star tours 1990

Star Tours at 35: A Timeline From 'Star Wars' Simulator Ride to Galaxy's Edge Land (Flashback)

Inside disneyland’s newest 'star wars' attraction for 2020 (exclusive), zendaya becomes ‘red carpet character’ to have fun with fashion on ‘challengers’ press tour, olivia munn details finding out she was diagnosed with breast cancer, idris elba on his ‘really special’ 5-year wedding anniversary plans (exclusive), simone biles recalls breaking down after husband jonathan owens' viral comments, jason kelce reveals how he lost his super bowl ring, mama june using weight loss injections after gaining 130 pounds following gastric surgery, devon sawa reveals who was originally cast in eminem's 'stan' & more career secrets | retrospective, olivia munn reveals she had medically induced menopause amid breast cancer diagnosis, travis kelce explains why he and taylor swift enjoyed coachella 'in the madness' of the pit with fans, emily storms out of 'married at first sight' reunion in tears after explosive fight with brennan, 'ghost adventures' returns zak bagans investigates skinwalker invasion (exclusive), how zendaya feels having tom holland's support during ‘challengers’ press tour (exclusive), halle bailey's 4-month-old son halo shocks her by saying this, paris jackson thinks kathy hilton made this pact with her dad michael, celine dion shares first look at ‘i am: celine dion’ documentary, cheryl burke gets choked up over not being part of len goodman’s 'dancing with the stars' tribute, blake lively dresses as bride in 'a simple favor 2' henry golding spills sequel secrets (exclusive), jenna jameson and wife jessi lawless call it quits before one-year anniversary, courtney love shades taylor swift, beyoncé, madonna and more stars, colin jost makes rare comments about bonding with his and scarlett johansson's son cosmo, et looks back at the history and evolution of disney's beloved 'star wars' attraction..

While the upcoming Galactic Starcruiser hotel at Disney World might be advertising an out-of-this-world vacation, Disneyland 's Star Tours has been offering tourism-themed Star Wars experiences for 35 years. The attraction was met with a passionate enthusiasm from the shaded Venn diagram of theme park fans and George Lucas devotees when it opened on Jan. 9, 1987.

Speaking with ET in December at the Make-A-Wish’s Galaxy of Wishes event at Disneyland, Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill , shared his initial reaction to the groundbreaking ride. The actor recalled putting to Lucas if he could ever have imagined one of his movies “inspiring a ride at Disneyland” and told the iconic director, “‘We’ll never top this, George.’”

True to the reputation of Disney Imagineers, the actor’s expectations were later blown away by the fantastical, immersive park regions now at Disneyland Park and Disney World’s Hollywood Studios that go far beyond motion simulator experiences. Nevertheless, Star Tours is still a hallmark attraction at Disney parks around the world, also boasting locations at Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disney.

Let’s take a look at the audacious beginnings of Star Tours and how its imaginative conception built the foundation of an enduring Disney Parks legacy.

“Lightspeed to Endor!”

A LONG, LONG TIME AGO, IN ANAHEIM…

Following a slump in Disney’s Imagineering efforts in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, renewed interest in the department picked up when Michael Eisner was installed as CEO of the House of Mouse in 1984. The executive, who remained at the helm until Bob Iger took the reins in 2005, is often credited with igniting new vigor into the legendary team of creatives.

Speaking with ET in 1985, Eisner teased the upcoming ride as one “several exciting things” in the works for Disney parks. Along with the now defunct 3-D space musical Captain EO starring the late Michael Jackson , and also produced by Lucas, Star Tours was selected to be one of the first projects to benefit from this renaissance. For Lucas, who can boast he walked through Disneyland’s gates on its second day of operation in July of 1955 , he counted both the park and Walt Disney’s animated classics as some of his earliest creative influences.

With the filmmaker lending his world of lightsabers and Wookies to the parks, Star Tours became the first attraction adapted from non-Disney IP. In promotional materials at the time, Lucas explained in an interview, “I wanted to have an involvement in Tomorrowland. I thought that was a portion of the park that had been a little less than what it could have been, so they've given me the opportunity to include my characters into that part of the park and try to come up with some new ideas.”

As Lucas and Imagineers set out to adapt Star Wars for Disneyland, the collaborators wished to expedite the traditional five-year development process. In this pursuit, they turned to advanced military flight simulator technology that had never been applied to theme park attractions before (an image from one of the original simulation sequences is on the left). The ride’s designers, including legendary Imagineers Tony Baxter and Tom Fitzgerald, recognized the potential for the system’s hydraulic lifts to create a hyper realistic Star Wars adventure.

For the location, Star Tours took over the show building for Adventure Thru Inner Space (ending its run after 18 years of operation) near the Tomorrowland entrance. With the hardware on standby, stakeholders turned to their biggest challenge: making another Star Wars movie.

The idea: guests enter Star Tours, an interstellar travel agency promising voyages to multiple deep space locales following the climatic events of Return of the Jedi . Forty “tourists” at a time board their space vessel, the Starspeeder 3000, and sit facing what looks like the craft’s front window. But with a first-time pilot at the helm, a droid named RX-24 -- nicknamed “Rex” (voiced by Paul Reubens) -- complications ensue, as they historically do in Star Wars tales.

Designers at Industrial, Light and Magic spent a year and a half working on Star Tours’ four-minute special effects extravaganza (with the added difficulty of creating a movie without noticeable editing cuts). While passengers are scheduled for a flight to the Moon of Endor, Rex's maiden voyage quickly involves unplanned near-collisions with icy comets and evasive maneuvers against Imperial fighters. Riders drop, rise and tilt -- meticulously in sync with the viewscreen images -- as their rookie pilot narrowly manages to secure everyone's safe return.

THE PREMIERE

Over 65 years after its debut, there’s not many exciting “firsts” or “records” which aren’t routinely broken year after year at Disneyland. But the exception which proves this rule lies with the opening of Star Tours in 1987. For the first, and presumably final time, the park remained open for 60 hours straight to celebrate the attraction’s highly anticipated debut.

The state-of-the-art motion simulator experience was a hit with parkgoers. ET went on the $35 million ride later that year with Facts of Life star Mackenzie Astin. “It was very bouncy. You shake around a whole lot,” he remarked after exiting Star Tours. “But I loved every minute of it.”

The ride’s inaugural guests were treated to a commonplace experience today at most theme parks, but was revolutionary at the time: an entertaining queue. As people waited in line, they wound through a spaceport where a big-screen played vacation promotional reels for Star Wars destinations (like Hoth, promoted as "the galaxy's greatest ice planet”). Plus, awaiting passengers walked by a full-size Starspeeder 3000 being repaired by none other than familiar droids C-3PO and R2-D2, who didn’t hold back their trademark bickering as guests inched closer to the boarding zone.

Star Tours made its way to Florida a few years later when it premiered at Disney/MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios). Following its well-documented popularity in Anaheim, Imagineers chose to provide this location with six Starspeeder cars, as opposed to the four at Disneyland. In addition, the ride exterior was fleshed out with an Endor forest and a 35-foot AT-AT walker looming over the entrance, much like the ones seen today while riding Rise of the Resistance.

The “Endor Express” became a staple attraction at Disney parks over the next decade, often spoken in the same breath as Matterhorn and Spaceship Earth. In the early '90s, Star Tours gained extra significance when Lucas began teasing his long-awaited prequel trilogy . As fans waited for these new films, they could at least stop by Tomorrowland for an interactive Star Wars experience to hold them over.

To celebrate its 10th anniversary in 1997, Disneyland invited Carrie Fisher to re-dedicate the attraction. In a ceremony pointedly reminiscent of the end of A New Hope , Fisher was presented with a “Disneyland Medal of Honor,” seemingly the only person to ever been given such an award.

In promotional materials at the time, Fisher referenced daughter Billie Lourd as the reason why she loved going to the park. “The easiest mothering thing I have to do is bring my kid to Disneyland, so I can't tell you how many times we've come here. This represents my best maternal zone, [because] I never grew up to the extent that I grew past the ability to enjoy a great amusement park. And this is the best,” Fisher explained.

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES

In 2011, a new version of the ride opened in Florida and California titled Star Tours: The Adventure Continues. This iteration, which is the standing version at the parks today, features different variations of opening sequences, primary destinations, holographic messages and finale set pieces. All to say, the random shuffle of scenes ensures no rider will have the same Star Tours experience twice in their lifetime.

The updated ride system features a high-definition 3-D experience (requiring guests to wear "flight goggles"), several new special effects and most crucial: a new position on the Star Wars timeline. Star Tours now existed in the prequel era, leading to several changes to retrofit the attraction from its post-Episode VI origin date (the Starspeeder 3000 was now the Starspeeder 1000, etc). But one of the most evident was Rex's demotion from captain to unproven droid placed in the ride queue in order to keep up with this new continuity (but more on Rex later).

Following the sale of Lucasfilm to The Walt Disney Company in 2012 and the ensuing sequel trilogy, the franchise's latest heroes and villains were integrated into the ride’s experience. During this era, Star Tours also became a go-to place of celebration as new Star Wars movies and TV shows rolled out. To hype the premiere of The Last Jedi , Hamill stopped by Tomorrowland (see below) and to blow the minds of some passengers who can now say they jumped to lightspeed with a Jedi legend.

Of course, its present-day version fudges the ride's temporal landscape a bit. Guests might run into any characters and locations depicted across Episodes I-XI , be it jumping into a podrace from The Phantom Menace or exploring the Death Star ruins on Kef Bir as seen in The Rise of Skywalker (and who’s to say riders might eventually see TV characters such as The Mandalorian on the Starpeeder viewscreen at some point, let's be realistic).

“STAR TOURS ON STEROIDS”

In 2015, Imagineers announced it would fulfill the ultimate dream of Star Wars fans by creating an entire land within the parks dedicated to Lucas’ space opera. This vision included two new attractions, eateries, character interactions, gift shops and even droid footprints embedded in the cement walkways. As the initial concept art proved, not since the debut of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure had there been such an ambitious execution of placemaking in theme parks.

When Galaxy’s Edge opened at Disneyland in 2019 , the impact of Star Tours could be seen in both a physical and spiritual sense throughout the 14-acre region. At the opening ceremony, this connection was given the ultimate confirmation when Lucas referred to Black Spire Outpost as “Star Tours on steroids.”

But the most tangible of these influences was the resurrection of Rex. As fans now know, Rex’s tenure as a Star Tours pilot came to an end after crash landing on Batuu, where he took up a new vocation as Oga Cantina’s DJ (taking on the aptly named title “DJ Rex”). The retired pilot spins records as guests sip libations with names like “Coruscant Cooler” and “Gold Squadron Lager.” Following Rex’s cameo in the first season for Star Wars: Rebels , a couple of his RX-series peers have also been spotted in The Book of Boba Fett .

Another sign of Star Tours’ enduring legacy is the sense of longing it inspired among theme park fans amid the coronavirus pandemic. Avid Disneyland-goers Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker have made up for plenty of lost time in the park after it reopened in April of 2021. But staying away from Harbor Boulevard stung for the drummer and his band, Blink 182. The proof is in a catchy chorus from their song, “Quarantine,” released in August of 2020.

"Quarantine, f**k this disease / I'd rather be on Star Tours or stuck at the DMV…”

But maybe the DMV can learn from Star Tours -- or get a permanent music residency -- as a spectacular line queue experience can go a long, long way.

Latest News

Updates on celebrity news, tv, fashion and more.

Star Tours: Inside the Secret History of Disney’s Classic ‘Star Wars’ Ride

The Disney Parks attraction’s origin and evolution is an adventure all its own

Earlier in January, Star Tours turned 35.

