Disney launches first \'Star Wars\' theme park

It's not a galaxy far, far away, or a long time ago.

Disney launched its first Star Wars theme park on Wednesday (May 29) evening.

Harrison Ford and movie creator George Lucas were on hand: (SOUNDBITE) (English) FILMMAKER GEORGE LUCAS SAYING: "I'll first say you did a great job.

It could've gone very bad, but it didn't." Earlier in the day press were allowed in for a look at the park.

It's attached to Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and opens to the public on Friday (May 31).

The park recreates people, places and gear from the films. Center stage is a replica of Han Solo's Millennium Falcon starship.

It's now an interactive ride.

Disney has spent an estimated one billion dollars creating two of these parks.

The second one will open in Florida in August.

They're critical to the company's fortunes, with theme parks now Disney's biggest money earner.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) WALT DISNEY CEO, BOB IGER, SAYING: "Well the goal was to be ambitious, really ambitious, to be not only bold in terms of scale but to be bold in terms of detail, artistry and technology and to make sure first and foremost that we were pleasing the most ardent Star Wars fan." While the force may not be with you here... the merchandising certainly is.

All food and drink, even Coca-Cola bottles, are given a Star Wars spin.

Compared to regular Disney resorts, the park has a bit of a dark side though.

Mickey Mouse never strangles anyone, as far as we know.

Sleazy drinking dens on offer here too.

A recreation of the Star Wars cantina scene from 'A New Hope' of course.

Don't think about trying to go right now though.

The park is sold out for the first three weeks.

Little danger, it seems, that Disney's new attraction won't take off.