Disney’s Star Wars Land offered a big update on progress to the highly anticipated theme park attraction. News and footage of two AT-ATs being built has come out.
One of Star Wars’ most famous symbols of imperial doom, the AT-AT walks like a giant mechanical elephant. In every movie they appeared, either members of the Resistance or the Rebellion can be spotted weaving through their legs, trying not to get smashed by robotic feet that look like pile drivers. They can also be seen falling heavily to the ground when overcome by the good guys, just like roped up elephants, smashing trees and anything else in the way of the fall.
Disney’s Star Wars Land was first announced in 2015 at the D23 expo, coinciding with the continuation of the “Star Wars” franchise on movie screens with “The Force Awakens.” After concept pictures were released, there wasn’t much other news about the attraction until today. Star War Land is coming to both U.S. Disney parks. In California and Florida similar expansions are underway.
According to Slash Film, the new AT-ATs will be part of a ride that puts park attendees as the resistance in an adventure of escape from the First Order.
More details of what has been shown in the images is expected to be revealed at the next D23 expo in July. Star Wars Land might also get a new name like the Star Wars Experience, or something that holds a little more esteem.
Disney also released a short video showing what the AT-ATs could look like in action. The machines still don’t leave one with a warm feeling, nor do they try to make you think they are on your side. They still just want to attack you.
When construction is complete on Star Wars Land in 2019, attendees should be ready to participate in a lifelike adventure that makes them feel just like they are part of the Resistance or Rebellion.
There is already an AT-AT at Disney World in Orlando. It’s a stationary AT-AT Walker that stands near Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. These new AT-ATs should be more functional and fit into the context of an interactive adventure. A Millennium Falcon ride is also in the works that will have participants breezing through the galaxy.
Once the incredible task of building the new Disney Star Wars Land attractions are complete in 2019, legions of fans will embark on the journey to be taken into its immersive world.
