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Tag Archives: star tours
May the 4th Be With You Recap & Star Wars Weekend Tips
Guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 4, 2013 were treated to a sneak peek of the theme park’s annual Star Wars Weekend festivities with a Limited Time Magic event titled, “May the 4th Be with You.” Guests were given a chance to see all of their favorite characters from the Star Wars films and even take photographs with them. The Jedi Training Academy offered a chance for adults to join their Padawans in training, and the newly reimagined Star Tours offered trips with some very special guests. The festivities ended with a Star Wars dance party hosted by DJ Lobot and a special “Symphony in the Stars” fireworks display. And of course, guests could also obtain special limited edition merchandise from the event.
Perhaps my most favorite part of the Limited Time Magic was the character interaction—from Storm Troopers patrolling, to wandering Tusken Raiders, and even Darth Vader looming through the park; it was a sight to see and created some extra magical experiences.
Star Wars Land at Disneyland?
A long time from now in a city not so far away we may all get to visit Star Wars Land at Disneyland. The Disney-verse has lit up more than a Death Star explosion with the news of a survey being addressed to Annual Pass Holder and Fanatics. This survey includes a number of references to a Star Wars Land and asks what the respondents think of this expansion idea. What do you think? Would you like a Star Wars Land at Disneyland?
We’ve known of plans to add a Star Wars Land to Disneyland Paris since last year when the imagineers let that out. The Star Wars Land is said to include Star Tours, Jedi Academy and a Mos Eisley Cantina. Without any ground breaking yet, we don’t know for sure where it will go. However, the rumors state that likely it will take over Pizza Planet and Captain EO which are next to Star Tours. They will then expand it to become its own Star Wars Land.
Here’s what we know:
- Disney spent $4 Billion to buy Star Wars
- Disneyland Anaheim is asking guests to take a survey about Star Wars
- Disneyland Paris Star Wars Land planned opening in 2015
- Star Wars VII is planned for release in 2015
- Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
As my imagination runs wild, here’s what I predict, Star Wars Land will open in both Disneyland Anaheim and Disneyland Paris around the same time as Star Wars VII comes out. Disney didn’t get to where they are without knowing how to do things big.
We all know that Disneyland Resort doesn’t have a lot of unused space. So the question becomes, where does it go? Everyone has their own ideas and most are pretty good thoughts. I’ve read that perhaps it will replace Tomorrowland, or maybe it will go in the much alluded to “Third Gate” that is supposed to open sometime in the next few decades. Maybe, just maybe Disney is holding out on us and has already been purchasing up additional space around Disneyland that we haven’t heard about yet.
While we don’t have a lot of solid evidence to give yet, we do know that Star Wars Land at Disneyland is a real possibility. Don’t book your trip just yet, but do keep checking back with us for any new information. What do you think of a possible Star Wars Land at Disneyland? Let us know!
One last juicy bit of gossip to share, just read that perhaps, maybe, just maybe Walt Disney World will get a Cars Land & Star Wars Land combined at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Now that’s a big stretch, but hey we can all dream right? Didn’t Walt teach us all to keep dreaming and reaching?
Related articles
- ‘Star Wars’ Theme Park Coming ? (jedimouseketeer.com)
- Disneyland Planning for Disney World experts (chipandco.com)
Top 5 Rides to Avoid if you get Motion Sick
I won’t lie – I am a big wuss when it comes to intense rides. However, I have been on all but one of the rides listed below at Walt Disney World and, although they are rather enjoyable, they are top contenders for triggering motion sickness.
Themed around the infamous Yeti who is hiding in and around a forbidden mountain that it protects, Expedition Everest is located in the Animal Kingdom, located in the section of Asia. A favorite of thrill-seekers everywhere, it features train cars that ride both forwards and backwards. Combining these elements unexpected high speeds and entrances into total darkness at specific intervals during the ride can result in a rather unpleasant experience.
Known as one of the classic rides in the Magic Kingdom, the Mad Tea Party can be an unexpected ride to cause stomach upset. It really depends on who you share your ride experience with. The ride features teacups from the animation film, Alice in Wonderland. Guests sit in the teacups, which spin leisurely with the ride. However, in the center of the teacup is a wheel that can be turned to make the cup spin faster. Therefore, if you are prone to dizziness and wish to experience the Mad Tea Party, make sure you ride with someone you trust not to spin it too fast.
Hollywood Studios – More Than Just “Thrill” Rides!
We all know and love the big attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, like Star Tours, Rock N Roller Coaster, and the Tower of Terror, but have you ever stopped to check out some of the other attractions and rides at Hollywood Studios? There really are some great ones that are totally worth a look!
Magic of Disney Animation – This is a great guided tour/show where you sit with a live artist for a 10 minute segment called “Drawn to Animation”, where you learn how Disney characters are brought to life. After that, you are led to an area where you can explore a series of interactive workstations, that teach you how characters are created, from drawing and coloring to sound and animation. You can even learn how to draw your own Disney character! This is really a fun attraction that shows you the magic behind the animated Disney movies we all love to watch over and over!
Great Movie Ride – This is one of my favorite rides of all time, and it is definitely one of the more popular ‘non thrill’ rides in Hollywood Studios. You board a tram that takes you through some of the best scenes in move history. You have a cast member who is your ‘tour guide’, and they even get a chance to get in on the movie action! Some of the more notable scenes include Dorothy in Oz (complete with munchkins and the yellow brick road!), Casablanca, and a scene from Alien. It’s a great way to relive some truly amazing movies, and what’s even better is there is movie memorabilia in the queue, and there is concrete hand/footprints of some of Hollywood’s most beloved actors outside the ride! While this attraction tends to be pretty popular, the lines usually aren’t too bad for it, but even if you have to wait – there is plenty to look at while in line
Disney Parks Merchandise appearing at Star Wars Celebration VI Event in August 2012
Disney Parks has a long history with Star Wars that dates back to 1987 with the opening of Star Tours at Disneyland park. Since that time, Disney has offered a variety of collectibles including action figures, pins, shirts and more. I’m happy to report that Disney Theme Park Merchandise will be attending Star Wars Celebration VI, a Star Wars fan event coming to the Orange County Convention Center from August 23-26, 2012. This year, they have created some items that fans will only find at this event.
One of those event exclusive items is a 3-inch Vinylmation figure of Princess Leia as a hologram. This figure has an edition size of 2,500, and is considered the variant figure to the Leia figure found in Vinylmation – Star Wars #2 series (which will also debut at the event on August 23 and will later be sold at Disney Parks).
