Ever since Disneyland first opened its doors in 1955, Disney not only reinvented the theme
park business but dominated it.
In the 1990s, Warner Bros and Universal tried to compete - the former buying a controlling
stake in Six Flags while the latter built its own original theme parks with none other
than Steven Spielberg as an advisor.
And while the Six Flags venture didn't really work out, Universal Studios managed to hold
on - yet still, while tourists would spend a day or two at Universal, for most it was
a part of their overall DISNEY vacation.
But that all changed in 2010 when The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at the Islands
of Adventure park at the Universal Orlando Resort.
Suddenly, more tourists were taking UNIVERSAL vacations, so much so that the resort added
their first new hotel in over twenty years - Cabana Bay Beach Resort - this past summer,
with another hotel set to open this summer.
And while Disney World had debuted its Fantasyland Expansion, once again they found themselves
skewing younger and female while the competition was more action-packed, appealing to both
men AND women.
Darn it!
So as Universal's attendance rate grew faster than Disney's, and The Wizarding World of
Harry Potter both expanded and began to pop up across the globe, Disney decided to pull
out the big gun - Star Wars.
Now, interestingly, an Avatar attraction is already under construction at Disney's Animal
Kingdom park in Orlando, set to open in 2017 - maaaybe.
And the sequels were supposed to start in 2014...
And while there's also no set date for when either of Disney's two Star Wars Lands will
open, you can bet they're working a bit faster on that one - not only because The Force Awakens
just became the only non-James Cameron film to join the two billion dollar club, but because
Universal is quickly prepping a new King Kong experience in Orlando, as well as likely updating
their Jurassic Park attraction in the near future in addition.
Yes just like we have a franchise race in the movie business, it would seem the theme
park business is in the midst of an attractions race.
And while Frozen is getting a ride at Epcot, again Disney finds themselves skewing younger
and female - DARN IT!
But EVERYONE loves Star Wars, and identical Star Wars Lands are being built in Disneyland
and Disney's Hollywood Studios - Disney's least popular theme park in Orlando, and when
you bring in less people than Animal Kingdom, geez, talk about it being time for a theme
park intervention.
And based on recently released concept art, it looks to be Disney's first fully immersive
and interactive experience - just like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
For instance, do you see these Stormtroopers seemingly "on patrol" in the park?
Who wouldn't wait hours on line to enter a Star Wars Land just to see that?!
I've ran the Star Wars Marathon twice and watching a dude in a Jedi Costume set-up the
kids race - from my hotel room window - brought tears to my eyes.
But the good thing about Disney is they have much better line management skills than Universal,
which is infamous for lines that are HOURS long.
And while front of the line passes are available free of charge to Universal hotel guests,
and at a significant price in limited quantities to everyone else, they don't work in any of
the Harry Potter experiences.
But with Disney's Fast Pass advance reservations system, which is available to all guests free
of charge, well you might not look like an alien yourself by the time you actually get
into Star Wars Land.
As for attractions, so far Disney is promising that you'll get to be your very own Mary Sue
and pilot the Millennium Falcon, plus some kind of 3D simulator like Universal's famous
Spider-Man and Transformers attractions where you'll come face to face with Imperial - I'm
sorry, First Order Stormtroopers.
And as someone who's ridden those other Universal attractions and been blown away, this ride
might very well be even sweeter than getting the keys to the Millennium Falcon.
Now of course there will be shopping and food!
This is a theme park!
Predictably there will be a cantina and street market, where you can not only likely buy
a Jedi robe to hang unworn in the closet next to your Hogwarts robe, but also apparently
some cool space jewelry as well.
Side note - besides Stormtroopers, will Disney pay people to walk around Star Wars Land in
costume?!
Can YOU walk around Star Wars Land in costume?!
It's likely a "no" to that second one due to Disney's recently added security measures,
but that doesn't mean you can't dream of getting PAID to COSPLAY with the first one!
Then surprisingly, it looks like Star Wars Land will offer a very adult dinner club experience
- which can offer families and awkward and weird night out like the belly-dancing restaurant
currently at Epcot's Moroccan Pavilion.
And if anyone complains about putting women on display, just remind them they have Rey,
right?!
So, do you think Disney's Star Wars Land can compete with Universal's The Wizarding World
of Harry Potter?
Which seems like the more immersive experience to you?
Will stormtroopers and other characters actually walk around to this degree, or will the real
thing be a watered-down version of this awesome concept art?
And how long do you think it'll take YOU to have tears in your eyes once you enter Star
Wars Land?
I dunno, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter got me as I entered through the gate!
Be sure to share your thoughts down below and remember just like with the franchises,
the real winners of this attraction race is US.
I'm Grace Randolph and you can check out more Star Wars coverage right now!