I thought that this was supposed to be TOMORROWland. Not FANTASYland by way of A LONG TIME AGO in a Galaxy Far, Far Awayland... I'm just sayin'.

I never thought the Astro Orbitor was disrupting the flow of tourists. It never seemed like that whenever I went to Disneyland.

Anyway, I'm okay with the retheming, as long as they don't get rid of the good attractions. It might turn into a miniature STAR WARS land, but as long as I'm getting what I want and enjoying it, then I'm fine. Besides, HONEY, I SHRUNK THE AUDIENCE is getting outdated and not a lot of people go to Innovations (not that I have anything against the attraction, because its pretty interesting).

In some ways, the retheming may be profitable. Universal Studios will have a HARRY POTTER land. Disneyland might as well have a STAR WARS land. Both are big franchises.

Now, what's going to happen to that little ride called Rocket Rods?

Jim, sorry to rain on your parade but I've got it on extraordinarily good authority that this is all just very wishful thinking and there's no truth to any of this.  No idea where the rumours started but there are no plans for Lucas to expand his presence at the parks ....  The sources come from both the Disney and the ILM sides ....

It is next to impossible to navigate around the Astro Orbitor on even a semi-busy day. Don't even try to walk through when there is a parade going on. I would love to see some Star Wars touches but certainly would not like to lose the whole concept of "Tomorrowland". I really enjoy some of the elements that WDW gained during there rehab of TL several years ago.

Even STAR TREK gets two rides, a themed restaurant, a museum, and a gift shop. (Star Trek Experience in Las Vegas).

It’s about time Star Wars gets something a little more than a flight simulator ride from 1986.

I really hope this happens.... I’m not saying change all of tomorrow land into Star Wars land ... but why not have a section and some other rides, shows or attractions.

I think the area where innovations is would be just large enough. While I love the carousel building ... there is no reason to keep it if there are absolutely no plans to do something like America Sings again.

I also agree with the post on Tomorrowland ... Disney really needs to find something that makes the place FEEL like tomorrow. Having a Star Wars section won't fix it all ... but it won't interfear with it.

And they need to do this regardless of who gets the TV deal.

Lets do it!

"   RenePalum said:

Jim, sorry to rain on your parade but I've got it on extraordinarily good authority that this is all just very wishful thinking and there's no truth to any of this.  No idea where the rumours started but there are no plans for Lucas to expand his presence at the parks ....  The sources come from both the Disney and the ILM sides ...."

I agree,  EVen Innoventions is being looked at for another attraction which has no connections to Star Wars.

If any of this was to come true it would most likely only affect Star Tours and Honey i shrunk the audience and maybe pizza port.

ANYTHING, ANYTHING replacing 'Honey' and Innoventions would be an improvement. On top of that, the thought of actually expanding the Star Wars stuff is awesome. Seeing the star wars world expand on from star tours into star trader/starcade/HISTA would be a great move for tomorrowland.

Why not change Autopia? :-)

You could turn all those cars into landspeeders like the one from Star Wars: IV A new hope (the original one rode on wheels anyway) The way the design is, you could easily integrate the bumpers without losing anything. And you could even have R2 and C-3PO in the back with C-3PO making cute remarks when you get to close to other 'cars' - Okay. I'm sorry. Back to my day job now.

Jim - any chance of completing the Star Tours series of articles?

A long time ago (June 2005) in a website not too far away (http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/archive/2005/05/18/607.aspx) Jim started a series of the Star Tours saga - which generated a ton of responses.  On July 3, 2005, re-edited and expanded version of the series began under the new heading of "By George! The Star Tours Saga: Episode __", with three installments presented before the series stopped in mid-story on July 5th.

Is this some sort of tribute to George Lucas - Jim plans to wait 16 years between the first three installments and rest of the series?  Oh well - only 13 years, 9 months to go...

(If you're interested in (re-)reading the series, typing "Star Tours" in the search field brings most of the articles up on the first page, although in the wrong order)

I agree with GreatAndoski...PLEASE ANYTHING...If your a purist for Tomorrowland to stay as is no ifs ands or buts then your not a real fan of the park...I mean to say that if your rooting for Outdate-o-Ventions, "Honey I dissappointed the audience--who just wanted air conditioning" and really truly believe that Tomorrowland "98" is perfect as is...then please stand in the corner... I believe that ANYTHING would be a VAST improvement to this once awesome land where Captain's fought evil with the power of music, People traveled through inner space, traversed from land to land by way of the sky, and moved with other people in a constant  people eating flow...now it's a non-static graveyard of misconceived ideas, bad theming... forced Pixar tie-ins and a dead-dry fountain sphere as the cherry on top...

