From here it looks so huge! More at: New Aerial Views of Disneyland Star Wars Land Construction - LaughingPlace.com
WOW, it looks like a quarter of the park is missing. While I think moving forward with SW in the parks is the best decission made by Disney recently, I'm still not sure if DL, especially in Anaheim, is the right space for that.
Remember a lot of that was backstage stuff. Now imagine what it would like if they bulldozed all of Tomorrowland. That would look like another quarter of the park.
If they bulldozed TL, a quarter of the park would be missing. Because so much of this was backstage, it only looks that way. We can (and will!) quibble about various aspects of SWL and their wisdom, but basically, they're expanding the park, which is good.
When you think about how little actual public area was lost for Star Wars Land, it's amazing how big this is. The whole ranch/festival area was severely under utilized. Basically was a ghost town back there most times. So, this will be great to get people over in this part of the park in actual attractions.
I think Disney is lying about the size of star wars land. If all men think 6 inches is 9, how many acres will this really be?
This photo really highlights my biggest concern about the project: the massive scale compared to the rest of the park. Even if not all that land will become part of the new land (some will return to ROA and surely some will be backstage), that's an incredibly large area they're working on. And we're only getting 2 new rides out of it In addition to the questionable theme appropriateness, I'm just concerned that they're using their most valuable asset in Anaheim (space) incredibly poorly. I really hope this wasn't a shortsighted decision, but I've seen nothing so far to indicate otherwise
There is an expansion pad for a 3rd ride figured in to the plan, I think. At least I've seen supposed diagrams that include that.
While SWLand will be a cool addition, I can't help but think that DL will become an even more crowded mess than it already is. I will eventually visit SWLand, but it will be in Orlando as I just can no longer deal with the wall to wall crowds that have become the norm at DL.
Frozen is but a rumor at this point. In maps I've seen so far, the pad has been included in SWL. At any rate, they hardly have to make that decision any time soon. Much could depend on the popularity of SWL (and the subsequent films), if Frozen seems to be playing out or not, and whether or not they decide to turn Toontown into a FaL expansion.
Even if it only has 2 rides, I don't mind using a bunch of space like that if it's used to create an environment as immersive as something like Potterland. I spend a lot more time enjoying a land than I do on rides, so I appreciate stuff like that a lot.
That's a good point! Potterland at Universal Florida looks amazing, but the rides are all mediocre, except for Forbidden Journey, which is a fantastic attraction. We also spent so much more time exploring the land than doing the rides.
Dagobert - you wrote <but the rides are all mediocre, except for Forbidden Journey, which is a fantastic attraction.> That's the first I've ever heard 'mediocre' attached to any part of the Harry Potter stuff at Universal Orlando - please elaborate.
I believe that that original expansion space has been eaten up as the design developed. Certainly not enough for any sort of major attraction.
Depends which map you look at. Most are fan-generated (a.k.a. hardly to be taken as gospel) - I don't think Disney themselves put one out, did they? Concept art, yes, but not a map or master plan of the area I don't think.
I'll save judgement for the finished experience. But, right now, the whole thing kind of bothers me. I love Star Wars and I know Disney bought the franchise, but it still isn't "Disney" to me. I guess I'm too much of a traditionalist.
DL is not getting a Frozen ride! Toontown is not going anywhere. You're far more likely to see a Toontown expansion in the future than a Fantasyland one.
