Star Tours 2.0

[Briar Rose's Dark Knight]

At the D23 Expo in September, Disney Parks announced their plans to close the Star Tours attraction sometime in the fall of 2010. This news was greeted with much disgust and a surprise visit from Darth Vader himself, who conveyed that the Emperor was most displeased with the plan to close Star Tours. It was then announced that Disney planned to only close Star Tours for a couple of years before reopening a new version of the attraction.

Darth Vader was once again displeased with the apparent lack of progress, prompting Disney to announce that a new 3-D version of Star Tours would be opening at Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2011.

Star Tours 2.0

Random Note: Star Tours opened originally at Disneyland in 1987. That marked the first time ever that the legendary droids R2-D2 and C-3PO were ever built and realized as robots.

[SpellWovenNight]

Psh, there's nothing wrong with the original. You could tell how old the ride was though, the 3-Dness would be fun, if they use it right. I just hope it doesn't become really, really kid cheesy.

[Briar Rose's Dark Knight]

That probably all depends on whether or not Captain Rex is replaced by your new pilot Jar Jar Binks. I think the original is fine, but it is showing its age. Freshening it up could be a great thing for Star Tours. It worked for Pirates of the Carribean and The Haunted Mansion. But it was a disaster for Journey into Imagination at Epcot.

[Briar Rose's Dark Knight]

Another update here. Disneyland in Anaheim will close down Star Tours for the refurbishment on July 26, 2010. It is expected to reopen sometime in May. Walt Disney World is closing Star Tours on September 8, 2010 and hosting a Last Tour to Endor party in association with Star Wars Celebration V in Orlando on August 15, 2010. A May reopen is also expected for Walt Disney World especially on account of the presumed return of the popular Star Wars Weekends which usually take place in May.

[23jk]

Awww, they're gonna close it down? I was hoping to go to Disney World this year and that's one of my favorite rides. Though it's cool that they're gonna remodel it.

[Briar Rose's Dark Knight]

Walt Disney World's Star Tours reopens later this month, just in time for Star Wars Weekends. Disneyland's version will reopen on June 3, 2011.

[neeti]

Please do not post links that have nothing to do with the topic, even if the rest of your post was on topic, especially links that have a name that may suggest inappropriate material for a family website.

[barkydog2000]

So, has anyone else been on the new Star Tours yet?

I loved the original, but I liked how they changed it. It has the same feeling as The Wild Arctic ride at Sea World. C-3PO is the captain of the ship and in every scenario there is a rebel spy on board and so you have to protect them. But the neat thing is how they programmed it each time you go on it, it is slightly different!

[Pride]

I love that they mix and match the different worlds you go to, so like Lexi said, it can be different every time. Star Tours was never my favorite ride, but with that little twist it makes it more enjoyable for me.

[Briar Rose's Dark Knight]

I was one of the crazies who went to Disneyland on opening day for Star Tours The Adventures Continue. And my 5 1/2 hours in line to ride it 3 times that day were 5 1/2 hours well spent. There are 54 different possible ride combinations.

I also loved the luggage scan droid in the queue. There are so many inside jokes with that droid alone between all the Disney gags, Star Wars gags, or tributes to the original Star Tours. And then throw in Kronk voicing the droid right before you get on the ride with even more Disney and/or Star Wars gags and it gets even better.