The groundbreaking attraction has been a favorite of Disney Parks visitors the world over, and it would prove an influential part of the “Star Wars” mythology, even today. In Jon Favreau’s “The Book of Boba Fett” (streaming now on Disney+) a familiar-looking droid has been dealing cards in the cantina/casino hideout The Sanctuary in the Tatooine village of Mos Espa. The droid looks like Rex, the inexperienced pilot of the original version of Star Tours. Predictably, fans went nuts.

In fact, the influence of Star Tours has been felt strongly in the current era of “Star Wars” on both the big and small screen. Rex previously appeared in an episode of animated series “Star Wars: Rebels,” and the Star Tours spaceship the Starspeeder made blink-and-you’ll-miss-it background appearances in J.J. Abrams two sequel trilogy installments, while Rian Johnson admitted a looser influence over his installment, “The Last Jedi.” The sequence where the Millennium Falcon is careening through the crystalline caverns of Crait was inspired by the original ride film’s trip through a craggy comet.

But the story of how Star Tours was developed – how it came to be, what technology was employed, and the profound implications for both the Disney Parks and George Lucas’ Lucasfilm – might be even more thrilling and complex than the actual ride, which was heavily retrofitted in 2010 now goes by the name Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.

So, without further ado, lightspeed to Endor !

the-book-of-boba-fett-temuera-morrison-ming-na-wen-image

A Long Time Ago …

Long before there was any kind of official partnership, Lucasfilm and Disney Parks were linked, thanks mostly to some fortuitous timing. George Lucas’ “Star Wars” hit theaters on May 25, 1977, intoxicating audiences with its depiction of bold heroes, dastardly villains, fussy droids and otherworldly creatures. Those that saw it went back again and again but itched for something more . Thankfully for Southern California audiences, Space Mountain, an adaptation of an attraction that opened at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom two years earlier, opened at Disneyland two days after “Star Wars.” Folks would go see “Star Wars” and then book it to Disneyland for a chance to ride Space Mountain, nestled in the far corner of Tomorrowland. The line for the attraction snaked from that distant part of Tomorrowland all the way up Main Street, U.S.A. Even if their pairing was still a decade away, Lucasfilm and Disney Parks were already strongly bound by the Force.

But if the actual Lucasfilm/Disney enterprise had a point of origin (something that we are painfully aware that George Lucas just loves ), it was when Michael Eisner, then the head of Paramount, decided to green light “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” As Brian Jay Jones recounts in his biography “George Lucas: A Life,” Lucas’ financial terms for the movie were aggressive and mirrored those of the “Star Wars” sequels. Lucas would fund the movie himself and the studio would “distribute the completed film in exchange for profits.” While many of the studios passed right away, Warner Bros., who had clumsily distributed Lucas’ first film “THX-1138,” initially wanted to make it, but they were ultimately usurped by Paramount and Eisner. “George came over to my house,” Eisner later said, “and he said, ‘Let’s make the best deal they’ve ever made in Hollywood.’”

On November 7, 1979, Paramount announced an agreement with Lucasfilm – they’d agreed to Lucas’ demands and would be making “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Eisner believed in George Lucas, even when other studios didn’t. This is baffling, after the astronomical success of “Star Wars” just two years earlier, but true. “Eisner was no dummy,” Jones says now. “Professionally, they spoke the same language. They got the cultural sensibilities.”

Eisner’s decision to help Lucas out on “Raiders of the Lost Ark” would have far reaching ramifications; for one, it would lead to Paramount releasing one of the most successful franchises (after Lucas’ own “Star Wars”) of all time. It would also ultimately assist in the rehabilitation of one of Hollywood’s most celebrated brands, which by the early 1980s had fallen into disrepair and disinterest.

Rebellion Reborn

In 1984, after greenmail attempts by corporate raiders, the Walt Disney Company got a fresh transfusion of new executive talent in the form of Michael Eisner, Frank Wells and (a few months later) Jeffrey Katzenberg. As CEO and Chairman of the Board, Eisner set his sights on strengthening the company’s bottom line and refreshing the brand, which in the nearly 20 years since Walt Disney had died, became a creaky dinosaur, badly out of step with modern audiences and accompanying cultural shifts. (The year before Eisner became CEO, the top grossing Disney movie was “Never Cry Wolf,” with a whopping $29.6 million .)

Similarly, the Disney Parks had been badly neglected despite accounting for nearly 70% of the company’s annual revenue, in part because of the wobbly, extremely over-budget opening of EPCOT Center in Florida, but more pressingly because Disney wasn’t producing anything that could be adapted into rides, shows, or attractions at the parks. While Katzenberg looked to return the studio’s feature animation unit to its former glory (it existed, in the early 1980s, as a partially mothballed group that was in constant danger of shuttering completely), Eisner looked to the parks. “You couldn’t walk through the theme parks and not recognize that they lacked contemporary development. But when Frank and I walked down Main Street for the first time, Frank turned to me and said, ‘There’s so much here. There’s so much potential,’” Eisner recounted in “The Imagineering Story” documentary on Disney+.

Imagineering had reached out to Lucas before Eisner had been installed. Marty Sklar had set up a meeting between Ron Miller, who was president and CEO of Disney before Eisner (he was also Walt’s son-in-law), and Imagineer Tony Baxter. Baxter was, and remains, a superstar of Walt Disney Imagineering, the kind of persona that Disney fanatics dress up as at Disney fan conventions. (Seriously.) At the time, Baxter wasn’t even 40 and had already contributed to the Disney portfolio in meaningful, some would argue profound, ways. He was behind the Journey into Imagination pavilion at EPCOT Center, which featured some truly next-level technological breakthroughs alongside a whimsical story about the power of creativity; and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland, a runaway train thrill ride that would become instantly beloved and replicated at Disney parks the world over. Miller was still stinging from the failure of “The Black Hole,” Disney’s bid to challenge “Star Wars,” but agreed with Baxter that “Disneyland did need an infusion of new IP for younger generations of visitors” (according to Baxter). Miller suggested that they meet with Lucas at Miller’s Silverado Ranch. In addition to Sklar and Miller, Imagineers Rick Rothschild and Gary Krisel were also at the meeting. “There was no lag time between those initial agreements at the Silverado Vineyard, the subsequent leaving of Ron Miller, and Michael and Frank’s arrival in September 1984,” Baxter said. (Another former Imagineer had told me that after that initial meeting, “those discussions went nowhere.”)

Interestingly, before Eisner was hired, Disney board members had originally turned to Lucas to run the entire company in the early 1980s. “It wasn’t what he wanted to do with his life,” said Howard Roffman, who was the chief operating officer of Lucasfilm, in The Cinema of George Lucas by Marcus Hearn. Instead, the board offered the job to Eisner, the man who had the guts and the creative ambition to back “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Now Eisner quietly reached out to Lucas about projects with the Disney Parks. Lucas had been a lifelong Disneyland fan (his family had first visited the park on July 19, 1955, two days after it had opened), making annual treks to the resort. And just as Eisner had gotten behind a lucrative deal (in Lucas’ favor) for “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” he offered Lucas an equally eye-popping arrangement for his services: for every Lucas-originated project, the filmmaker would get $1 million per attraction per park per year. Lucas happily agreed. This arrangement even applied to later attractions Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril (a fairly off-the-shelf rollercoaster with the Indiana Jones name) located in Disneyland Paris, and Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull (essentially a clone of the Disneyland attraction) at Tokyo Disney Sea.

According to Baxter, during their first week at Disney, Eisner and Wells asked several Imagineers to come in on a Saturday and pitch “everything we had in conceptual design.” For Baxter, that meant he showed off the “Star Wars” project and what would later be known as Splash Mountain. (This is the infamous meeting where Eisner brought along his son Breck. Eisner told Baxter that Breck “loved theme parks” and Michael knew little about theme parks.) Both Star Tours and Splash Mountain were “given the green light” during Baxter’s presentation but according to Baxter executives were “disturbed” by the proposed 3-year production time designated for Star Tours. Famously, Eisner willed the teen-oriented dance club Videopolis into existence at Disneyland in a mere 100 days, partially due to architect Chris Carradine salvaging structural elements from the 1984 Olympics. He wanted things in the parks and he wanted them now .

With Lucas onboard for a Disney Parks “Star Wars” attraction, Imagineering began spit-balling ideas. At a National Fantasy Fan Club meeting in July 1988 legendary Imagineer David Mumford, whose notable work includes the Land pavilion at EPCOT Center and the Mermaid Lagoon section of Tokyo DisneySea, spoke of a cutting-edge “Star Wars” rollercoaster that was originally proposed. In this attraction, guests in the ride vehicle would vote on whether they would follow Yoda and become a Jedi or instead choose the path illuminated by the Emperor, embracing the dark side of the Force. Depending on that decision, you would rocket past show scenes featuring animatronics of your favorite characters (Boba Fett, Darth Vader and Jabba the Hutt on one path or Leia, Luke and Han Solo on the other). It was a wonderful idea, utilizing interactivity and good old-fashioned Imagineering magic, but Mumford said that it would take at least five years just to design the complex mechanism that would allow the ride to work. They needed something sooner.

Enter Mark Eades. Eades was a young Imagineer who had moved over from the Walt Disney Studios to work on EPCOT Center. In the days after EPCOT Center’s opening, when Imagineering’s ranks shrank and viable new projects became scarce, Eades was tasked with researching motion simulator technology. He visited army bases and tested out rudimentary versions designed for entertainment purposes (including “one where they basically stuck a camera on a rollercoaster”). At the end of his exploratory journey, he wrote a memo outlining the potential uses of the technology in the parks (he notes that, contrary to much reporting, the technology was never looked at for a “Black Hole” attraction, but rather “The Black Hole” was thought of as a potential overlay for the aging Mission to Mars). “We either a) treat it as a Tomorrowland attraction where we talk about how the pilots of tomorrow are being trained and you get to go train with them,” Eades said of the simulator technology. “Or there could be other stories if we’re willing to not admit that it’s a simulator. One of them could be in the ‘Star Wars’ universe.” At the end of the memo, he even suggested a possible narrative, should the ‘Star Wars’ idea actually be chosen: “Take a ride on the Millennium Falcon and when we get off we can go over to the Mos Eisley cantina.” This exact idea would be recirculated, 30 years later, at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

At the urging of Imagineer Randy Bright, Baxter went to Retifusion London, a test facility, to see if the flight simulator technology could successfully be used “for entertainment purposes.” (According to Baxter, Bright had stopped at the facility following an Abbey Road recording session for some new orchestral elements for EPCOT.) “I took several leaders from Disneyland operations & maintenance along on the trip to validate the practicality,” Baxter said. Imagineers might design the attractions, but operations and maintenance keep it running. Baxter and the small group seem to have watched the same “rollercoaster” ride film that Eades had also seen. “The simulator was limited in what it could mimic, but we were impressed enough to begin the project in earnest,” Baxter said. Disney made a deal to buy one of the simulators. It was housed in a custom-designed building in the parking lot of Imagineering’s Glendale headquarters.

In Spite of ‘Captain EO’

While work progressed on Star Tours, Michael Jackson had approached the company about joining forces for a new project. Jackson loved Disneyland and Walt Disney World (later he would fashion a Disneyland-style theme park at his home, Neverland Ranch). Eisner and Katzenberg were both dazzled by big name stars and made the Jackson project a priority. At the same meeting where Splash Mountain and Star Tours were greenlit, the executives first brought up the possibility of a Jackson project (according to Baxter). “Imagineering was challenged to give Michael Jackson three concepts to choose,” Baxter said. In his memoir, Eisner describes the concept: “Our notion was to put him in an extended 3D music video.”

