| Adventure. Excitement. A Jedi craves these things! Disneyland’s newest theme park, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, should’ve been a huge hit after the exclusive reservation period ended. But the new park has been met with criticism from fandom because it feels, well, empty. And not just empty when it comes to the number of guests, the experience itself feels a little empty. In a way, it’s like unwrapping a gift on Christmas morning hoping for the latest Star Wars toy, but grandma screwed up and got one of those Space War knock-offs. Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge just doesn’t feel Star Wars enough. And by Star Wars, I mean the original trilogy with Han, Luke, Leia, Yoda, Darth Vader — the characters fans fell in love with which spawned a franchise lasting more than four decades. What Disney forgot was that franchises/brands are not about a story, they are about the beloved characters, plain and simple. |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgnOmOyipE8&t=282s - ( New Window )
2) Star Wars is not "special" any more. I don't want to delve into a charged debate over The Last Jedi - but I do think that sent away a chunk of audience that will watch a movie 6 times and consume any media produced. Even if it didn't split the fanbase, the influx of new movies, media, etc. in a short window became overkill and went from being something to savor to something you were going to get more of in 6-9 months.
3) Universal Studios kind of set the bar high with Harry Potter - which is an IP that is a lot more attractive to children today. The execution is really hard to top and its a book children grew up with and want to experience. Star Wars was in mothballs for that period of time, so while mom and dad may want to see it - the kids are likely going to want to see HP over SW. End of day, a vacation to a theme park is going to be driven by those same kids.
I really think most the criticisms are coming from fans of the original trilogy who are still upset with the direction of the new movies. The internet seemed ready to react negativity even before the park opened.
I assume the park will always be filled with whatever characters are current in the SW movies coming out. Right now its Rey and Kylo, but I bet by next summer you will see "Mandalorian" characters throughout.
I love that Disney is enjoyable for adults as well as children, but the character meets have always been for the kids. They want Rey and not Luke and Leia.
2) Star Wars is not "special" any more. I don't want to delve into a charged debate over The Last Jedi - but I do think that sent away a chunk of audience that will watch a movie 6 times and consume any media produced. Even if it didn't split the fanbase, the influx of new movies, media, etc. in a short window became overkill and went from being something to savor to something you were going to get more of in 6-9 months.
3) Universal Studios kind of set the bar high with Harry Potter - which is an IP that is a lot more attractive to children today. The execution is really hard to top and its a book children grew up with and want to experience. Star Wars was in mothballs for that period of time, so while mom and dad may want to see it - the kids are likely going to want to see HP over SW. End of day, a vacation to a theme park is going to be driven by those same kids.
I agree.
And this is why there isn't a big "original trilogy" presence in Galaxy's Edge. Disney knows they need to "rebuild" the brand for today's kids. There will be alot more Star Wars in the future (its not going away after ep 9) Having the land as it is allows Disney to keep it current with whatever SW movie, TV show or cartoon is popular.
The whole thing isn't even open yet. This article doesn't even cite attendance to say it's empty.
We're going next year, and I'm looking forward to this. Disney is going to make a ton of money with this, including some of mine.
I think it's around $200 and people were having trouble getting them to stay functional, hope they fix it before then.
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Wanted to try the build-a-lightsaber thing, looks pretty cool!
I think it's around $200 and people were having trouble getting them to stay functional, hope they fix it before then.
Yeah, it's $200 to build a lightsabre. With two kids, that's $400 just so they can smack each other with them and I have to take them away. The build-a-droid is $99, which is more our speed I think. You can make reservations 180 days in advance, which I will be doing because I'm crazy.
The whole thing isn't even open yet. This article doesn't even cite attendance to say it's empty.
We're going next year, and I'm looking forward to this. Disney is going to make a ton of money with this, including some of mine.
Its open in Anaheim and has been since May 31st. Attendance is not as strong as one would have hoped.
Orlando is soft-opened already.
That is ridiculous
That is ridiculous
All of their parks are near capacity daily and they're building more hotels - which are also almost completely booked.