SO PLEASE do Something...  I truly believe that ANY change toward a better defined Lucas presence in the park would be a major improvement from what we've been shown so far... any purists who want nothing done need to be smacked in the face like WDI needs to be for not having these "Lucas-talks" sooner... And don't get the misconception that I don't love the parks with the nostalgia they bring, because I do... and star wars is old enough to bring a LOT of very welcome nostalgia into the parks and I believe that at this point any change is welcome...

Huh. I really like "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience." I didn't realize how in the minority I was, although I won't miss it too terribly if something better took its place.

I'm really rooting for this to all be true, as much for Disney to get the two Star Wars TV series as for the park. What a powerful asset it would be. And a cluster of Star Wars themed attractions wouldn't bother me at all, but I agree with others that it shouldn't take over Tomorrowland, for obvious reasons.

Disneyland is simply the wrong park for a Star Wars takeover. Maybe a Lucas Ranch section over at California Adventure. It starts as a tour of Lucas' studios and then something goes horribly wrong. :) That was a joke, if you couldn't tell.

I agree with everyone that HISTA and Innoventions must go. HISTA is dated, and it's pretty much been proven that 3-D attractions don't hold up as well as dark rides or coasters. There are exceptions, but for the most part, where are the long lines for HISTA, Muppets, It's Tough to Be a Bug (although I love that one), and others? Philharmagic is the only attraction like that I've actually waited in line for (and not because we were waiting for the next film to start). Innoventions is a great idea, but it doesn't seem to draw in the crowds. That building is pretty big and could house a great attraction.

But yeah, how about that Rocket Rods track?

There will never be anything running on that old Rocket Rods / People Mover track as long as people can't seem to undertand the phrase "keep your hands and arms inside the ride at all times" ... or the ever popular... "please remain seated until the ride comes to a complete stop".

Blame your neighbor for this one.

OH MY, A FEW THINGS TO GET OFF MY CHEST . . .

1.  Star Wars is played.  Enough is enough.  The last trilogy (or is it the first trilogy) was lousy.  It has devolved into something that is simultaneously childish and self-important.  It's time for George to put it all to bed AND MOVE ONTO SOMETHING NEW.  He was once an exciting new filmmaker; now he's just a Star Wars-maker.  Except for going to the well on Indy again.

2.  Tomorrowland is supposed to be Tomorrow Land.  Yes, the last re-do didn't really cut it.  But either decide that that theme doesn't work anymore and bulldoze it in favor of something new, or reach deep into the well of Imagineering creativity and come up with new rides that FIT Tomorrowland.

3.  Tomorrowland has been accumulating attractions that aren't about Tomorrow.  Let me repeat something I heard from Woody about Buzz Lightyear:  "HE'S A TOY!!!!!"  Disneyland is supposed to transport us  to another time and place.  The problem with putting Pixar stuff in the park is that it's all here and now.  The Buzz Lightyear attraction, fun as it is, doesn't belong there.  Nor does "Honey".  Nor does "Innoventions" (a pre-show and post-show without a show).   To be fair, this is not a new problem.  Can someone tell me what the heck a stuffed bear from the imagination of an English schoolboy is doing in the American frontier!!!!!!.  Makes me want to scream.

4.  I don't want to see more Star Wars in Disneyland, I'd rather see it gone.  It works perfectly fine in a movie-themed park. But at Disneyland it just crowds out what I go to the park for, to see some DISNEY magic.  It's time to close out Star Tours and give Imagineering the challenge of putting those simulators to a new and better use.

5.  Why is Disney sucking up to Lucas so that ABC can get the Star Wars TV series?  Whoever broadcasts the series is going to have to give him an extraordinary guarantee for probably two seaons of the show.  The problem with this is, if the show fails it will be clear in the first ten weeks.  There's a good chance the network could get stuck with a major albatross.  I know; people think Star Wars is a can't miss franchise.  Nothing's can't miss.  And the Young Indy Chronicles was a mixed success at best.

