News Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - Historical Construction/Impressions

[Distorian]

That would be a pretty big undertaking for a net zero result.

What do you think Disney does? Look at Pixar Pier, San Fransokyo, Mission Breakout.

The change would give the ride a temporary boost but ultimately it will make the attraction more timeless.

Rey Preshow:

1. New Footage needed with....Leia? Is Carrie Fischer's estate going to let them create a creepy AI version of young her?
2. New Footage to replace Po with....CGI Luke? CGI young Lando?
3. BB-8 AA replacement with...R2? That will require quite an extensive redesign for those platforms in those 2 rooms.

Move to Shuttle:

1. Repaint X-Wing or replace with ship tied to whoever you replace Po with.

Shuttle:

1. New Footage to replace Po.

Interrogation Room:

1. New Footage with CGI Vader and CGI Tarkin needed.
2. New shadow footage for ceiling effect to match new video.

Load Station:

1. New Footage to replace Finn with....CGI Solo? Is there where you put Lando so you don't have to change the race of the AA's later?

AT-AT Bay

1. Change out AA of Finn with AA of whatever character is replacing them. Record new AI dialogue for old/dead actor.

Bridge:

1. Change out Kylo costume for Vader costume
2. Create new Tarkin AA
3. Create AI Vader audio track
4. Create AI Tarkin audio track

Kylo Hallway:

1. Probably needs a new scene, as I don't see Vader leaping down the same way Kylo does. In a conservative sense, it would at least require a new CGI animation of Vader quickly leaping down and walking towards us quicker than we typically see him move.
2. New practical saber needed to match Vader's weapon

Kylo Dance Party:

1. New Footage to replace Finn needed. Will use CGI version of dead/old actor.
2. Chage Kylo costume to Vader costume
3. Record new AI Vader track.
4. Create new B-mode video and audio track

Disembark Station:

1. Replace Finn audio with AI audio of old/dead actor.

Sounds like a lot of money being spent for a similar but worse version of the same ride we currently have.

All this proves is just how easy it would be. The hardest change is swapping out the X-Wing in the queue for an OT variant. Other than that, it's mostly just reskinning animatronics and new CGI renderings.

As for the inclusion of Tarkin, Leia, etc, none of those are needed other than Vader replacing Kylo and R2 replacing BB8. The rest can be filled by generic Rebels and Imperials. The original Star Tours excelled and most of its cast is made up of generic and original characters. Where's Luke, Leia, Han, or even Vader on that ride? They're not needed. Star Wars, unlike Marvel, is not simply a bunch of characters but a cohesive world that begs to be explored. That's what fans want out of Star Wars and that's what makes a good theme park attraction. Rides that emphasize characters are always weaker than rides that emphasize environment.

Guests don't want to see Luke, Han, or Leia, they want to be Luke, Han or Leia. The original Fantasyland rides understood this when they excluded or minimized depictions of their titular characters on the attractions. Let the guests be the heroes.

 

[coffeefan]

That was quick.

 

[D.Silentu]

I suppose a fair question is who wore it better, the Han in the promo or this fellow? After all, Disney already bet many millions that we would accept this guy as Han Solo.

 

[Professortango1]

What do you think Disney does? Look at Pixar Pier, San Fransokyo, Mission Breakout.

The change would give the ride a temporary boost but ultimately it will make the attraction more timeless.

Pixar Pier was a cheap change because Disney was aware that the Pier wasn't working for guests. They through around a variety of concepts, but the idea of Midway Mania is what cinched the cheap retheme.

San Fransokyo was another area which didn't yield high numbers in guest surveys and IG reels and they realized they could do something fairly cheap to promote Disney+, add a photo opp, and get those social media clicks.

Mission Breakout was an experiment where management asked Imagineers to retheme an existing non-Disney IP attraction into a quick way to introduce Marvel at the Disneyland Resort. Rhode has said that the Mission BO plans were the least offensive idea, which is why Imagineers steered into the skid.

