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Star Wars land coming to Disney's California, Florida parks

Star Wars is being transported from a galaxy far, far away to California and Florida after Walt Disney Co announced plans for two theme park expansions that will bring the celebrated film franchise to life.

The 14-acre Star Wars lands at Anaheim, California’s Disneyland and Orlando, Florida’s Walt Disney World will introduce a new planet from the intergalactic film saga, the company said on Saturday, commenting on one of Disney’s largest park expansions.

 

 

The project will feature two new rides, including one where participants take control of the Millennium Falcon spaceship, as well as the Cantina, the infamous hub of rogue smugglers and traders in the films.

Construction will begin at Disneyland in 2017, while a start date for Disney World is not set.

Disney announced several other park upgrades at its annual D23 Expo, a fan convention. They include an 11-acre Toy Story land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida.

 


An artist rendering of the how the park might look like. PHOTO: REUTERS

Disney did not comment on costs but Reuters reported that the company spent US$1 billion (S$1.4 billion) to build a 12-acre Cars Land that debuted at Disney’s California Adventure park in 2012.

It will open a $5.5 billion theme park in Shanghai next year.

The announcement of Star Wars lands, made by Disney Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger, comes as fans gear up for the December release of The Force Awakens, the opening film in a new Star Wars trilogy.

The first Star Wars movie was released in 1977 and became embedded in pop culture.

"I'm most excited about getting the VIP passes, because I'm in the movie right? Hopefully I don't have to stand in line for the rides," said Oscar Issac, who plays Poe Dameron in the new Star Wars movie.

Source: Reuters

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