Disney Parks Break Ground on 'Star Wars' Land

That galaxy far, far away just got a little closer. Disney announced Thursday that construction teams in Orlando and Anaheim have officially broken ground on the Star Wars lands at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

To mark the auspicious event, the Mouse House released an interactive photo module showing the building site at Disneyland (situated adjacent to Frontierland, where Big Thunder Ranch restaurant used to be) and loaded with Star Wars-themed Easter eggs. (Check it out here.)

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Touted by Disney CEO Robert Iger as the two resorts’ “largest expansion ever” when he announced the project to thunderous ovation at last summer’s D23 Expo, the dual lands are reportedly targeting a late-2018 opening.

Once completed, the respective attractions will stretch over 14 acres and feature two rides (a Millennium Falcon simulator and an interactive battle between the First Order and the Resistance), along with themed shops and restaurants (including a cantina!), all populated by humanoids and aliens based on the films.

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Disney Imagineers promise to create a completely immersive environment. When visitors are in Star Wars Land, they shouldn’t be able to see any other part of the park.

“We are bringing Star Wars to life in a big way,” Iger said. And, by the looks of things, with a big assist from BB-8 and his pals.