New details revealed: Upcoming ‘Star Wars Experience’ at Disney parks

MANILA, Philippines – Han Solo and everyone’s new favorite droid BB-8 joined the celebration of Disneyland’s 60^th anniversary, which aired on TV as The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60 on ABC, Sunday, February 21 (Monday, February 22 in the Philippines).

While the TV special was a look back at the history of the theme park, it was also a toast to the future, where Star Wars fans will be able to experience what has only been on screen for over 40 years.

“Star Wars is – for lack of a better word – awesome. I’m so blessed that I had the opportunity to be a part of it – to walk in these iconic locations. And soon, you’ll be able to do that as well. Not in a galaxy far, far away, but in a place close to home,” actor Harrison Ford said, as he introduced a video with never-before-seen concept art for the Star Wars Experience. 

Walt Disney Imagineering, the corporation arm responsible for the Disney theme parks, worked together with Lucasfilm on developing 14-acre expansions to be built at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

The exciting addition to the theme parks will feature, among others, as mentioned in the video: a Millenium Falcon ride, and an attraction that will put them “in the middle of a battle between the Resistance and the First Order in a race against time.” There will also be food sold in “otherworldly street markets,” and even a cantina.

The themed lands were announced in August 2015, and some parts of the parks have been closed to prepare for construction. Meanwhile, here’s a look at some of the concept art that was shown in the Disneyland 60 special, as posted on the Disney Parks blog:

Here are some screengrabs from the Disneyland 60 special:

Watch the Star Wars segment of the Disneyland 60 special here:

 – Rappler.com