It’s been two years since Disney announced new Star Wars-themed lands were coming to its theme parks in Florida and California, and it will be another two years before they open. But at the company’s D23 Expo this week, the Mouse House has given fans the most in-depth look yet at the new galaxy far, far away.
Unveiling a 50-foot wide model at the expo, Disney proudly showed off what looks to be a completely immersive new theme park land. Set to debut in 2019 at Disneyland in Anaheim and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, the still unofficially-named (and largely identical) Star Wars lands will feature two main attractions: A Millennium Falcon ride that lets guests pilot the iconic ship, and a difficult to categorize simulation where park-goers join the battle between the First Order and the Resistance.
The land is meant to represent a new planet in Star Wars lore, a “remote trading port and one of the last stops before Wild Space.” The land will be populated by aliens and droids alike, many of whom will interact with guests. These interactions will partly be based on the choices you make on the rides, leading to a considerably more interactive experience compared to Disney’s other lands. And of course, there will be a Mos Eisleyesque cantina.
Admittedly, this all sounds pretty great, but we’ll reserve final judgement until we actually see the lands in person. Until then, build on, Imagineers!
