First Look: Disney Parks Unveils the Star Wars-Inspired Land Model

Article by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Editorial Content Manager, Walt Disney World Resort

As we’ve previously shared, two Star Wars-inspired lands are currently under construction at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.

Tonight, we’re happy to pull back the curtain and give you the first detailed look at the model of this new land, which will be on display this weekend at the 2017 D23 Expo.

Both Star Wars-inspired lands will transport 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.

First Look: Sneak a Peek at Disney Park's Star Wars Land-Inspired Model

Here, guests will find themselves in the middle of the action at two signature attractions: one that lets guests take the controls of Millennium Falcon on a customized secret mission, and an epic Star Wars adventure that puts guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance.

First Look: Sneak a Peek at Disney Park's Star Wars Land-Inspired Model

Follow the Disney Parks Blog over the next few days for full coverage of all Walt Disney Parks & Resorts news and announcements coming out of the 2017 D23 Expo.

NEW: Toy Story Land Update

In Toy Story Land, you’ll find yourself shrunk to the size of a toy to explore the world of Andy’s backyard with your favorite Toy Story characters, including Woody and Buzz. There are two new themed attractions being developed for Toy Story Land.

The first – Slinky Dog Dash – will be a family coaster attraction you’ll want to ride again and again. The attraction features a coaster track that Andy has built all over his backyard using his Mega Coaster Play Kit, but as you know, he has a pretty amazing imagination, so he’s combined it with some of his other toys, according to Imagineer Kathy Mangum. On Slinky Dog Dash, you will zip, dodge and dash around many turns and drops that Andy has created to really make Slinky and his coils stretch to his limits.

The second all-new attraction in Toy Story Land will be Alien Swirling Saucers. This attraction is designed as a toy play set that Andy got from Pizza Planet, inspired by the first Toy Story film. Aliens are flying around in their toy flying saucers and trying to capture your rocket toy vehicle with “The Claw.”

Alien Swirling Saucers in Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios

As you rotate around the toy planets and satellites as part of the game, you’ll swirl to the beat of fun “Space Jazz” music developed just for this experience, Mangum said. The music, the lighting, and the sound effects will add to the flurry of your adventure while “The Claw” looms ominously over you.

Mangum also shared an update that beginning Memorial Day weekend, even more guests will be able to experience Toy Story Mania with the addition of a third track.

New Details Announced for Star Wars-Themed Lands for Disney Parks

During the “Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60” special that aired last night on ABC-TV, we shared some exciting details about the Star Wars-themed lands planned for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.

New Details Announced for Star Wars-Themed Lands for Disney Parks

Walt Disney Imagineering has joined forces with the imagination of Lucasfilm to bring this galaxy to life, and the illustrations shared during the TV special show the epic scale of these new lands.

New Details Announced for Star Wars-Themed Lands for Disney Parks

Guests will be able to step aboard The Millennium Falcon and actually pilot the fastest ship in the galaxy, steering the vessel through space, firing the laser cannons, in complete control of the experience.

New Details Announced for Star Wars-Themed Lands for Disney Parks

And with the arrival of the First Order to the planet, visitors will find themselves in the middle of a tense battle between stormtroopers and Resistance fighters. At 14 acres each, these richly detailed lands promise to immerse you in the Star Wars galaxy as never before, allowing you to create your own adventure.

New Merchandise to Debut during Star Wars Weekends

Fresh News from the Disney Blog (Steven Miller)…

Super excited to announce that two new D-Tech Me figurines – a Jedi Knight and a TIE-Fighter pilot – are premiering at Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year.

DTOD6980741

First introduced in May 2012, Star Wars – D-Tech Me is a 10-minute experience that uses the world’s highest-resolution, single-shot 3D face scanner created by Imagineering scientists with Disney Research labs. The captured image is later sent to a high resolution 3D printer to create the figurine. This year, the experience will be located inside Darth’s Mall, near Streets of America across from Studio Catering Company.

