‘Star Wars’ land, Disneyland photos: Construction progresses on resort’s planned attraction

This photo, taken during a ride on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland, shows the cranes at work on "Star Wars" land, just north of the wildest ride in the wilderness. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

The dark side of the force is strong with this duck at Disneyland. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

These Padawan learners are getting instructions from several Jedi masters before taking part in the Jedi Training Academy in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. Perhaps the Jedi are building up their ranks in order to keep the Empire out of Disneyland when "Star Wars" land opens at the theme park. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland is closed to visitors, even those with their death certificates, while the park installs the "Nightmare Before Christmas" overlay in time for the Halloween season on the attraction. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

The top part of the masts for the Sailing Ship Columbia at Disneyland have been removed for some extensive maintenance work while the ship remains docked in Fowler's Harbor during the construction of "Star Wars" land. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

The Sailing Ship Columbia at Disneyland is getting some extensive work done to its three masts and rigging while not being used, due to the construction of "Star Wars" land. The top parts of the masts have been removed for extensive work in Disneyland's shops. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

While Tom Sawyer Island is closed, due to the construction of "Star Wars" land at Disneyland, extensive work is being done to the "Fantasmic!" stage, and if you look carefully you can see work is also being done to the treehouse on the island. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

Sometimes while walking around Disneyland, you might find a character or two that will walk around with you, as these two young ladies did when they found themselves walking with Woody from the "Toy Story" movies in Frontierland. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

Tony Sanders, a self-described Porch Potato, in that he likes to sit on the front porch on Main Street U.S.A. at Disneyland, has even created a code of conduct for himself, and others that call themselves a "Porch Potato." FYI, Sanders, has a list of fellow "Porch Potatoes" he even made the photographer (Mark Eades) a "Porch Potato," as he spent an entire day on Disneyland's Front Porch and wrote a story about it. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

One thing that some regular visitors like to do at Disneyland is sit on the front porch on Main Street U.S.A. and watch the crowd walk by. This is Tony Sanders, a regular on the front porch. He is a self-described "Porch Potato." He even created a button saying that, that he proudly wears. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

As the end of summer approaches, so do the end of blackout dates for some of the lest costly annual passes to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. This massive crowd waits to pass through the security checkpoint on the west (Downtown Disney) side of the Esplanade. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

Halloween is on its way to the Disneyland Resort, as evidenced by some of the candy offerings at Marceline's Confectionery in Downtown Disney. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

Meanwhile, over in Downtown Disney, no signs of activity on a replacement for the House of Blues restaurant are seen. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

Disneyland is still celebrating its 60th anniversary, even though it is now 61. Entertainment, such as the Paint the Night parade, and special edition of the nightly fireworks show will all end soon, with the last night of their performances slated for Monday, September 5 - Labor Day. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

A crane being used during the construction of "Star Wars" land rises up over the trees on the west side of Fantasyland at Disneyland. No signs of the Rebellion here. Move along. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

In this view from Tarzan's Treehouse in Adventureland some construction cranes being actively used in the building of "Star Wars" land can be seen. Big Thunder Mountain rises up on the right. In addition, the smokestacks for the Mark Twain Riverboat can be seen rising up out of the trees. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

A water tank sits in the channel for the Rivers of America at Disneyland, as crews continue work on "Star Wars" land. This view was taken through a crack in the construction wall surrounding Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

Through a crack in the construction fence around the Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country steps that lead down to the canoe dock can be seen. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

There a few "cracks" in the construction fence at Hungry Bear Restaurant at Disneyland where Rebel spies or park visitors can get a peek into the activities during the construction of "Star Wars" land. This view shows two vehicles traversing the area that once held, and probably will hold, the Rivers of America in Frontierland. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

The construction fence around the bottom level of Hungry Bear Restaurant at Disneyland has been expanded to keep Rebel spies from being able to look over the fence at the construction activity for "Star Wars" land. Thank goodness the Empire provided access to the restrooms on the bottom level, otherwise, they could have a rebellion on their hands in Critter Country for those waiting in the long line for nearby Splash Mountain. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

Two cranes tower over the trees in Frontierland in Disneyland just beyond Big Thunder Mountain. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

Large drainage pipes lie neatly on the ground, like Imperial Stormtroopers at the ready, as crews begin prepping the basic plumbing needs for "Star Wars" land at Disneyland. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

This area of construction for "Star Wars" land at Disneyland shows little progress other than dirt being shifted around. On the left was once a large pile of dirt. In the past few weeks, earth movers and bulldozers have been taking dirt off the large pile and putting it near some of the large concrete retaining walls that have been poured. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

In the distance, the Hollywood Tower Hotel, also known as the Tower of Terror, rises up out of the trees, at Disney California Adventure. In the foreground, crews work on the area of the Rivers of America channel at Disneyland near the Hungry Bear Restaurant. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)

Several huge retaining walls are standing tall, just like forces of the Empire, near the Rivers of America at Disneyland. Bulldozers and other large equipment works on an area in the foreground continuing the prep work for the foundations of the buildings for "Star Wars" land. Perhaps that is where the Millennium Falcon will land in less than 12 parsecs. (Mark Eades, The Orange County Register)