One pitch had the entertainer at Disneyland after dark, when various attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean would spring to life. (It was deemed too similar to his beloved “Thriller” music video.) Another version had Jackson inhabiting the role of a Peter Pan-type character who battled an ice queen, eventually melting her heart. And yet another, dubbed the “intergalactic ‘Music Man’” had him visiting a cold, distant planet and bringing music to the people, literally transforming them. Jackson liked the space idea but had a list of demands, including hiring either George Lucas or Steven Spielberg to help oversee what would ultimately become a cumbersome, costly, 17-minute 3D film (a “miracle of a movie” according to Whoopi Goldberg in the “Captain EO: Backstage” episode of “The Disney SundayMovie”). Spielberg was busy with “The Color Purple.” But Lucas had just signed on with Disney and was happy to oblige. At the very least, it would mean another $1 million per year per park.

Instead of helming the project himself, Lucas would install Francis Ford Coppola, one of his oldest friends, in the director’s chair. And Jones pointed out, not only would Lucas be spared the drudgery of daily production (“Return of the Jedi” had nearly killed him), handing Coppola the Disney project meant that he’d be “giving his mentor a much-needed job” (this after the middling response to Coppola’s costly “The Cotton Club”). Since it was technically a film, the production for what was now known as “Captain EO” (named by Coppola after Eos, the Greek goddess of dawn) was handled mostly by the film studio and therefore overseen by Katzenberg. Initially, at least, Imagineering was consulted (they’d be brought back later to design the in-theater effects and motion). “I’d talked to them about it. I’d done an estimate and said it was going to cost $17 million,” Eades said. “The studio people said it would cost $10 million. I said, ‘Make that movie.’ They spent a lot more than $10 million and they spent a lot more than I said it would cost.”

As it turns out, considerably more than what Eades had quoted. The production of “Captain EO” was long and difficult, with original actress Shelley Long dropping out of the role as the evil queen because of the extensive prosthetics (Anjelica Houston replaced her) and Coppola struggling with the complicated requirements of shooting in 3D. (Coppola would lean on Lucas for guidance when it came to the visual effects and creatures.) Behind schedule, the production went over-budget and had to cut corners. On an episode of the “I Was There Too” podcast, comedian Doug Benson talked about his time as an extra on the movie; the production was so over-budget that they couldn’t afford to pay actual dancers anymore. Benson had to stand in the background and gyrate. While most cite the $17 million budget as the final cost, Eades told TheWrap that the actual figure was more than $22.7 million – “and that was in real money in those days.” At the time, per minute, it was the most expensive movie ever produced. Imagineers, still hard at work on Star Tours, printed out custom memo templates that read Star Tours – In Spite of EO .

The Star Tours team was assembled, involving some of Imagineering’s key talents, led by Baxter, and including Eades. Bruce Gordon was the original producer on the project and had, according to Baxter, “as to what you could and could not do in programming events to physically simulate an experience.” “You cannot just write a story and then film it. It’s impossible for many kinetic options to dovetail into one another, due to the limitations of the hydraulic system,” Baxter said. “After we matched the capability of the simulator to a list of ‘Star Wars’ ‘stunts,’ their running order became a dictate of what capabilities were available after the completion of the preceding stunt. The most notable example was being caught in a tractor beam . This motionless backward tilt was the only capability that could be achieved after exhausting the hydraulics in the preceding ice cave sequence.” They had worked out the runtime of the ride: 4 minutes and 35 seconds. “This was the maximum time before an increasing nausea curve would begin ticking upwards,” Baxter said. The Imagineers also learned that they had to put in story pauses every 45 seconds or so, “to let riders regain their bearings.” He also notes that this fact was ignored when developing Body Wars, a sort of “Fantastic Voyage”-type experience that would open with the Wonders of Life Pavilion at EPCOT Center in 1989. Guests got so sick that several seconds of the ride film were removed after Body Wars opened.

For Star Tours, Imagineering had some key collaborators in the form of the wizards at Industrial Light & Magic, the groundbreaking effects house that Lucas had started for the first “Star Wars,” although getting them to grasp the concept of the project (which Eisner wanted to call Star Ride) was difficult. There was a meeting beween Imagineering and ILM, where George Lucas, ILM artists Dennis Muran and Dave Carson (who would serve as the “directors” for ILM), and Imagineering personnel like Tom Fitzgerald, Randy Bright, Marty Sklar and Eades, discussed the project. Eades remembered the scene: “Dennis starts talking to George, ‘We could cut to this angle, cut to that angle.’ And I’m a neophyte at the time. I’m not even 31 years old. I’m the new kid on the block and I’m listening to this and thinking, They’re wrong . I stopped at one point and actually said, ‘Wait a minute, wait a minute. You guys don’t understand. This isn’t a movie. This is a window like in a jet. We can’t cut.’ And I’m looking right at Dennis. ‘However long this is, it’s a continuous take.’ He sat back and looked at me and said, ‘Gee, George. He’s right.’”

The concept of the attraction, where Star Tours was one of several “commercial companies have started business to take people across the galaxy” following the events of “Return of the Jedi,” coalesced quickly and stayed mostly in place. “That way we can give people a ride going through a ‘Star Wars’ movie without giving them a ‘Star Wars’ movie,” Eades explained. Other things remained in flux. The voice of Captain RX-24 (“Rex”), originally described by Lucas as a frazzled Clone Wars veteran named “Crazy Harry,” remained elusive, until Eades (also working as the casting director for the project) saw “Flight of the Navigator.” “Flight of the Navigator” (released by Disney) featured a UFO voiced by Paul Reubens, who had yet to gain fame as Pee-Wee Herman. Eades knew that Reubens was the perfect voice and urged Tom Fitzgerald to see “Flight of the Navigator.” After watching the film, Fitzgerald agreed. Reubens was in production on the first season of what would become the fabled television series “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse.” “We got ahold of [Reubens] on set and he agreed in principle, and we sent a recording to George and he said, ‘That’s it,’” Eades said.

At one point, Baxter and Muren went to Las Vegas to watch a demo of HD digital technology. They came back “pushing for the use of HD media rather than 70mm film.” “That decision was predicated on Sony being a sole source supplier of equipment. A safer decision was made to go with 70mm film rather than Sony HD, but it would set the variability of the ride experience back for 20 years,” Baxter said.

The troubled production of “Captain EO” actually gave the Star Tours team some cover. “They were so focused on ‘Captain EO’ and we were doing this thing and working with ILM and we were kind of ignored. Which was great for the team,” Eades said. “We had a budget and we stuck to the budget. We figured out how to get the most bang for our buck.” Somewhat amazingly, Eades explained: “We actually had Star Tours done first but they wanted to open ‘Captain EO’ and open Star Tours the next year. It was great because it gave the simulators some time to get some run time on them.”

After an equally arduous post-production, which saw Disney executives shocked at the number of crotch-thrusts Jackson squeezed into the choreographed dance numbers (amongst other woes), “Captain EO,” the tale of a singing, dancing space fighter (Jackson) and his band of puppet-y confederates, opened on Sept. 12, 1986 at EPCOT Center (then in desperate need of a starry attraction) and Sept. 18, 1986 at Disneyland. It had two new songs by the King of Pop that you could only hear in the movie (one of the songs would be reworked for “Bad”). An hour-long television special dedicated to its opening and featuring a laundry list of celebrities, including such 80s staples as Judge Reinhold (“I want to know how to dance leaving that theater”) and, um, OJ Simpson (with Nicole on his arm), aired nationally. Disneyland stayed open for 60 hours and ran the 3D film continuously just to meet demand. Disneyland was not only popular again; it was also hip .

Before Star Tours officially opened, Eades was joined by a clean-shaven Lucas, Oscar-winning sound designer Gary Rydstrom (who told me that he came up with the famous Star Tours “chime”), and many of the Imagineers who had worked on the project, for a soft opening. Eades had a good feeling about it but an attraction like Star Tours was the first of its kind. Nobody knew how guests were going to react. “The first group came off and I heard this guy say, ‘Can you imagine how many miles of track Disneyland had to build under the park for this ride?’” Eades remembered. The guest thought that he was actually moving through space. Eades and the rest of the team knew they had a hit.

A few months after “Captain EO,” on Jan. 9, 1987, Star Tours would open at Disneyland. Lucas and Eisner were on hand, with Mickey and Minnie in their iconic silver space suits (with the rainbow on the chest), joined by C-3PO. Instead of a pair of oversized scissors, they used a lightsaber to cut the ceremonial ribbon. Just like “Captain EO,” they left the park open for 60 hours straight to meet demand. It was a smash out of the gate. But the success of Star Tours ultimately derailed an aspect of the attraction Eades had designed for the project: that every three years, the ride film would change. (That’s right, he said at some point you were actually supposed to get to Endor.)

In the early 1980s, Disneyland management and Imagineering had noticed an uptick in guests visiting multiple times a year, so Eades and his team had a refresh built into their proposal so that Star Tours would never get stale. “But because the damn ride was so popular, the parks said, ‘Why do you want to spend money, because you don’t need it,’” Eades said. ”And they were right.” Undoubtedly the decision to go with 70mm film also set the multiple-planets conceit back, as Baxter previously alluded to. It would be much trickier to switch out the ride film or the projection system. And he was right: it would be decades before that idea would be revisited.

Galactic Expansion

With two successful Lucas-led projects, both Disney and the filmmaker were emboldened. This was especially heartening for Eisner, who was about to open a risky new theme park in Florida dedicated to the behind-the-scenes aspects of the entertainment business.

Disney-MGM Studios, as it was then known, was designed to be many things: a working, world class film and television production facility (complete with a satellite animation studio designed with animators in mind), a theme park, and giant middle-finger to Universal Studios, which was planning to open its own multiday resort in Orlando. (Eisner, while still at Paramount, was supposedly in the meeting where Universal executives revealed the Florida project and by 1985, just a year after he assumed power at Disney, Eisner had begun work on what would eventually be Disney-MGM Studios.) The debut of Disney-MGM Studios would also serve as the opening salvo for an ambitious, 10-year effort to rejuvenate the Disney Parks brand and expand that brand worldwide. Eisner would later publicly refer to this initiative as the Disney Decade.

By the end of 1989, Star Tours would be open at Tokyo Disneyland and Disney-MGM Studios in slightly modified configurations. Instead of the Disneyland version, which took over a pre-existing attraction (Adventure Thru Innerspace) and was converted under the supervision of legendary Imagineer Tom Morris, the Disney World version was a blank slate. This new Star Tours was just around the corner from the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, also based on a Lucas property, which also opened in 1989. A more intricate façade was developed with a full-sized AT-AT walker (that at the time shot water from its moving turrets) and forested Ewok village and a show building that still maintained the “backlot” look of the rest of the park. It’s just an illusion, this new show building said, but what an illusion.

The Japanese version of Star Tours was even more ornate. As Kevin Rafferty recalls in his memoir “Magic Journeys,” he was tasked with Astrozone, a “unique-to-Tokyo Disneyland part of the Star Tours complex.” This new area was to include an “enclosed skyway bridge that connected Star Tours and a new two-level dine-in restaurant,” hosted by an adorable animatronic alien and eventually dubbed the Pan Galactic Pizza Port. In 1992, Star Tours would open, with a full-sized X-Wing, at the Euro Disney theme park (now known as Disneyland Paris). Fun needs no translation.

