Star Tours 2.0

[RllngRckBrw]

Has anyone heard anything regarding the roumors around the Star Tours change. I have heard that they are planning to change the movie. Is there any other changes and/or information floating around out there, rumor or otherwise?

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

Has anyone heard anything regarding the roumors around the Star Tours change. I have heard that they are planning to change the movie. Is there any other changes and/or information floating around out there, rumor or otherwise?

There are several unconfirmed rumors out there. Some claim that the animatronic Captain Rex will be removed. The screen is going to be upgraded to a 3D projection. Also they may add additional screens. last I heard it's not going to be ready until maybe 2011.

[RllngRckBrw]

I hope Captin Rex being removed is true. I am a Star Wars fan, but his presence takes away from the ride in my opinion.

[carps09]

I've heard that they are changing the movie to be more along the lines of Episodes 1,2,3 storylines. Trying to appeal to the younger fans, I guess.

[IndustrialSizeEd]

I've also heard that they're going to remove Captain Rex. The other rumor I've heard is that there will be a few different storylines for the ride, so you'll have to ride it more than once to see them all. For example, the first time you ride it, you may go to Tatooine, but the next time you ride it, you could go to Geonosis, or Hoth, or somewhere else.

[Jestocost]

There have been rumors for a long time, but nothing that could be confirmed. In a recent interview (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2009/05/star-tours-ride-getting-an-upgrade.html), however, Frank Oz, the voice of Yoda, let it slip that he had just finished recording dialog for the ride remake. That's the most solid evidence yet that a major revamping of the ride is coming soon. Slashfilm also had an article (http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/01/secret-star-wars-production-shooting-in-hollywood/)that purports to have inside information with more details about the planned changes and another article that claims George Lucas had publicly discussed the updating (http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/star-tour-20-confirmed/), but these have yet to be confirmed.

So, it sounds like more than a rumor at this point, but there's still no "official" word on what's going to happen or when the changes will take place. It's also possible that either the DLR ride OR the WDW ride will be revamped first and the other later.

[figmentgirl]

As interesting as this topic is, it should be moved into the rumors forum;)

[haleofafamily]

OFF TOPIC - OK, I am not a Star Wars junkie but my boys are...Anyway I was confused about the "Captain Rex" character pp have mentioned so I asked the kids and they said that that is not Captain Rex from the Clone Wars but a droid named Rex (who I was further informed has no rank).
Back on topic, the boys (and myself included) would love new story lines. How cool would that be???

[Technosavant]

I'm just hoping they make it more true to the movies. The shuttle to Endor (Ep. VI) doing the Trench Run (Ep. IV) has always bugged me. The second Death Star (the one at Endor) was destroyed by a run into the not-yet completed core, not by skimming along the surface.

Also, the idea of multiple possibilities should most certainly be done- there's no reason they can't do it, it's just a matter of loading a certain program at the beginning of the ride. It would definitely add a reason to ride it a bit more often, taking some of the stress off of the other attractions at the park.

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

OFF TOPIC - OK, I am not a Star Wars junkie but my boys are...Anyway I was confused about the "Captain Rex" character pp have mentioned so I asked the kids and they said that that is not Captain Rex from the Clone Wars but a droid named Rex (who I was further informed has no rank).
Back on topic, the boys (and myself included) would love new story lines. How cool would that be???

yes now that clone wars have come out, Star Wars fans/ Disney fans must be specific I guess since there are two captain Rex now :) Droid animatronic and Clone wars cartoon captain.

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Rumors and News board. :)

[Padrepride]

I know a guy who heard from a monorail driver who heard from a cast member who heard from a bus driver that captain rex is back and will be joined in the cockpit with C-3PO where they will be both making stupid remarks. Han Solo should definitely be the pilot in the next star tours.

[NWDan]

Then it's about time! Star Tours is one of their best rides ever! Of course the only downside was that it was always the same, especially when it didn't have to be. Shoot another movie, reprogram the motion of the cabin and there you go! No brainer. Why so long to figure this out?

