New droids capable of dancing, hopping in place, bowing their heads and nudging humans like pets are coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland beginning on Friday.
The droids, known as BD-X droids, will make appearances at various locations around the Black Spire Outpost at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge throughout the day. The appearances will coincide with the resort’s “Season of the Force” event which runs until June 2.
BD-X droids first appeared at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge late last year for one day and took social media by storm. The “droids in training,” as labeled by Walt Disney Imagineers, stole the hearts of guests who got the chance to see them.
The drones, along with new audio-animatronics coming to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, were shown to the media to highlight new and upcoming technology from Imagineers, according to reports.
In March, Disney announced plans to invest $30 billion into Disneyland, Disney California and other theme parks worldwide over the next decade.
The $30 billion set aside for theme parks will be used to “magical new experiences and refreshing existing infrastructure,” the financial report stated, a sentiment echoed by other Disney executives after the company’s annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday.
“As we turbocharge Disney Experiences over the next 10 years, we’re investing aggressively and thoughtfully to give you more of what you love. There has never been a more exciting time at Disney Experiences. I’m looking forward to having you on this journey with us,” Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, wrote in a blog post.
Disney previously told investors that it hopes to expand the footprints of its theme parks in the U.S. and internationally where the company said it had more than 1,000 acres of developable land.
An inside look at what Walt Disney Imagineering is working on, as well as the breakdown of future investments, comes as the company awaits the Anaheim City Council’s decision on Disneyland Forward.
The plan details how officials want to update and renovate the Anaheim theme park. The project will include new attractions, shops and restaurants within its existing 490-acre footprint.
The Anaheim City Council is expected to vote on the proposal in April.
While Disney hasn’t shared specifics of how the expansion will materialize, many Disney fans have theorized that Disneyland could get lands inspired by “Tangled,” “Frozen,” “Zootopia” and others that exist at other Disney parks.