Disney Parks name Star Wars lands Galaxy’s Edge
ANAHEIM, CALIF. » Disney Parks isn’t letting Han Solo or Luke Skywalker save the day at their new Star Wars-themed lands.
“When you step in to the world, you’re the hero,” Chris Beatty, Disney Imagineer and executive director of the new expansions said.
Beatty was just one of many Disney representatives who spoke Saturday on the new Star Warsthemed lands at the Disney fan expo D23 in Anaheim, California.
Bob Chapek, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman, led a joyous panel where he unveiled many new projects for both domestic and international parks. New “Ratatouille,” “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Tron” attractions are headed to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Discussion of the Star Wars land came early in Chapek’s presentation, pleasing an eager audience. A video detailed a model on display at the expo’s “A Galaxy of Stories.” Then, Chapek revealed the name for the expansions.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will first open at Disneyland, followed shortly by a second, identical location at Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. Chapek said both are expected to open in 2019.
He introduced the lead designer of the project, Scott Trowbridge, who said Galaxy’s Edge focuses on two major rides allowing guests to lead their own adventures. The first is a battle between the Resistance and the First Order. The second allows riders to take control of the Millennium Falcon.
Trowbridge echoed Beatty’s sentiment that Galaxy’s Edge is all about the guest experience. Beatty said developers quickly ruled out focusing on any specific film or character arc in the franchise.
Instead, they’re building a brand new, unnamed planet.
The new planet is set on the outer rim of the galaxy, hence the name Galaxy’s Edge. Beatty said they created a place where both beloved characters from the franchise could mix with new, unknown members of the galaxy. He called it “a smuggler’s planet,” something quintessential “Star Wars.”
“It’s kind of forgotten about.
In response to this customer, a company representative wrote, “The legal fees associated with the settlement and the costs of administering the fund, etc. will be deducted from each class member’s share of the settlement.”
There were 92 attorneys who represented customers in the AT&T case. They stand to collect 20 percent of the cash recovered from the taxing authorities, which, at the highest estimate, could net $191 million plus costs and expenses. And therein lies the problem with class-action suits: Customers often feel cheated even when they win.
I’ve been critical of the outcomes for individual consumers in class-action settlements, having been on the receiving end myself of pitiful payouts. The settlements I really loathe are those promising a discount on my future business with the company. How is that a punishment?
However, I do support the new arbitration rule from the CFPB, which applies only to new contracts with financial institutions. This is an important consumer protection.
Settlements in class-action lawsuits generally include orders for companies to change their conduct.
In its report to Congress, the CFPB found that, in settlements involving 53 groups that represented
106 million consumers, the companies in question agreed to implement new procedures and/ or stop what they were doing.
Key to the new rule is also the transparency it will require. More information will be made public about individual arbitration cases and the outcomes. The data on how cases are settled in arbitration is limited, the CFPB wrote. In the cases the agency was able to review, consumers won an average of 12 cents for every dollar they claimed.
It’s important to note this fight is not over.
“We anticipate that this moderate rule will be strongly challenged by industry lobbyists pushing members of Congress to once again choose Wall Street interests over Main Street,” said Linda Sherry, director of national priorities for Consumer Action.
I agree with one point that critics of the arbitration rule attempted to use to derail the rule-making by the CFPB: Class-action attorneys stand to get a greater financial benefit because more group lawsuits will be allowed to go forward. I don’t begrudge the attorneys earning fair fees. Yet when you get a check for a few dollars and the lawyers get millions, it’s hard to view that you’ve won a battle.
But — and this is worth underscoring — although individual consumers might not get big payouts, class-action settlements or even the potential for a legal
Although individual consumers might not get big payouts, class-action settlements or even the potential for a legal challenge can result in the end of bad business practices. This makes the settlements valuable to all of us.
challenge can result in the end of bad business practices. This makes the settlements valuable to all of us.