R2-D2 will be rolling into Mickey Mouse’s neighbourhood, Disney has announced, unveiling plans for two huge Star Wars theme parks adjacent to existing US venues in Florida and California.
With star Harrison Ford on hand, Disney CEO Bob Iger said that after Disney’s $US4 billion ($A5.43 billion) purchase of Lucasfilm three years ago, “we wanted to bring Star Wars to every corner of our company… Not only on screens but in real life”.
“We are creating a jaw-dropping new world that represents our largest single-themed land expansion ever,” Iger said.
“These new lands at Disneyland and Walt Disney World will transport guests to a whole new Star Wars planet, including an epic Star Wars adventure that puts you in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance.”
In addition to that battle experience, visitors will be able to drive “one of the most recognisable ships in the galaxy”, the Millennium Falcon, on a secret mission, he said.
The Star Wars parks will be in Orlando, next to Disney Hollywood Studios, and in Anaheim, next to Disneyland.
The 5.6-hectare sites will have their own staff and restaurants will be staffed by wild creatures from the space saga.
“You’ll have a chance to run into all the droids and fantastic beasts,” Iger added.
It’s the first time the entertainment giant is trying the Star Wars theme at its parks.
