Journey to Star Wars Land: The History

Star Wars Land: The History

If you haven't heard yet (where have you been?!?), both Disneyland and Walt Disney World are currently building a Star Wars Land. Also if you didn't know, Star Wars is my favorite movie series of all-time so I'm quite excited about the changes coming to DHS.

(above) Land clearing of the Streets of America

(above) Concept art of Star Wars Land

The original Start Tours ride was incredible opening in January of 1987, and quite expensive at roughly 33 million dollars to make. (Disneyland itself cost around 18 million to make). The ride would be a flight simulator designed to look like a space craft, which  housed the 30-some person theater. Overseeing the special effects would be Industrial Light and Magic (Lucas' own special effects company that was ironically created for the first Star Wars movie) and George Lucas himself.

 In 1995, Disneyland shortened the Jungle Cruise to open a brand new attraction, the first of it's kind, the Indiana Jones Adventure (Temple of the Forbidden Eye), and it is still to this day one of my favorite rides.

With the Star Wars trilogy being one of the biggest fanbases, and the financial success of the movies, and success of the Star Tours attraction in Disneyland, it was a no-brainer to include the ride at Disney's planned third gate, the Disney MGM-Studios (now Disney's Hollywood Studios) which was to celebrate not only the movies, but of 1930's Hollywood. By the time Disney had decided to include Star Tours in the parks plans, it was too close to opening which meant that Star Tours would be a delayed opening of 6 months. Finally Star Tours opened in Florida in December of 1989.

(credit JSpence; above) The brand new Star Tours at MGM Studios had a AT-AT walker shooting at guests as they walked into the queue

The first time I rode Star Tars was around 1995, and I was amazed! I could finally join the Rebel Alliance and be in that universe. When I was that young I was actually pretty afraid of thrill rides but I for sure overcame a few childhood fears, but I digress.

From there, Lucasfilm took a bigger presence in the parks, especially at Disney's Hollywood Studios. From 1997 (the 25th anniversary of Star Wars/Re-Release into theaters) to 2015, Disney would host Star Wars Weekends which really took over the park every weekend in May. I actually was at the first one in 1997 and got to meet Darth Vader and C-3PO for the first time!

The next change really didn't happen until 2011, when both the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Versions of Star Tours opened brand new as Star Tours:The Adventures Continue. The additions included 3D, C-3PO was your new captain (poor Rex is now in the queue) and 50 new adventures! It was a cool concept but for some reason the time period was chosen in-between Episodes 3-4 which meant everything looked like the awful prequels and no of the "adventures" really had any heart to it. For a time when the Force Awakens was released there was a pretty cool Jakku scene, but even a casual Star Wars knows that you had to time travel during your journey. Hopefully there will be another rehab soon!

As to the changes, both parks had to close some attractions to make way for the opening of Star Wars Land. Disneyland closed the Big Thunder Ranch and petting zoo, and  has closed everything on the Rivers of America until construction is complete. Hollywood Studios closed Streets of America (which meant the closure of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights), Honey, I Shrunk the Kids movie playset, and Lights! Motors! Action!

Just announced last month, Star Wars Land is set to open in 2019 at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, and I cannot wait. The concept looks amazing and there are some structures coming up like the two AT-AT walkers.

This is the structures coming up as of March 2017

Thanks for reading!

Remnants of Epcot Center (Pt. 2)

Getting back to my roots. I was in WDW recently and I figured I would post about some of the Epcot Center remnants that I had missed in the previous post. So here goes nothing!

Around Epcot's birthday, I was rocking my Epcot Center tee that my girlfriend made me and saw this little jem on a random wall in the former Inoventions (near the former Visa card-member photo spot). This is the stuff that I look for in Epcot now. I know that the spirit of Epcot leaves on somewhere, but since the late 90's has been so elusive. The fact that Disney took the time to set this up is a little comforting. As was this beautiful sight.

