Nighttime visitors to Disneyland's new Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge land have discovered an unintended attraction in the land — it's an amazing place to watch Disneyland's nightly fireworks show.
Disneyland actually changed the location from which it shoots its fireworks to accommodate its new Star Wars land, which was built over a former backstage area that was off limits during the performances, due to fire fallout risk. The change allows Disney to keep Galaxy's Edge open during the fireworks. But the new land remains close enough to the launch point that it provides what might be the most impressive viewing location in the park.
From the Black Spire Outpost, the fireworks explode just behind the Millennium Falcon, evoking either the celebration at the end of Return of the Jedi or an epic space battle above the planet of Batuu. Yet, amazing as the sight of those blasting fireworks might be, there's an additional element missing that could make the display ever better.
Reader Robert P. offered a suggestion: What if Disney commissioned John Williams to expand his Galaxy's Edge theme and compose a new soundtrack for Disneyland's fireworks show, to be played only in Galaxy's Edge?
Obviously, Disney does not need to be doing anything to add attractions to Galaxy's Edge right now. The land's still in its reservation-only period, and fans likely will crowd the land throughout the summer and into fall, when Disneyland's legions of Southern California Select annual passholders return from their summer blockout. The land's biggest attraction — Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance — hasn't opened yet, either. That surely will keep the land filled for many months after its debut, too.
But what about next year, when that new Marvel-themed land opens at Disney California Adventure, across the way? This year, Disney has bee rolling out one enticement after another at DCA to remind people that there are two theme parks at Disneyland worth visiting. With Marvel hogging the spotlight next year for DCA, will Disney feel the need to throw something new into the mix over at Disneyland to provide balance in its Force?
A Star Wars soundtrack for the nightly fireworks could do that... and probably without huge expense. (John Williams' time ain't cheap, but still doesn't cost as much as a from-scratch new attraction.)
Yet this isn't a slam-dunk easy decision. Disney chose not to introduce background music throughout Galaxy's Edge, opting instead to play music only where it would be heard naturally within the Black Spire Outpost, such as in the marketplace and cantina. A soundtrack for the fireworks show would violate that sound design principle.
But would anyone care? Disney already found a way to retcon Coca-Cola products into the Star Wars universe. If it thinks fans would want a Star Wars soundtrack for the Disneyland fireworks, Disney will do what it wants and commission it.
So what do you think about this suggestion?
Since we've opened this door, let's walk through it. We are taking all your suggestions for Galaxy's Edge expansions and improvements, in the comments.
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Of course, but they don't need to commission John Williams for a new soundtrack. Just use the end credits soundtrack to Return of the Jedi, which includes a fireworks scene. They could even do mist screen projections of Jedi throughout the land just like how Yoda, Anakin, and Obi Wan appear at the end of the film. Oga's Cantina even pays homage to this scene with the Yub Nub drink. There's no need to reinvent the wheel here, just tap your existing soundtrack library.
This is a living breathing community right? Don't such places have celebrations? I think that creating a new soundtrack to watch fireworks from SW:GE is a good idea, but it would need to NOT be a greatest hits of John Williams Star Wars themes. It should be something new and of this place and time.
I also think this is an idea for down the road...way down the road. Like you said, there is no need to draw more folks here quite yet.
This is a living breathing community right? Don't such places have celebrations? I think that creating a new soundtrack to watch fireworks from SW:GE is a good idea, but it would need to NOT be a greatest hits of John Williams Star Wars themes. It should be something new and of this place and time.
I also think this is an idea for down the road...way down the road. Like you said, there is no need to draw more folks here quite yet.
@russell: My thought was that they could use all of the existing cues that are set for Disneyland Forever. The soundtrack in Galaxy's Edge would match perfectly to what is happening in the sky. This would effectively give Disneyland two full fireworks spectaculars. Yes, using the end credits soundtrack could work, but it wouldn't be exact by any means.
I'm going to say yes, but I can't say I've ever been impressed at apparent attempts to Choreograph fireworks to music.
I'm going to say no for now, as I don't think trying to choreograph a new soundtrack to an existing show will produce a compelling result. That said, this is something I would love to see for the next new show as it could easily be integrated into the development.
Slightly off topic: I think I heard that John Williams is retired after he completes the soundtrack for Star Wars IX.
Still, there's no lack of fantastic Williams themes to choose from, already.
I imagine that John Williams could do an incredible job writing to pre-choreographed fireworks. Whether that task is something he would want to do is a different matter. :) For the record I wholeheartedly support the plan. Any new music from Mr. Williams is a gift to all of us.
I'm a no, but could see becoming a yes if it's done right. It can't just be playing Star Wars music during the fireworks, it should be music that is coordinated with the fireworks, as it is in the rest of the park.
Some appropriate music with the right crescendos and low points to coincide with the show, though? Yeah, that could be fantastic. I just wouldn't want to see music shoehorned in that doesn't go with the show.
And no projections please. It's already overdone as it is.
I agree whole heartedly with Russell.
I heard/read some reviews that praise SWGE for level of detail, art direction and immersion, but the general consensus seems to be that it doesn't necessarily tug on any emotional heartstrings, except for seeing the Millennium Falcon in person.
Part of that seems to be the decision to make it about a planet that no one heard of before, and about characters that are new and haven't yet earned their place in fan's hearts.
It's almost the same as a movie with spectacular special effects, but a weak story.
Iger wanted to make the new land about the current movies and beyond, but IMO Rey, Finn, Poe and Kylo Ren are never going to inspire fans like Luke, Leia, Han and Darth Vader. People get teary eyed seeing the Millennium Falcon not because Rey and Finn are flying it in the new films, but because Han Solo flew it in the original films.
The decision not to add familiar music throughout the land is more proof that Disney doesn't understand the fans.
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It's crowded enough. The fireworks are supposed to draw people away. I'm all for an alternative mix of the music somewhere in the park tho.