Star Tours II

[FaithlessRock]

Just had this posted on a Facebook news group:

"--- STAR TOURS: As rumored, the rehab is about to start. And you know why? Because Tokyo Disney (Oriental Land Company) wanted their own version so they poured in some money. And George Lucas has been VERY involved. The new version sounds REALLY cool. Apparently, the original Star Tours was supposed to be updated every three years or so with a new film (ha!). So now, they're creating a new 3-D film (yes, everyone will have to wear 3-D glasses). The new film will be set in the time between Star Wars Films 3 and 4 (so, after Queen Amidala's death but before Luke finds Obi Wan and blows up the Death Star). But here's the cool part -- they're saying that the ride will now have hundreds of versions, so guests will never know what they're getting into....they're going to film about 25 openings, about 25 middles, and then 25 endings, so your ride will never be the same...this is one way to make sure it stays fresh for MUCH longer. I can't wait to see this."

Not sure whether to believe it or not, it's been off and on for so long!

[YETI PINTRADER]

There are things I like and dislike about this. I like that the ride is going to be worked on (even though in my opinion it is still good). Another good thing is that there will be "multiple versions". One thing I dislike is that it will be between 3 and 4. Why would anyone put it there? The good thing about Star Tours now is that it is the memorable flight against the Death Star. Everyone knows that scene. No one, unless they played The Force Unleashed, will recognize anything memorable in the 3-4 gap. Although going up against The Rouge Shadow would be awesome. 3-D would be cool, but I don't know if it would work with how the vehicles are now.

[HT_NSU]

There are things I like and dislike about this. I like that the ride is going to be worked on (even though in my opinion it is still good). Another good thing is that there will be "multiple versions". One thing I dislike is that it will be between 3 and 4. Why would anyone put it there? The good thing about Star Tours now is that it is the memorable flight against the Death Star. Everyone knows that scene. No one, unless they played The Force Unleashed, will recognize anything memorable in the 3-4 gap. Although going up against The Rouge Shadow would be awesome. 3-D would be cool, but I don't know if it would work with how the vehicles are now.

I have to agree with you as far as the placement of the ride (between 3 & 4), but the rest of that stuff sounds really cool (if it's true). I especially like the idea of multiple endings.

My biggest hope, however is that they upgrade the ride vehicles so that the ride is smoother and better synced so that there is less loss of lunch fololowing the ride.

[Randall]

Here's a possible reason for the timeline placement, in my opinion.....

Lucasfilm is creating a live action TV series (rumored to be based on Boba Fett) that will take place between 3 and 4. Perhaps the ride is involved with the new TV series.

[FaithlessRock]

I guess I'm just pleased to finally see some sort of attention being given to the ride. Being such a staple in the Disney-ride-family, and Star Wars being so HUGE, it's good that something is finally happening to keep it!

[Sledge]

Sounds almost too good to be true. Seems a little suspicious that a Facebook group would be the first to report this information. It sounds good, but I'll take it with a grain of salt.

[CaptainMichael]

Sounds almost too good to be true. Seems a little suspicious that a Facebook group would be the first to report this information. It sounds good, but I'll take it with a grain of salt.

I've seen it in other places. I think the Facebook group just put it on it's page to keep everyone updated. I have firsthand knowledge that most of what was said is very true, and I've confirmed with other folks who would know. I don't recall there being a set time period or the info about updating every 3 years, but the random ride sequences should keep this attraction fresh for years to come.

The time period doesn't really matter anyway unless the concept of the attraction changes drastically. During this time period, the Death Star scene could still exist (as we see construction beginning at the end of "Revenge of the Sith)

[Sledge]

I've heard everything other than the part about each ride being different. Have you heard that elsewhere, Michael? That part sounded very, very fishy to me.

I've heard rumors about TWO animatronics being in the ship. One of which would be Living Character and react with the guests. Not sure how that would work though. *ship jerks left and right and left and right* "Hey you in the green. You look like you are having fun. ... Hey you in the hat. Hold on tighter." The more likely rumor I've heard is of "debris" actually hitting the ship and popping of of hidden areas of the walls and ceiling to make it appear as if they have pierced the ship. Finally, there was a rumor about video screens being on the sides of the walls so as things passed in front of the ship you could look to the side and see them pass by. All would be very, very cool.

Also the part about it "about to start". That I would really take with a grain of salt. How long have we been hearing the words "soon" and "any time now" relating to Star Tours 2.0. This is one of those things that I'll have a hard time believing until Disney officially announces something.

[CaptainMichael]

I've heard everything other than the part about each ride being different. Have you heard that elsewhere, Michael? That part sounded very, very fishy to me.

I've heard rumors about TWO animatronics being in the ship. One of which would be Living Character and react with the guests. Not sure how that would work though. *ship jerks left and right and left and right* "Hey you in the green. You look like you are having fun. ... Hey you in the hat. Hold on tighter." The more likely rumor I've heard is of "debris" actually hitting the ship and popping of of hidden areas of the walls and ceiling to make it appear as if they have pierced the ship. Finally, there was a rumor about video screens being on the sides of the walls so as things passed in front of the ship you could look to the side and see them pass by. All would be very, very cool.

