A long time ago in a theme park far, far away … well, I suppose it all depends on where you live. Soon it will be time to pack your bags, Star Wars fans, because CEO Bob Iger has announced that Disney's long-awaited Star Wars extention, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, will open on May 31st and August 29th at Disneyland in Anaheim and DisneyWorld in Florida, respectively.
In addition to revealing when seasoned Jedi warriors and their little padawans can enjoy the 14-acre land filled with rides, food, live performances and much more, Iger also shared a video introducing the new attraction. As part of his introduction to the footage, Iger remarked that Galaxy's Edge is “by far the largest lands we’ve ever built.”
You can watch the video for yourself below:
For a time, it was suspected that the park would open in June. However, Iger told shareholders that the new extension will open sooner “in light of the tremendous demand.” He also boasted that one of the park's interactive experiences, called “Rise of the Resistance,” would feature state-of-the-art technology that is sure to make guests feel as if they've truly become a part of the Star Wars Universe. “It will blur the lines for our guests between fantasy and reality and put them right in the middle of the Rebellion,” Iger said. “No one has ever attempted anything of this magnitude.” Later in the meeting, Iger was asked about what he wanted from the park with regard to its many attractions. He responded by recalling something he said to his design team back in 2012, “Make sure they’re ambitious. I think they have certainly taken that word seriously.”
Obviously, 2019 is shaping up to be a very big year for Star Wars, what with the parks opening in May and August, J.J. Abrams' follow-up to STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI arriving in December, and Jon Faveau's THE MANDALORIAN bound for Disney+ as well. Here's hoping that the newest additions to the Star Wars Universe are well-received by fans, and that families who delight in the franchise can enjoy a stellar vacation … even if it's not in a galaxy far, far away.