Disney opening temporary Star Wars attractions this fall

Wow. That's incredibly early to change attractions in time for the new movie. I wonder how long the full expansion will take.

I'm annoyed that they're "reimagining" Space Mountain.

It's a temporary overlay for Space Mountain, like Ghost Galaxy. It will be gone after a few months.

With the large number of passholders at DLR these overlays offer something new to the hordes of repeat visitors.

I wish someone would "reimagine" Space Mountain at Disney World. Yikes.

All temporary stuff, and smart to cash in on the best move Disney ever pulled off.

I don't. I love space mountain. I think it's pretty awesome.

OhioStater, reflecting what egieszl was saying: from what I've read over the years, WDW management doesn't see enough value in holiday overlays to bring them to Orlando.

Disneyland sees a much higher percentage of its attendance coming from locals and pass holders; Haunted Mansion Holiday, Ghost Galaxy, etc. push up the number of visits those folks make.

(To be honest, I was underwhelmed the first time I rode Space Mountain in Orlando and ride it rarely.)

My only thought is how much of this overly just got "value engineered" to move it up from January to November?

I wouldn't be surprised to see HSM stick around longer than originally billed. With all of the closures after the Christmas season, (and the undoubtedly continued success of the new Star Wars movie) it might be good "PR" to keep HSM around.

There's going to be some seriously unhappy peeps at the DLR this spring. With the train, Fantasmic and all the stuff on the Rivers of America down, I wouldn't be surprised to see HSM stick around longer than originally billed. Wait until people realize that Fantasmic is going to be down for a VERY VERY long time. That nugget hasn't sunk in just yet.

They'll be pimping Season of the Force for the entire year.

slithernoggin said:

OhioStater, reflecting what egieszl was saying: from what I've read over the years, WDW management doesn't see enough value in holiday overlays to bring them to Orlando.

(To be honest, I was underwhelmed the first time I rode Space Mountain in Orlando and ride it rarely.)

I had not been to WDW since 1991 until our first visit this past March. Space Mountain reminded me a lot of Disaster Transport for all the wrong reasons. I was actually taken back at how bad it was. That said, I loved riding the ride with my daughter, but as far as the decor goes...hence the "yikes". I guess if retro is your thing it resonates, but I apparently had completely different (and inaccurate) expectations.

And if your theory is true, then they should hope that the guests who are most interested in the train, Fantasmic, and Rivers of America will accept Space Mountain as a substitute.

OhioStater: I first rode WDW's Space Mountain in 1996 and, having heard so much about it, ended up unimpressed. I thought it was an okay ride. Not terrible. Not great. Okay. And your decor disappointment comes after a renovation in ... 2009, I think?

I wouldn't be surprised if Disneyland has big signs running along the lines of "Fantasmic is closed because STAR WARS as Disneyland STAR WARS creates an exciting new world STAR WARS to discover. Fantasmic will STAR WARS reopen STAR WARS in STAR WARS 2017 and oh yes STAR WARS!" You know, subtly pointing out the impending arrival of a slightly popular series of movies.

I enjoy Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom. It is what it is, and I think it's fun. I don't get to ride it very often, because I still can't talk Simon into riding it, unfortunately.

Slither, you only mentioned "Star Wars" 7 times. Psychology says you need 8 to make a significant impact in someone's memory.

So far the couple of Disney boards that I've looked up have blown up about the length of time of the closures of the ROA and the DLRR, not to mention Fantasmic!. Speculation is that they are running all of SWL utilities under the Rivers of America, and that in order to accommodate the cranes they have to pull up a sizable length of railroad track(there are rumors of changing the right of way but as of now that's not confirmed). The fanboys attitude has been that Star Wars should have had it's own gate and not be a part of Disneyland.

I can see that.

Though I don't have my panties in a bunch about it, or anything.

Any time I think coaster enthusiasts are ridiculous, I need only look to the Disney freaks to keep perspective. I really think they hate everything.

Maybe I need to build an anti-Disney enthusiast Disney enthusiast site.

Well, you've already built the anti-coaster enthusiast coaster enthusiast site, so I guess it makes sense.

RCMAC said:

And if your theory is true, then they should hope that the guests who are most interested in the train, Fantasmic, and Rivers of America will accept Space Mountain as a substitute.

Not sure those two groups intersect in large numbers. It's surprising to me how popular Fantasmic is, after 20 years. For it to be down for almost a year (one rumour I heard, which sounds VERY plausible) is going to be tough for the DLR to suck up.

Is it anything like the Florida version? I ask because I think it's a big pile of suck.

I can't tell you that because I haven't been to Florida yet. I have seen the Anaheim version a few times, only one of which went by the whole script as originally written, Yeah it has problems. I wouldn't want to be the director or show runner of it that's for sure.