley, Pandora, and now Star Wars. They are the ones to watch.

July 14, 2017 at 10:03 AM · @TH you're probably right but it's all thanks to Universals Wizarding World of Harry Potter and other expansions. No way Disney would be investing this much without the competition.

July 14, 2017 at 4:32 PM · Anton I don't think you're going to see the garage from inside the land. As far as I can tell there's no rides with an outside view that will elevate you high enough. Of course, it's a model from a bird's eye perspective so they had to put the backdrop in. But you'll never see it from that angle.

July 14, 2017 at 6:34 PM · @TH You fail acknowledge the fact that a new water park down the street won multiple award too. Or the fact Universals rides in the past won awards too and yet, I don't see you saying Universals leading the themed industry.

July 15, 2017 at 4:14 AM · Looks amazing as all models do.

July 18, 2017 at 1:45 AM · I enjoy this site, but TH Creative's constant, repetitive, and juvenile need to diss Unviversal with every post he makes is really tiring. I'm used to fanboy trolls dwelling in the comment section, but also being a featured writer to the site? yeesh!