STAR WARS LAND Coming to Walt Disney World and Disneyland

The much anticipated STAR WARS LAND expansion for Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World and California’s Disneyland was announced at the 2015 D23 Expo.  Taking a page out of Universal Orlando’s book with the immersive Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands,  Star Wars Land will include two signature attractions and interactive experiences.  No date was announced for the opening of STAR WARS LAND at Walt Disney World or Disneyland.  Continue reading for more details from Disney’s press release.

Disney Star Wars Land

From Disney’s D23 Fan Club

At the D23 EXPO 2015, The Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Bob Iger announced to an audience of more than 7,500 fans that Star Wars land will be coming to both 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.

Disney Star Wars Land

“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.  Along with the thrilling battle experience, another attraction puts guests behind the controls of one of the most recognizable ships in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon, as they take on a customized secret mission.

Iger also shared concept images of the Star Wars-themed lands, giving fans a glimpse at what is to come for Disney parks.

Disney Star Wars Land

  • Star Wars Launch Bay – Opening later this year, this interactive experience will take guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida and Disneyland park in California into the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, as well as the first six films in the Star Wars saga.

Disney Star Wars Land

  • Season of the Force – This new seasonal event, beginning early 2016, brings new experiences to both coasts. In Tomorrowland at Disneyland park, guests will explore the Star Wars galaxy with special entertainment, themed food locations and Hyperspace Mountain – a reimagining of the classic Space Mountain attraction in which guests will join an X-wing Starfighter battle. Disney’s Hollywood Studios will feature a new fireworks spectacular set to the iconic score of the Star Wars movies on weekend nights.

Season of the Force - Hyperspace Mountain

  • Jedi Training Academy — A favorite of younger fans is reimagined with a new experience that includes new characters and a new villain to battle from the popular Disney XD series “Star Wars Rebels.”
  • Star Tours – The Adventures Continue – Later this year, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida and Disneyland park in California will include a new adventure featuring locations and characters from the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Star Tours at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Finally Disney announced new STAR WARS credit card designs with Chase’s new Disney Visa Credit Card featuring Darth Vader, Yoda, and R2-D2 with C-3PO.  In addition, all Disney Visa Credit Cardmembers can have access to the exclusive Star Wars Imperial Meet ‘N’ Greet, featuring the Supreme Commander of Imperial Forces, Darth Vader, at  private Cardmember locations at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.  The Star Wars Imperial Meet ‘N’ Greet experience opens at the Disneyland Resort in fall 2015 and at Walt Disney World Resort in early 2016.

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About Dave Parfitt

Married, father of two girls, and living in the heart of the Finger Lakes. I'm a runner with a PhD in neuroscience and a passion for travel.