Star Wars Lands Coming to Disney Hollywood Studios and Disneyland

Star Wars-Themed Lands Coming to Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Aug. 15, 2015) – Today 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-themed lands will be coming to 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.  

"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.

The partnership between Disney and Lucasfilm dates back to 1987, when the successful Star Tours attraction, inspired by George Lucas’s legendary Star Wars film series, opened at Disneyland.  The attraction was then redesigned, emerging as “Star Tours – The Adventures Continue” in 2011 and featuring more than 50 different story outcomes and the possibility to visit five different planets.

For 60 years, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has been delighting millions of people with fantastic storytelling, exceptional entertainment and extraordinary experiences, creating places where guests can make life-long memories with their friends and families.  This announcement marks an unprecedented time of growth with exciting developments happening around the world – from Disneyland Resort’s Diamond Celebration to the anticipated opening of Shanghai Disney Resort in China.  

WDW Update: The Last Countdown to Fun Parade in the Disney Hollywood Studios!

Sasaki Time WDW correspondent Jeremiah brings us photos from the last Countdown to Fun Parade at the Disney Hollywood Studios!

Photos from the last day of Disney Channel Rocks at Disney Hollywood Studios!

Sasaki Time WDW correspondent Jeremiah brings us some photos from the last day of the Disney Channel Rocks show at the Disney Hollywood Studios!

"The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow" Pirates of the Caribbean show at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Watch the complete show! Thanks to Inside The Magic for this great video!

Visit http://www.InsideTheMagic.net for more about The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow!

Walt Disney World has debuted a new Pirates of the Caribbean show called The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow at Disney's Hollywood Studios featuring special effects, projections, and real props combed in a multi-sensory experience. Johnny Depp makes an extremely lifelike appearance as Captain Jack Sparrow while fighting Davy Jones off in the distance. Also included are mermaids, an army of evil skeleton pirates, and one famous talking skull.

Imagineers Talk Working with Johnny Depp on The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow

The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow is a walk-through attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios that will allow guests to follow in the footsteps of Jack Sparrow to see if they have what it takes to join his rowdy and daring pirate crew. In this video from Walt Disney Imagineering, Imagineers Jason Surrell, Laura Mitchell, Charita Carter and Jason Roberts take us behind the scenes of the making of this new experience. According to them, creating an entirely new attraction based on the "Pirates of the Caribbean" film franchise was a dream come true, as was working with the film's lead actor, Johnny Depp, who reprised his role as Captain Jack Sparrow for the attraction's film elements. Read more at the Disney Parks Blog: http://bit.ly/SoQv9h

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R2D2 Bring Me A Churro!

Best Churro Carrier Ever! Star Wars Weekends 2012 at Disney Hollywood Studios!

Behind the Scenes for an R2-D2 Photo Shoot for Disney's Star Wars Weekends

Disney Photography takes us behind-the-scenes on an R2-D2 photo shoot for Star Wars Weekends. Read more at the Disney Parks Blog: http://bit.ly/K8gAGv

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Brainstorming with Darth Vader for Disney's Star Wars Weekends

Disney Idea Generator Matt Buchanan brainstorms around Star Wars Weekend events - with a very special guest. Read more at the Disney Parks Blog: http://bit.ly/K8gAGv

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Star Wars Weekends 2012: Queen Amidala Stuck at the Turnstile!

Star Wars Weekends 2012: R2D2 dispatching an Elevator at The Tower of Terror!

Star Wars Weekends 2012: Cantina Band Playing in front of The American Idol Experience!

The second of four promotional images for Star Wars Weekends 2012 at Disney Hollywood Studios!

Star Wars Weekends 2012: X-Wing in Echo Lake!

One of four promotional images for Star Weekends 2012!