But the biggest change for the attraction would happen in late summer 2010, when both the Disneyland and Walt Disney World versions of Star Tours would shut down completely. Years of rumors persisted that the attraction would be shuttered and reopened, this time themed around the pod-racing sequence from 1999’s prequel film “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.” As it turned out, the plans were much more ambitious.

Instead of a single new theme, the ride would be re-conceived, with the idea that Eades, Baxter and the other Imagineers had concocted during the blue-sky phase of the attraction’s development. You wouldn’t just be going to one planet, you would be going to all of your favorite “Star Wars” planets, including Tatooine (hello pod-race!), the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk, underneath the opulent planet of Naboo, and on the snowy planet of Hoth, made famous by the opening battle sequence from “The Empire Strikes Back.” Incredibly, you don’t visit Endor, the Ewok-filled planet that you were attempting to visit in the first iteration of the ride, despite the fact that early marketing materials suggested the forest moon would be part of the new version of the attraction.

This new Star Tours, now dubbed Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, allowed guests, thanks to a cutting-edge randomization feature, to visit many planets in the course of a single trip aboard your new Starspeeder. The new version of the ride featured additional in-theater effects and C-3PO as your new in-cabin pilot, as well, and the digital projection of the ride film could be enjoyed in 3D.

In 2011, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue opened at Disneyland and Walt Disney World (it would reach Tokyo Disneyland in 2013 and Disneyland Paris in 2017). Further randomization was added when planets and characters from the new “Star Wars” sequel trilogy, including Jakku and Kef Bir, were included. And in a full circle moment, there was a sequence now devoted to Crait from “The Last Jedi,” the planet that was inspired by the original version of Star Tours.

On Friday, May 20, 2011, there was an opening celebration at Walt Disney World for the new Star Tours – The Adventures Continue. The park that was once Disney-MGM Studios was now called Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but Star Tours was just as important to the park. Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger, who had succeeded Eisner, was there to inaugurate the new version of the attraction, as was Lucas. Darth Vader was on stage too, as was the creator of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” Dave Filoni, who would go on to shepherd “The Mandalorian.”

“Star Tours is a timeless adventure,” Iger said at the event. “Guests will be immersed in the Star Wars galaxy like never before.” He touted the “over 50” combinations that this new attraction would deliver, plus the fact that the Disneyland version would be open the following month. Lucas called the new attraction “amazing.” “It turned out better than we could ever imagine,” Lucas said. Lucas also cited the original plan to switch out the original ride film every few years. “This time we figured when we did it, we would give you all the reprogramming in one event,” Lucas said. He also referred to “secret cookies,” which were further randomizations (in one version you narrowly miss Jar Jar Binks who is seen swimming underneath Naboo, in another version you hit him dead on). These weren’t turned on until the “Force Awakens” additions in 2015.

After the event in Florida, Lucas and Iger convened to have lunch at the park’s Brown Derby restaurant. According to Iger, this is where he first floated an intriguing idea to Lucas – what if Disney bought Lucasfilm? Lucas listened. A few years later, he agreed. This conversation would lead to, amongst other things, the production of the sequel trilogy and the design and construction of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, a 14-acre land that would feature the Millennium Falcon simulator attraction Eades had dreamed up all those years ago, along with Rise of the Resistance, one of the most technologically innovative and immersive attractions in the history of Walt Disney Imagineering. There’s even a “Star Wars”-y cantina, which, just as Eades had imagined it, is a few steps from the Millennium Falcon.

That cantina’s DJ might seem familiar. It’s Rex from Star Tours, once again voiced by Paul Reubens. Wonder if he ever made it to Endor.

The History Of Disneyland's Star Tours: How Star Wars Came To The Disney Parks Long Before Galaxy's Edge

A look back at how Disneyland's first Star Wars ride came to be.

For more than 10 years Star Wars has been the property of the Walt Disney Company . In that time, the studio have produced several hit films for the franchise, more than one popular TV series and even expanded the Star Wars universe through a brand new series of novels . But the biggest addition to the Star Wars universe may be in the theme parks. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland and Walt Disney World brought the galaxy far, far away to life for people in a way that movies never could, but the first Star Wars attraction, Star Tours, happened decades before any of that.

Ever since Galaxy’s Edge opened, many fans have wondered if Star Tours was not long for this world. But during the recent Star Wars Celebration it was confirmed that next year, new segments will be added to the popular attraction. Since this one isn’t going anywhere, let’s take a look at where it came from and the incredible history of Star Tours.

Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Star Wars Comes To Disneyland Thanks To Indiana Jones

The story of Star Wars at Disneyland actually begins with another franchise entirely, which wouldn’t make it to the park until years later. When Michael Eisner became the CEO of The Walt Disney Company one of his major initiatives was bringing young people into the parks. Disney was seen as a park for kids and their parents, but not so much for teenagers or young adults. The hunt was on for new attractions based on franchises that were popular with this demographic.

Eisner had previously been the President of Paramount Pictures, the studio behind the Indiana Jones movies, and so he had a relationship with George Lucas . The idea was floated of turning Indiana Jones , Star Wars and more into attractions at Disneyland, and Lucas was interested in the idea.

Walt Disney Imagineering and Lucas’ own Industrial Light and Magic came together to put together the attraction, which would use a motion simulator combined with a projection screen that would give the guests the feeling of flying through outer space. A number of technical hurdles had to be overcome, including the fact that the motion simulator wasn’t originally designed to do all the things Disney would need it to do in order to properly give guests a Star Wars experience. The projection system mounted to the front also threw off the system’s weight.

Eventually these issues were dealt with, a story and a film were put together, and Star Tours opened at Disneyland in 1987. And if you thought a new ride draws crowds now, Disneyland was open for 60 straight hours to accommodate the crowds for this one.

The Original Star Tours

The concept of the ride is that guests are tourists taking a trip to visit the forest moon of Endor. Unfortunately, the pilot for your journey, RX-24, also called R3X, is new at the job, so after taking a couple of wrong turns just getting out of the dock, he overshoots his mark and flies right by the moon. Numerous other unfortunate things take place, like flying through a comet cluster. The craft gets knocked around before flying through a large comet and barely escaping.

CINEMABLEND NEWSLETTER

Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News

After that, the speeder is captured in the tractor beam of a Star Destroyer, but is freed by a fleet of X-Wings. The Star Tours ship then travels with the X-wings where they find a Death Star, and guests get to experience a trench run like the one we saw in Star Wars: A New Hope . After successfully destroying the Death Star, R3X returns the ship back to the dock so guests can depart.

Liam Neeson, Jake Lloyd, and Ewan McGregor in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

The Star Wars Prequels And Star Tours The Adventure Continues

Roughly 10 years after the original Star Tours opened, George Lucas began working on his Star Wars prequel trilogy . Very early on, Imagineering began to consider updating Star Tours to tie it into the new trilogy, but eventually it was decided to wait until the new set of movies was complete before deciding just what story to tell or what world, or worlds, to visit.

After a decade, technology had progressed enough that some of the initial concepts that had been considered for Star Tours were able to be revisited. From the beginning, the idea that Star Tours could be updated or changed over time with new films had been on the wish list, but it had never happened.

With the advent of digital film, the massive projection system on the front of the motion simulator could be replaced with something less fragile. In addition, digital projection allowed for a system that could put together different pieces of film chosen randomly.

Opening on the same day at both Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the new Star Tours, Star Tours: The Adventure Continues, replaced RX-24 with C-3PO, who found himself in the pilot’s seat accidentally. From there, guests are treated to a story broken into four main segments, but each segment has multiple options, and what you get is chosen randomly. It's all focused around keeping a Rebel spy safe. The spy is a randomly selected person on the ride.

Guests may visit Tatooine during a pod race on one ride, and go to Hoth on another. A trip may end on Coruscant or it could go to Kashyyyk. It’s unlikely that you’ll have two rides that are exactly the same, and you'll need to go on the attraction several times in order to see everything.

The Addition Of The Star Wars Sequel Trilogy

But the real benefit to the new Star Tours system came later, after Disney had purchased Lucasfilm from George Lucas and began to make all new movies. Because with each new movie came a new addition to Star Tours.

A new addition to Star Wars was released more or less alongside each entry in the Sequel Trilogy. A flight through a crashed Star Destroyer on Jakku from The Force Awakens , a flight on the salt planet of Crait from The Last Jedi , ( a part of the movie that was actually inspired by the original Star Tours ), and a couple of different segments were added with The Rise of Skywalker .

Each of these new additions also includes cameo appearances by members of the cast of the films, so fans can see Rey, Finn and Poe as part of the ride. Each new segment was simply added to the existing ride, increasing the number of options and making the chances of getting the same ride twice even less likely.

The Adventure Will Continue For Star Tours

Since 2019, there had been no additional updates or changes to Star Tours: The Adventure Continues , and considering that both Disneyland Resort’s and Walt Disney World’s versions of Star Tours are in the same park as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, many wondered if Star Tours might eventually get replaced.

But it looks like that won’t be happening anytime soon. At Star Wars Celebration in London, Walt Disney Imagineer Scott Trowbridge revealed that not only will additional destinations be added to Star Tours in 2024 , but the locations aren’t even places we’ve ever seen before.

Considering that we’re not expecting new Star Wars movies until at least 2025, it seems like we could be getting new destinations based on Disney+ shows rather than movies. Assuming we will see these worlds before the ride adds them, or at least at the same time, we could be talking about seeing a planet from Ahsoka or The Acolyte becoming part of this iconic attraction. And we could still see some new additions that we have seen before alongside those we have not, like Mandalore.

What’s clear is that after more than 35 years, Star Tours is still going strong. If the Disneyland and Walt Disney World attraction is getting fresh investment now, there are obviously no plans to retire it anytime soon. And with Disney continuing to expand the Star Wars universe, the opportunity for new additions will always be there. This adventure will continue for many more years to come.

CinemaBlend’s resident theme park junkie and amateur Disney historian, Dirk began writing for CinemaBlend as a freelancer in 2015 before joining the site full-time in 2018. He has previously held positions as a Staff Writer and Games Editor, but has more recently transformed his true passion into his job as the head of the site's Theme Park section. He has previously done freelance work for various gaming and technology sites. Prior to starting his second career as a writer he worked for 12 years in sales for various companies within the consumer electronics industry. He has a degree in political science from the University of California, Davis. Is an armchair Imagineer, Epcot Stan, Future Club 33 Member.

Cody Rhodes, You Just Won The WWE Championship. What Are You Going To Do Next? Go To Disney World, Of Course

Rare Disneyland Concept Art Shows Off Unused 'Anything Can Happen' Land Elements I'd Have Absolutely Loved As A Kid (And As An Adult)

Big Brother's Cory Wurtenberger Shares Thoughts On Why His Relationship With America Lopez Survived When Others Typically Don't

Most Popular

2 32 Movie And TV Pranks That Did Not End Well
3 I Usually Don't Watch War Movies, But Alex Garland's Civil War Just Became One Of My Favorites Of The Year
4 The Best Horror Movies On Tubi
5 Crunchyroll’s SVP Mitchel Berger Reveals What He Thinks Is The Most Exciting Anime To Look Forward To This Season, And I Completely Agree

Here at Theme Park Tourist, we’ve spent the last few years filling up our library of Lost Legends : in-depth features that tell the full, behind-the-scenes stories of beloved-and-lost attractions to make sure these masterpiece experiences aren’t ever forgotten. With your comments, we’ve glimpsed tomorrow aboard Epcot’s Horizons , survived an onslaught from the gods aboard TOMB RAIDER: The Ride, merrily traveled to Nowhere in Particular on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride , lived through an ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter , toured along the highways of Walt's Tomorrowland on the Peoplemover , met Dreamfinder on Journey into Imagination , and so much more .