The point is that all of these changes were to address shortcomings Disney was experiencing. Rise isn't suffering from any shortcomings in the overall guest experience. Star Wars now has OT and ST merch available in GE, solving that issue. So I'm not sure what these needless swaps would do other than waste money and make the attraction worse.

As for timeless, I don't think filling the attraction with a sea of uncanny valley characters and voices would do to make it timeless. If anything, it would date it even faster. Not to mention still clinging to movies which are almost old enough to start delivering Door Dash to help with medical bills. Maybe AARP could sponsor Rise and that could pay for the geriatrification.

 

[Distorian]

Pixar Pier was a cheap change because Disney was aware that the Pier wasn't working for guests. They through around a variety of concepts, but the idea of Midway Mania is what cinched the cheap retheme.

San Fransokyo was another area which didn't yield high numbers in guest surveys and IG reels and they realized they could do something fairly cheap to promote Disney+, add a photo opp, and get those social media clicks.

Mission Breakout was an experiment where management asked Imagineers to retheme an existing non-Disney IP attraction into a quick way to introduce Marvel at the Disneyland Resort. Rhode has said that the Mission BO plans were the least offensive idea, which is why Imagineers steered into the skid.

All cope.

The point is that all of these changes were to address shortcomings Disney was experiencing. Rise isn't suffering from any shortcomings in the overall guest experience. Star Wars now has OT and ST merch available in GE, solving that issue. So I'm not sure what these needless swaps would do other than waste money and make the attraction worse.

Yeah it is. Rise is suffering from the shortcoming being an IP the people don't like. The people like the original Star Wars.

As for timeless, I don't think filling the attraction with a sea of uncanny valley characters and voices would do to make it timeless. If anything, it would date it even faster. Not to mention still clinging to movies which are almost old enough to start delivering Door Dash to help with medical bills. Maybe AARP could sponsor Rise and that could pay for the geriatrification.

Not sure if you know this but Disneyland is even older than Star Wars. With your logic, Sleeping Beauty Castle isn't timeless.

 

[Professortango1]

All cope.

Yeah it is. Rise is suffering from the shortcoming being an IP the people don't like. The people like the original Star Wars.

Not sure if you know this but Disneyland is even older than Star Wars. With your logic, Sleeping Beauty Castle isn't timeless.

Sleeping Beauty Castle isn't an icon from a movie and presented as such. In fact, it looks nothing like the castle in the film. And Star Wars is so timeless that the creator has recreated the original films 4 times? Star Wars OT is like AOL. We would get a new edition every few years and each edition felt more dated.

I like original Star Wars. Episode 4 is my favourite SW film and its right behind Andor in terms of favourite SW media for me. But Rise isn't designed to feel like OT SW. Its both too serious for it and too focused on action. OT SW is dorky and campy and lovingly clunky. The pacing is slower and charm carries it more than frenetic action. That's ST self-importance and disposable CGI action.

Having a Deep Fake Harrison Ford slowly grumble out a line delivery doesn't fit the zippiness of the current ride.

Star Tours 1.0 was the perfect translation of Star Wars to theme park. It is cute and inventive while being a little cheap at times. The gags are forced, but the skill with which they are done makes you smile and jump in with both feet. But making things like that requires effort and forethought rather than prompts to a contracted digital effects team.

 

[GimpYancIent]

I suppose a fair question is who wore it better, the Han in the promo or this fellow? After all, Disney already bet many millions that we would accept this guy as Han Solo.View attachment 917183

If anyone is hoping for a spittin image of Harrison Ford as Han Solo welllll that's not going to happen. Disney is making an effort to appease the guests and provide a measure of entertainment. The helmet wearing characters are easier to impersonate.

 

[Distorian]

Sleeping Beauty Castle isn't an icon from a movie and presented as such. In fact, it looks nothing like the castle in the film. And Star Wars is so timeless that the creator has recreated the original films 4 times? Star Wars OT is like AOL. We would get a new edition every few years and each edition felt more dated.