Two weeks until All Star Movies... Woohoo!

[DizCaptain]

Why appeal to the clone wars show? Star wars was made upon its success as books, then movies, then this silly show.

Off Topic: (My inner nerd is upset) I have watched the show and it really just ruins it for me since they change everything and added in new characters, especially incorporating the basically fan made sith. I recall that in one of the movies and books it was mentioned that there are only ever two Sith at a time, a master and an apprentice. So the emperor and maul was episode one. The emperor and dooku was episode two, the clone wars. Asajj Ventress isn't meant to be...Plus the show is what most kids know, a good amount are growing up with this show, not the original Star Wars trilogy. Please excuse this rant :goodvibes

The ride should be changed, but in my opinion to a story line for all audiences that is based not in just the clone wars era but the bride between the movies.

[MJMcBride]

The best and most recent rumor I heard was that the there was going to be many many new films that mix and match and make your experience different each time

Here's an article on that

http://www.mouseextra.com/2009/06/23/report-star-tours-20-to-feature-multiple-storylines/#comments

[rcortese711]

Why appeal to the clone wars show? Star wars was made upon its success as books, then movies, then this silly show.

Off Topic: (My inner nerd is upset) I have watched the show and it really just ruins it for me since they change everything and added in new characters, especially incorporating the basically fan made sith. I recall that in one of the movies and books it was mentioned that there are only ever two Sith at a time, a master and an apprentice. So the emperor and maul was episode one. The emperor and dooku was episode two, the clone wars. Asajj Ventress isn't meant to be...Plus the show is what most kids know, a good amount are growing up with this show, not the original Star Wars trilogy. Please excuse this rant :goodvibes

The ride should be changed, but in my opinion to a story line for all audiences that is based not in just the clone wars era but the bride between the movies.


You are my hero. :worship: I couldn't have put it better myself. :thumbsup2

[Saxsoon]

Also the voice of C3PO also announced that he had finished up voicework up to a year ago.

My manager at the All Stars had some close connections to an Imagineer and heard similar details. She also talked quite a bit about the new Monsters Inc. Coaster.

[hygienejean]

This sounds great! my DS will be in total heaven!

[iteachlit]

Why appeal to the clone wars show? Star wars was made upon its success as books, then movies, then this silly show.

First off, a slight factual error in your argument. Star Wars was not a book before it was a movie. Any books were based off of the movie franchise. Lucas wrote the story himself; it was written in script form. The first film, Episode 4 or A New Hope, was adapted into a novel to cash in on the craze. The same can be said of the other films.

A series of novels then popped up. While they are authorized by Lucasfilm, they are not canon. In other words, these novels do not represent the official story line.

As for The Clone Wars, I agree that it kind of stinks, but the young generation really enjoys the show. My DS8 really loves it. He collects the Lego sets based on the series and he knows all of the characters. Lucas has stated that The Clone Wars is canonical.

I teach high school. Each year, I proudly display my Darth Tater figure. While the students know who Darth Vader is, they do not know many of the other characters. I ask each year: "How many of you have seen Star Wars?" In a class of thirty, only about three will raise their hands. That's it. Sad, but true.

I think it would be a mistake to change to a Clone Wars theme, but as a younger generation of Star Wars fans starts to visit WDW, it may find Clone Wars stories more familiar that the raid on the Death Star. I'm guessing that Disney knows this trend. We may very well see one of the random versions follow a plot from The Clone Wars.

[mitros]

I hope Captin Rex being removed is true. I am a Star Wars fan, but his presence takes away from the ride in my opinion.

Yea, Pee Wee Herman never seemed right for that role............;)

[rcortese711]

First off, a slight factual error in your argument. Star Wars was not a book before it was a movie. Any books were based off of the movie franchise. Lucas wrote the story himself; it was written in script form. The first film, Episode 4 or A New Hope, was adapted into a novel to cash in on the craze. The same can be said of the other films.

