Mouse Extra

OK. I know this isn’t really news, but Disney has officially through its blog announced the destinations you will see at Star Tours. Disney has shown a “Destinations” board with what are the locales you will see once Star Tours relaunches.

Many of these were known already mostly due to the release of images showing us the pins that were to be released with the updated attraction. But, be that as it may, the destinations are Kashyyyk (home of the wookies), Genosis (where we will see the first Death Star), Hoth (the ice planet from the Empire Strikes Back), Naboo (home of everyone’s pal, Jar Jar Binks), Coruscant (the city planet where much of the episodes 2 and 3 took place), and Tatooine (the home of Luke and Jabba).

Disney has also stated that guests will take off from a new Spaceport. I assume this means the queue is being re-imagineered. We will all find out on May 20th when the attraction reopens.

For months, Disney execs have been trying to figure out a way to bring marvel characters, a billion dollar franchise, to the Florida parks. And it now appears they have specific plans in place.

As everyone knows, Universal has thier marvel section at Islands of Adventure. As such, Universal has “theme park rights” to marvel characters. One question is whether this includes characters like Iron Man which are not actually used at the park. But, at least for the moment, Disney has no plans to test that theory.

So what is Disney doing? Sources within Disney have acknowledged that Marvel characters will be part of the new Hyperion Wharf section of Downtown Disney.

Within a few weeks, Disney will announce the construction of the Marvel Super Heroes Cafe. The food will be standard chain restraraunt fair. However, there will be meet n greets with both Iron Man and Captain America. Disney has long saught a counter to the popularity of princesses with young girls. A character meal with the immensely popular Iron Man would be a good start. The cafe will also feature the obligatory shop. Even more interesting is the rumor that there will be a small attraction using the technology from Sum of all Thrills, as well, likely will an Iron Man or perhaps, an Avengers theme.

Universal, at this point, has refused to comment. But you can bet your bottom dollar, the Court system will get involved with this. Its likely lawyers are drawing up injunctions now, waiting for the official announcement by Disney. The issue will be, it seems to me, whether Downtown Disney is a “theme park” by definition.

Stay tuned, true believers!