Disneyland's New Star Wars Land: A Rare Look Behind the Scenes

Anaheim, CA — There is pixie dust in the works at Disneyland.

Visitors to the park will no longer have to guess what’s coming with the new gate to the Star Wars-themed lands. A larger-than-life image has been released at one of the future gateways making this new Star Wars galaxy not seem so far, far away.

"The idea is simple," stated John McClintock of Disney Media. "The construction walls are in place, and Disney includes signage of what the new attraction or land will be like when it eventually opens."

There is no current estimate as to an open date for the new Star Wars Land.

"This is a totally new, never seen before location," McClintock said. "There will be a planetary marketplace, totally unique to the parks, never seen in a movie or in the Star Wars franchise."

Guests no longer have to guess what will populate this strange new land. Now, they can envision what that great big mountain of earth might become at the hands of Disneyland’s famous Imagineers.

From the artists’ rendition, a mountain range and great, green trees are the backdrop for this never-before seen land. As with the original Star Wars rebel base, the vision looks like hangars for space ships — Millennium Falcon included — taking up residence inside of a great cavern. Both Rebel Alliance and Imperial Shuttlecraft are within a stone’s throw, judging from the rendering.

Great domed structures and towers, brightly decked plazas reminiscent of Naboo, and a Bantha are all taking up residence in the many plazas. A small Rivers of America tour boat, looking unlike the hand-paddled canoe rides of years’ past, is in the water, and of course, an X-wing fighter hovering above it all.

Guaranteed, fans of Disneyland and Star Wars are combing this concept rendering for clues on what comes next. As promised, the new adventure for Disney fans will include things never before seen in the wonderful Galaxy of Disney.

You can see it behind the veil at the Rivers of America, or from high atop Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, where visitors can catch a glimpse of the new Star Wars-themed lands under construction. The number one question on fans of Disney’s minds remains… what will Star Wars Land look like?

“In April, we celebrated the official groundbreaking of Star Wars-themed lands coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts,” said Erin Glover, Disneyland Resort content director. “Beginning today, Disneyland park guests can get a glimpse of this exciting and immersive experience.”

Disneyland on Monday released the large rendering on the fence along Big Thunder Trail in Frontierland.

“This will be one of the entry points to a never-before-seen planet in the Star Wars galaxy,” Glover said. The image reveals more about what guests will find in this all-new land.

When you view the work from the top of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a huge man-made mountain of earth is in the works. On the image, nestled between towering spires of rock, a space port has taken shape.

“This thriving port contains a seemingly familiar architecture of markets, landing zones and buildings,” Glover said.

If you look closely, you may find hints of some of the thrilling experiences that are coming.

One of the images shows a ship — not entirely unlike the Millennium Falcon — peeking out of one of the cargo bays.

“This marks the location where guests will get the opportunity to pilot the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy,” Glover said.

The Star Wars Land will be 14 acres of experience, action and adventure, allowing guests to completely immerse themselves in all things Star Wars-related.

“This will be the largest ever single-themed land expansion at Disneyland Resort,” Glover said.

One thing is certain about the new land, according to McClintock. Two new rides will be present, both promise to thrill lovers of Star Wars from long ago to brand new.

"There will be a ride where visitors can pilot the Millennium Falcon," he said. "There will also be another ride set immediately in a battle scene, at an unnamed location."

All of the rides will take place in the new, fictional Star Wars Land location, according to McClintock. As always, the Disney Parks Blog will continue to release updates on the planet under development. Whether or not Disneyland is planning on moving the Star Tours ride from Tomorrowland is still up for debate.

"Anything is possible," McClintock said. "There is no current plan to relocate Star Tours, however."

When the Star Wars Themed Land opens, expect the riverboat, Pirate Ship, Canoe Rides, and Tom Sawyer's Island boats to all be back in service, he said.

The Disney Parks Blog will continue to bring updates with more about the planet, as well as the citizens, aliens and droids who populate it.