A series of novels then popped up. While they are authorized by Lucasfilm, they are not canon. In other words, these novels do not represent the official story line.

As for The Clone Wars, I agree that it kind of stinks, but the young generation really enjoys the show. My DS8 really loves it. He collects the Lego sets based on the series and he knows all of the characters. Lucas has stated that The Clone Wars is canonical.

I teach high school. Each year, I proudly display my Darth Tater figure. While the students know who Darth Vader is, they do not know many of the other characters. I ask each year: "How many of you have seen Star Wars?" In a class of thirty, only about three will raise their hands. That's it. Sad, but true.

I think it would be a mistake to change to a Clone Wars theme, but as a younger generation of Star Wars fans starts to visit WDW, it may find Clone Wars stories more familiar that the raid on the Death Star. I'm guessing that Disney knows this trend. We may very well see one of the random versions follow a plot from The Clone Wars.

Interesting take on it. I have only viewed the Clone Wars a couple times, and each time I shudder. As much as I think they want to appeal to the younger generation, I can only beg and hope they won't incorporate Clone Wars into the ride. The Clone Wars, IMHO, is almost as bad as the Star Wars: Holiday Special :sad2:. I said almost...... almost.....

[yitbos96bb]

I've heard that they are changing the movie to be more along the lines of Episodes 1,2,3 storylines. Trying to appeal to the younger fans, I guess.

The other rumor I heard was that there will be 8-10 different sequences for the Beginning middle and end films and they will randomly choose one from each grouping... so will create a LOT of different rides. if this is true, it would be AWESOME and really smart.

[yitbos96bb]

First off, a slight factual error in your argument. Star Wars was not a book before it was a movie. Any books were based off of the movie franchise. Lucas wrote the story himself; it was written in script form. The first film, Episode 4 or A New Hope, was adapted into a novel to cash in on the craze. The same can be said of the other films.

A series of novels then popped up. While they are authorized by Lucasfilm, they are not canon. In other words, these novels do not represent the official story line.

As for The Clone Wars, I agree that it kind of stinks, but the young generation really enjoys the show. My DS8 really loves it. He collects the Lego sets based on the series and he knows all of the characters. Lucas has stated that The Clone Wars is canonical.

I teach high school. Each year, I proudly display my Darth Tater figure. While the students know who Darth Vader is, they do not know many of the other characters. I ask each year: "How many of you have seen Star Wars?" In a class of thirty, only about three will raise their hands. That's it. Sad, but true.

I think it would be a mistake to change to a Clone Wars theme, but as a younger generation of Star Wars fans starts to visit WDW, it may find Clone Wars stories more familiar that the raid on the Death Star. I'm guessing that Disney knows this trend. We may very well see one of the random versions follow a plot from The Clone Wars.

Actually, you are mistaken. The novels are not part of G Canon, but they are part of C-Canon. That's the thing with Star Wars, there are 5 different categories of Canon each in order of importance... so if there is a contradiction, the higher level canon wins. This does NOT mean the books, etc. are not non-canonical... The layers are...G-Canon which is George Lucas Canon, Then T-Canon which is television canon and covers the Clone Wars Series and the Future Live Action series, C-Canon which is all current works under the Star Wars name, S canon which can be used or ignored... this is mostly older stuff and N-Canon which is non-canonical What-If types. But the books and other stuff ARE CANONICAL... they just rank below the Film and TV canons.

[jheigl]

I wonder why Disney is always changing everything for the younger generations. Granted, most families take their kids when they are young, but the adults pay for admission and such and most adults love WDW as much, or more, than the kids. You would think Disney would want to appeal to adults as much as kids!!!

[mitros]

I wonder why Disney is always changing everything for the younger generations. Granted, most families take their kids when they are young, but the adults pay for admission and such and most adults love WDW as much, or more, than the kids. You would think Disney would want to appeal to adults as much as kids!!!

Good point. Walt wanted the FAMILY to enjoy his park. I'm sure everyone remembers Walt saying that he wanted a place where both children and adults have a good time together.

