Just as fast as it materialized, Disney’s “Star Wars”-themed hotel, the Galactic Starcruiser, went belly up in one of the company’s biggest busts in recent memory, the nearly $1 billion resort unceremoniously shut down by the entertainment giant less than a week ago. The relatively straightforward idea for an ultra-themed hotel wound up — thanks to a combination of hubris, mismanagement and greed — as perhaps the greatest Disney theme park disaster ever.
The 100-room resort, which one ex-Imagineer estimated cost the company more than $1 billion, was supposed to be the next big thing for Disney’s theme parks, an interactive and wholly immersive experience, built around a traditional hotel but including elements of live-action role-playing, improvisational theater and more common theme-park mechanics.
Drawing on the mythology of the beloved series of “Star Wars” films and television shows and sited within the sprawling Walt Disney World complex outside of Orlando,...
The 100-room resort, which one ex-Imagineer estimated cost the company more than $1 billion, was supposed to be the next big thing for Disney’s theme parks, an interactive and wholly immersive experience, built around a traditional hotel but including elements of live-action role-playing, improvisational theater and more common theme-park mechanics.
Drawing on the mythology of the beloved series of “Star Wars” films and television shows and sited within the sprawling Walt Disney World complex outside of Orlando,...
- 5/24/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
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“Jungle Cruise,” the new adventure movie based off the Disney Parks ride starring Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson, sailed into movie theaters on Friday. For those who want to watch from home, you can order the movie on Disney+ Premier Access and stream it from multiple devices.
Not familiar with Premier Access? It’s a bit different than Disney+ in that you pay $29.99 for new releases the same day that they hit theaters. The cost is in addition to the $7.99 monthly subscription fee (unless you’ve already signed up for a free Disney+ subscription for up to six months). Disney+ Premier Access can be a little confusing if you’re new to the interface,...
“Jungle Cruise,” the new adventure movie based off the Disney Parks ride starring Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson, sailed into movie theaters on Friday. For those who want to watch from home, you can order the movie on Disney+ Premier Access and stream it from multiple devices.
Not familiar with Premier Access? It’s a bit different than Disney+ in that you pay $29.99 for new releases the same day that they hit theaters. The cost is in addition to the $7.99 monthly subscription fee (unless you’ve already signed up for a free Disney+ subscription for up to six months). Disney+ Premier Access can be a little confusing if you’re new to the interface,...
- 7/29/2021
- by Latifah Muhammad
- Indiewire
Disney+ announced today that they will premiere all episodes of Behind the Attraction on July 16.
The original series, narrated by Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds), looks to give viewers a peek ‘behind the curtain’ of Disney Parks and Resorts’ most beloved attractions and destinations. While rides including Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Star Tours, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Space Mountain and it’s a small world will each get their own episode, the other four are dedicated to the iconic Disneyland Hotel, the Hall of Presidents attraction, and the castles at Disney’s parks, along with their unique system of trains, trams and monorails.
The story of each attraction is brought to life through the use of archival and never-before-seen footage and photography, as well as rare interviews with Walt Disney. Also appearing in the docuseries to divulge a secret or two are Disney Legends and an assortment of (past and present) Imagineers,...
The original series, narrated by Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds), looks to give viewers a peek ‘behind the curtain’ of Disney Parks and Resorts’ most beloved attractions and destinations. While rides including Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Star Tours, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Space Mountain and it’s a small world will each get their own episode, the other four are dedicated to the iconic Disneyland Hotel, the Hall of Presidents attraction, and the castles at Disney’s parks, along with their unique system of trains, trams and monorails.
The story of each attraction is brought to life through the use of archival and never-before-seen footage and photography, as well as rare interviews with Walt Disney. Also appearing in the docuseries to divulge a secret or two are Disney Legends and an assortment of (past and present) Imagineers,...
- 6/8/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
With social distancing requirements apt to give a boost to virtual reality, especially in public places like theme parks, Lucasfilm and Oculus Vr specialists are joining forces for a new Star Wars attraction.
Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge is an original story that will include multiple styles of gameplay and difficulty settings, according to a blog post announcing the venture. The objective will be to bring in a wide variety of players when the experience is released later this year.
Developing the experience are ILMxLAB, the Lucasfilm group dedicated to “immersive entertainment,” and Oculus, which Facebook has owned since 2014. Disney hopes to reopen its U.S. parks in phases over the summer after months of closures due to Covid-19.
Scott Trowbridge, Portfolio Creative Executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, described the new experience as an “extension of the storytelling found at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.” He added...
Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge is an original story that will include multiple styles of gameplay and difficulty settings, according to a blog post announcing the venture. The objective will be to bring in a wide variety of players when the experience is released later this year.
