Just in time for the December movie release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO of Walt Disney announced a brand new expansion. The announcement was made at the D23 EXPO 15 that Disneyland in Anaheim, California and Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, will each get a 14 acre-sized interactive theme of Star Wars.
Disney Park visitors will be transferred into a galaxy far, far away; that will completely immerse them into the cinematic universe. One attraction will take visitors onto the famous, Millennium Falcon, for a secret mission. The second will take riders on an adventure that goes right through a battle between the First Order and the Resistance.
Disney has already been planning a Star Wars Launch Bay to start it off, and “Star Tours” later this year. The extension is most likely the next step to surpass Universal Studios Wizarding World of Harry Potter. In 2014, Universal added a London front, Diagon Alley, and the Hogwarts Express, which caused profits to go up 25.7% in the second quarter of 2015. This is Disney’s next step to bring in even more visitors to the park, beyond Magic Kingdom.
Those who love both Star Wars and Harry Potter may have a difficult time deciding which park they should dedicate a vacation to. Florida residents can get an annual pass if they are looking to go to both.
“I like both Harry Potter and Star Wars,” said junior Jaymee Taliaferro. “So, to pick one is difficult but I’ve been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter many times. I’m excited to see what Disney will dish out.”
Disney Annual Pass paid in full is $429.00 while at Universal Studios for Preferred Pass it’s $299.99. Both passes come with different benefits but can be purchased as Florida residents. The parks will be also in competition with each other even more than before- fans can prefer one over the other.
“I think Harry Potter is better,” said junior Brianna O’Hara. “It looks exactly like the books.”
There’s no set for the release or making of the park, but fans are already in hype for the new attractions. But when it is opened, new and old fans will be lining up to go into the galaxy.