A little backstory; I actually started my Disney fandom when this attraction was being refurbished to the abomination that was Journey Into YOUR Imagination. This ride was my childhood, and meant the world to me!I was just some 8 year old kid who was so hurt and pissed that my favorite attraction was being taken away from me, that I joined a website named "Friends of Figment" and singed a petition to have the ride in it's original form, just like the Save  Mr. Toad's Wild Ride group wanted. For the next 17 years I learned that things do not go back to there original forms (most of the time, looking at you EO) and have accepted that we honor those attractions through...pins...

But when the announcement was made that the new Disney Vacation Club Lounge at Epcot would be located in the on the second level of Journey Into Imagination, a place off limits since 1998, I was elated. I had dreamed about following in the footsteps of AdamtheWoo and my personal favorite Mr. Leonard Kinsey and just darting up those stairs, but now I don't have to risk getting kicked out! This is one of the best views of Spaceship Earth there is. 

My girlfriend and I (seen here grinning like an idiot). (below)

It was so good to be back up in the second floor of JII, and almost go into the original far superior Imagesworks. I want to take a sledgehammer to that wall so bad. Also kinda sad that they just left the escalators covered, but the elevator still works!

Also, here are the best restrooms in Epcot!

Also here is a super secret tip. Do you need to go to the bathroom in Epcot? Head over to Journey into Imagination and keep going, past the entrance to the ride. Here you will find some rarely used bathrooms unchanged from 1982. Here you can still listen to the original JII's Background music, which includes Magic Journeys, and Makin' Memories. Also you can see the original paint job/where Disney got lazy. As a Cast Member I ran into said, "you gotta take a shit? Head to Imagintion". Actually, once I think of it I don't know if he was talking about the bathrooms, or the ride?

It's weird to say "former" Inoventions because I remember when is took Communicore's place. At 25 I'm really not that old, but I feel it when the "new attraction" (or at least that how I see it in my mind) is now seen as dated and slated for renovations. They should name it Renovations!

Also,what the hell is going on with the color scheme near Epcot's fountain of nations?!?

It literally looks like a colorblind artist just started painting.

I can't be the only one who thinks this looks better right?

And back on the inside you can see the remnants of the previously mentioned Imagination's Dreamcatcher. This is located right inside the shop Mouse Gears (pictured below).

To be fair, I actually think this is one of the better stores on Disney property. This is the one of the only places you can find original Epcot Center memorabilia as well as general souvenirs.

On to an attraction that really hasn't changed since 1982, except for the Ellen's Energy Adventure update, which basically added  Ellen Degeneres and Bill Nye the Science Guy to the original. Unfortunately they got ride of the songs  "Universe of Energy" and "Energy, You Make the World Go 'Round", which I performed as sophomore in high school to get our group an A for creativity in science! I had to ride one last time, as it was recently announced to be closing.

The theaters are pretty much the same, the building which was recently repainted to it's original color is the same, and the ride vehicles are the same (pictured below). Even the Prehistoric scene is pretty much the same (also pictured below).

Look at all them crowds!

A great place to sleep, or rest your feet!

Seriously, the exact same since 1982!

Ok, This is actually pretty cool that they still have this! As you probably know, I love the original logos.

Once again I visited Wonders of Life or as it's now called, the "Festival Center", just to get a look at the Body Wars queue, which I actually succeeded in. My friends distracted the nearest cast member with pin trading and allowed me to peek and a bare wall :/.

On to Mission: Space. Honestly I really like this ride, it's just so unfortunate that it replaced Horizons which meant it really couldn't live up to it's predecessor no matter how hard it tried. The story is getting a tad bit stale, it would be cool if they did different missions like a Star Tours.

Anyways, the remnants, or rather nods here from Horizons are actually hidden in plain sight. You can see the original Horizons logo right smack dab in the middle of the gravity wheel (pictured below).

You can also spot the same logo in the gift shop (pictured below).

This are constant reminders to me and all Epcot Center fans of how much we miss Horizons.

A thoughtful review of Disney's Transportation System

If you've been to Walt Disney World you've probably used some sort of their transportation system, whether that be a Disney Bus, a Monorail, a Friendship Boat, or a Ferry. Today we will review the changes and the additions of many of the transportation on property.