I like original Star Wars. Episode 4 is my favourite SW film and its right behind Andor in terms of favourite SW media for me. But Rise isn't designed to feel like OT SW. Its both too serious for it and too focused on action. OT SW is dorky and campy and lovingly clunky. The pacing is slower and charm carries it more than frenetic action. That's ST self-importance and disposable CGI action.

With proper changes, I don't see any reason Rise couldn't have the same excitement as the Battle of Endor or Scariff. ("erm but Scariff isn't from the OT! you contradict yourself!") No, I said I want the world of the OT because that's what people actually like and want to experience. Rogue One and Andor still fit into that world.

Having a Deep Fake Harrison Ford slowly grumble out a line delivery doesn't fit the zippiness of the current ride.

I never argued for this.

Star Tours 1.0 was the perfect translation of Star Wars to theme park. It is cute and inventive while being a little cheap at times. The gags are forced, but the skill with which they are done makes you smile and jump in with both feet. But making things like that requires effort and forethought rather than prompts to a contracted digital effects team.

We'll never have a Star Wars attraction as good as the original Star Tours. That kind of Imagineering just doesn't exist anymore.

 

[BrianLo]

All cope.

Yeah it is. Rise is suffering from the shortcoming being an IP the people don't like. The people like the original Star Wars.

Rise is the highest rated attraction at the resort.

There’s no fiscal or guest related reason to mess with it. A third attraction could always go more OT focused.

 

[Professortango1]

With proper changes, I don't see any reason Rise couldn't have the same excitement as the Battle of Endor or Scariff. ("erm but Scariff isn't from the OT! you contradict yourself!") No, I said I want the world of the OT because that's what people actually like and want to experience. Rogue One and Andor still fit into that world.

I never argued for this.

We'll never have a Star Wars attraction as good as the original Star Tours. That kind of Imagineering just doesn't exist anymore.

If you're updating Rise to OT, you're going to have to deep fake a lot of replacement actors as none of them look/sound like they did 50 years ago. Unless your idea is to replace them all with Chewie just yelling at us. Or random unknown new characters. But that kind of defeats the purpose, right? You need Han and Luke and Leia. And the only way to get that is with some cringey deep fakes. Dial of Destiny: The ride!

And the Battle of Endor is slow, clunky, and very silly. Other than the probe droid scanning a wall, nothing else in the ride is Endor levels of goofy dumb fun.

And Imagineering can exist in any time since. Its just what people are willing to demand from Disney. The less you demand, the less they deliver. Which is why Indiana Jones Adventure was the last of the Disney epic attractions. RSR almost gets there and that's why I love it dearly, but its been 30 years of erosion. Disney no longer treats theme park design as an artform with its own rules and standards. Now it similar to going to a trade show. Design a compact but splashy booth facade to encourage social media shares, and have a mini experience that is showcasing a singular new idea or piece of tech.

 

[DrStarlander]

Kudos to Disney for the Han Solo walk-around character. If they can find a bit older actor, great. But regardless, it's fun. I appreciate the effort and I'm realistic about what's possible.

 

[Distorian]

If you're updating Rise to OT, you're going to have to deep fake a lot of replacement actors as none of them look/sound like they did 50 years ago. Unless your idea is to replace them all with Chewie just yelling at us. Or random unknown new characters. But that kind of defeats the purpose, right? You need Han and Luke and Leia. And the only way to get that is with some cringey deep fakes. Dial of Destiny: The ride!

If you're going to argue with me, please at least read what I'm arguing:

As for the inclusion of Tarkin, Leia, etc, none of those are needed other than Vader replacing Kylo and R2 replacing BB8. The rest can be filled by generic Rebels and Imperials. The original Star Tours excelled and most of its cast is made up of generic and original characters. Where's Luke, Leia, Han, or even Vader on that ride? They're not needed. Star Wars, unlike Marvel, is not simply a bunch of characters but a cohesive world that begs to be explored. That's what fans want out of Star Wars and that's what makes a good theme park attraction. Rides that emphasize characters are always weaker than rides that emphasize environment.

