Acclaimed actor Harrison Ford, who's perhaps better recognized around these parts as Star Wars' Han Solo, will give fans a sneak peek at the Star Wars-themed lands being developed at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.
On Sunday, February 21, ABC Television Network will air a two hour special — "The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60" — which will feature new details of the company's ambitious plans to bring Star Wars to life in its parks.
While Harrison Ford will lead the exclusive preview of Disney's Star Wars Land, other guests during the special include Elton John, Josh Gad, and Witney Carson.
Disney first announced plans for the new Star Wars Land theme park expansions for Disneyland and Disney World at the company's D23 Expo back in August. The ambitious project calls for 14-acres of Star Wars goodness, transporting guests to a "never-before-scene planet, a remote trading port and one of hte last stops before wild space where Star Wars characters and their stories come to life." Plans include two signature attractions, including the ability to take the controls of one of the most recognizable ships in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon, on a customized secret mission, and an epic Star Wars adventure that puts guests in the middle of a climactic battle.
In recent months, Disney has opened Star Wars-themed attractions and experiences in its parks to fulfill guests' Star Wars desires. In December, Disney's Hollywood Studios hosted the Star Wars Launch Bay, which "takes guests into the Star Wars saga and the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with special exhibits and peeks behind-the-scenes, special merchandise and opportunities to encounter Chewbacca and Darth Vader." Additionally, Star Tours was revamped to offer a brand new experience inspired by the The Force Awakens. The Jedi Training experience was also reimagined as the "Trials of the Temple," which took younglings to the secret site of an ancient Jedi temple where they would face Darth Vader alogn with the Seventh Sister — a new villain in Disney XD's animated series Star Wars Rebels.
Basically, Disney has big plans for Star Wars and not just in terms of movies and toys. The next few years are going to be quite exciting, and it starts next month.