You're not wrong, but they can probably be charging more and still comfortable fill the place.
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1) Disneyland is more of a local's attraction, Disney World is the destination for most international visitors and sees significantly more foot traffic. If Hollywood Studios in Florida is empty in December, sound the major alarms.
2) Star Wars is not "special" any more. I don't want to delve into a charged debate over The Last Jedi - but I do think that sent away a chunk of audience that will watch a movie 6 times and consume any media produced. Even if it didn't split the fanbase, the influx of new movies, media, etc. in a short window became overkill and went from being something to savor to something you were going to get more of in 6-9 months.
3) Universal Studios kind of set the bar high with Harry Potter - which is an IP that is a lot more attractive to children today. The execution is really hard to top and its a book children grew up with and want to experience. Star Wars was in mothballs for that period of time, so while mom and dad may want to see it - the kids are likely going to want to see HP over SW. End of day, a vacation to a theme park is going to be driven by those same kids.
I agree.
And this is why there isn't a big "original trilogy" presence in Galaxy's Edge. Disney knows they need to "rebuild" the brand for today's kids. There will be alot more Star Wars in the future (its not going away after ep 9) Having the land as it is allows Disney to keep it current with whatever SW movie, TV show or cartoon is popular.
it's because Lucas gets a cut of the original characters and not the new ones.
2) Star Wars is not "special" any more. I don't want to delve into a charged debate over The Last Jedi - but I do think that sent away a chunk of audience that will watch a movie 6 times and consume any media produced. Even if it didn't split the fanbase, the influx of new movies, media, etc. in a short window became overkill and went from being something to savor to something you were going to get more of in 6-9 months.
3) Universal Studios kind of set the bar high with Harry Potter - which is an IP that is a lot more attractive to children today. The execution is really hard to top and its a book children grew up with and want to experience. Star Wars was in mothballs for that period of time, so while mom and dad may want to see it - the kids are likely going to want to see HP over SW. End of day, a vacation to a theme park is going to be driven by those same kids.
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than hard-core middle-aged star wars fans, I don't know who they are.
The whole thing isn't even open yet. This article doesn't even cite attendance to say it's empty.
We're going next year, and I'm looking forward to this. Disney is going to make a ton of money with this, including some of mine.
Its open in Anaheim and has been since May 31st. Attendance is not as strong as one would have hoped.
Orlando is soft-opened already.
Right, and one of the main attractions in both parks, Rise of the Resistance, isn’t open in either.
And I would question the sanity of anyone who vacations in Florida in August. Let’s see the numbers at Christmas when everything is open. And I’m rooting for it to be empty in April next year. No one should go then!
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In comment 14528146 mikeinbloomfield said:
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than hard-core middle-aged star wars fans, I don't know who they are.
The whole thing isn't even open yet. This article doesn't even cite attendance to say it's empty.
We're going next year, and I'm looking forward to this. Disney is going to make a ton of money with this, including some of mine.
Its open in Anaheim and has been since May 31st. Attendance is not as strong as one would have hoped.
Orlando is soft-opened already.
Right, and one of the main attractions in both parks, Rise of the Resistance, isn’t open in either.
And I would question the sanity of anyone who vacations in Florida in August. Let’s see the numbers at Christmas when everything is open. And I’m rooting for it to be empty in April next year. No one should go then!
Ah mea culpa - misread your point and took it as you asking how anyone can judge without it being open at all. You are correct, its basically a "this is pretty to look at" area right now.
The Bottom Line ? They scared a lot of people off. For a company that normally does not make a lot of mistakes, they screwed the pooch here
Galaxy Edge was ok but could have been so much more. It’s just just a Star Wars themed mall. As first time visitors to Disneyland we were more impressed with Pixar Pier. Smugglers Run was a disappointment. Nothing ground breaking. Just another flight simulator.
The 2nd ride due to open later in the year should be much better.
I would have to agree...most of these new characters are shit.
Why would you want to go to Europe when you could go to faux Europe for just a little more cash?
