OK, Disneyland fans. We have some good news and some bad news.
The good news is that construction is beginning on the new Star Wars expansion! And there are a bunch of new Star Wars attractions opening up this year and early next year to tide fans over until the new park opens.
The bad news is that to make room for all this construction, some Disneyland rides are being shut down. But not permanently, so there is no need to go into a rage-panic meltdown.
Starting Jan. 10, these attractions will be put on hiatus:
-Fantasmic!
-Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship
-Columbia Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
-Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes
So if you were planning a family reunion on the Mark Twain Riverboat next year, might we suggest Space Mountain? You don't really want to see your family anyway, do you?
But when one door closes, another one gets kicked open by Lucasfilm. That's how the saying goes, right? Starting later this year, new Star Wars attractions will debut at Disneyland and Disney World and they look really cool:
Star Wars Launch Bay: An "interactive experience" that will take fans into the worlds of the Star Wars saga, including the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Season of the Force: Beginning in early 2016, this new "seasonal event" at Disneyland will allow guests to explore the Star Wars galaxies with "special entertainment" and with Hyperspace Mountain, which is Space Mountain turned into an X-wing battle. There will also be a fireworks display set to the Star Wars score at Hollywood Studios at Disney World.
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue: The classic Star Wars ride will get a facelift at both Disneyland and Disney World so it can include locations and characters from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.