Disney's Buses

This is by far the fastest mode of transportation on WDW property. Buses will run constantly throughout the day and usually you won't wait more than 10 minutes, but you may be unfortunate and wait 45 at times, but on average you'll only wait about 5-10 minutes. So here are the buses that ran on opening day.

As you can see, quite a lot has changed since then, the most drastic would be size. The stripe on the side indicated where this bus was going. (below)

Who remembers these good looking buses? Most of these were re-painted versions of the ones above. These are the buses I remember fondly. I remember standing alot due to lack of seats, and getting sick because of the way we took turns combined with the fact I had the flu... (below)

Around the early 2000's you could start to see these kinds of buses (pictured below). They have more room, are closer to the ground to benefit the ever growing population who needs wheelchair access, and more seats. There was/are many different layouts of this version of bus and are currently still in use. 

Finally we have come to present day. These buses use less diesel, some electric. They now make up a majority of the buses. (below)

As well as the new extra long. I pray for this bus at the end of the night. (below)

Along with the Disney Transport Buses you have both the Cruise Line buses and Disney's Magical Express which run from WDW to Cape Canaveral and WDW to MCO (Orlando International Airport). 

Disney Ferry Boats/ Friendship Boats

There are many Ferry Boats on property, the most prominent being the Liberty Belle in the Magic Kingdom, and the Transportation and Ticket Center Ferries, the Richard F. Irvine, the General Joe Potter, and the Admiral Joe Fowler.

(The Liberty Belle above)

This is the Ferry that travels along the Rivers of America in Liberty Square.

(The General Joe Potter above)

This is a Transportation and Ticket Center Ferry

(Admiral Joe Fowler circa 1979 above)

There was actually a second Ferry Boat on the Rivers of America in the Magic Kingdom, the Admiral Joe Fowler which actually was the first Ferry but was destroyed in the 80's during one of it's dry docks, then they renamed one of the TTC Ferries after him.

(New Admiral Joe Fowler Circa 2012 below)

My Personal favorite boats are in Epcot and used in the surrounding area. The"Friendship" boats are used daily from launches inside of Epcot (Future World to Germany and Future World to Morocco) and outside the back gate at the international gateway providing service from Epcot to Disney's Hollywood Studios (with stops at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club, Disney's Boardwalk, and the Swan and Dolphin).

The only caveat with taking these boats is that they are slowwwwwww. It is often faster to take the boat from Epcot to the Boardwalk and walk to Disney's Hollywood Studios, or Hollywood Studios to Swan and Dolphin and walk to Epcot, you will almost definitely beat the boat.

If you are in World Showcase and are planning to head to Future World, its worth it to give your feet a break and take a friendship across the lagoon. It's only a 5 minute ride and your feet will thank you later.

Walt Disney World Monorail System

The most famous and my personal favorite transportation on WDW property, the Monorail. Disney has of course been famous for it's monorail ever since their first opened at Disneyland in 1959. When  you think of "Disney World" one of the first images that pops up in my mind is the monorails. I can gaurentee that most people who have been here have ridden the monorail once. Shout out to my fellow geeks who can word for word "Please stand clear of the doors...".

(Disneyland's original monorail pictured below)

The Walt Disney World Monorail System has been operating since opening day 1971, serving as a means of transportation from both hotels and the parking area (where as Disneyland's was just an attraction taking you around Tomorrowland until 1961).

The Monorail still travel directly through the Grand Canyon Concourse of the Contemporary Hotel (pictured below)

And in 1982, the Monorail expanded to include Epcot Center. Originally before E.P.C.O.T. became Epcot Center, Monorails and Peoplemovers were to be the main transportation around Walt Disney World.

Disney Trams!

The last but not least transportation in WDW I want to touch on is of course the Disney Trams. Everyone has probably at least seen them. For those of you who frequent WDW and stay on property, you may have never been on this but those who stay off property or are Florida residents are quite familiar with them. I have actually never been on them in Florida, I have been on the ones in California (shout out to mickey and friends tram!). These are as iconic as the Disney Buses. 

While they can also be as slow as the Friendship boats, this tram is almost necessary when you are traveling with kids, or a big family.

Anyways, That's all I got!