Disney Promises A ‘Far Greater Presence’ Of ‘Star Wars’ Rides At Its Theme Parks

While most of us are itching like meth heads for some spectacular Star Wars rumors, clips, quotes, character stills, posters, etc. from the D23 Expo in Anaheim next week, we won’t know anything until the expo gets underway next Thursday. Disney’s CEO Bob Iger did, however, let one little nugget of awesomeness loose during a conference call yesterday, when he said that Disney is planning for a “far greater presence” for Star Wars at theme parks, and we’ll finally know what new rides and attractions will be added… when the company announces them next year.

Iger and Co. didn’t want to start making any plans until the deal to bring Star Wars to the Mouse was completed, and now it looks like 2015 is going to be far more significant than just the JJ Abrams-directed Star Wars: Episode VII, which hits theaters on Dec. 18, and will still obviously be the most awesomest thing in the world.

During the call, Iger said when Disney now decides to build new attractions, “the likelihood of their success is greater” when they’re branded. “When we grow ‘Star Wars” presence, which we will do significantly, you will see better bets being made that will pay off for us than were made in the past,” adding that leveraging the collection of popular franchises and properties that the company owns for rides and experiences will deliver “better returns than we saw in the past.” (Via Variety)

Like, for example, Walt Disney World’s current sad attraction, “Take a Picture with Chewbacca and an Ewok” (above). Terrible jokes aside, Iger was also a guest on CNBC’s stock porn show Closing Bell yesterday, and he spoke very highly of the success of the “pipeline across the studio” and especially the incredible box office domination of Guardians of the Galaxy. As for the big question, though, Iger kept his businessman cool when pressed about some Episode VII news, claiming that he’s just as excited as the rest of us.

Probably because he’ll earn enough money to buy his own Death Star after the first weekend alone.

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