Disney CFO Highlights Construction Priorities at Disney Parks

    Disney Chief Financial Officer Christine McCarthy spoke at the Bank of America Virtual 2020 Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference today about the state of The Walt Disney Company. McCarthy spoke on everything from Disney+ (doing great) to new cruise ships (delayed) to the theme parks.

    With COVID-19 having such a strong impact on the Company, Disney is looking to trim up budgets where it makes sense. We saw that manifest itself in a delay of a much-needed Spaceship Earth overhaul and a “different approach” to the EPCOT World Celebration Festival Center that will likely see a much different offering than what was outlined in the months before the theme parks shut down. Even the Mary Poppins attraction is in jeopardy at the moment.

    That said, Disney is pushing forward on a variety of theme park construction projects, and McCarthy outlined some of the projects that Disney has flagged as a priority. McCarthy said that projects that are “in flight”, or under construction already, have been important for Disney to finish. We’ve seen construction pick back up on a variety of projects such as TRON Lightcycle Run, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, PLAY! Pavilion, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and more. That said, Disney is prioritizing the following projects:

    Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Hotel

    This was the first project that McCarthy flagged as a priority for Disney. It’s probably important for Disney to strike while the iron is hot with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the Star Wars franchise wrapping up the Skywalker Saga.

    Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Immersive Hotel

    While we’ll recap the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience below, you can find in-depth, day-by-day reports in the following articles!

    Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Report – DAY ONE (Arrival, Cabin Tour, Lightsaber Training, Bridge Ops, Gaya Dinner Show, and More)
    Come along for a detailed look at our first day aboard the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser day one experience at Walt Disney World
    blogmickey.com
    Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Report – DAY TWO (Batuu, Sneaking Around the Ship, Sublight Lounge, and Climactic Battle)
    Join us as we return to the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser for a report on Day Two!
    blogmickey.com
    Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Report – DAY THREE (Breakfast, Checkout, Launch Pod Back to Reality, Post-Cruise Merchandise)
    We wrap up our time at the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser with our day three report which includes breakfast, post-cruise merch, and more
    blogmickey.com

    Guests will arrive at the hotel like any other hotel, but it’s billed as something unlike anything else built by Disney. The adventure begins when you arrive at the Galactic Starcruiser Terminal at Walt Disney World and check-in for your two-night experience. Valet is included in the price of the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.

    Once you’ve checked into the hotel, you’ll board a launch pod where you’ll blast off into space and rendezvous with the Halcyon, the ship you’ll spend the next 2-nights aboard. Through windows above, you’ll see yourself leave the real world behind as you jump to hyperspace and draw closer and closer to the Halcyon.

    Here’s concept art of the experience compared to a photo of the actual guest experience in the launch pod.

    During your journey, you will sleep aboard a ship known throughout the galaxy for its glamour and style—crewed by the incomparable interplanetary travel group, Chandrila Star Line.

    Chandrila Star Line is renowned throughout the galaxy for its fleet of comfortable and stylish starcruisers, top-tier service, delicious cuisine and exotic destinations—from the Core Worlds to the Outer Rim and beyond. Chandrila Star Line’s legendary Purgill-class starcruisers were some of the first commercial vessels to offer hyperdrive travel, and their spirit of adventure continues to this day.

    Rest assured that in these times of galactic conflict, Chandrila Star Line operates with the utmost care, and encounters with either the First Order or the Resistance are rare. While itineraries do occasionally experience some disruptions due to the unrest in certain parts of the galaxy, Chandrila Star Line starcruisers are well equipped with the latest shield and turbolaser technology to defend themselves in the unlikely event of dire circumstances—which are never an issue. Well, almost never.

    The Halcyon starcruiser is the jewel of the Chandrila Star Line. Onboard the 100-cabin Corellian MPO-1400 model starcruiser, you’ll voyage to the far reaches of the galaxy in legendary comfort and style. Recently refurbished and reoutfitted, the starcruiser combines modern conveniences with the romance of the age of exploration.

