Source: Disney | TheForce.net | Posted By: Dan Geer
If you have ever been to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Flordia or Disneyland in Anaheim, California, chances are you have ridden Star Tours – a flight simulator ride that whisks you away to various locations within George Lucas’s Star Wars universe. If you rode it in the 1980s or 90s, you might have thought it was really cool. However, experiencing it now may prove to feel a bit outdated.
In 2005, George Lucas announced that a new version of the ride was in the works that would include new 3-D flight simulation scenarios. Fans were overjoyed at the news, and have long since awaited the arrival of the new Star Tours, which finally opens on May 20th at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and June 3rd at Disneyland. Hit the jump to watch a brand new ad for Star Tours: The Adventures Continue!
Synopsis of Star Tours: The Adventures Continue:
Rocketing into your galaxy on May 20, 2011, Star Tours is back with new destinations, new characters and new adventures—now presented in brilliant digital 3-D! Board a Starspeeder 1000 for a thrilling journey through George Lucas’ Star Wars universe. A galaxy of trouble awaits, but don’t worry, the Force will be with you, always!
Different Adventures
You never know where the Force might take you. Many different Star Tours adventures await you—including multiple storylines and locations. Riding once is not enough!
New Destinations
Glide among the trees with Wookiees on Kashyyyk, kick up some desert sand in a podrace on Tatooine, dive into the lakes of Naboo, weave through the bustling city-planet of Coruscant, blast through the blizzards of Hoth or even help attack the heavily defended Death Star!
Star Wars Characters
Fly with some of your favorite Star Wars characters! C-3PO is aboard as your new pilot. Plus, you might encounter some of your other favorite characters, including:
- R2-D2
- Darth Vader
- Stormtroopers
- Jedi Master Yoda
- Admiral Ackbar
- Princess Leia
- Chewbacca
You’ll also meet brand-new Star Wars characters, like Star Tours Pilot Ace (AC-38), Spokesbot Aly San San and the lethal new Imperial Skytroopers!
Your Flight
Star Tours uses state-of-the-art technology—including a flight-motion simulator vehicle, digital 3D video, Audio Animatronics characters and in-cockpit special effects—to transport you to a “galaxy far, far away.” There’s nothing else like it on Earth . . . or any other planet!
I was privileged to ride Star Tours in its original incarnation one last time in August of 2010 during the Last Tour to Endor, which was a part of the Star Wars: Celebration convention in Orlando, Florida. It was actually my first time ever experiencing it and, while I enjoyed the ride quite a bit (if only for nostalgia’s sake), I have to admit that it was in dire need of an update. I will be in Orlando again this year to ride the new Star Tours to see just how much of an improvement it is. Can’t wait!