Guests don't want to see Luke, Han, or Leia, they want to be Luke, Han or Leia. The original Fantasyland rides understood this when they excluded or minimized depictions of their titular characters on the attractions. Let the guests be the heroes.

An updated Rise could completely get away with just having non-face characters such as Vader, R2, and Chewie. There's no need at all to have Luke, Han, or Leia in any form whatsoever.

 

[DrStarlander]

An updated Rise could completely get away with just having non-face characters such as Vader, R2, and Chewie. There's no need at all to have Luke, Han, or Leia in any form whatsoever.

If I could have an OT Rise instead of a ST Rise, I'd love it. But if it just has a bunch of generic characters we've never seen, how is it much different than the current Rise?

 

[Distorian]

If I could have an OT Rise instead of a ST Rise, I'd love it. But if it just has a bunch of generic characters we've never seen, how is it much different than the current Rise?

Theme park are not character centric mediums, they are world centric mediums. Which world do you like more: OT or ST?

 

[BrianLo]

An updated Rise could completely get away with just having non-face characters such as Vader, R2, and Chewie. There's no need at all to have Luke, Han, or Leia in any form whatsoever.

What’s the point? This doesn’t make the ride better.

I assume the point is disdain for the sequels, but don’t want to speak for you. Unlike the sequels themselves, if face swapping the characters in any way improves the ride then the issue is not with the ride at all. It’s with the movies.

The whole attraction is great, arguably amongst Disney’s best.

 

[Distorian]

What’s the point? This doesn’t make the ride better.

I assume the point is disdain for the sequels, but don’t want to speak for you. Unlike the sequels themselves, if face swapping the characters in any way improves the ride then the issue is not with the ride at all. It’s with the movies.

The whole attraction is great, arguably amongst Disney’s best.

I agree. I think Rise is excellent. The fact it's set during the ST is one of its few drawbacks.

 

[DrStarlander]

Theme park are not character centric mediums, they are world centric mediums. Which world do you like more: OT or ST?

But setting aside the characters, what "world" elements would be changed in Rise and how recognizable are they to most people? I'm asking honestly.

I debated with @Professortango1 that Kylo Ren and Darth Vader are recognizably different, but I wouldn't argue a vintage of X-Wing or Tie Fighter or AT-AT is recognizable. Would I want them accurate? Absolutely. But I couldn't in good faith argue it would matter to enough people to warrant the expense.

 

[Distorian]

But setting aside the characters, what "world" elements would be changed in Rise and how recognizable are they to most people? I'm asking honestly.

I debated with @Professortango1 that Kylo Ren and Darth Vader are recognizably different, but I wouldn't argue a vintage of X-Wing or Tie Fighter or AT-AT is recognizable. Would I want them accurate? Absolutely. But I couldn't in good faith argue it would matter to enough people to warrant the expense.

Darth Vader is a pretty significant difference, as are the classic Stormtroopers.

 

[MoonRakerSCM]

"Hey we got a guy who doesn't really look like Han... and the hair is... kinda not like Han... should we introduce him awkwardly walking around or have him say a few things and show off his swagger to convince people they gotta go see Han?"

"Only awkwardly show him and don't have him say a THING!"

"Yes sir!"

Yeesh.

 

[DrStarlander]

Darth Vader is a pretty significant difference, as are the classic Stormtroopers.

I agree Darth Vader is a meaningful character to feature in the land and not rely on luck to see him walk by. I think the characters/content in Rise will be updated someday, but I think that's true of live-action IP rides in general. But like a lot of things in Disney Parks, I think it could be 20-25 years after many fans would want it to happen. So, for example, I could see them updating it for the 75th anniversary of Star Wars or something, especially if there are other reasons it needs a refresh like aging tech.

And I think along the way Disney will hope to create some new Star Wars content that is popular enough to feature instead of OT.