The new Star Tours: The Adventure Continues in 3D attraction will open at Disney Hollywood Studios in Florida on May 20.
Meg Crofton, President of Walt Disney World Resort, made the announcement during a press gathering to celebrate the world premiere of its new animation and light show, “The Magic, the Memories and You,” which is projected onto Cinderella’s Castle. The opening of the upgraded Star Tours ride will also introduce the new Star Wars Weekends at the resort.
No word yet on when the date the attraction will open at Disneyland.
Crofton said when Star Tours first opened in the 1980s, it broke new ground based on flight simulator technology. The new ride will integrate the latest stereo 3D technology and tell a new story. The ride will feature new droids, a new Starspeeder, new destinations and a new pilot. Video of the ride featured the pod race sequence from Star Wars: Episode I.
Star Tours II takes place between the two movie trilogies, which means the action takes place before the original ride’s adventure. Walt Disney Imagineers created the Starspeeder 1000 and designed a new droid pilot named Ace, an AC Series pilot. The ride also features actress Allison Janney as the new tour droid Aly San San.
Actor Anthony Daniels stepped back into the gold suit to bring C-3PO to life once again for the new ride. Disney filmed segments with Daniels on a sound stage in Hollywood with a full-size recreation of the Starspeeder 1000. Daniels, who also played a major role in the original attraction, is back for this 3D experience.
Disney has worked with George Lucas on this new story in the Star Wars universe. Lucas and ILM are readying 3D versions of the entire Star Wars saga for theatrical release. In addition, all six Star Wars films will be available on Blu-ray for the first time this September.
— By John Gaudiosi