‘Star Wars’ plans revealed
The D23 expo is a biennial event presented by the Disneyrun D23 fan club. Like San Diego Comic-Con, it celebrates popular culture, but focuses exclusively on the company’s films, television shows, parks and other properties. Before an audience of Disney diehards who had gathered at the Anaheim Convention Center last weekend, Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek ran down what’s on the way.
The announcements add new details to Disney’s plans to capitalize on the Star Wars franchise. Among the new developments:
New lands have a name. The expo revealed models and details of the 14-acre Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge lands that are coming to Disneyland Park and Hollywood Studios in Florida. Both will open in 2019. Visitors will be able to interact with characters such as Kylo Ren and BB-8 and dine at the Cantina.
Millennium Falcon ride. One of the two featured rides at Galaxy’s Edge will hand visitors the controls of the Millennium Falcon, the “fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy” according to Lando Calrissian.
Star Wars battle attraction. The other major experience at Galaxy’s Edge will drop visitors into a battle between the Resistance and the First Order. Chapek said that guests will feel as if they are inside a Star Destroyer.
Star Wars- themed hotel. Disney World visitors will soon be able to sleep among wookies and Jedi knights. Chapek announced that a new Star Wars
themed resort will invite guests on a voyage aboard a starship. Every window, the parks chairman promised, will have a simulated view of space.