If there is any more solid
indicator that Marvel, one of the pillars of American superhero media, and
Lucafilms, production studio of the legendary “Star Wars” franchise, are both
under the umbrella of entertainment giant Disney, it is the fact that attractions
and whole themed areas based on their properties are being developed in the
various Disney theme parks around the world. “Star Wars” actually got its
expansion area, Galaxy’s Edge, opened in Disneyland Park this May 31. Its
deep-immersion presentation and the wide variety of unique merchandise to be
had there, has made Galaxy’s Edge a must-visit destination. Perhaps it is too
well-visited, if they are short on merchandise.
IGN reports that guests at Disneyland Park are starting to notice
that there is not enough cool stuff to be had at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge just
over a month after its epic opening. One of the biggest draws promoted by
Disneyland about the sci-fi themed area were the many crafted souvenir shops
where guests can put together an item from the Galaxy Far, Far Away to take
home. When visiting the Droid Depot, for instance, fans might notice that the
assemble-your-own-robot workshop is out of components evoking some of the
franchise’s famous droids. If a visitor wants to assemble a mini-R2-D2 then
there are not enough parts of it.
And then there are the
collectibles that are instantly pounced upon that they disappear from shop
shelves before anyone knows it. Plush dolls of creatures from the “Star Wars”
galaxy, Khyber crystal pieces that are supposed to go into lightsabers, and
even the golden dice ornament Han Solo has on his Millennium Falcon are selling better than hotcakes. When a product
can be gotten from an open shop, it risks running low on stock. Only Savi’s
Workshop, the by-reservation-only assembly store for custom lightsabers, has
managed to maintain their materials.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is an
evolution in the themed area concept of Disneyland and its sister theme parks.
Here the setting is a dynamic and persistent location: an Outer Rim planet
inhabited by smugglers and fringe society that is being contested by the Sequel
Trilogy’s Resistance and the First Order. All cast members act their characters
to the hilt, and the merchandise stores treat themselves as in-universe
businesses selling authentic Galaxy products. The fact that souvenir components
are running out proves the popularity of Galaxy’s Edge; and their main
attraction is not open yet!
Aside from Disneyland in
California, a second Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open this coming August 29
on Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a component theme park of Walt Disney World,
Florida. Similar themed areas based on Marvel are in development overseas.
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