I wouldn't mind another Star Wars ride in Tomorrowland. At this point just about anything would help. I do think that WDI can do better though. If the suits would get off their backs and let WDI do what they're supposed to do.

Does anyone remember George lucus’s collaboration with Disney on

ExtraTERRORstrial  ride? That ride had nothing to do wit star wars other than it was created in part by George. I think we might see the same thing in Disneyland. Rides that are futuristic and conceived by the imaginears and George.

I would like to see Star Wars 2.0, a Star Wars restaurant and maybe another Star Wars attraction to replace HISTA, but not any more that that.  I think at the Studios in FL they should have a whole Star Wars land, but not at DL.  The Tomorrowland theme needs to stay and not be overrun by one concept like Star Wars.  Tomorrowland does need a central story as the other lands have, but I don't think I want it to all be Star Wars.  I don't understand how you meld Autopia, Finding Nemo Subs, Star Wars,Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear together into one cohesive land either though.  Tomorrowland used to be about the world on the move or exploring unknowns.  The place needs some serious help.  Maybe Tomorrowland can be made into a bunch of mini lands?  Who knows...

Regarding Innoventions: Here's the problem. Innoventions is a lot of fun. My daughter and I had a great time with it at Disneyland. But....it's not unique! Many cities have science museums where you can see the same things that Innoventions had. Here in Northern California we have several including Metreon in San Francisco. I dunno, but I'm betting that there are several in Southern California as well. Attractions at Disneyland need to be unique. Sir.Mouse mentions Extra Terrorstrail at WDW. That could work in place of Innoventions. Or how about the show at WDW that has Ben Franklin & Mark Twain? Having never seen that show, somebody will have to tell me if it would work or not.

My point of course is that there is so much that will work in that building if the suits in Burbank just let Tony Baxter and the other WDI folks do their jobs. And quit laying them off putting them in fear of losing their jobs. Believe me, the investment will pay off in the long run.

Yes Wec I agree with you in that Innoventions is not unique and we do have a few arts and science museums down here. BUT… it’s fun and free!  I like the idea of having an attraction in Innoventions similar to the "Ben Franklin & Mark Twain" thing AKA America Adventure. Except rather than a show based on American icons it would feature American inventors. However, it does sound a lot like carousel of progress.

I seriously doubt that tomorrowland will become entirely star wars themed. I think Lucas will work closely with the imaginears(sp?) to create something new and original like they did about nine years ago in Florida with extraterrorestrial.

Oh...isn't anyone going to say it?

*Sigh* Fine, I guess I'll have to...

I have a bad feeling about this.

...Meaning, it seems odd for Tomorrowland to feature stuff from Star Wars. I am all for a Lucasland in MGM (or Hollywood-land, or whatever it is now) but it all seems kind of misplaced in Tomorrowland. Why can't they just come up with something new?

The Imangination has been stiffled at Disney for a LONG time thanks to the Eisner era of letting marketing run the whole show.  There's a serious conflict of interest when the team in charge of selling the ideas is the same team who comes up with them.  

And while I can see the financial gain from this (who can't?) it chokes creativity.  How hard can it be to look at marketing results and sales patterns and deliver what the public demands?  What ever happened to being a leader?  What's wrong with taking a leap of faith?  

Seems to me that if imagineering comes up with a killer idea and marketing says "we can't sell that"... time to get a new marketing team.

I would love to have Lucas involved. He could even find a way to go beyond Star Wars in creating a Tomorrow feel. But I'm sure this rumor is bogus.

Star Wars Spaceport was first pitched in the 80s.  

I'd be willing for ANYTHING that brings back the "World on the Move" and especially that takes the AO and puts it UP where it belongs!

I wouldn't mind some Star Wars elements, as long as the entire land didn't become a whole Star Wars land.

As far as Star Tours 2.0 goes, I reall, REALLY hope it's not a podrace theme.

Anything but that garbage.

I would have to resist the temptation to ask for "anything", that could be deadly.

^Touche'

Still, I hate the Podrace idea.

Not only is it one of the dumbest scenes/concepts in the whole Star Wars Cannon, the ride would be pointless, and not representative at all in regards o what people love about Star Wars.

