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It’s official: Muppet*Vision 3D is closing to make way for Walt Disney World Resort’s new Monsters, Inc. (2001) land. We could wax poetic about why the former is—and will always be—our preferred choice, but for now, we have a bigger question to ask: Why is Star Wars Launch Bay still open?
What is Star Wars Launch Bay?
Back in 2015, when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was just a twinkle in Walt Disney Imagineering’s eye, Disney announced the opening of Star Wars Launch Bay at both Disneyland and Disney World.
Credit: Theme Park Tourist, Flickr
This was never supposed to be a deeply immersive Star Wars experience. Instead, the idea was that it would provide a walkthrough experience that would a) increase capacity at both parks, b) fill the void until Galaxy’s Edge emerged, and c) promote Disney’s then-ongoing sequels trilogy.
For years, it did just that. But then we got Galaxy’s Edge and two actual Star Wars rides (Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance), the sequel trilogy went out with a whimper, and the pandemic hit, leaving Star Wars Launch Bay deeply, deeply irrelevant.
Credit: Theme Park Tourist, Flickr
Disneyland Resort shuttered its version in 2020. Shanghai Disneyland, which opened its location in 2016, closed in 2019. And Disney World… Well, Disney World’s is still, against all odds, chugging along.
Star Wars Launch Bay Defies the Odds
Located in the Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the attraction contains costumes, models, concept artwork, movie props, and replicas. Guests can also meet Chewbacca, Darth Vader, and BB-8. It’s all perfectly fine but not particularly exciting and—most notably—makes no valuable contribution to the Animation Courtyard whatsoever.
This land has been in flux for a while, with Voyage of the Little Mermaid shuttered for years (but supposedly returning in 2025). At present, it’s a shell of its former self, with Walt Disney Presents just a watered-down version of One Man’s Dream (RIP) and Disney Junior Play and Dance! nothing more than an excuse to get kids out of the heat for 10 minutes.
Credit: Disney
With that in mind, adding a Monsters, Inc. ride to the area – while not particularly cohesive in terms of theme – makes a heck of a lot more sense than Star Wars. At any rate, it would’ve made better use of what’s currently the definition of dead real estate, which is surely costing Disney more money in electricity and cast member wages than it’s actually generating in foot traffic.
The most baffling part is that guests are no longer desperate for Star Wars content. Disney’s Hollywood Studios already boasts an entire immersive land dedicated to the galaxy far, far away. Yet, somehow, Star Wars Launch Bay lives on without purpose while a fan-favorite like Muppet*Vision 3D was shown the door. Make it make sense, Disney.
Do you think Star Wars Launch Bay is past its expiry date?
Speak for yourself. Star Wars fans want Star Wars content. Moreover Launch Bay has been closed for a while at Disneyland so we can’t even enjoy it. It’s located in Tomorrowland next to Star Tours a Star Wars ride and Space Mountain which is better when it’s modified to Hyperspace Mountain. So the location does make sense over here. There are plenty of Star Wars fans who enjoy the content at Disney you don’t know what you’re talking about.
Most people do not care about Star wars anymore and Disney has ran it into the ground with continued trash. Sure there’s a few people that like the trash but most do not. Most prefer good stories and realistic looking movies and shows not a cgi fest with awful stories. Numbers don’t lie wether you try to deny it or not
First of all we’re not talking about the quality of the movies and series. I agree the Sequel trilogy was just awful. But I think Mando and Andor were amazing. Ashoka and Acolyte were problematic but don’t deserve the hate they get and I enjoy the lore; however, this discussion is about the park attractions and you’re right numbers don’t lie!
Galaxy’s Edge generates significant revenue, with estimates suggesting it contributes to a substantial increase in per-capita spending at the parks, particularly through boosted merchandise sales, food and beverage purchases, and attraction ticket sales.
The ability to customize droids and lightsabers at Galaxy’s Edge significantly boosts merchandise sales.
For a person who doesn’t care about Star Wars anymore you sure felt compelled enough to comment on a Disney article about it lol.
I doubt you even go to any of the Disney parks and if you do then don’t go to any Star Wars attractions you’d be doing us a favor we are not interested in the cynicism nor the lines.
Your opinion. Meeting star wars characters is the best experience for real fans.