New Star Wars Attractions for Disney’s Theme Parks in Development.
While this week and the next week will probably be slow as far as news on Star Wars Episode VII goes due to the fortnight-long break in filming, Disney seems to be ensuring that interest in the franchise as a whole still stays up. Case in point, CEO Bob Iger announced to Variety that Disney is planning on adding more Star Wars rides to their various theme parks.
Let’s dive into the interview.
The Walt Disney Co. plans for “a far greater Star Wars presence” in its theme parks, company chief Bob Iger said Tuesday.
The first look at new attractions based on the sci-fi franchise, beyond Star Tours that currently operates at several of its parks, will be revealed next year, Iger said during a conference call with analysts to discuss Disney’s record third quarter results.
During the call, Iger said when Disney now decides to build new attractions, “the likelihood of their success is greater” when they’re branded. “When we grow Star Wars presence, which we will do significantly, you will see better bets being made that will pay off for us than were made in the past,” adding that leveraging the collection of popular franchises and properties that the company owns for rides and experiences will deliver “better returns than we saw in the past.”
When asked if Disney was looking to broker new licensing deals with other franchise owners for attractions the way it did with James Cameron’s “Avatar,” Iger dismissed the notion, citing properties owned by Marvel, Pixar and Lucasfilm. “We don’t have to license from third parties,” he said. “We own them all.”
It should also be noted that the only reason that we are just now hearing about Disney’s plans for theme park attractions nearly two years after buying Lucasfilm is because they wanted to make sure the acquisition was firmly in place (in the event that some outside force altered the deal). Nonetheless, it’s good to know that we may be hearing about the “Orange Harvest” project that Disney teased at last year’s D23 Expo a few months from now.
Grant has been a fan of Star Wars for as long as he can remember, having seen every movie on the big screen. When he’s not hard at work with his college studies, he keeps himself busy by reporting on all kinds of Star Wars news for SWNN and general movie news on the sister site, Movie News Net. He served as a frequent commentator on SWNN’s The Resistance Broadcast.
Can’t wait. Let’s hope they keep up with the tech at Universal
This is really great news for Disney! I can’t wait to go back and see all this great stuff! They really need this for their theme parks.
Finally. Rumors of Endor Speeder Bikes replacing the subs, cantina, and life size Millenium Falcon have been round forever now.
I had no idea that Star Wars stuff had already been built at Orlando! Is it worth seeing?
There is a Star Tours ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They recently refurbished the ride and have not been on the new one yet. It is a simulator ride. Very fun. And there is a gift shop at the end which has exclusive Star Wars mechandise.
I have to say, as fun as the original Star Tours was, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue blows it out of the water. I’m looking forward to seeing whatever else Disney has in store.
I am hoping for a whole park based on star wars, with the signs hopefully being in aurebesh.
Yeah, ok.
All of my wildest childhood dreams come true. Please God, let this park be as good as we’re all anticipating!
There should be a ride called “The Phantom Menace Experience.” Lots of anticipation, long lines, but utterly disappointing.
Ha ha ha!
…Aaaaaaaaaand the irrelevant Prequel Trilogy whining is here. Nice going, buddy. Very edgy.
C’mon buddy, don’t be like that. I was only making a joke. It’s a widely known fact that the majority of fans at the time were upset with how TPM turned out in ’99. No need to get your nickers in a twist.
Come on, it was funny.
I hope they don’t start altering the movies… *Goofy voice* “Haha. I’m your father.” *Mickey voice* “Gosh darn it.”
They’re building an an entire Star Wars universe in Australia. For what it’s worth.
I’ll give it a few years to grow, finally a reason for me to go to Disney.