About a month ago, it was rumored that plans to bring more ‘Star Wars’ related attractions to the Walt Disney theme parks in California and Florida were put on hold or even cancelled. While there’s no world yet about the progress of these projects at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, word going around is that the ball may be rolling over on the west coast at Disneyland.
According to MiceAge, the first phase of the transformation of Tomorrowland that is set to include more ‘Star Wars’ themed elements has been given the green light. Though no new attractions are being erected just yet, the area is getting a number of new cosmetic changes to make it resemble a space port, which is the perfect thing to tie all the different planets guests can visit as part of the Tomorrowland experience together.
As for the rides, they’re all part of phase two, which is currently still in the developmental phase. A number of things are still in the works, but now the Imagineers have been given some new information about J.J. Abrams’ upcoming film to incorporate into their plans. Here’s an excerpt from the report that details what they’re currently working on:
“The Imagineers assigned to the Star Wars Tomorrowland project have now been debriefed on the characters and plotlines coming for ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ that opens in theaters in about two years. The original plan for Disneyland’s Tomorrowland relied heavily on characters and plot points from the first three ‘Star Wars’ films, with attractions like a Millennium Falcon walk-thru on the old PeopleMover platform, a wild Tatooine cantina replacing Tomorrowland Terrace, and a speeder bike ride through an Ewok village where Autopia currently sits. Those key attractions are all still part of phase two, but they are being layered or tweaked to include references from Episode VII that will be released in theaters at least 18 months before any of those attractions open.”
Additionally, the ‘Finding Nemo’ submarines were “closed for refurbishments” recently and that may have something to do with the ‘Star Wars’ expansion. Based on the information available, the subs may have embarked on their last voyage if Disney decides to move forward with new attractions from a galaxy far, far away. It’s said that the caverns of the lagoon built in 1959 might serve as the location for the new E-ticket speeder bike ride through Endor. However, if the ‘Star Wars’ project remains in financial limbo by fiscal year 2015, then the park might just legitimately refurbish the underwater sets and reopen the ride by next Christmas to take part in the nostalgia-driven 60th anniversary of Disneyland.
What do you think about this potential ‘Star Wars’ expansion at Disneyland in the coming years? Do you think that construction will commence sooner rather than later? Which one of the planned attractions would you like to see the most? Let us know in the comments below.
