Star Tours 2.0 Confirmed

[Robin]

....as reported by slashfilm.com (http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/star-tour-20-confirmed/).

The rumors appear to be true afterall, Disney is giving Star Tours an overhaul. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull computer graphics artist Hayden Landis told CNet (http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9951772-7.html) that he has moved onto “another nostalgia-oriented project – a redo of the Star Tours ride at Disneyland.”

Last year Anthony Daniels, the actor who plays C3PO in the series, let it slip (http://www.mouseextra.com/2007/06/05/c-3po-reportedly-admits-to-change-in-star-tours-this-year/) that he recorded some voice tracks for a new version of Star Tours. And since nothing ever came of it, people assumed that Daniels may have just recorded some updated voice tracks for the animatronic character in the pre-boarding sequence of the line.

Full article: http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/star-tour-20-confirmed/

[dinkybean758]

So.... we can see new film on Star Tours?? YEAH!!!:D

[roguepony]

I wonder when they'll upgrade Disney World.

[Robin]

I would presume once they have the new film and programming for the cabin they'd load copies into both attractions.

I wonder if they first started with the voices, because it would seem to me that it wouldn't take a year to put together a short film. Might they have delayed the update so not to compete with the opening of TSMM?

[TominPok]

This may be more than a simple ride film swap. Kevin Yee has mentioned this in his Rumor Rundown (http://miceage.micechat.com/kevinyee/ky060308a.htm):

If reports are true, an IMAX screen may also be used, with the front and top of the simulator at times opening up to see the larger screen.


If significant modifications to the ride vehicles are required, it could take them a while to install.

[MissBianca]

Wow, IMAX would be cool! I get a sense of motion from that even when there isn't any. Ought to be awesomely immersive.

I'm happy this ride is getting an update, it deserves one!

[Robin]

Rumor Rundown predicts the updated attraction is opening in 2009. Unless they have taken a few of the vehicles out of service to upgrade I would presume they haven't made any changes inside the building. If the back of the attraction has a service opening large enough to handle the cabin, they could build them off site.

I just don't know if the ST building is large enough to host an IMAX screen. Looking at the size of Soarin' and the old BTTF (now Simpsons) buildings, it just seems too small.

As I side note, I hear from at least 2 CMs at the Studio that the old Hunchback theater is being turned into a convention center, so they can reclaim one of the sound stages by Pixar Place. I hate the idea of 'rental space' taking up limited park space, but I could see it as a flexible use area for special events (Grad Night, SWW). I wouldn't mind if they used it for special events the way Epcot now sets up Garden Town for the Flower and Garden Festival.

(Hmm... Body wars would be a good testing area for a new simulator ride, wouldn't it?)

[roodad]

I was also told by 2 CMs that the Hunchback theater was being converted to convention space. In fact the phrase one of them used was - "you'll probably never have anything to do with it." So much for my presence.