Walt Disney once said, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” It is obvious that Disney welcomed new additions to Disneyland, but would he want his original vision to be erased from the theme park that still bears his name?

Disney intended Disneyland to be more than just another theme park: it is meant to be an escape from everyday life, an extension of childhood and a tribute to American culture. Disney purposely added historical and cultural aspects to the park in addition to attractions from his own films. For example, Tom Sawyer Island and the Mark Twain Riverboat on the Rivers of America honor one of America’s greatest authors. The Sailing Ship Columbia, which circles the Rivers of America along with the Mark Twain Riverboat, is a replica of the first American ship to circumnavigate the Earth.

These fundamentally American pieces of the park that Walt Disney himself envisioned are about to change permanently due to the addition of Star Wars Land. The Rivers of America, which was drained for construction beginning on Jan. 11, is one of many areas of the park that is closing. When the Rivers finally reopen, they will be shortened and rerouted. It is not yet certain whether the Mark Twain Riverboat or the Sailing Ship Columbia will ever sail again following the opening of Star Wars Land, as they may instead be permanently docked.

One of Disneyland’s most beloved shows, Fantasmic, will be altered by the construction of Star Wars Land as well. Because it takes place on the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, the show will not be running at all during construction and will be somewhat altered after construction is finished. Normally during Fantasmic, Disney characters sail the course of the Rivers together on the Mark Twain as Mickey Mouse fights off several villains.

The Disneyland Railroad, another element of Disneyland designed by Disney himself, is also closed temporarily and will be re-routed for the first time since 1965.

Other attractions are closing permanently. Part of Frontierland will be completely wiped out in order to make room for Star Wars Land. Big Thunder Ranch, which included a barbeque, a petting zoo and a jamboree, closed following the Jan. 10 operational day.

The Star Wars franchise is an indisputably important element of Disney nowadays, and it undoubtedly should play a prominent role in Disney theme parks. However, it could have been incorporated into the Anaheim theme park in a less consuming and more subtle manner that would have ultimately been more beneficial.

Star Wars has already left a huge mark on Tomorrowland, which contains the Star Tours 3D ride featuring an intergalactic adventure in the spirit of the popular franchise. Furthermore, Space Mountain was recently renamed to Hyperspace Mountain and now includes elements of the new film. Tomorrowland even added new Star Wars entertainment shows and constantly plays Star Wars music.

It would have made more sense to add a few new Star Wars attractions in Tomorrowland, where Star Wars has already left a lasting imprint, rather than add a completely new Star Wars Land on the opposite side of the park. This plan will consume more time, space and money for construction.

If there is no space to add more attractions to Tomorrowland, Disney should have considered adding all star wars attractions to California Adventure Park instead of Disneyland. There is more space around California Adventure, it is more modern and it does not have Walt Disney’s original touch like Disneyland does. Thus, there would be less of a danger of driving away the traditional aspects of Disneyland that has always made it seem magical.

Even adding Star Wars Land as a third theme park would make more sense than slapping it on the back of Frontierland in Disney’s original theme park. Disney could bring in more revenue by selling tickets to a third park, and this would compensate for the extra expenses of construction. Meanwhile, all parts of Disneyland would remain open and none of Walt Disney’s original ideas would be tampered with.

A third park may also help Disneyland cope with its ever growing popularity as a tourist destination. The crowds continue to get bigger and the lines longer year after year. Often times, especially during the holidays, the park reaches capacity and people must be turned away. Disneyland is simply too small to accommodate all of its visitors, especially in light of the 60th anniversary Diamond Celebration. In order to maximize their profits and satisfy all tourists, Disneyland must expand rapidly.

A third theme park would detract some of the crowds from Disneyland and California Adventure Parks, ensuring that Disneyland is able to admit all tourists. Star Wars has only become more popular with the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Disneyland could easily create another theme park containing attractions related to the entire franchise.

Adding Star Wars Land onto an already small and overcrowded Disneyland in a location near Frontierland and the Rivers of America poses more than a few dangers. It requires the closing of many areas of the park, yet Disney continues to raise admissions prices due to the high volume of crowds.

Perhaps most significant, Star Wars Land will forever change elements of the park that Walt Disney himself planned out, such as the Rivers of America. Once the changes are made, the traditional, nostalgic version of Disney’s first theme park cannot be restored. Disney executives should think twice before wiping away the influence of the man who started it all, as they may end up destroying the very things that make Disneyland special.