"Star Wars" has become one of Disney's key properties well beyond its theatrical presence. The company has bet big on the franchise on its Disney+ streaming service and at its theme parks.
That has mostly been a huge success, You can argue that without "The Mandalorian," Disney+ would not have grown as quickly as it did. And while it's hard to attribute Walt Disney's (DIS) theme-park success to any one land or set of attractions, it's fair to say that "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" has been a big part of the company's answer to Comcast's (CMCSA) Universal Studios "Wizarding World of Harry Potter."
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"Galaxy's Edge" at both Disney World and Disneyland offers theme-park visitors an immersive "Star Wars" experience. The land includes two top-tier rides, "Millennium Falcon: Smugglers' Run" and -- perhaps the best ride at any theme park in the world -- "Rise of the Resistance."
In addition, Disney World has its "Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser" hotel, a sort of extension of the "Galaxy's Edge" experience.
Disney has made a massive theme-park bet on "Star Wars" and now it's investing to improve the attraction that started it all,
Image source: David Roark/Disney Parks via Getty Images
Disney World Changes a Classic 'Star Wars' Ride
Before Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012, it had a deal with the George Lucas-owned company for the "Star Tours" ride in Disney World, Disneyland and, later, Disneyland Paris. That ride, a motion simulator, has a unique feature among all Disney theme-park rides: a story that changes on each ride.
"Star Tours" has multiple story lines that mix and match, so you can go on multiple times and have a different experience each time. Disney has often customized the ride, adding new segments themed to a movie release back when the company actually made "Star Wars" movies.
Now, Disney has outlined a plan to add new experiences to "Star Tours" at Disney World, Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris. Disney "Imagineer" Scott Trowbridge discussed the news at the recent "Star Wars Celebration" event.
"In 2024, we’re going to add more stories and characters to Star Tours at three of our destinations around the world – Disneyland park in California, Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida, and Disneyland Paris in France," he said in a blog post.
Trowbridge teased -- but stopped short of fully revealing -- the new content.
"Since it debuted at Disneyland in 1987 as the first 'Star Wars' attraction in a Disney park, 'Star Tours' has traveled to new places as this galaxy of stories expanded," he added.
"We’re looking forward to continuing that tradition next year with all new adventures … but I can’t reveal just where we’re going yet -- or those we may meet along the way -- because … well … some surprises are best experienced as part of the upcoming Star Wars content also announced this weekend. Here’s hoping C-3PO’s piloting skills have improved."
New 'Star Wars' Music Added
And while it's not as big a change as new "Star Tours" content, Trowbridge also said that two Star Wars attractions are getting new music.
"And speaking of Starspeeder pilots, be sure to check out the new playlist from DJ R3X we just released, featuring more of his favorite tracks you may hear when you visit Oga’s Cantina on Batuu. Turns out R3X may just be a better DJ than pilot … but don’t tell him I said that," he said.
Oga's Cantina is part of "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge." The second new playlist will be a little easier to hear since while it's themed to the incredibly expensive "Galactic Starcruiser" hotel, it will actually be available for free.
"We also announced a new 'Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser' playlist will launch next month on streaming platforms to celebrate May the 4th. This soundtrack includes songs from galactic superstar Gaya, who performs aboard the Halcyon starcruiser as part of that amazing, fully immersive experience," he said.
