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Galactic expectations set for Disney's upcoming Star Wars land
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Currently, visitors to Disneyland can meet characters from the old and new movies in Tomorrowland. When the new Star Wars land is complete, the cast and crew will be housed over there. - photo by Robynn Garfield
ANAHEIM, Calif. Visitors to Disneyland will soon be able to travel to a galaxy far, far away. In January of 2016, Harrison Ford broke ground on Disneys upcoming Star Wars-themed land, an attraction that promises to satisfy the Jedi or Jawa in all of us.

In August of 2015, Disney executives announced plans to build a Star Wars-themed land (name pending) in two of their theme parks. Concept artists hired by the company sketched out plans that include a Star-Warsian planet for visitors to exlore. While no official completion date has been announced, construction is underway and speculation is at galactic heights.

Star Wars is, for lack of a better word, awesome, Ford said in a video promoting the new land. Im so blessed that I got to be a part of it, to walk in these iconic locations, and soon youll be able to do that as well.

The new Star Wars land is under construction in what used to be Big Thunder Ranch and will encompass 14 acres of Disneyland. Big Thunder Railroad closed permanently to make room for the new attraction and park officials said the Rivers of America section of the park will be redesigned as part of the new layout.

Visitors to the new Star Wars land will be able to pilot a Millennium Falcon replica, visit the iconic Mos Eisley Cantina and walk (and talk) with Wookies. Storyboard concepts show a newly imagined planet located somewhere on the outskirts of the Star Wars universe that will immerse visitors in a totally state-of-the-art sci-fi experience.

Soon youll be able to do what Ive done, Ford said, not in a galaxy far, far away, but close to home.

Disney bought the rights to the Star Wars empire in 2012 from George Lucas for a reported $4 billion. Disney took over production of the newly rebooted film franchise and announced plans to build the galactic icon into its theme parks.

As a sort of teaser for whats to come, Disneyland has assimilated large elements of the franchise into the existing Tomorrowland. Currently, guests can walk through interactive Star Wars exhibits and meet Chewbacca, Kylo Ren and other characters from the new and old movies.

Another Star Wars land is set for construction at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.
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