DTOD6980742

In addition to the new figurines, we will again offer the Carbon-Freeze Me figurine, Alderaan Princess figurine, and male and female options for Stormtrooper and X-Wing pilot figurines.

For children, the Carbon-Freeze Me and Alderaan Princess figurines will be available in more youthful appearances.

DTOD6980743

The Star Wars – D-Tech Me 7-inch figurines are $119.95 each, plus shipping and applicable sales tax. For 16-inch figurines, retail is $999.95 each, plus shipping and applicable sales tax. All participants will receive a specially designed button.

Completed figurines will arrive within 6-8 weeks after the experience if shipping domestically (it takes a little longer if shipping internationally).

Guests can book their experience by calling 407-WDW-TECH (407-939-8324) starting March 26. We will only offer the experience during Star Wars Weekends 2015 (May 15 – 17, May 22-24, May 29-31, June 5-7, and June 12-14). Guests attending the Galactic Gathering event on May 14 will be some of the first individuals to experience Star Wars – D-Tech Me this year.

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 in the Star Wars D-Tech Me experience. Children must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age or older during the entire experience. A valid accepted credit card number is required at time of booking. No-shows or reservation cancellations 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. Certain restrictions may apply. All prices, components and information are subject to change without notice.

New Year’s Eve Surprise at Disney – Tim Allen meets Buzz!

Posted on January 5th, 2015 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker 


Actor and comedian Tim Allen, who voiced Buzz Lightyear in the Disney•Pixar “Toy Story” series of animated films, recently stopped by Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a visit with his animated counterpart.

TIM ALLEN MEETS BUZZ LIGHTYEAR AT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

Tim, who also starred on the hit TV series “Home Improvement” and in films like “The Santa Clause,” met Buzz on his recent New Year’s Eve trip to Walt Disney World Resort.

‘Star Wars’ Fans Transported to a Galaxy Far, Far Away at Disney Parks

Article by Christi Erwin Donnan, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, May 20, 2014

 SW weekends

As Star Wars excitement continues throughout the month of May, the Force is at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts with the return of Star Wars Weekends to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort. With more than 60 characters from the Star Wars saga appearing in the theme park, celebrity appearances and special food and beverage offerings, guests can be part of the Star Wars action at every turn… every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through June 15.

For the first time in event history, Mark Hamill, the actor who brought Luke Skywalker to the silver screen in the Star Wars saga, will appear at Star Wars Weekends. Hamill will be one of the celebrity guests for Weekend IV, June 6–8, and fans can see him in the daily “Legends of the Force” Star Wars-themed motorcade and in a featured talk show.

 New this year, guests can book a Star Wars-themed dining experience and interact with their favorite characters from the films. It all starts with the Star Wars Dine-In Galactic Breakfast at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, featuring surprise visits from Star Wars characters and thrilling movie moments from the Star Wars films. Guests can also have dinner with their favorite Disney characters at Jedi Mickey’s Star Wars Dine at Hollywood & Vine. Dressed as their favorite Star Wars characters, Mickey and friends meet guests during a delectable dinner buffet featuring Star Wars-themed food, music and décor.

At the Star Wars – D-Tech Me experience inside Darth’s Mall, guests can imagine their own Star Wars backstories as they create figurines in their likeness with help from the world’s highest-resolution, single-shot 3-D face scanner and a high resolution 3-D printer.

In addition to this year’s Star Wars Weekend events, guests can continue to find Star Wars at Disney Parks around the world throughout the year. For more than 25 years, and together with Lucasfilm, we have brought the imaginative universe of Star Wars to life at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney and Disneyland Paris Resorts, which all feature Star Tours attractions. Plus, special merchandise locations such as Star Traders in Tomorrowland at Disneyland Resort and Discoveryland at Disneyland Paris Resort also feature Star Wars theming and merchandise year-round!