    When the Launch Pod docks with the Halcyon and the airlock opens, you will step into the ship’s main deck Atrium to begin your journey through a galaxy far, far away. Again, here’s a comparison of the concept art versus the actual product.

    A visit aboard the Halcyon becomes a multi-day story that interweaves with members of the crew, other passengers, familiar Star Wars characters, and an excursion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

    Visiting the starcruiser’s Bridge to learn about ship systems and how to operate them, including navigation and defense – skills that may come in handy during a journey through this adventure-filled galaxy.

    Other areas within the ship include the Engineering Room, where guests can sneak into a crew-only area of the ship and discover the inner workings.

    Guests can also complete lightsaber training! Wielding a lightsaber while facing off against a training remote, where you may discover your own connection with the Force.

    Of course, it’s not going to all be action. There will be time to head to The Sublight Lounge – an inviting retreat for passengers of all ages.

    Guests will also be able to experience luxurious meals – included with your stay in the main restaurant. At night, guests might even be treated to an otherworldly dinner show.

    Every window in the Halcyon – including those in each cabin – has a view of the galaxy beyond, with ever-changing vistas as the ship progresses from place to place.

    The starcruiser features 100 well-appointed cabins and suites, each one radiating an atmosphere of elegance, style, comfort, and exclusivity. Your Star Wars story continues even in your cabin or suite. You’ll be amazed by the attention to detail!

    Each Standard Cabin is fitted with furnishings and fixtures designed to ensure comfort while traveling throughout the galaxy—including a pullout table and a TV with entertainment from your home planet—and a window with a view out into space.

    Avengers Campus

    Also listed as a top priority was Avengers Campus out at Disney California Adventure. Avengers Campus was originally intended to open in July, but with the closure of the theme parks and the subsequent halt in construction, that date was missed. The Disneyland Resort theme parks actually still remained closed, but work has resumed. Disney has not identified a reopening date for the theme parks or a grand opening for Avengers Campus.

    As a quick refresher, Avengers Campus is home to the Worldwide Engineering Brigade – also known as “WEB” – which will house a new Spider-Man experience, the first Disney ride-through attraction to feature this iconic superhero. 

    During an open house at WEB, the aspiring inventors are excited to invite you for a test drive of their latest invention: the “Web Slinger” vehicle, which allows you to sling webs just like Spider-Man! The attraction gives you a taste of what it’s like to have actual superpowers as you help Spider-Man collect Spider-Bots that have run amok.

    Avengers Campus will also feature Pym Test Kitchen. Just as Ant-Man and The Wasp use “Pym Particles” to grow and shrink just about anything, Pym Technologies is using the latest innovations to grow and shrink food at this eatery.

    You will also find heroic encounters throughout the campus, including Black Widow, Ant-Man and The Wasp, Doctor Strange, the Guardians of the Galaxy, superheroes from Wakanda and Asgard, and Iron Man.

    As superheroes continue to assemble at the campus, one of its iconic buildings will be the Avengers Headquarters where you should be on the lookout for Avengers in action.

    All of that is only phase one for the land, with Phase Two set to open in the coming years and feature the headliner Avengers E-Ticket ride that Disney has briefly touched on. We go into more detail on the attraction (HERE).

    Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Disneyland)

    Finally, McCarthy noted that Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a priority for Disney. She noted that the attraction has been well received by Disney fans who have experienced the attraction in Orlando, and that they’re excited to bring it to California as well.

    For more on Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, check out our full review of the attraction and check out our ride-through video below!

    Some of the projects at the front of fans minds, like the EPCOT overhaul project and Splash Mountain reimagining, were not mentioned.

    As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!

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    1 COMMENT

    1. I haven’t seen much about Space 220. It seems like it was very near opening prior to COVID. Now no mention. It seems very unlikely that it would be abandoned at this point. But then again, maybe this was the last straw for that beleaguered project.

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