Category Archives: Disney

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Inspires Additions to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Via Disneyparks.disney.go.com:
Just moments ago at our Disney Parks Blog Star Wars Celebration, speakers from Entertainment and Merchandise highlighted several new Star Wars-inspired additions that have recently – or will soon – make their way to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

First, AWR Troopers from the film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios very soon. AWR (Advanced Weapons Research) Troopers are encased in specialized Stormtrooper armor with a dark, ominous gleam. They are the bodyguards and enforcers of Director Krennic, who holds a high status in the AWR division of the Empire. Guests will soon have a chance to spot these AWR Troopers in a new scene in the existing “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away” daytime show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The park’s Star Wars Launch Bay will soon be updated with new props from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, including items such as a Shoretrooper Blaster, Director Krennic’s Imperial Shuttle, a Death Star model, a U-wing gunship and more. Making-of footage will also be added to the the behind-the-scenes film in Launch Bay Theater. Similar updates can also be found at Star Wars Launch Bay in Disneyland park in California.

It was also announced that the fan favorite nighttime show, “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular,” will return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on December 16 and will join “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” as a second nightly fireworks spectacular at the park through December 31. Please check the park entertainment schedule for showtimes during your visit.

Walt Disney Entertainment shared that voyage changes are coming to Star Tours – The Adventures Continue starting in mid-December. The attraction will soon switch back to offer randomized beginnings (instead of starting each journey on the planet of Jakku) and final destinations.

Looking ahead to 2017, the popular Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party will return. This offering includes Star Wars-themed cupcakes, cookies, brownies and a selection of savory snacks including cheese and flatbread and dip (as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages). The night ends with special VIP viewing for the night’s “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular.” (More on how to book this experience here).

A new Star Wars Guided Tour is also in the works for the ultimate Star Wars fan visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This seven-hour guided tour will be led by a Star Wars “all-in-the-know” tour guide that will include: a journey on Star Tours – The Adventures Continue; an opportunity to participate in Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple (for guests age 4-12); a guided exploration of Star Wars Launch Bay, dinner at a quick-service restaurant featuring Star Wars-themed items; the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party; fireworks viewing and more. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more information on this tour and booking information.

Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more updates in the coming weeks on these exciting additions.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story opens in U.S. theaters on December 16, 2016.

Disney’s New Star Wars Ride May Have Guests Walking Part Of The Way

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Via Orlandoweekly.com:
Disney has been very up-front about how much they expect Star Wars land to boost attendance at WDW’s Hollywood Studios. They’re already expanding the parking lot in anticipation of the large crowds the new land will draw, and have been toying with the idea of blocking annual pass holders from accessing the new land when it first opens.

We also know that the new land will include two rides: one where guests can pilot the Millennium Falcon and another “ground-breaking” ride. Few details have been given regarding that second ride, but the rumors of what it will be have been gelling around some interesting ideas.

This ride, known internally as “Alcatraz,” according to MiceChat, will be more of a traditional dark ride in that guests will board vehicles and travel through various rooms where the storyline plays out. All Disney has confirmed regarding this second ride is that guests will find themselves “in the middle of a battle between the Resistance and the First Order in a race against time.”

The ride vehicles featured in the only official rendering of the ride look to seat roughly six to eight and will likely be trackless. This would be one of the first major uses of the trackless technology in a ride at Walt Disney World; Antarctica at SeaWorld and King Kong at Islands of Adventure both use similar technology. The rumored Secret Life of Pets at Universal Orlando and Ratatouille at Epcot attractions are also expected to use trackless ride systems.

If rumors are to be believed, “Alcatraz” will be Disney’s most daring ride to date with hundreds of animatronics, including over 150 Stormtroopers. The ride will also feature a unique experience – guests will disembark their vehicles mid-ride to go on a journey by foot before re-boarding the ride itself, essentially making this two rides with a walk-through attraction in the middle. Little is known of what guests will experience during this walk-through section of the attraction, but it’s believed that live in-character cast members will be present to help guide guests through multiple highly interactive rooms. Disney has filed patents for laser firing drones, interactive light sabers and other technology directly linked to the Star Wars land.

With so much loading and unloading taking place, the ride is believed to have an hourly capacity below 2,000 guests per hour. That’s roughly a third less than Pirates of the Caribbean or Haunted Mansion.

The ride will use an elevator system similar to that used on Universal’s Transformers ride. On that ride, most guests don’t even notice the elevator system due to the large screen where the 3-D video moves up and down the elevator shaft with ride vehicle. We still do not know if “Alcatraz” will have 3-D elements, but it’s unlikely both new rides in the Star Wars land experience will use the technology.

All phases of the new Star Wars experience should be open by WDW’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2021. Current permits for the project expire in the fall of 2019.