Image: Disney / Lucasfilm

But today, we’ll explore the outer reaches of the galaxy en route to the forest moon of Endor as we remember a ride so prolific, it sincerely changed the course of Disney Parks forever. STAR TOURS was more than just a cutting-edge E-Ticket thrill ride: it was a purposeful test to see if Disney Parks could become teen-friendly places where guests of all ages could “ride the movies.” While you probably already know the ending, you won’t believe the story that gets us there…

And it all starts a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. Star Tours announces the boarding of the Endor Express, non-stop Starspeeder service to the moon of Endor. All passengers please prepare for immediate boarding.

Liquid Space

Image: Disney

As is always the case with our Lost Legends entries, the real story behind Star Tours begins long before the interstellar adventure carried its first passengers. And like so many legendary Disney attractions, it’s tied closely to storied Imagineer and Disney Legend Tony Baxter. The creative force behind everything from Indiana Jones Adventure to Journey into Imagination, Baxter is revered by Disney fans for bridging the gap from Walt’s original crew of brilliant designers to the second generation who moved in in the late 1960s to prep for Walt Disney World… a generation who had experienced Disneyland as guests first , giving them a tie to the park that the original design crew just couldn’t have.

Baxter’s story closely resembles the one that many Disney Parks fans wish for: discovered by Imagineering when one of his college portfolio projects was seen by the right person, Baxter was whisked away from his part time job operating Disneyland’s Submarine Voyage, hired by Imagineering, and paired with Disney legend Claude Coats to design Florida’s version of the sub ride.

Their first issue was timing. At Disneyland, the Submarine Voyage would glide through the crystal lagoons of Tomorrowland – fittingly futuristic for audiences of the 1950s and ‘60s, for whom the technology behind submarines was as futuristic and mysterious as space travel. But as designers planned for Magic Kingdom’s 1971 opening, they recognized that submarines were no longer the stuff of “tomorrow.”

So the ride was relocated to Fantasyland and, under Baxter’s brilliant design, was recast as a cinematic underwater fantasy as told in Jules Verne’s famed adventure novel. You can dive deep into the full story of the sunken Fantasyland favorite in its own Lost Legends : 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea feature that'll tug at the heartstrings of Walt Disney World guests.

But what has a voyage through liquid space have to do with an adventure among the stars? Stay with us…

Discovering gold

When Tony Baxter returned from Magic Kingdom’s opening to California, he was handed his next task: to fix “the Frontierland problem.” While legends of the Old West, cowboys and Indians, and The Lone Ranger had been all the rage at Disneyland’s 1955 opening, by the 1970s the public and pop culture had simply lost interest in the idling, dusty past. Frontierland needed a new lease on life, and Baxter had a plan.

In fact, he crafted an entirely new narrative that would extend Frontierland’s story and excite a new generation. At the intersection of Fantasyland and Frontierland, Baxter planned for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a wild runaway mine train adventure through glimmering gold mines that would add excitement and kinetic energy to the park. But that wasn't all. Designers posed a thoughtful question: “What would those 1860s miners do with the gold they found in Big Thunder Mountain?” Would they settle down in the sleepy town of Frontierland and bask in their newfound riches? Of course not! They’d continue on westward with their fresh fortunes and establish a bustling city of wonders on the coast!

Which is why this intersection of Fantasy and Frontier would now act as a portal into an entirely new themed land on the north shore of the Rivers of America: Discovery Bay. A sort of fantasy, steampunk version of San Francisco in the late 1800s, this harbor of golden rocks, glass towers, lighthouses, zephyrs, bubbling lagoons, inventions, and submarines would be like a seaside port straight from a Jules Verne novel. And best of all, it was official. A model of Discovery Bay was on display on Main Street announcing its 1976 opening at Disneyland.

One of its headlining, anchor attractions would test the limits of the era’s technology. Captain Nemo’s Adventure would allow guests to board underwater pods right from the Nautilus and descend into wild adventures through serene reefs, lost ruins, and into the arms of a giant squid. But unlike the more traditional Submarine Voyage over in Tomorrowland, Captain Nemo’s Adventure would use a cutting edge ride system: “motion simulators” attached to motion bases, with the pods rocking, bouncing, and jostling along to a synchronized ride film to give guests the uncanny impression that they were truly piloting through the ocean.

We chronicled every last detail we know about Disney’s most incredible lost land in a full Possibilityland : Discovery Bay article that’s a must-read for Imagineering fans. But you know the ending already: Discovery Bay was canned. The primary reason was because the land’s other E-Ticket was unfortunately based on The Island at the Top of the World , Disney’s 1974 adventure film that bombed at the box office and changed Hollywood’s approach to fantasy for decades. It also seemed that the plans for Nemo’s Adventure were simply too ambitious, as Imagineers physically lacked the technology to bring this motion base attraction to life. Discovery Bay and Nemo’s Adventure were shelved.

But it’s often said that good ideas never die at Disney, and a decade later that proved to be true when a new CEO made a brilliant connection… Read on…

Just your friendly neighborhood fan of tropical hideaways, Victorian boardwalks, mid-century tomorrows, ancient temples, and cursed forests! In between dreaming of Dole Whips, I'm a museum experience developer. I'm also the researcher behind Theme Park Tourist's Legend Library – filled with stories of Lost Legends , Modern Marvels , Declassified Disasters , and more.

You're wrong about Avatar and you'll realize how Avatar is remembered worldwide when the sequel releases in December 2022. The mediocre SW sequel trilogy will be totally forgotten by then.

Never rode the ride before but we are visiting the parks in June for the first time. This ride looks really promising and this article was very interesting. It was great learning about the history of this ride!

Fun little article. Only correction is C3PO is the Pilot not R2D2. :)

Add new comment

Theme Park Tourist is one of the web’s leading sources of essential information and entertaining articles about theme parks in Orlando and beyond.

We are one of the world’s largest theme park guide sites, hosting detailed guides to more than 80 theme parks around the globe.

Find Out More About Us...

Plan Your Trip

Our theme park guides contain reviews and ratings of rides, restaurants and hotels at more than 80 theme parks worldwide.

You can even print them.

Start Planning Now...

Wookieepedia

To remove ads, create an account . Join us today!

Star Tours: A Grand Opening

Edit source
View history

Sources [ ]

Star Wars Insider 10

Notes and references [ ]

↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Star Wars Insider 10

Flashback to Star Tours construction in 1989

By Don Gworek

With the official reopening of a new Star Tours experience just days away, it may be interesting to look back at the pre-opening of Star Tours at Walt Disney World.

This is how the Star Tours show building looked on April 22, 1989. Only a painted back drop of the Endor forest was visible and things looked very vacant compared to how we know them today. In the foreground is a model of what the attraction exterior would look like.

The Disney-MGM Studios park opened on May 1, 1989. This photo was taken during a cast member preview.

The plan was for Star Tours to open on Disney-MGM’s first anniversary, in 1990.

Here’s an old Disney press video showing the attraction:

A look at the original Star Tours at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Here’s a full video ride through the final flight of the original Star Tours:

Star Tours Final Flight full ride-through at Disney D23 event, Hollywood Studios

This is the shutdown ceremony for the original attraction:

Star Tours Shutdown Ceremony at Disney's Hollywood Studios Last Tour to Endor

Stay tuned for news of the 2011 grand reopening of Star Tours.

Star Tours - The Adventures Continue

Replay Star Tours

A Starspeeder 1000 races past the Deathstar while being shot at with lasers

40" (102 cm) or Taller
Small Drops
Thrill Rides

Visit a Galaxy Far, Far Away

When your Starspeeder accidentally starts up without a pilot, tour guide C-3PO takes the controls. Suddenly, the ship is intercepted by menacing Imperial—or First Order—forces searching for a Rebel spy. To avoid capture, you’ll take off on a thrilling, unpredictable flight that rockets you to the farthest reaches of the galaxy.

Starting April 5, 2024, embark on exciting new Star Wars adventures featuring characters and locations from some of your favorite Disney+ series. Hold on tight as urgent transmissions from Ahsoka Tano, Cassian Andor, the Mandalorian and Grogu may soon be part of your next Starspeeder flight.

With these additions, you’ll have the opportunity to experience one of more than 250 storyline variations, including a visit to the planet Seatos from Ahsoka .

Star Tours Takes Flight

On January 9, 1987, George Lucas and Walt Disney Imagineering brought the Star Wars galaxy to life at Disneyland Park .

The original Star Tours attraction blasted off to Endor. In the years since, the experience has been updated with new worlds and iconic characters from Star Wars: The Force Awakens , Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker .

The attraction now features state-of-the-art technology—including a flight simulator, digital 3D video, Audio-Animatronics characters and “in-cockpit” special effects and music.

Play Disney Parks Achievement Available

Disneyland app.

Related Activities

Star wars at disneyland resort, blast off to tomorrowland, want to take your day to the next level, earn the achievement, get the pin.

Safety, Accessibility and Guest Policies

Times for star tours - the adventures continue.

Meet the Star Tours Creators Through Autographs

Meet the Star Tours Creators Through Interviews, Autographs

Table of contents, star tours: the ride that took us to a galaxy far far away, lorne peterson, george giordano, orlando ferrante, selwyn eddy iii, michael eisner, warwick davis, kenny baker, fred tatasciore, paul reubens, lynette eklund & terri hardin, imagineering star tours, directed by , writing credits (in alphabetical order) , produced by , sound department , special effects by , visual effects by , camera and electrical department , music department .

Check Out Our Latest Videos

I have incredible respect and admiration for the creative individuals behind one of Disney’s most iconic rides—Star Tours. I thought it would be fun to reach out to them to find out a little more about the Star Wars inspired ride and to request autographs from some of the people who made the joint project between Lucasfilm and Disney a reality. In doing so, I earned a renewed respect for how multi-faceted and interesting the rides’ production was. I was about five years old when I first visited Disneyland in 1992. I remember a lot about that experience, but what most sticks out in my mind about visiting the park was the original Star Tours ride. Similar to how it is today, upon first entering Star Tours’ loading area, you found yourself in a galaxy far far away. The Starspeeder 3000 was there at full scale with R2-D2 aboard and C-3PO there to greet the attendees. You would wind your way through droids and creatures until you made it to the converted flight simulators that were the ride itself. Everything about Star Tours, from the very experience of waiting in line to the ride itself took teams of talented individuals to create a first of its kind immersive experience. As it was a joint project between Lucasfilm and Disney, talent was pulled from both Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), the people who brought Star Wars to life, and Disney’s Imagineers, the craftsmen in charge of designing the Magic Kingdom.

There was a division of labor between ILM and the Imagineers. For the ride itself, ILM was in charge of creating the ride film, while the Imagineers had the difficult task of making the riders feel like they were experiencing it through the use of a meticulously coordinated flight simulator. Despite how multi-faceted the project was, all of the pieces fell together to create a ride experience that in many ways rivaled the theatrical experience of the Star Wars films that had come before it.

Star Tours Cast and Crew

David carson.

David Carson was the art director and storyboard artist for Star Tours. He also took over for longtime Star Wars veteran Dennis Muren in order to lead the ILM production of the ride film while Muren and his wife had their first child. I was able to reach out to Carson and in addition to signing a few index cards for me, he was kind enough to answer my questions.