Developing the experience are ILMxLAB, the Lucasfilm group dedicated to “immersive entertainment,” and Oculus, which Facebook has owned since 2014. Disney hopes to reopen its U.S. parks in phases over the summer after months of closures due to Covid-19.
Scott Trowbridge, Portfolio Creative Executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, described the new experience as an “extension of the storytelling found at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.” He added...
- 5/28/2020
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Lucasfilm’s immersive entertainment studio, ILMxLAB, is developing a new Star Wars Vr experience called Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge.
“We are so excited for fans to step into Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge later this year,” says Vicki Dobbs Beck, ILMxLAB Executive-in-Charge, via a press release. “This action-packed adventure not only speaks to the promise of connected and complementary experiences by extending the lore around Black Spire Outpost, it represents another meaningful step in ILMxLAB’s quest to transition from storytelling – one-way communication – to storyLIVING, where you’re inside a world making consequential choices that drive your experience forward.”
That’s…lovely, but as far as actual details go, there isn’t much information about this Vr experience available at this time. Plot-wise, it seems that Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge will focus on the time between Star Wars: The Last Jedi...
“We are so excited for fans to step into Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge later this year,” says Vicki Dobbs Beck, ILMxLAB Executive-in-Charge, via a press release. “This action-packed adventure not only speaks to the promise of connected and complementary experiences by extending the lore around Black Spire Outpost, it represents another meaningful step in ILMxLAB’s quest to transition from storytelling – one-way communication – to storyLIVING, where you’re inside a world making consequential choices that drive your experience forward.”
That’s…lovely, but as far as actual details go, there isn’t much information about this Vr experience available at this time. Plot-wise, it seems that Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge will focus on the time between Star Wars: The Last Jedi...
- 5/28/2020
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
Aaron Sagers Aug 30, 2019
We go inside Star Wars Galaxy's Edge to learn more about the new Disney World attraction.
If there was any doubt that Walt Disney World would have less magic behind its Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge opening, after the Disneyland version opened in May, rest assured there was a rathtar-haul of reveals in Orlando this week.
Chief among them, members of the media – of which I was one -- were treated to additional information about the upcoming Rise of the Resistance attraction, as well as the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel.
Scott Trowbridge, Portfolio Creative Executive overseeing Galaxy’s Edge, calls the all-in-one experience Rise of the Resistance the “most ambitious attraction ever” at Disney. And based on the sneak peek granted to media of just some of the set, he could be right.
Read More: Everything You Need to Know About Star Wars Episode IX
Opening in December,...
We go inside Star Wars Galaxy's Edge to learn more about the new Disney World attraction.
If there was any doubt that Walt Disney World would have less magic behind its Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge opening, after the Disneyland version opened in May, rest assured there was a rathtar-haul of reveals in Orlando this week.
Chief among them, members of the media – of which I was one -- were treated to additional information about the upcoming Rise of the Resistance attraction, as well as the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel.
Scott Trowbridge, Portfolio Creative Executive overseeing Galaxy’s Edge, calls the all-in-one experience Rise of the Resistance the “most ambitious attraction ever” at Disney. And based on the sneak peek granted to media of just some of the set, he could be right.
Read More: Everything You Need to Know About Star Wars Episode IX
Opening in December,...
- 8/30/2019
- Den of Geek
The recently opened Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge attraction at Disneyland in Anaheim contains some intriguing hints as to the future of the franchise. Its setting of the Black Spire Outpost on the planet of Batuu has already featured in multiple Star Wars media, for one, and some of the much anticipated treats in the theme park suggest that it could be a key part of the ongoing saga.
For those not aware, Batuu has been included in existing novel Thrawn: Alliances, while the Output was mentioned in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Future appearances, meanwhile, are set to range from a Marvel series to young adult novels. There are also many connections to the rest of Star Wars mythology through character Dok-Ondar, who runs an antiquities shop, and his relationship to Jabba the Hutt. In addition, visitors to the park get the chance to see and interact with characters such as spy Vi Moradi.
For those not aware, Batuu has been included in existing novel Thrawn: Alliances, while the Output was mentioned in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Future appearances, meanwhile, are set to range from a Marvel series to young adult novels. There are also many connections to the rest of Star Wars mythology through character Dok-Ondar, who runs an antiquities shop, and his relationship to Jabba the Hutt. In addition, visitors to the park get the chance to see and interact with characters such as spy Vi Moradi.
- 6/2/2019
- by Jessica James
- We Got This Covered
Disneyland’s upcoming Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge isn’t open to the public yet, but some Hollywood VIPs have already gotten a tour.
Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger tweeted three photos Saturday that showed him taking a look inside of the Star Wars-themed attraction with some of his famous friends — Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, directors J.J. Abrams, Steven Spielberg and Galaxy’s Edge creator, Scott Trowbridge.
Iger captioned his post: “Best way to impress your friends…give them a personal tour of @starwars Galaxy’s Edge!
#stevenspielberg, #jjabrams, Kathy Kennedy with Imagineer & Galaxy’s Edge creator, Scott Trowbridge.”
Best way to impress your friends…give them a personal tour of @starwars Galaxy's Edge!#stevenspielberg, #jjabrams, Kathy Kennedy with Imagineer & Galaxy's Edge creator, Scott Trowbridge. pic.twitter.com/e3jFH2Cd2b
— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) May 11, 2019
Abrams directed The Force Awakens (2015) and is helming The Rise of Skywalker, which...
Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger tweeted three photos Saturday that showed him taking a look inside of the Star Wars-themed attraction with some of his famous friends — Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, directors J.J. Abrams, Steven Spielberg and Galaxy’s Edge creator, Scott Trowbridge.
Iger captioned his post: “Best way to impress your friends…give them a personal tour of @starwars Galaxy’s Edge!
#stevenspielberg, #jjabrams, Kathy Kennedy with Imagineer & Galaxy’s Edge creator, Scott Trowbridge.”
Best way to impress your friends…give them a personal tour of @starwars Galaxy's Edge!#stevenspielberg, #jjabrams, Kathy Kennedy with Imagineer & Galaxy's Edge creator, Scott Trowbridge. pic.twitter.com/e3jFH2Cd2b
— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) May 11, 2019
Abrams directed The Force Awakens (2015) and is helming The Rise of Skywalker, which...
- 5/12/2019
- by Anita Bennett
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s been rumored for a few months now that Star Wars: Episode IX will introduce a new, “elite” type of Stormtrooper with red armor, and while this claim has yet to be confirmed, recent statements from the creative executive in charge of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at least hint at the possibility.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Scott Trowbridge offered a tease of the various Stormtroopers you can expect to see at the upcoming Disney theme park expansion.
“The 709th, the Red Fury,” Trowbridge said. “There are some stories to be told about those folks, and why they’re here, what they came looking for — or who they came looking for.”
The article goes on to say that this “elite squad from the First Order” came to the planet of Batuu on a new ship described as a Tie Echelon with “a cockpit similar to Kylo Ren...
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Scott Trowbridge offered a tease of the various Stormtroopers you can expect to see at the upcoming Disney theme park expansion.
“The 709th, the Red Fury,” Trowbridge said. “There are some stories to be told about those folks, and why they’re here, what they came looking for — or who they came looking for.”
The article goes on to say that this “elite squad from the First Order” came to the planet of Batuu on a new ship described as a Tie Echelon with “a cockpit similar to Kylo Ren...
- 3/1/2019
- by David Pountain
- We Got This Covered
With the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the biggest single-themed “land expansion” in Disney theme-park history just months away, the company has offered the most extensive look yet at the project.
A press preview event and party for park staffers was held last night, and this morning a new blog, “Building Batuu,” provided a few additional images and fresh details. The company fed the predictable social-media frenzy by offering up some new looks at the developments coming to Disneyland in Anaheim and Hollywood Studios in Florida this summer and fall, respectively. One of the eye-catching images showed a full-size replica of the Millennium Falcon, a signature feature of the 14-acre sites.
Scott Trowbridge, Portfolio Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, said the blog will be updated during the runup to the official openings.
Interactivity is the buzzword for the expansion, with rides and activities aiming to immerse parkgoers in the landscape,...
A press preview event and party for park staffers was held last night, and this morning a new blog, “Building Batuu,” provided a few additional images and fresh details. The company fed the predictable social-media frenzy by offering up some new looks at the developments coming to Disneyland in Anaheim and Hollywood Studios in Florida this summer and fall, respectively. One of the eye-catching images showed a full-size replica of the Millennium Falcon, a signature feature of the 14-acre sites.
Scott Trowbridge, Portfolio Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, said the blog will be updated during the runup to the official openings.
Interactivity is the buzzword for the expansion, with rides and activities aiming to immerse parkgoers in the landscape,...
- 2/28/2019
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Get ready to make the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs! Disney has released behind the scenes footage of the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge attraction set to open at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim summer 2019 and at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando fall 2019.
“This place they’re walking through and the characters they’re seeing and the beasts, aliens and droids puts them in a position when they give themselves over to the moment of the story and play with us in the world of Star Wars,” said Scott Trowbridge, Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering in the video.
