Star Wars Galaxy's Edge Opening, Crowd Control, and Lightsaber Patents

Galaxy's Edge Opening Dates and Crowd Management

• 🗓️ Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is slated to open in late September 2019 at Disneyland and late fall 2019 (technically December 21st) at Walt Disney World.
• ⚠️ Walt Disney World's later opening is strategic, allowing Disneyland to serve as a testing ground for crowd control and operational challenges, especially given its smaller number of entrances compared to Disneyland.
• 🚧 Disneyland will implement a one-way flow through Galaxy's Edge, utilizing three entrances (Big Thunder Ranch, Fantasy Land, and Critter Country) to manage guest movement and prevent congestion.
• 💡 The original design intended for guests to discover elements like X-wings by entering through Critter Country, a plan now altered due to the new crowd control measures.

Anticipating Park Attendance and Operational Challenges

• 📈 The opening of Galaxy's Edge is expected to significantly boost attendance at Hollywood Studios, potentially by 25-40%, similar to the impact of Pandora at Animal Kingdom.
• ⛺ Concerns are raised about managing guests who may camp out overnight to gain early access, a phenomenon seen with previous major openings like Harry Potter at Universal.
• 🎭 To accommodate crowds, the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular may suspend operations for the first one to two months, repurposing its space for guest queuing and entertainment.
• 📝 Walt Disney World plans to closely observe Disneyland's operations, sending staff to take notes and make adjustments for their own opening.

New Patents Reveal Lightsaber and Recording Technology

• 💡 Two new patents filed by Disney suggest the development of a working lightsaber for attractions within Galaxy's Edge.
• 👓 The technology appears to involve augmented reality (AR), projecting the lightsaber effect onto a screen within a helmet or visor worn by the guest.
• 🎮 This AR approach is compared to experiences like "The Void," with a focus on minimizing lag for a more immersive multiplayer experience.
• 🎬 A second patent details a system for recording guest experiences within AR attractions and selling the footage as a personalized movie, a significant potential revenue stream.

Epcot's Drone Show Preparations

• 🌳 Land clearing behind the Japan pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase is likely for a new drone show to replace Illuminations.
• 🚁 Lessons learned from the problematic Starbrite Holidays drone show at Disney Springs emphasize the need for controlled launch and landing zones to prevent drones from falling into water or on guests.
• ⚠️ The planned area behind the American Gardens Theater will be restricted during showtimes to ensure guest safety, with drones launching, performing over the water, and returning to a dedicated facility with charging stations.
• 🚒 Disney legal insisted on proximity to a fire station for safety reasons in case of drone malfunctions.

Historical Nighttime Show Technology

• 🚁 The concept of controlled flight vehicles in nighttime shows is not new, dating back to the "Tinker Bellicopter" project in 1977.
• 💡 This project aimed to replace Tinkerbell's physical descent from the Matterhorn with a remote-controlled helicopter attached to a figure, but was ultimately halted by legal concerns over guest safety.
• ⚠️ Similar to the Epcot drone show, the Tinker Bellicopter faced challenges with flight paths over guests and potential malfunctions, leading to its cancellation.