At D23, Bob Iger dropped a long-rumored bombshell at the Upcoming Movies panel. Not only did we have Star Wars: The Force Awakens to look forward to on December 18, but both Anaheim and Orlando Disney Resorts would be building a Star Wars Land.
“I am thrilled to announce the next chapter in the long and exciting history between Disney Parks and Star Wars,” said Iger at the panel. “We are creating a jaw-dropping new world that represents our largest single themed land expansion ever. 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.”
What he didn’t announce there was an opening date, and no, nobody knows that yet. But the Disney Parks official blog today did confirm some other items that Iger hinted at that should tide us over in the near future.
Starting November 16 in Tomorrowland, Disneyland will celebrate Season of the Force, which will include opportunities for meet and greets, plenty of Star Wars related activities, and what sounds like an incredibly cool ride overlay and addition. (The blog did NOT say when something similar would open in Orlando, only that it will be announced soon.)
Seasons of the Force will include:
Star Wars Launch Bay
- Choose Your Destiny with Special Character Experiences
- Dark Side – Encounter one of the most iconic villains from Star Wars, Darth Vader.
- Light Side – Fly casual at this makeshift Rebel base, and meet the most famous co-pilot in the galaxy, Chewbacca.
- Explore the Dark and the Light in Themed Galleries
- Dark Side Gallery – Get a look at authentic pieces of stormtrooper armor as well as famous Sith lightsabers once wielded by masters of the dark side.
- Light Side Gallery – Explore a gallery filled with Rebel flight helmets and lightsabers once wielded by Jedi Knights.
- Preview Gallery – See props from the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
- Starship Gallery – Discover models of famous starships and their pilots from throughout the Star Wars saga.
- Join the Battle in the Star Wars Game Center – Play the latest games from the Star Wars galaxy, including Disney Infinity 3.0 – featuring park-exclusive Toy Box levels.
Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple
Coming in December, experience a twist on the Jedi Training experience when you will encounter new characters and a new villain from the popular Disney XD series, Star Wars Rebels. (If you’re not familiar with the Jedi Training experience, that takes place on the Tomorrowland Stage by the restaurant Tomorrowland Terrace – editor)
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
This popular attraction will feature a new scene inspired by the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Limited-Time Experiences
- Hyperspace Mountain – Climb aboard a reimagined Space Mountain attraction, in which guests will join an X-wing starfighter battle.
- Revisit favorite scenes from classic Star Wars films at Tomorrowland Theater. (Many of you know that better as the place they used to show Captain Eo — editor)
- Try new themed food.
Choose your side during Season of the Force, beginning November 16 at Disneyland park in California. And keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for dates and details on these new Star Wars experiences coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida.
Amidst all that coolness, a little rain had to fall. I won’t call it a dark side, because it’s just temporary — at least for most of those attractions affected. In order to actually build Star Wars Land, they have to close a section of the park. At the end of park operating hours on January 10, 2016, the following will stop operations for an unspecified amount of time:
- The Disneyland Railroad, including all stations
- Attractions along the Rivers of America, including:
- “Fantasmic!”
- Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia
- Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
- Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes
The blog indicates these will all reopen eventually.
Elsewhere in Frontierland, Big Thunder Ranch – including Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue, Big Thunder Ranch Petting Farm and Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree – will close permanently at the end of the operating day on January 10.
That means that if you’re planning to attend Season of the Force, you may want to make reservations for Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue as well. I recently went to the park and didn’t know that reservations were helpful to have — yeah, what a nerfherder — and with the announcement of its closing, it’s a safe bet that the demand for that eatery will be very high through the holidays.
Luckily, Big Thunder Railroad will not be closing — the recent overhaul of that attraction last year has really made it something worth riding.
See you there!
