Can Disney turn over Tomorrowland to the Sith?
I honestly think Jim Hill is doing this because he likes to see us Star Wars-Disney fans get giddy over rumors. He’s got another drool-fest this morning regarding Disneyland as he reports the Mouse may be turning over much of Tomorrowland’s future over to George Lucas.
Yep, much in the style of the “Lucas Land” project that’s now in the work for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Mickey allegedly wants to turn a large portion of Tomorrowland over to George Lucas. So that a set of new “Star Wars” -themed shops & restaurants (And — more importantly — at least one new major attraction) can be added to this side of the theme park.
What has become of Tomorrowland over the past two decades, whether at Disneyland or the Magic Kingdom, is one of those topics that bring out the most vocal of purists. Despite the novelty of the idea, one I think has great potential, and the even the current state of that side of the park, I just can not see purists embracing the idea of turning Tomorrowland at “Walt’s Park” into Mos Eisley or the Cloud City. Nothing could be further from the original vision.
One thing we can be sure of is that Disney is certainly trying to expand their partnership with Lucas, as this is concept seems to be picking up steam. Over the coming months we should begin to hear more about this. It seems to me that if Disney does acquire broadcast rights to the upcoming television show that such an acquisition will be only the opening of what is to come with this relationship.
KINGCRAB said,
August 27, 2007 @ 1:32 pm
There goes Jim Hill again with his no-good gossip…
When will he get a life?!
Matt said,
August 27, 2007 @ 1:35 pm
As a SW Geek, more lucas = more gooder
Mike said,
August 27, 2007 @ 2:04 pm
I agree with Matt, but it seems to me the Studios is where this belongs and is the more likely place for Lucas stuff. Didn’t they just re-do Tommorrowland? Maybe some merchandise is OK
KINGCRAB said,
August 27, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
Like I already said, Jim Hill’s reports are mostly bull.
Don’t read his stuff.
Tom Corless said,
August 27, 2007 @ 2:16 pm
The studio changes are the whole reason the park isn’t being named the Disney Pixar Studios. The Lucas deal is about to go through and some new Lucas E tickets will be arriving at the studios in the next 5 years. I’ll be talking more about this in episode 3 of the WDW News Today podcast.
Steve said,
August 27, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
As only a “lukewarm” Star Wars fan (I’m truly sorry), I don’t know how thrilled I am about more Star Wars/Lucas in the parks. To me, a new Star Tours is an excellent idea, since the current attraction is obviously dated, and perhaps an updated Indy show and even one new Lucas attraction would be a good addition to the Studios, but I don’t want any of it in the Magic Kingdom. TomorrowLand is a Disney thing, and to be honest I don’t want Jar-Jar fumbling around in it and ruining it
Biblioadonis aka George said,
August 27, 2007 @ 4:01 pm
I think I just wet myself!
Woo hoo!
More Star Wars McLovin’ on both coasts.
YoHo said,
August 27, 2007 @ 4:25 pm
They’re talking about Tomorrowland at Disneyland. Star Tours has always been in tomorrowland at DL. In fact it was installed there in 87 before MGM/Studios was open.
The Jedi Training academy is also in Tomorrowland at DL.
Personally, I think this is a terrible idea. Though, at least in florida, you have Epcot which covers the real Tomorrowland…or at least it should. The appropriateness of those attrachtions is a different question.
Eric said,
August 27, 2007 @ 6:18 pm
Us SW geeks should realize that SW doesn’t belong anywhere in TL. Why? The franchise began “a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away”.
(I’m only half joking about this.)
More SW would be welcomed, in TL or otherwise. Even in TL, it can’t be any less futuristic than the Autopia.
Grumpwurst (aka Ray) said,
August 27, 2007 @ 8:37 pm
Now if we were talking about a total takeover of Tomorrowland at Disneyland by Star Wars related attractions, that might cause me to raise an eyebrow, but I really like the idea of another attraction or two over there.
Besides Buzz Lightyear and Space Mountain there really isn’t anything over there that sucks me over to Tomorrowland in Disneyland. I have even gotten bored with Star Tours (yes, I know that it devalues my Star Wars geek status)
Blake said,
August 28, 2007 @ 1:14 pm
If this is true, what happens to the “Lucas Land”-rumored Section in Disney MGM(Disney’s Hollywood Studios)?
Blake said,
August 28, 2007 @ 1:15 pm
wait, never mind!!!!!
Dee Baughman said,
August 28, 2007 @ 3:28 pm
As much as I like Star Wars, I really think that an updated Star Tours and the Jedi Training Academy are enough SW for Tomorrowland. Yes we could use some new stuff (I’d like to see Innoventions and Honey I Shrunk the Audience replaced with better, and am looking forward to seeing what they’re going to do with the PeopleMover track), but it is Disneyland, not Lucasland.
Jason said,
August 29, 2007 @ 10:04 am
Star Wars is great in Tomorrowland, especially Disneyland’s. I don’t think Tony would turn it into Cloud City or try to replicate a world from SW like Disney’s Hollywood Studios should do, but just bring some SW theming into the area. A ride would do where Innoventions is now or perhaps a greatly themed sit-down restaurant in place of the IMO tacky arcade.
As to it being futuristic and all that jazz, TL has turned into a land that represents the ideas of Tomorrow as seen in Science Fiction. That’s why Buzz, Rex, and Space Mountain fits in there. Epcot is for practical futurism and realism. TL is for sci-fi. Deal with it.