TFTC: How did you get the job of storyboard artist on Star Tours? It seems to be the only time you’ve been credited with that role in IMDb . Carson: I was hired at ILM into the model shop on Empire Strikes Back. But shortly after being hired a large number of background plates were approved which meant that many storyboards needed to be up-dated to match. Joe Johnston found out that I had done some storyboarding before coming to ILM and he asked the model shop if he could borrow me for a while to help with the new boards. After that, I did a number of boards for Empire. I did some storyboards on Dragonslayer, though the film had a dedicated storyboard artist. And, I did a lot of storyboarding on Jedi with Joe and Nilo. The reason I’m not credited as storyboard artists is because my primary role was something else. Often the Visual Effects Art Director will also do storyboards. I got the job on Star Tours because I had been working with Dennis Muren a lot, and he was chosen as the Visual Effects Supervisor on the project. He asked me to be Visual Effects Art Director.

TFTC: The ride film had to be made to match the capabilities of the ride vehicle. How did that come into play during the storyboard phase? Carson: Very early in the project a number of us both from Disney and ILM flew to England to see the Simulators in action. We rode it a number of times and got a sense of what it was capable of, and what it was weak at. Mostly we learned that it could do acceleration very well, but needed a few seconds to set up for the move. The one thing it couldn’t do was drop quickly. It just couldn’t dump that much hydraulic fluid that fast. We kept all this in mind as we designed and storyboarded the ‘shots’

TFTC: How did your work on Return of the Jedi inform Star Tours? Carson: I had gotten pretty familiar with storyboarding the interaction between space ships, walkers, snow speeders, etc. The challenge with Star Tours is that there are no visible cuts. So I worked out that the only way you could emulate a new situation was to have the ship turn. So for instance when it was time for the first TIE Fighters to show up, I had the ship make a turn to reveal them. Once I worked that out it was pretty straight forward. The other challenge was that action needed to be coordinated between the screen, the robot driving, and R2 on the side screen. I created a storyboard format that included all three elements. I’ll attach a copy if I can find one.

TFTC: Your career spanned a transitional period when practical effects shifted to computer generated ones. What was it like acquiring new skills and transitioning from a job like model maker to digital effects artist? Carson: I became interested in computers as soon as they started showing up. I got a home computer early-on, and began to learn programming. So as the computer began to become one of our Visuals tools, I was on-board. I was one of the first people to make the transition from ILM to the new Computer Department (on Hook). I stayed there a while working on a number of films including Jurassic Park.

@talesfromthecollection Star Wars SFX artist Dave Carson. ##fanmail ##autograph ##starwars ##starwarsautographs ##sfx ##ttm ##ttmsuccess ♬ original sound – Tales From The Collection

Disney Hack Get Free Autographs From Disney Princesses, Characters (1)

Brian Cummings

Brian Cummings provided the voice for the Vid-Screen Announcer (planetary destinations). Upon entering the ride, there would be mock advertisements for tours to far off Star Wars destinations like Hoth or Tatooine. Cummings provided the voiceover work for those.

TFTC: How were you chosen for the role of Planetary Destinations Announcer? Cummings: I had worked for Disney on a number of projects and the people who headed the project liked the sound of a previous job that was just a normal announcer. They wanted that kind of straighter believable sound. Sometimes we love to do wild, fun, or strange voices, but here, believably was their choice and I’m grateful they chose me. TFTC: What was your experience like working with Disney and Lucasfilm? Cummings: Like two people who work together who have different perspectives, these giants of the magic of our most memorable media have powerful insights. To me, it’s like a gamer’s love of the game. I needed to get the vision from both and try to satisfy both. The challenge makes it exciting! It also is satisfying that they both knew when we hit the mark. Loved it! TFTC: If you’ve had the chance to experience it, what did you think of the updated ride, Star Tours—The Adventures Continue? Cummings: Things that are just good enough or dated get replaced. Great things evolve. There are also times when creative teams change, but no matter, creativity is a process and not a destination. I loved doing the original Duck Tales! It isn’t as fun that they’ve evolved for me, as an actor, but it’s remarkable and satisfying to see a great concept reaching new fans. When it goes on, the innovations make the craft better and also the experience as well. I began as a fan, then actor, now a fan again.

The late Ira keeler got his movie making start in the early 1980’s while working on Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi as a model maker at ILM. He worked on several other films leading up to Star Tours, as well as Captain EO, which was ILM and Disney’s first collaboration. In addition to making models for the ride film, Keeler also made a cameo as well.

TFTC: Were there particular models that you worked on for Star Tours or did you have a part in a little bit of everything? Keeler: I built speeder craft models, the Death Star’s surface, and the set for the hyperspace shot [as well as] the model of the control room. I am the guy at the end of the ride in the control room. Go on a computer and search for the original Star Tours Ride and you will see me at the end . TFTC: Disney Parks are known for their hidden secrets and there are plenty in the rides themselves. Were you able to include any in the work that you did? Keeler: They sent us a model spacewship from the ride we replaced. (Note: Star Tours replaced the ride Adventure Thru Inner Space.) TFTC: What were your impressions of the ride’s updated version Star Tours—The Adventures Continue? Keeler: I have not seen the new ride.

Richard Bellis

Richard Bellis is the creative force behind the scores for many of Disney’s popular theme park attractions. His music has provided the backdrop for tons of rides to include: Star Tours, Alien Encounter, and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. He’s an Emmy Award-winning composer whose work for The Walt Disney Company spans across decades and parks all around the world, including Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland.

TFTC: How did John Williams’ score influence your own? Bellis: There were two separate jobs on Star Tours. First, the ride portion which involved choosing the sections of JW scores from Star Wars, figuring out how to edit them together (musically) into a score for the ride video as well as how the ride physically affected the audience. Then re-recording that music in the edited format. Second, the pre-show music which involved the “Droid’s Room” and several travel videos on the “Status Board” not to mention the “Announce Chime” was my original music. I think everything I composed had to be influenced by JW in some form or fashion. The “Droid’s Room” was obviously influenced by the Cantina Band cue from the film. Interestingly, the “Announce Chime” was influenced by Close Encounters of the Third Kind (communication with the Mother Ship), another John Williams score. The Status Board videos were supposed to sound like advertisements for trips to Endor, Hoth, etc. The Droid’s Room was supposed to be a workshop with droids repairing droid pilots but in the end, the music was playing out of a “boom box” where a single droid was working on a repair. We also re-recorded more JW music for the exit area. TFTC: Did you have to keep the motions of the ride in mind as you were composing or was it completely based on what occurs on screen? Bellis: Ha! Well above I referred to this. The short answer is “Yes”. Both were important. A group of us were treated to a test ride at the Imagineering campus in the early stages of development which allowed us to watch the flight simulator from the outside before riding inside. Very cool. I would get a copy of the film to work with but, with Disney ride attractions, we learned that even a camera strapped to the ride vehicle, you couldn’t FEEL the ride. That’s because the camera and the vehicle moved exactly together and when one is a passenger, one moves contrary to the bumps and dips of the vehicle. TFTC: Do you have any memories or interesting moments during your time working on the ride that you would like to share? Bellis: Well, again, above you have one example of an extraordinary memory. In addition, standing on the podium in a studio filled with incredible musicians, conducting JW’s fabulous music was a rare treat. For one thing, I was not at all concerned, as I would be with my own music, if it would work or not. Proven, beautiful orchestral music and all I had to do was give a downbeat and off it went.

One of Lorne Peterson’s lesser known roles was as ILM’s supervising model maker for the Star Tours ride. By 1987 when the ride debuted, Peterson was a seasoned veteran in the model shop, having worked on all three previous Star Wars films as well as Indiana Jones and E.T. Star Tours required all new footage and models to be created. It was such an undertaking that it was said to be a more difficult project than the full length Star Wars films.

Lorne Peterson autograph on 30th anniversary card

George Giordano was on the Star Tours special effects crew for the ride’s footage. Giordano has a long history of working in special effects and now runs his own studio PCND/Fx .

During his 40 years at Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI), former vice president of engineering, design, and production Orlando Ferrante helped create magical Disney lands around the world. On Star Tours, Orlando aided in story development as part of the Imagineering project team.

Selwyn Eddy began his film career working at Lucasfilm as assistant cameraman in the miniature and optical effects unit on Return of the Jedi. For Star Tours, he was the effects cameraman and later went on to be a computer graphics artist for the special edition of Star Wars, and assistant cameraman for The Empire Strikes Back .

This photo shows Michael Eisner, center, Disney chairman, and Star Wars creator George Lucas as they prepare to use a lightsaber to cut the ribbon to open the new Star Tours attraction at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Jan. 9, 1987. Without Eisner, the ride never would have come to fruition.

For Star Tours, Warwick Davis reprised the role of the Ewok Wicket W. Warrick from Return of the Jedi.

Kenny Baker is one of the few actors from the original Star Wars trilogy to make an appearance on Star Tours. He played R2-D2 on the ride film.

Unlike Darth Vader in the original Star Wars films who was voiced by James Earl Jones, Star Tours’ Vader was voiced by Fred Tatasciore.

Paul Rubens is known for his character Pee-wee Herman. A zany character with a wildly popular kid’s show in the 80’s. His off the wall personality made him the perfect fit for the haywire pilot droid RX-24 a.k.a. Captain “Rex” in Star Tours.

Lynette Eklund and Terri Hardin both worked on Star Tours and continue to collaborate to this day. They created the Ackbar puppet used in the Tokyo Disneyland version of the ride. Lynette also did some work for Nintendo which you can check out here . Eklund is also credited with designing the “Vomit Seat” for the original Star Tours in Disneyland. It was a redesigned seat for the ride, better equipped to handle, well, vomit.

Star Tours Disney Imagineers Lynette Eklund and Terri Hardin

If you would like to learn more about the history of Star Tours, starwars.com did an incredible two part write up on the history of Star Tours which is worth a read as it provides an in-depth retelling of the ride’s history from inception to opening day. The first part covered the impetus of the ride and the second part covers how Star Tours was made.

Star Tours Credits

1 thought on “Meet the Star Tours Creators Through Interviews, Autographs”

Pingback: Meet the Star Tours Creators Through Interviews, Autographs - SKZ

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Every New Star Wars Location And Character Added To Disney's Star Tours Ride

D isney's theme parks launched new experiences for their original "Star Wars" ride this week. Star Tours: The Adventures Continue is the second iteration of the attraction that originally opened at Disneyland Park in 1987. The first version of the ride was a consistent experience that put audiences inside a motion-simulated ship piloted by a droid voiced by Paul Reubens . The ride took park-goers right into the middle of a Death Star attack and was unlike anything anyone had ever seen. An ever-popular attraction, it was updated in May of 2011 to its current iteration. Instead of a single movie ride, new technology allowed Lucasfilm and Disney Imagineers to randomize the process. Now, with the updated system, your voyages could be randomized and it was easy for new updates to be made.

As new movies in the Skywalker Saga were subsequently released, new locations were added to the ride. "The Force Awakens" brought Jakku to Star Tours, with "The Last Jedi" bringing Crait, and "The Rise of Skywalker" similarly adding Exegol and Kef Bir to the mix. However, there haven't been any new additions since the Skywalker Saga concluded in 2019 -- until now, that is.

Read more: The Best Star Wars Books Ever Written

Ahsoka And Her Crew

While Star Tours has always brought park-goers to many places, all of those destinations were previously taken directly from the nine films of the Skywalker Saga (and everything else came from the theatrically released "Star Wars" features only). With this most recent update, though, the world of "Star Wars" television and animation has finally come to life on Star Tours.

The only new location that's been added to Star Tours this time around is the planet Seatos, which was first seen in the "Ahsoka" television show. It's where Ahsoka was able to chase Morgan Elsbeth to a new galaxy with the help of the giant space whales known as the purrgil . As a passenger, it's thrilling to weave through the purrgil and get to see them up close, with Ahsoka on the screen calling out instructions to R2-D2 and C-3PO. In fact, the ride even includes a touching moment where Ahsoka tells Artoo it's nice to see him again, which got me a little choked up after 15 years of seeing them interact in the canon across various cartoons.

