Disneyland Releases Unexpectedly New Star Wars Land Rendering !

Disneyland released unexpectedly a new Star Wars Land concept-art, showing much differences with the previous official one! The new image has been unveiled on the fence along Big Thunder Trail in Frontierland – "one of the entry points to this never-before-seen planet in the Star Wars galaxy – revealing more about what guests will find in this all-new land. Nestled between towering spires of rock, this thriving port contains a seemingly familiar architecture of markets, landing zones and buildings. Look closely and you may find hints of some of the thrilling experiences that are coming – like the Millennium Falcon peeking out of one of the cargo bays, marking the location where guests will get the opportunity to pilot the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy".

But what is this in the shadow on the left side of the artwork?...



Also, look how close to Frontierland river will be the land, let's hope guests won't see it from the Mark Twain...



Interestingly, WDWNT think that the previous SWL artwork below was in fact a depiction of the Hollywood Studios version of Star Wars land... It sure would be great if the two SWL wouldn't have exactly the same design...



Your thoughts about this new rendering?

Pictures: copyright Disney

Breaking News ! Disneyland Releases Unexpectedly New Star Wars Land Rendering !

Disneyland released unexpectedly a new Star Wars Land concept-art, showing much differences with the previous official one! The new image has been unveiled on the fence along Big Thunder Trail in Frontierland – "one of the entry points to this never-before-seen planet in the Star Wars galaxy – revealing more about what guests will find in this all-new land. Nestled between towering spires of rock, this thriving port contains a seemingly familiar architecture of markets, landing zones and buildings. Look closely and you may find hints of some of the thrilling experiences that are coming – like the Millennium Falcon peeking out of one of the cargo bays, marking the location where guests will get the opportunity to pilot the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy".

But what is this in the shadow on the left side of the artwork?...



Also, look how close to Frontierland river will be the land, let's hope guests won't see it from the Mark Twain...



Interestingly, WDWNT think that the previous SWL artwork below was in fact a depiction of the Hollywood Studios version of Star Wars land... It sure would be great if the two SWL wouldn't have exactly the same design...



Your thoughts about this new rendering?

Pictures: copyright Disney

Star Wars Lands Officially Announced for WDW DHS and Disneyland - High-Res Artwork !

That's it, Bob Iger just announced officially Star Wars lands for WDW DHS and Disneyland and it'll be the biggest land ever built!

"Bob Iger announced to an audience of more than 7,500 fans that Star Wars-themed lands will be coming to Disneyland park in Anaheim, Calif., and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., allowing Star Wars fans to step into the stories from a galaxy far, far away.

Ambitious plans to bring Star Wars to life in the two parks include creating Disney’s largest single-themed land expansions ever at 14-acres each, transporting guests to a never-before-seen planet, a remote trading port and one of the last stops before wild space where Star Wars characters and their stories come to life.

“I am thrilled to announce the next chapter in the long and exciting history between Disney Parks and Star Wars,” said Iger. “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.”

These authentic lands will have two signature attractions, including the ability to take the controls of one of the most recognizable ships in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon, on a customized secret mission, and an epic Star Wars adventure that puts guests in the middle of a climactic battle."

Here is the short Star Wars  Land teaser shown during the Parks and Resorts D23 Presentation...




...And here are some additional artworks shown during the Parks and Resorts presentation at D23! They show different scenes inside the land or even rides ( the one with the Storm Troopers ) as well as a great live music "Cantina" bar & restaurant!

D&M take: It looks impressive, though i was not expecting this kind of architecture. No opening date was announced for the Star Wars Lands opening but from what i've read it seems that they're planning to break the ground in 2017 which, considering the huge construction works needed,  should mean a Star Wars land opening not earlier than 2019!

Edited 16 / 8 : Some thoughts about the new Star Wars land: At first i was impressed because of the scope of the project ( looks huge, etc… ) and the more i think about it the less certain i am about what i feel about it. First, i understand why they choose to create a new planet, but at the same time it will be more difficult to enjoy the place than if it had been a planet we already knew as i think what Star Wars fans would like is to be « teleported » on a planet they loved in the previous movies to have the feeling and pleasure «  to be there ».  So, the fans won’t have this feeling here, except if this new planet is introduced in the upcoming movies of the new trilogy. The only place so far which is a reminiscence of a loved place in the previous trilogies is the cafe looking like the famous Tatooine cantina.

I also have a problem with the mountains which have a kind of Avatar / Pandora look / feeling with the vegetation going down these pillars of rock. Because of the verticality of the set, it will create a special mood for the guest walking down there but it certainly don’t look like a place which gives you a « cosmic » feeling that a Star Wars land should give. And nothing futuristic in it. But the chosen decor should work well for the transition when you’ll come from the woods in the back of DL Frontierland where they will built it.

That said, Universal didn’t did this mistake, they reproduced faithfully the places that fans loved in the Harry Potter movies, but it's true they didn't had the choice of environment. I can understand that, with Star Wars, they had so many planets that instead to choose one and eventually make fans who would have liked another planet than the one chosen angry they decided to create a new one, but i’m not sure it’s not a mistake. They have enough materials in the Star Wars movie that they should have built a full theme park with different lands / planets, but there, in addition to the cost and needed place - a problem that could have been resolved - probably entered the corporate paranoid question: what if Star Wars is not anymore popular in 15 - 20 years? Which of course doesn't have any sense considering how hugely popular SW is since 35 years and this with two trilogies / six films released only...

Now the only thing to do is to wait till they build it and see the result. But i sincerely hope this new planet will be introduced in a future movie, one way or another so fans will have the feeling to be « at home » …

And what are your thoughts about this new Star Wars land?

Let's end with the video of the full star Wars Land presentation during D23 Parks and Resorts event, filmed in HD by Inside the Magic!




Artwork: copyright Disney

Disneyland Star Wars Land : Is There Really No Other Space Available to Build It ?

Frankly, there's something that i don't get. In his yesterday's update that you can read HERE Mice Age is saying ( again ) that Disney envision to build Disneyland Star Wars land where DL Toon Town currently is as well as on a big part of the Festival Arena area. Toon Town will be removed as well as probably the Festival Arena which will be less a pity than Toon Town. 

Editing: Please note that it seems that i did a mistake on the picture, indicating the Fantasyland stage as the Festival Arena when in fact this one is more on the left in Frontierland hoods. That will probably make a bit more space on the left for the Star Wars Land but not that much.

Anyway... if you look at this Google Maps screen capture above you'll see not only where is what but also the total area where Disney envision to build DL Star Wars Land. Which is not particularly big as you can see. I understand that they don't have much room at Disneyland but what i don't get is this: we're talking here about a new land based on one of the most successful movie license in all movie history which potentially could give birth to dozens of rides, etc.. I mean, if one wanted to build a whole theme park on Star Wars they could do it because there is so many universes and characters in Star Wars that the material to create rides out of it is practically endless. 

So, why do they insist to build a Star Wars land inside Disneyland and in that space and don't create a brand new third gate on the land they have opposite Harbor Blvd, in which they would eventually put a Marvel land if they wish? I know, they're supposed to need that land for DL employees car park, etc... Still, even if they remove some of the backstage buildings that you can see behind Toon Town, DL Star Wars land won't be that big. Someone clearly have a vision a bit too narrow on this project, don't you think?

Picture : copyright Google Maps