Yoda, Chewbacca and Darth Vader get invited to Star Wars Weekends 2012

Go behind the scenes and check out some of the fun we're having planning Star Wars Weekends. Read more at the Disney Parks Blog: http://bit.ly/IFwgi5

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Ashley Eckstein meets one of her biggest fans, Chewbacca, at Star Wars Weekends

Go behind the scenes and check out some of the fun we're having planning Star Wars Weekends. Read more at the Disney Parks Blog: http://bit.ly/IFwgi5

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Build Your Droid at the Droid Factory Coming to Tatooine Traders at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve dreamed of owning my own droid just like Luke Skywalker in Star Wars. Granted, I also wanted to learn the ways of the Force, but I think having an Astromech droid will be slightly easier with the Droid Factory experience launching during Star Wars Weekends 2012. Fans will be able to build and name their own R-series Astromech droid action figures. I spoke with product developer Cody Hampton who said this experience was in development for three years!

“We began discussing the Droid Factory in 2009,” explained Cody. “We know that personalization is an important aspect of the popular build-your-own light saber experience. We felt the same thing could be done with action figures but on a much larger scale.”

Large scale indeed – the Droid Factory has 71 different pieces to create the 3 ¾-inch figures! To get started, guests chose a dome, a body and legs offered in a variety of colors and styles (Cody said that availability of various parts and colors may change). There are optional third legs and novelty hats that can be added.
“We wanted lots of options for [the Droid Factory],” continued Cody. “There are literally thousands of combinations making each droid unique. Guests can also name their droids with sticker sheets provided at checkout.”

Three domes – R6, R8 and R9 – were created exclusively for this experience at Disney Parks. Cody also told me the multi-colored ear hats were inspired by Jedi Mickey’s Astromech droid, R2-MK. Four additional hats arrive later this summer including a Goofy hat, a pirate hat, a fedora and a Yoda cap.

Droids will be sold either in single or dual packs (the latter has a value price). They can also be used with the playsets we’ve created like the Starspeeder 1000.

Source:  http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/05/build-your-droid-at-the-droid-factory-coming-to-tatooine-traders-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/

Cast Yourself in Carbonite with the Carbon-Freeze Me Experience During Star Wars Weekends 2012 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Using state-of-the-art imaging technology, this experience casts your likeness as a three-dimensional, eight-inch figurine. At the Carbon-Freezing Chamber (located adjacent to The American Idol Experience), several cameras will capture multiple angles of your face. The images are then reconstructed in a computer for processing, and in approximately four weeks, the completed figurine is shipped directly to your house.

Each carbonite figurine is $99.95 (plus shipping). You can order additional figurines using the same image scan for $74.95 each. The replica figurine can be hung on a wall, just like the gangster Jabba the Hutt did in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi (I plan on doing the same thing when I receive mine). Guests also receive a light-up wristband.

The experience will officially open on May 18 with the launch of Star Wars Weekends.

Reservations are required and can be made starting Monday, May 7 by calling 407-WDW-TECH (407-939-8324).

May the Force be with you!

Please note: Separate Theme Park admission required for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. No discounts apply unless otherwise noted. Guests must be at least three (3) years of age to participate. A valid accepted credit card number is required at time of booking. No-shows or in the event a reservation is cancelled within 48 hours of scheduled experience will result in such credit card being charged a $25 cancellation fee. The experience, due to its personalized nature is non-refundable and not eligible for an exchange. Children must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age or older during the entire experience. Certain restrictions may apply. All prices, components and information are subject to change without notice.

Source: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/05/cast-yourself-in-carbonite-with-the-carbon-freeze-me-experience-during-star-wars-weekends-2012-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/

First Look at The Merchandise for Star Wars Weeekends 2012 at The WDW Resort

I love the Star Tours nametag with the name written in Aurebesh, one of the alphabets used in the Star Wars galaxy. I hope these will make it's way to California!

Disney Recipes: 50’s Prime Time Café Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake

* 4 ounce Peanut Butter
* 4 Ounce Grape Jelly
* 72 Ounces Vanilla Ice Cream
* 8 Ounces Milk
* 8 Ounces Pure Vanilla Extract

Place flavoring in blender. Add milk. Add ice cream. Blend until smooth and thick. Pour into your favorite glass. Makes 4 Portions