Star Wars attractions teased for Disney theme parks at 2013 D23 Expo, Imagineers hint at what’s to come

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This will be a day long remembered. After much rumor and speculation  throughout the universe regarding the addition of Star Wars Land to a Disney theme park, Imagineers tonight have officially announced – well, nothing really.  But there is a whole lot of teasing going on.

At the 2013 D23 Expo, the Disney Parks & Resorts pavilion is taking convention attendees to a recreation of Walt Disney Imagineering headquarters on the show floor, offering an impressive “open house” of ongoing and upcoming projects. During tonight’s press preview, Disney unveiled a first look at Star Wars possibilities for their theme parks under the code name “Orange Harvest” – inspired by the “Return of the Jedi” working title “Blue Harvest.”  Clearly this says Star Wars Land is coming to Florida, land of oranges as far as the eye can see.  Or not.

Star Wars attraction teaser at 2013 D23 Expo

Star Wars attraction teaser at 2013 D23 Expo

Actually, Imagineer Jason Surrell had a whole lot to say about the wooden crates that just landed from an unknown outer space origin, making a temporary stop at the D23 Expo before being opened at Walt Disney Imagineering.  Most of it was vague and tongue-in-cheek, but there is a possibility that a few hints as to what is coming may be seen once new Star Wars attractions do make it into the parks… eventually.


Video: Imagineer Jason Surrell talks Star Wars during the 2013 D23 Expo


Imagineering appears to be trolling Disney fans this weekend, seeing if they can spot any hints. “Speculation beyond imagination” is the name of the Star Wars game.

There are blueprints sticking out of one of the crates, but when I asked if I could remove them, Jason said it would make a few Jedi very unhappy. The words “Jedi” and “Scooter” appear on them along with a lot of other blurry items.

Star Wars attraction teaser at 2013 D23 Expo

Star Wars attraction teaser at 2013 D23 Expo

Among the labels on the crates are quite a few familiar names and labels including lightsabers, C-3PO, Rancor food, Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes, and Bantha milk.

See if you can pick out any clues in the high-resolution photos below of the Star Wars-themed crates that have crashed the Imagineering party at the D23 Expo:

Star Wars attraction teaser at 2013 D23 Expo

Star Wars attraction teaser at 2013 D23 Expo

Star Wars attraction teaser at 2013 D23 Expo

Star Wars attraction teaser at 2013 D23 Expo

Star Wars attraction teaser at 2013 D23 Expo

Star Wars attraction teaser at 2013 D23 Expo

Star Wars attraction teaser at 2013 D23 Expo

Star Wars attraction teaser at 2013 D23 Expo

Star Wars attraction teaser at 2013 D23 Expo

Star Wars attraction teaser at 2013 D23 Expo

Star Wars attraction teaser at 2013 D23 Expo

Star Wars attraction teaser at 2013 D23 Expo

Star Wars attraction teaser at 2013 D23 Expo

Star Wars attraction teaser at 2013 D23 Expo

When Disney first revealed there would be no Disney Parks & Resorts presentation at the 2013 D23 Expo, they also noted that no big announcements would come out of the event. And after wandering the Parks pavilion for 2 hours tonight, it seems that promise has been kept. There are plenty of clues as to what WDI might be working on – but nothing firm. They’re still figuring that much out.

Throughout the weekend, fans have a chance to tour the Disney Parks pavilion, dubbed “Journey Into Imagineering,” as part of the daily schedule at the D23 Expo, including an opportunity to talk to Imagineers about Star Wars – or at least try to. Tickets are sold out for Saturday, August 10, but still available for tomorrow and Sunday.

More Star Wars teaser photos from the 2013 D23 Expo:

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