The Walt Disney Company announced that it's building Star Wars Land, its single biggest theme park expansion ever.
[Click on individual concept art images to see them bigger]
Star Wars Land will be constructed at Walt
Disney World in Orlando, Florida, as well as at Disneyland in Anaheim,
California and will transport visitors to George Lucas' galaxy far, far away.
The existing Star Tours, last updated in 2011, will again undergo changes to
incorporate new elements as well as the inclusion of characters from the
upcoming new Star Wars movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens which
opens globally in December.
Bob Iger, The Walt Disney Company chairperson
and CEO announced the news at the D23 EXPO 2015 and showed concept art of the
new Star Wars Land he promised would be an immersive experience unlike anything
people have experienced before.
"We'll soon be transporting our guests to
some of the most anticipated worlds – a story that translates across time and
place. Who wants to go there?” asked Bob Iger amidst loud applause in front of a
crowd of 7 500 people.
The immersive environment of the theme park
will introduce visitors to a Star Wars
planet never seen before, a gateway planet located on the Outer Rim, full of
places and characters "both familiar and not so familiar".
"For our guests every encounter will bring
more of the Star Wars story to life you can explore like never before."
"The inhabitants of this remote frontier
town, one of the last stops before wild space will operate every single store
and restaurant – every single thing will be 'in story'. As you explore this new
planet, each experience will literally be out of this world."
"Simply setting foot in this land is going to
be amazing."
Visitors visiting this world filled with
aliens, droids and other creatures will be able to join in two experiences. The
first will be to fly a mission on the Millennium Falcon.
The second is billed as an epic Star Wars adventure, putting visitors in
the middle of a climatic battle between the First Order and the Resistance, the
opposing sides appearing in the new The Force Awakens film.
"Lands of this scale and detail will
obviously take some time to create and we know we have to be brave, but our
ambition is up to the challenge," said Bob Iger.
No official opening date for Star Wars Land
has been announced.
In anticipation of Star Wars: The Force Awakens M-Net and The Walt Disney Company are
creating a Star Wars pop-up channel
for MultiChoice starting on 31 August on DStv on channel 109 for DStv Premium
subscribers.
Sky in the United Kingdom will be running a
similar Star Wars channel.
Disney will be rolling out the second season of Star Wars Rebels in which Darth Vader
makes his first appearance on Disney XD (DStv 304), as well as new animation
show, Droid Tales.