You think Star Wars fanboys are bad? The Disney fans are way worse. I saw two middle aged people shove a small child out of the way on a Disney Cruise to get a picture with Donald Duck. When I chastised them for it, they told me that they're club members and have taken that cruise dozens of times, as if somehow that entitled them as Mickey's VIP. I took that cruise once and for the life of me couldn't figure out why anyone over the age of 8 would want to do that to themselves voluntarily, let alone pay an arm and a leg for it.
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I'd have to take out a loan just to go to WDW for 4 days. I could go to Europe for less.
Why would you want to go to Europe when you could go to faux Europe for just a little more cash?
You think Star Wars fanboys are bad? The Disney fans are way worse. I saw two middle aged people shove a small child out of the way on a Disney Cruise to get a picture with Donald Duck. When I chastised them for it, they told me that they're club members and have taken that cruise dozens of times, as if somehow that entitled them as Mickey's VIP. I took that cruise once and for the life of me couldn't figure out why anyone over the age of 8 would want to do that to themselves voluntarily, let alone pay an arm and a leg for it.
2. Disneyland blocked out passholders (all except the most expensive level VIPs) for the entire month of June and large chunks of July
3. Disneyworlds version is only currently soft open to cast members and Expensive level VIP passholders, this is a controlled start, the opening to everyday guests will happen on the 29th.
4. Price isn't the issue, prices didn't go up on the day star wars ended, they have been up the whole year.
5. The reason older character are not in galaxy's edge is that the story of the land (theming) occurs during the new trilogy (between 8 and 9). If you had vader standing next to Kylo it wouldn't make much sense. Disney still has those characters to meet, just in another part of the park. This is a new trend in the themepark world (started by Harry Potter) to get so in depth into theming that everything in the land has a story and the elements must all fit into that story. This is why you do not see Han Solo on the Milennium Falcon ride but do see Chewbacca
6. The new movies have killed the Star Wars brand, but this isn't the only reason or even one of the major reasons that Galaxy's edge seems like a ghost town in Anaheim, waiting to see what happens in Orlando.
I'm glad we went with my 10-year old, and we *loved* the Avatar ride. Universal doesn't have a ride that good, but was just a better experience in general.
2. Disneyland blocked out passholders (all except the most expensive level VIPs) for the entire month of June and large chunks of July
3. Disneyworlds version is only currently soft open to cast members and Expensive level VIP passholders, this is a controlled start, the opening to everyday guests will happen on the 29th.
4. Price isn't the issue, prices didn't go up on the day star wars ended, they have been up the whole year.
5. The reason older character are not in galaxy's edge is that the story of the land (theming) occurs during the new trilogy (between 8 and 9). If you had vader standing next to Kylo it wouldn't make much sense. Disney still has those characters to meet, just in another part of the park. This is a new trend in the themepark world (started by Harry Potter) to get so in depth into theming that everything in the land has a story and the elements must all fit into that story. This is why you do not see Han Solo on the Milennium Falcon ride but do see Chewbacca
6. The new movies have killed the Star Wars brand, but this isn't the only reason or even one of the major reasons that Galaxy's edge seems like a ghost town in Anaheim, waiting to see what happens in Orlando.
I travel a lot for work (consulting) and have a number of clients I support in Orlando. I typically end up with a down day and have access to day passes, so I'll peak my head in every so often.
It doesn't matter if its Spring Break, Summer, early September or late January - for the past couple of years it is a madhouse and they have the parks flooded to an almost uncomfortable level.
Disney is big into the hotel game right now and keep adding rooms, so they are going to keep it this way. However, even though people are citing the high-prices, I honestly think they could add 10-15% and not really feel an impact in the park (it would just mean their hotels aren't booked to capacity, which they obviously do not want).
Its almost like tickets to the place are inelastic, regardless of your economic "health".
To tie this all back to the original topic - I think you will see Galaxy's Edge hailed as a resounding success in WDW just by virtue of this. The place is packed regardless and Disney learned a lesson from being too conservative in DL. Its going to likely be a miserable experience for most, but at least they won't have pictures of it empty circulating on the web.