Star Wars fans will be immersed in the galaxy far, far away with two rides, both of which are featured in the video. One is the Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run where guests can take a light-speed ride in Han Solo’s iconic starship. The other is the Rise...
“This place they’re walking through and the characters they’re seeing and the beasts, aliens and droids puts them in a position when they give themselves over to the moment of the story and play with us in the world of Star Wars,” said Scott Trowbridge, Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering in the video.
Star Wars fans will be immersed in the galaxy far, far away with two rides, both of which are featured in the video. One is the Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run where guests can take a light-speed ride in Han Solo’s iconic starship. The other is the Rise...
- 12/26/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
The Millennium Falcon has landed at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland, and Disney has shared an official photo of it!
As you can see, it looks awesome! Of course, we knew that Disney would spare no expense when building it to give fans the best real life Star Wars experience that they could possibly get.
I’ve talked to a couple people who have already been on the Millennium Falcon ride and they’ve said that it’s an amazing experience! They are hardcore Star Wars fans and were blown away by what Disney accomplished with this. I’ve included previously released details on the ride below.
I can’t wait to see all of this stuff in person! I’m so pumped up about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!
Grab your Co-Pilot, and prepare for landing. Behind-the-scenes look at development on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – coming...
As you can see, it looks awesome! Of course, we knew that Disney would spare no expense when building it to give fans the best real life Star Wars experience that they could possibly get.
I’ve talked to a couple people who have already been on the Millennium Falcon ride and they’ve said that it’s an amazing experience! They are hardcore Star Wars fans and were blown away by what Disney accomplished with this. I’ve included previously released details on the ride below.
I can’t wait to see all of this stuff in person! I’m so pumped up about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!
Grab your Co-Pilot, and prepare for landing. Behind-the-scenes look at development on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – coming...
- 12/8/2018
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Disney Parks has released two exciting new promo videos for the highly anticipated arrival of Star Wars: Galaxy Edge. I’m super stoked about this new Star Wars addition to the Disney theme parks and I can’t wait to experience it one day.
To get the fans more excited about what is coming to Star Wars: Galaxy Edge, they’ve released a video that focuses on John Williams creating the musical score for the park, and you get to listen to that score. It’s beautiful and it has that classic John Williams vibe, but it’s different from his previous Star Wars scores.
I also included a promo video that teased the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride, which is sure to be the biggest and most popular ride in the park because fans will finally be able to fly the Millennium Falcon! This is something we’ve been...
To get the fans more excited about what is coming to Star Wars: Galaxy Edge, they’ve released a video that focuses on John Williams creating the musical score for the park, and you get to listen to that score. It’s beautiful and it has that classic John Williams vibe, but it’s different from his previous Star Wars scores.
I also included a promo video that teased the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride, which is sure to be the biggest and most popular ride in the park because fans will finally be able to fly the Millennium Falcon! This is something we’ve been...
- 11/17/2018
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
For those of you excited about the Millennium Falcon ride coming to Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, I’ve got some exciting new details to share with you that are going to get you even more excited! This Millennium Falcon ride sound freakin’ incredible!
The new information was shared on a bonus feature on the Solo: A Star Wars Story home release called “The Millennium Falcon: From Page to Park” and Laughing Place detailed that information.
The ride will consist of seven pods carrying six seats each and it will allow riders to interact with the environment around them. Riders will actually get to control the Falcon while in it! Asa Kalama, Executive Creative Director, Millennium Falcon Attraction explained:
“You’re truly in control of the fastest and most iconic ship in the entire galaxy. And Hondo, he’s gone ahead and added a couple extra seats so...
The new information was shared on a bonus feature on the Solo: A Star Wars Story home release called “The Millennium Falcon: From Page to Park” and Laughing Place detailed that information.
The ride will consist of seven pods carrying six seats each and it will allow riders to interact with the environment around them. Riders will actually get to control the Falcon while in it! Asa Kalama, Executive Creative Director, Millennium Falcon Attraction explained:
“You’re truly in control of the fastest and most iconic ship in the entire galaxy. And Hondo, he’s gone ahead and added a couple extra seats so...
- 9/26/2018
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Wanna hang with Han Solo in his favorite watering hole? For the first time in its 63-year-old history, Disneyland will sell alcohol when Oga's Cantina opens in 2019 and serves "pilots, bounty hunters, smugglers, locals and galactic travelers alike." The establishment will open its doors at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Disneyland has been offering libations at its exclusive and private Club 33 and adjacent California Adventure park for years, but is otherwise alcohol-free. "Oga's Cantina is the kind of establishment that attracts some of the most interesting and disreputable characters in the galaxy," Imagineer Scott Trowbridge revealed on...
- 8/31/2018
- E! Online
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