As Universal Studios plans to launch theWizarding World of Harry Potterin April, Disneyland is ready to make way for their secret weapon:Star Wars. The theme park is bringing the galaxy from far, far away to Anaheim, but to do that, it apparently has to make a few cuts.
According toThe Los Angeles Times, 10 attractions and eateries will close their doors, some permanently while others just temporarily, to make room for the massiveStar Warsexpansion announced earlier this year. The news comes only a few months after Disneyland hiked their annual park pass prices by 31%. Though, theme park consultantDennis Speigelpredicted to the newspaper that “tourists will come, hell or high water.”
Beginning January 11, the dateStar Warsconstruction will commence, permanent closures will include: Big Thunder BBQ, Big Thunder Jamboree, and Big Thunder. Temporary closures will be Disneyland Railroad, Tom Sawyer Island, Mark Twain Riverboat/Sailing Ship Columbia, Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes, and Fantasmic.
TheStar Warsexpansion in Disneyland was announced during the D23 Expo alongside other attractions coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. Said Disney CEOBob Igerat the time:
We are creating a jaw-dropping new world that represents our largest single themed land expansion ever. These new lands at Disneyland and Walt Disney World will transport guests to a whole newStar Warsplanet, including an epicStar Warsadventure that puts you in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance.
According tothe Disney Parks Blog, these two lands in California and Florida will have two signature attractions: helming the Millennium Falcon on a customizable secret mission and an adventure that puts fans in the middle of a battle.
Further expanding and capitalizing on theStar Warsuniverse is clearly a priority for the Mouse House. As the new owner of Lucasfilm, Disney is already rotating each year between releases of aStar Warstrilogy installment and a standalone anthology film.J.J. Abrams’The Force Awakensonly just debuted in theaters on December 18th, and it brought with itSeason of The Forceat Disneyland. It’s safe to say things have only just begun.