Seatos itself is a terrific addition and fits in completely with the aesthetic and adventure of the rest of the ride. Though it doesn't maintain the adherence to the Skywalker Saga as all of the previous additions did, let's hope this opens the door for locations from other movies like "Solo: A Star Wars Story," as well as "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story."

But the new location isn't all that's been added.

New Holograms

One of the fun additions to Star Tours that came with this latest redesign is the ability to receive holographic messages from beloved characters across the "Star Wars" franchise. Princess Leia, Yoda, and Admiral Ackbar provided the first holographic messages for the ride, while Poe Dameron, BB-8, Maz Kanata, and Lando Calrissian were added later (with the original actors generally reprising their roles). This latest update expanded the holograms further into the realm of Disney+ shows, bringing us Cassian Andor, Din Djarin and Grogu, and Ahsoka Tano herself.

The holograms come at a point in the ride that allows the rider to catch their breath and engage them in the broader story. The holographic entities offer new coordinates for the riders of Star Tours to head to in order to help the Rebellion or Resistance in the fight against evil.

Each of the new additions has a different flavor. The Cassian Andor hologram (Diego Luna) has a grave urgency to it that feels very much in line with the tone of "Rogue One" and "Andor." I couldn't help but notice a tingle up my spine with the gravitas that Luna employed to deliver his holographic message for the ride.

Ahsoka was added as well, and she offers a ray of hope, along with cameos and a more lighthearted tone. In the background of Ahsoka's hologram, you can see Huyang -- David Tenant's character from "Ahsoka" and "The Clone Wars" -- as well as everyone's favorite murder droid, Chopper. He's such a fan favorite that when he appeared on the ride, the entire ship cheered in surprise and delight.

The last hologram that got added really pushed the 3D effects to their maximum and brought Din Djarin and Grogu to the ride. It's almost hard to remember what the Mandalorian was saying because your attention is fixed on Grogu, who levitates before eating a frog. In the end, he spat the frog out at the audience and it got everyone to flinch.

There was one more element added to the ride for this iteration, and it involves the very first scene. Ordinarily, Stormtroopers and either Darth Vader or Kylo Ren will appear to stop your transport. Sometimes, in the background, you'll see the Millennium Falcon taking off to make an escape, at which point Artoo guides the Starspeeder 1000 to chase it. The new intro replaces the Falcon with Ahsoka's T6 Jedi Shuttle from the "Ahsoka" television series. Seeing it in action was quite beautiful and it added one more immersive element to the ride.

The Future Of Star Tours

With this new batch of additions to Star Tours, it feels safe to assume we'll be getting more updates as more theatrical films are released. Might that include an older Rey from the New Jedi Order film? Or perhaps more of Din and Grogu to coincide with "Star Wars" returning to theaters with "The Mandalorian & Grogu" in 2026 ? It's easy to imagine the possibilities, all of which would serve to make Star Tours a fresh experience for as long as the ride itself is around.

The only complaint I might have is that the original intent of the first batch of Star Tours rides came with the conceit that the experiences could somehow be canon and that they all took place during a specific era of "Star Wars," placing them during the dark times chronicled in the first two "Star Wars" trilogies. That started to change a bit with the inclusion of the sequel movies, to the point where now some of the combined experiences just don't make sense. For example, I got a version of the ride that featured Ahsoka across its entirety, including her escaping, offering us a mission, and then finding her way to Seatos. It's simply unclear how it all fits together. The original release also sort of implied there would be locations from "The Mandalorian," "Andor," and "Ahsoka," as opposed to just "Ahsoka" (as thrilling as it is to visit Seatos).

Overall, though, those are minor quibbles. As a kid, Star Tours was the closest I thought I'd ever feel to taking a step into the "Star Wars" universe, and now I frequent it as often as I can to visit new corners of it.

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue is currently operating at Disneyland, Disney World's Hollywood Studios, and Disneyland Paris.

Read the original article on SlashFilm

The unmissable addition to Disneyland’s Star Tours ride? Space whales

Guests onboard the simulator attraction Star Tours, with droid C-3PO in the captain's seat.

Show more sharing options
Copy Link URL Copied!

Disneyland’s Star Tours: The Adventures Continue has proved to be one of the theme park’s most versatile attractions.

Though perhaps no longer the groundbreaking technological marvel that it was when it debuted in 1987, the flight simulator ride has shifted with the franchise, withstanding cultural trends and aligning with whichever version of “Star Wars” is popular at the moment — or in need of a marketing boost.

The latest update to Star Tours brings the ride into the Disney+ era, with nods to series such as “The Mandalorian,” “Ahsoka” and “Andor.” More noteworthy, at least for Disneyland guests, is that the centerpiece of the latest upgrades is a scene that provides a slight tonal shift for the attraction, one focused, albeit briefly, on slowing down and giving so-called starspeeder riders a look at one of “Star Wars’” more majestic creatures. Star Tours will now rocket guests straight to a moment that boasts a close-up with the purrgil, essentially large, mysterious space whales that move with a galactic grace.

Princess Tiana, in a green explorers outfit, is one of Disney's most lifelike robotics.

Travel & Experiences

Want to see Disneyland’s most advanced animatronics? Visit Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

With new droids at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and some of the most lifelike characters ever created at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Disney is looking to wow guests.

April 4, 2024

For the 3-D attraction, it’s a moment that provides a breather. The motion simulator lingers for a few seconds, and our makeshift animatronic captain, the golden droid C-3PO, turns to face riders. C-3PO shifts into tour guide mode, appearing in awe of the purrgil and commenting on how serene the animals are.

“This will be different from other sequences, to have a moment,” said Tom Fitzgerald, a senior creative executive with Walt Disney Imagineering, the company’s secretive arm devoted to theme park attractions, when asked about taking a patient approach to the scene. “You don’t get many moments. It’s so compact. But it’s a moment to let people look at the beauty of this, and the 3-D gives you the scale of those creatures.”

The additions to Star Tours are arguably the centerpiece of Disneyland’s all-things- “Star Wars” promotion Season of the Force , which debuted this past weekend and runs through June 2. The “Star Wars” festival also sees new droids making their way to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge through the duration of the event, as well as the return of Space Mountain overlay Hyperspace Mountain and a new free scavenger hunt that aims to get players to pay close attention to the minute details of Galaxy’s Edge.

Fitzgerald has been with Star Tours since the ride’s beginning, and oversaw the latest Star Tours additions, which further deviate the attraction from any strict “Star Wars” timeline and instead focus it on being a sort of “greatest hits” for the brand. The purrgil scene also features Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka Tano and the character’s svelte, fast-rotating starship above the planet of Seatos. Tano’s ship inspired Imagineers to see if they could add some new tricks to the attraction, mainly in the way the simulator can move. When Tano’s vessel twists and spins, for instance, the starspeeder attempts to mimic it, endeavoring to create the feeling of a 360-barrel roll. At other times, the starspeeder glides among the purrgil.

Key to Star Tours’ longevity, and what makes it the rare motion simulator that doesn’t feel rooted in the 1980s, is its ability to create new sensations via its movements. The ride now has more than 250 storyline variations, and when adding to the attraction, Imagineers are looking for ways to heighten the contrast among its various scenes, both tonally and in its maneuvers. Though Star Tours is typically randomized — for the foreseeable future, and definitely throughout Disneyland’s spring Season of the Force promotion — all riders are guaranteed to visit the new location and receive an early-flight transmission from one of the recently added characters.

Din Djarin and Grogu from "The Mandalorian" can now be seen in 3D on Star Tours.

“How do we make each of the places we go have a different color palette?” says Fitzgerald, who then recalls different “Star Wars” planets that can be featured in the attraction’s random programming. “Mustafar is all lava. Kashyyyk is all green jungle. So they feel very different when you get the combos. And then motion-based. Could we do a barrel roll? That’s the fun of doing it, and programming it and trying it. And we needed something else. What have we not done? So with the purrgils, what if we do skiing through the tentacles? We had never done that. So those are the two big motion changes.”

The attraction is also livened up by appearances from Dawson’s Tano, Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor and a masked Din Djarin from “The Mandalorian.” While the latter is played and portrayed by Pedro Pascal on the Disney+ series, many have noted that the Djarin on “Star Tours” features a slightly different vocal cadence than Pascal, and an Imagineering spokesperson says the company is not revealing its voice actors for the attraction. Nevertheless, “The Mandalorian” moment features some comic relief — and clever 3-D usage — courtesy of Grogu, colloquially refered to as “baby Yoda,” and his penchant to use Force powers to toy with and eat frogs.

The annual awards from the Themed Entertainment Assn. provide a glimpse into where theme parks are heading.

Dine at a table that moves you from room to room? A look at the future of theme parks

Here are 5 takeaways from the Themed Entertainment Assn.’s annual gathering in Hollywood.

March 20, 2024

The three appear as transmissions that help define the suddenly urgent narrative of Star Tours. “Each one is different,” Fitzgerald says. “Mando and Grogu we played for comedy. And Andor is mysterious. You don’t see his face. You see this thing coming toward you. Is that a friend or foe? And then he pulls his hood and the music changes.” Tano, meanwhile, arrives like an old friend who knows C-3PO and fellow droid R2-D2. Riders are advised to pay close attention to the opening cinematic in a ship’s hangar, as there is a new randomized opening that features Tano in a lightsaber battle with Stormtroopers.

As for why the new additions perhaps lean a bit more heavily on “Ahsoka,” as it is that series that features the planet of Seatos and the purrgil, Fitzgerald had a simple answer: Yes, it’s the space whales.

With access to early scripts from Lucasfilm, Fitzgerald says he singled out the purrgil scenes. “Reading about that, not knowing what they looked like initially, I was going, that’s going to be really cool.” And, at least for a few seconds, relatively calming.

Will Disneyland get an Avatar land? It’s likely. Here’s what else may be in store

Anaheim, CA - March 11: Visitors walk down Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Monday, March 11, 2024. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Huge Disneyland expansion to add new rides, restaurants and hotels wins OK

April 17, 2024

Anaheim, CA - March 11: Visitors ride the Disneyland Monorail past the Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland in Anaheim Monday, March 11, 2024. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Plan accordingly: These four Disneyland attractions will be closed in coming weeks

April 10, 2024

We’ll help you find the best places to hike, bike and run, as well as the perfect silent spots for meditation and yoga.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Todd Martens joined the Los Angeles Times in 2007 and covers a mix of interactive entertainment (video games) and pop music. Previously, Martens reported on the music business for Billboard Magazine. He has contributed to numerous books, including “The Big Lebowski: An Illustrated, Annotated History of the Greatest Cult Film of All Time.” He continues to torture himself by rooting for the Chicago Cubs and, while he likes dogs, he is more of a cat person.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Camille Claudel, "Study of a Left Hand," about 1889, bronze

Entertainment & Arts

Camille Claudel’s hand, not her trauma, is at the center of a magnificent Getty Museum show

A transparent figure relaxes surrounded by sound bowls and waves of sound

L.A. has hit peak sound bath. Here are 11 to check out right now

An assemblage of props, including a bear in a top hat.

Classic film lovers: See James Dean’s apartment and more on new TCM tour at Warner Bros.

April 16, 2024

A patch of coastal tidy tips grows in the Carrizo Plain on Sunday April 14 during a drive on the paved portion of Soda Lake Road in the Carrizo Plain National Monument in San Luis Obispo County. It poured rain most of the day, and the non-paved roads were mostly impassable, except for the short road to the visitor center

This iconic wildflower spot can be dazzling. Is it worth the trek from L.A. this year?