Also the part about it "about to start". That I would really take with a grain of salt. How long have we been hearing the words "soon" and "any time now" relating to Star Tours 2.0. This is one of those things that I'll have a hard time believing until Disney officially announces something.

That's actually the part I'm most certain about, and certainly the best news about the project. I was told that there would be multiple beginnings, transitions, middles, and ends that would be randomly chosen and grouped together each time you rode.

I believe I recall hearing about the in cabin effects as well. If anything was "about to start" at WDW, this would be it. It has been in development for a long, long, LONG time. Two years ago they were testing things with one of the Body Wars simulators. The biggest obstacle has been to actually get Disney to spend some money, and for Disney to be willing to close down an attraction in a park light on attractions. Disneyland will probably get it first, and if the rumors are true, Tokyo will get it...and then WDW (the one that needs it most). This attraction will really help DHS in my opinion.

BTW, love the site Jason.

[YETI PINTRADER]

This is a permit that I found in May.
"Disney's Hollywood Studios Star Tours – installation of fall protection over six simulator carts."

[ChickenParmSub]

I like the original concept when it was suppose to take place during the 3rd movie. Im afraid to see what there gonna do now.

[chiefbrody]

Mhmm, sounds interesting.

[phino]

here is a link i found for those that asked

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/hero...n-upgrade.html

[ahohider]

Will share info with hubby, he loves Star Wars

[jflores]

Well if this is going to happen great! Star Tours should be much more advanced than what it is now.

[Brava_Centauri]

Star Tours should be much more advanced than what it is now.

It will be come 2011!

[Scarletwebslingr]

This is what's been said on the WDWHub (website for castmembers):

“We are going to do things with Star Tours that have never been done before in theme park attractions,” Jay (Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts) said.



In an exciting scene from the new Star Tours, Guests aboard Starspeeders will join in a high-speed pod race through the desert canyons of Tatooine.

The force has been with Guests nearly 20 years as they have cruised one of the six Starspeeder 3000 flight simulators and slipped into a fantasy film-world, while experiencing the ultimate Star Wars thrill ride.

Star Tours opened in December 1989 and found its home on Soundstage 12 on the Backlot of the then Disney-MGM Studios. Designed from the viewpoint of a camera lens, the attraction has since served as a centerpiece of the park’s annual Star Wars Weekends event.



Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Executive Tom Fitzgerald joins Industrial Light & Magic Visual Effects Supervisor Bill George and Star Wars creator George Lucas to review show concepts for the new Star Tours adventure.

Based on the iconic Lucasfilm Star Wars films, the 41/2 minute show was created as the result of collaboration between the film’s writer, producer and director, George Lucas and the Walt Disney Imagineering team. The use of original Star Wars footage shot exclusively for the attraction, realistic props, special effects and interactive thrills have made Star Tours a hit among Guests.

The attraction will include new immersive and interactive elements that will take Guests to many familiar places in the Star Wars galaxy in 2011.

“This is a great example of Disney’s investment in the future and our continued focus on delivering an outstanding and immersive Guest experience,” said Rilous Carter, vice president of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Park Event Operations. “We’re thrilled about re-inventing and re-imagining an attraction that is based on Star Wars, a phenomenon that continues to evolve with a new animated series and new fans in each generation.”

[peaches magee]

That's comforting... I had the impression that maybe only DL was getting this first.

[Scarletwebslingr]

That's comforting... I had the impression that maybe only DL was getting this first.

Nah, WDW's getting the refurb too

[jflores]

If the podracing in the image is any indication of what the ride will include, I think we can have pretty high hopes.

[walldogkl]

This looks really cool! Can't wait for 2014, I mean 2011. A video was posted in the Disneyland Resort thread: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VliPqCf4Z0w

[lizsanchez05]

I knew it was going to happen sooner or later... The movies are from the 80's.. While we're in the millenium... It's time for a change.. But i think it's going to be a apart of all the fills.. In the picture they have a pods race going on.. But you know disney.. They can hgave so many ideas but they won't come to a clear concenses until the day it opens..

[BigAl_PT]

AWESOME! There have been some great announcements related to the parks from the D23 Expo.

[Disneyhead]

From what I hear, the pod racing is 45 secs. of a 4 min. ride. They are supposed to have multiple beginnings, middles, and ends that will be interchanged. So that every time that you ride it, you will experience different combinations.

[peaches magee]

From what I hear, the pod racing is 45 secs. of a 4 min. ride. They are supposed to have multiple beginnings, middles, and ends that will be interchanged. So that every time that you ride it, you will experience different combinations.

I had heard that too and really hope they decided to do it that way so it's kinda changed up and random every time you ride