What Star Wars fan hasn’t fantasized about sidling up to the bar in the Mos Eisley cantina, ordering a throat-burning drink, and maybe starting some shizzle with a nasty-looking alien? Here’s the best news ever: you’ll be able to do all of the above (within reason) at Disneyland’s new Star Wars-themed lands. Disney CEO Bob Iger just announced that both Disneyland in Anaheim and Hollywood Studios in Orlando will be getting their own Star Wars lands. In what will be Disney’s largest-ever single-themed expansion, visitors will be transported to an entirely new planet, a remote trading post on the Outer Rim, in a galaxy far far away.
“I am thrilled to announce the next chapter in the long and exciting history between Disney Parks and Star Wars,” said Iger at the D23 Expo where he made the announcement. “Through each new attraction and new land we create, we push the boundaries of what is possible. And as you can imagine, with Star Wars, we are taking that to a whole new level, with a whole galaxy to explore.”
In addition to wandering a world staffed by droids and populated by “fantastic roaming beasts” guests will be treated to new rides, two of which have been announced. On the first, visitors will get the chance to fly the Millennium Falcon on a secret mission. The second will place you in the midst of an epic fight between the First Order and the Resistance. The announcement didn’t include a timeline for all of this fabulousness, but Disney representatives have said it will take time.
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In the interim, the existing Star Wars attractions at both parks will get a few updates. Star Tours will be enhanced with a new location and new characters relating to the upcoming movie, The Force Awakens. An entire new attraction, called Star Wars Launch Bay will be added, allowing guests to see paraphernalia from the films, including props, costumes, and concept drawings. The Jedi Academy will also get an update and a limited-time seasonal event called Star Wars: Season of the Force will also be launched. During the event, the parks will add Star Wars food and characters, and Space Mountain will be transformed into Hyperspace Mountain.
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Via io9
Images via Disney/Lucasfilm