Preplanned tours
Daytrips out of Moscow
Themed tours
Customized tours
St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

CBSSports.com
Fanatics Sportsbook
CBS Sports Home
Champions League
Motor Sports
High School
Horse Racing

Men's Brackets

Women's Brackets

Fantasy Baseball

Fantasy football, football pick'em, college pick'em, fantasy basketball, fantasy hockey, franchise games, 24/7 sports news network.

CBS Sports Golazo Network
PGA Tour on CBS
UEFA Champions League
UEFA Europa League
Italian Serie A
Watch CBS Sports Network
TV Shows & Listings

The Early Edge

A Daily SportsLine Betting Podcast

With the First Pick

NFL Draft is coming up!

Podcasts Home
The First Cut Golf
Beyond the Arc
Eye On College Basketball
NFL Pick Six
Cover 3 College Football
Fantasy Football Today
My Teams Organize / See All Teams Help Account Settings Log Out

Aaron Rodgers attends start of Jets' voluntary workouts: What it means ahead of 2024 NFL season

The star quarterback is all smiles on his official rehab tour.

The New York Jets didn't just unveil revised uniforms on Monday. They also officially welcomed Aaron Rodgers back into the fold, with the star quarterback reporting for the start of voluntary workouts in Florham Park, New Jersey.

Rodgers, 40, previously returned to the practice field from his 2023 Achilles tear at the end of last season, but he was never activated for a game after his Week 1 injury. As a veteran, he is not required to attend the voluntary piece of the Jets' current offseason program, so his presence suggests rehabilitation is, in fact, progressing toward full 2024 availability.

His appearance Monday comes just a day after the former NFL MVP was spotted working out in California, and roughly seven months after he underwent surgery for the Achilles tear. Those injuries have typically demanded anywhere from seven to 12 months of rehab before a return to the field, but Rodgers attempted to make an unprecedented comeback at the end of 2023.

The first phase of the Jets' offseason program primarily includes team meetings, strength and conditioning and physical rehab. On-field workouts are not slated to begin until May, when teams are permitted to host minicamps and organized team activities.

Rodgers said earlier this offseason he hopes to play for multiple more seasons, despite taking just four snaps in 2023. He'll at least enter his second year in New York with a new insurance plan, with former New York Giants veteran Tyrod Taylor set to open the offseason as the No. 2. Taylor would be in line to split or dominate first-team practice reps in the event Rodgers isn't ready.

Our Latest NFL Stories

NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals

Stephen Jones explains Cowboys' offseason spending

Shanna mccarriston • 1 min read.

Jason Kelce lost Super Bowl ring in Skyline chili pool

Austin nivison • 1 min read.

Report: Giants leading WR holding out for new contract

Bryan deardo • 1 min read.

How to watch 2024 NFL Draft: Time, date, TV, order

Josh edwards • 4 min read.

Top 15 first-round values of the last 10 NFL Drafts

Cody benjamin • 6 min read.

Report: Steelers have pursued acquiring Brandon Aiyuk

Bryan deardo • 2 min read, share video.

Aaron Rodgers reports to Jets' voluntary workouts

Prisco's 2024 NFL Draft Better-Than Team

Mock: G-Men take WR, Bills get one in top 10

Top 15 first-round values in last 10 years

Top 100 Big Board: 17 wideouts lead way

Fifth-year option windows closing

Report: Belichick wasn't close to landing any HC jobs

Report: Broncos targeting Day 1 QB, could trade vets

Cowboys add veteran RB to backfield, per report

2024 NFL Draft expected to set offensive record

Turn Your Curiosity Into Discovery

Latest facts.

12 Facts About German Beer Day April 23rd

14 Facts About Sherlock Holmes Day May 22nd

40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

Was this page helpful?

Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

Share this Fact:

IMAGES

Looking Back: Disney-MGM Studios in 1990
Star Tours, 1990 with no Astro Orbiter.
Discover a Star-Studded Gala Opening at the Disney-MGM Studios With
Disneyland-Star Tours. The Whole Ride. Part 1.Sept 1990.
The original look of the exterior of Star Tours at Disney's MGM Studios
33 Years of Star Tours Posters : EndorExpress

VIDEO

ИГОРЬ ТАЛЬКОВ."Таня" Гость программы Утренняя звезда.Концертный зал гост.Космос, 1991 год
Star Tours
Star Tours
Залетные звезды: какие мировые знаменитости приезжали в Россию в 90-х
Star Tours 2 / Disneyland TV Ad
Star Wars Star Tours at the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park Commercial (1990) (VHS Rip)

COMMENTS

Star Tours
Star Tours was a motion simulator attraction at several Disney theme parks, based on the successful Star Wars film series created by George Lucas.Set in the Star Wars universe, the attraction sent guests on an excursion trip to Endor, whilst being caught in an altercation between the New Republic and an Imperial Remnant.The attraction featured Captain "Rex" RX-24 along with series regulars R2 ...
Star Tours 1990
This is Star Tours in 1990 at Disneyland California in Tomorrowland!This is the whole ride!
Looking Back on the History and Impact of the Original Star Tours 35
The "Star Wars" franchise is massively popular in Japan, so making Star Tours the second major addition to Tokyo Disneyland since its opening in 1983 was a match made in heaven. The structure is relatively similar to its California counterpart in layout, with six simulators instead of four and a large hangar room at the entrance flanked by ...
Star Tours at 35: What Mark Hamill Said to George Lucas After
Star Tours now existed in the prequel era, leading to several changes to retrofit the attraction from its post-Episode VI origin date (the Starspeeder 3000 was now the Starspeeder 1000, etc).
25 Years Ago Today: Star Tours Debuts at Disneyland Park
by George Savvas, Director, Public Relations, Disneyland Resort. Though it may seem like something that happened a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, it was actually 25 years ago today at Disneyland park that the very first guests were transported to Endor on a Starspeeder. This fun photo from 1987 says it all - the creative forces at ...
Star Tours: The Making of Disney's Classic Star Wars Ride
Earlier in January, Star Tours turned 35. The groundbreaking attraction has been a favorite of Disney Parks visitors the world over, and it would prove an influential part of the "Star Wars ...
The History Of Disneyland's Star Tours: How Star Wars Came To The
The Star Tours ship then travels with the X-wings where they find a Death Star, and guests get to experience a trench run like the one we saw in Star Wars: A New Hope. After successfully ...
Star Tours: The Stellar Story Behind the Ride That Changed Disney Parks
LOST LEGENDS: Star Tours: A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away... A new CEO had a radical plan to make Disney Parks into modern thrill destinations where guests could "ride the movies!" Today, we'll take a turbulent tour through the incredible behind-the-scenes story of the ride that changed Disney Parks forever. Star Tours announces the boarding of the Endor Express.
Discover a Star-Studded Gala Opening at the Disney-MGM Studios With
Get ready a star-studded premiere at the Disney-MGM Studios with a press itinerary to the Star Tours Grand Opening Weekend from January 1990! With Disney Parks around the world closed for the foreseeable future, WDWNT is dipping into our archives of vintage parks materials for a look back into parks history!
Star Tours
Star Tours was a motion simulator attraction at several Disney theme parks, based on the successful Star Wars film series created by George Lucas. Set in the Star Wars universe, the attraction sent guests on an excursion trip to Endor, whilst being caught in an altercation between the New Republic and an Imperial Remnant. The attraction featured Captain "Rex" RX-24 along with series regulars ...
Star Tours (Original)
Here is EVERY single piece of footage shot (in order of appearance) for the classic original version of the Star Tours Ride at various Walt Disney Theme Park...
Star Tours: A Grand Opening
"Star Tours: A Grand Opening" is an article published in The Lucasfilm Fan Club Magazine 10. Written by Adam Schultz, it gives a detailed account of the grand opening of the Disney-MGM Studios version of the original Star Tours attraction held on January 13, 1990. Star Wars Insider 10
Flashback to Star Tours construction in 1989
The plan was for Star Tours to open on Disney-MGM's first anniversary, in 1990. The 1989 preview model. This photo is from the first week of July in 1989. You can see the theming is rapidly ...
33 Years of Star Tours Posters : EndorExpress
Coming out of left field is this poster from Walt Disney World, commemorating the grand opening of Star Tours at Disney-MGM Studios in 1990 despite the ride opening in December of 1989. Oh, M&M's… David Yeh. In 2009, D23 Expo guests were the first to learn about a brand new Star Tours experience coming in 2011.
Star Tours
On January 9, 1987, George Lucas and Walt Disney Imagineering brought the Star Wars galaxy to life at Disneyland Park.. The original Star Tours attraction blasted off to Endor. In the years since, the experience has been updated with new worlds and iconic characters from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Splash Mountain Opening? Captain EO? Star Tours? What do You Remember
The countdown to the 55th anniversary continues! Today we're looking back to 1986 through 1990. I spoke with my colleague and longtime publicist John McClintock, who celebrated his 23rd anniversary with the Disneyland Resort just last month, and asked him what he remembers best during these years. John recalls, "Star Tours had just opened when I arrived in Disneyland Public Relations.
Star Tours
Star Tours - The Adventures Continue is an attraction located at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris.Set in the Star Wars universe, Star Tours - The Adventures Continue takes passengers on a turbulent trip across the galaxy, as droids C-3PO and R2-D2 attempt to safely return a spy to the Rebel Alliance. ...
Meet the Star Tours Creators Through Interviews, Autographs
This photo shows Michael Eisner, center, Disney chairman, and Star Wars creator George Lucas as they prepare to use a lightsaber to cut the ribbon to open the new Star Tours attraction at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Jan. 9, 1987. Without Eisner, the ride never would have come to fruition. (AP Photo/Bob Galbraith)
Star Tours
Star Tours is a very different beast now, but this is what i... Been copying some home movies off of VHS, this tape was of our trip to the USA in November 1990.
Every New Star Wars Location And Character Added To Disney's Star Tours
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue is the second iteration of the attraction that originally opened at Disneyland Park in 1987. The first version of the ride was a consistent experience that put ...
What to know about Disneyland's updated Star Tours ride
The latest update to Star Tours brings the ride into the Disney+ era, with nods to series such as "The Mandalorian," "Ahsoka" and "Andor.". More noteworthy, at least for Disneyland ...
Elektrostal
In 1938, it was granted town status. [citation needed]Administrative and municipal status. Within the framework of administrative divisions, it is incorporated as Elektrostal City Under Oblast Jurisdiction—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, Elektrostal City Under Oblast Jurisdiction is incorporated as Elektrostal Urban Okrug.
Moscow metro tour
Moscow Metro. The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours' itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin's regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as "a people's palace". Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings ...
Aaron Rodgers attends start of Jets' voluntary workouts: What it means
The New York Jets didn't just unveil revised uniforms on Monday. They also officially welcomed Aaron Rodgers back into the fold, with the star quarterback reporting for the start of voluntary workouts in Florham Park, New Jersey.. Rodgers, 40, previously returned to the practice field from his 2023 Achilles tear at the end of last season, but he was never activated for a game after his Week 1 ...
Moscow Metro Tour
See the best examples of underground Soviet-era architecture on a 1.5-hour walking tour of Moscow's metro stations! With an expert guide at your side, visit five of Moscow's must-see stations, including iconic Mayakovskaya, and learn all about Stalin's visions for the former Soviet Union. Hear about the Metro-2, a secret line said to have been used by the government and KGB, and see ...
40 Facts About Elektrostal
40 Facts About Elektrostal. Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to ...