^Touche'

Still, I hate the Podrace idea.

Not only is it one of the dumbest scenes/concepts in the whole Star Wars Cannon, the ride would be pointless, and not representative at all in regards o what people love about Star Wars.

After I wrote my last comment, I was thinking: What could possibly take the place of Innoventions? My first thought was a West Coast version of Mission: Space, which made me shudder. I'm slightly claustrophobic, so I HATED that ride. But then I thought, that building is probably not big enough to house an attraction that large. (Anyone have the facts on that?)

My next thought was this: How about a new version of the Spaceship Earth attraction? It would be smaller, of course, yet more up to date. It would take some of the technology going into the current Epcot rehab as well as add other elements (use your imagination). And the ride would be high capacity! It would restore some dignity to Tomorrowland at DL, and Future World at Epcot is essentially a large Tomorrowland anyway, right?

But then, reality set in. There is no way Disney will ever build another attraction like Spaceship Earth, Universe of Energy or the old dark rides of Yesterland like Horizons. There is no thrill factor or tie-in to some film or product. :(

well, I love your idea that would "restore [the] dignity to Tomorrowland at DL" but I have to say that inoventions should keep it's building simply because it moves and ultimately contributes to the kinetics of tomorrowland.

well, I love your idea that would "restore some dignity to Tomorrowland at DL" but I have to say that inoventions should keep it's building simply because it moves and ultimately contributes to the kinetics of tomorrowland.

This sounds GREAT to me.  My onlydownfall is I'm almost on the east coast.  I just hope they do this at WDW and just WDL.  My wife and myself frequent WDW quite often.  Actually we did our first Star Wars weekends this year and boy did I really turn into a kid again.  

May the FORCE be with DISNEY!!!!!

I would take virtually anything that replaced HISTA and got the rocket jets back up on the top of the people movers.  For that matter, I'd take anything that brought back the people movers.

Speaking as an east-coaster, I'm very excited about the possible expansion "over here" at Hollywood Studios, but I would not at all be pleased if they did a Star Wars takeover of Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland.

This is because we already have parks to handle both futuristic movies (Studios) and the future of our technology (Epcot), so that frees up the Magic Kingdom to "let Tomorrowland be Tomorrowland", which used to be "little Epcot", but now embraces a strong theme as a land of "Jetson-style" sci-fi fantasy.

So as for you west-coasters, I don't know what to say, because your problem is one of purism vs. real-estate, a conflict we don't have in Florida.  If Lucas is going to expand his presence on the West Coast, you will either need to do it in Tomorrowland (which will undermine the theme of Tomorrowland unless you make it a transition area adjacent to Fantasyland), find some reason to do it in DCA, or build a third park with a theme similar to Hollywood Studios.

"the ride would be pointless, and not representative at all in regards o what people love about Star Wars."

Unless they are one of the millions of young fans who grew up with the prequels.  You know, the kids who might want to go to a Disney theme park...

I'm sure even kids who grew up with the prequels would prefer a space battle type of ride, as opposed to a pod race.

Looks like Lucas is refuting Jim's article. The following is from Animation Magazine online. You can see the full article here: http://www.animationmagazine.net/article/7300.

Maybe Jim needs to do a little more reporting next time?

***************************************************

Animation insiders are reporting that Disney is in heavy courtship mode to get broadcast rights for George Lucas’ much anticipated CG-animated series Clone Wars. Jim Hill Media (www.jimhillmedia.com) recently posted a piece about Lucas’ upcoming meetings with senior execs at Walt Disney Imagineering to review the work that’s been completed on Star Tours 2.0 and how Lucasfilm is expected to increase its presence at Disneyland.

Jim Hill believes that Disney wants to turn a portion of Tomorrowland to Lucas so that new Star Wars-related attractions (as well as theme shops and restaurants) can be added to the theme park. Lucas’ beloved sci-fi classic characters already play a significant part at the park. Last October, Tomorrowland introduced a Jedi Training Academy show where fans can learn how to take the Jedi oath, master Lightsaber techniques and leaern how to joust, parry and block and fight the Dark Side forces.

However, John Singh, spokesperson for LucasFilm, tells us that that his company continues it relationship with Disney, and there really have been no stepped-up or additional talks with the Mouse House, despite the Jim Hill report.