[jheigl]

Good point. Walt wanted the FAMILY to enjoy his park. I'm sure everyone remembers Walt saying that he wanted a place where both children and adults have a good time together.

Right on :thumbsup2 . Also, if they make everything too kid oriented and themed, adults won't have a great time (or as great of a time)! For some of us who were there as kids, having some of the older stuff there reminds us of our childhood and that's a pretty good thing (at least for me)!

[WDWBlaze]

I wonder why Disney is always changing everything for the younger generations. Granted, most families take their kids when they are young, but the adults pay for admission and such and most adults love WDW as much, or more, than the kids. You would think Disney would want to appeal to adults as much as kids!!!

They do this because one day those kids will be the adults buying the tickets. Adult that will come back based on their childhood memories. Only to find out that Disney has updated to fit that generation's children that will one day become adults that buy tickets.

It is an "evil" cycle.

[Experiment_626]

A couple of further misconceptions to clear up here.

First, the novelization of Episode IV was released prior to the film. This was done to garner a little respect among sci-fi fans and to drum up interest in the film. The novel was based on a not-quite-final shooting script -- in the book, for example, the fighter group that includes Luke for the final battle is coded blue instead of red, so Luke's callsign is "Blue Five." The original plan was for the X-wings to have blue trim in the film, but that didn't work with the bluescreen shooting used for filming visual effects, so it got changed (even in the finished film, in some shots R2-D2 has black trim instead of blue to avoid this conflict).

I seriously doubt that the look of Star Tours will be altered to match Clone Wars. It would be too much of a stylistic clash with the queue and the rest of the attraction's look, which emulates the live action films. But some of you are selling Clone Wars short. It isn't as "kiddie"-oriented as some of you seem to think. Some episodes have a lighter touch, and some don't. There is actually a fairly broad stylistic range to the tone of the series -- it rewards continued viewing. Lots of the hard-core fans I know were skeptical at first but have come to enjoy it.

SSB

[Justin the Hook]

I recall that in one of the movies and books it was mentioned that there are only ever two Sith at a time, a master and an apprentice. So the emperor and maul was episode one. The emperor and dooku was episode two, the clone wars. Asajj Ventress isn't meant to be.

I will GEEK this up a little more and agree with you on almost everything, but Your statement about there are only 2 is correct, but Ventress wasn't a Sith yet, just an apprentice. She claimed to be one but wasn't, it is the same with The Force Unleased. Starkiller was Vader's apprentice not an actual Sith yet so there were still only 2. This is also why Sith's are different than Jedi. They have fear that at anytime they can be overthrown by someone else, where the Jedi live in harmony. Fear is the path to the Dark Side!

Also Lucas has said on many occasions that Star Wars will never end. He created a universe that is so expansive that has so many characters, planets, and stories that it will go on forever. So everyone that has something to add to the universe is welcome.

My thoughts are that Lucas will at some point sell the rights to Star Wars to another party that will continue to grow the universe. Disney, in my opinion, would be the best fit. Since Lucas has had a relationship with them since he made A New Hope.

[Experiment_626]

My thoughts are that Lucas will at some point sell the rights to Star Wars to another party that will continue to grow the universe.I seriously doubt he will ever do that, as long as he lives. He can accomplish the same thing through licensing. Plus, he has always guarded the rights to Star Wars -- it was a stroke of genius, or at least incredible good luck that he held the merchandising rights from day one. I don't think he would ever sell that for any amount of money.

SSB

[Justin the Hook]

I seriously doubt he will ever do that, as long as he lives. He can accomplish the same thing through licensing. Plus, he has always guarded the rights to Star Wars -- it was a stroke of genius, or at least incredible good luck that he held the merchandising rights from day one. I don't think he would ever sell that for any amount of money.

SSB

The same was said when Jim Henson sold off the Muppets. I am a huge SW fan and Lucas is getting up there in age. I could see this happening because he wants it to go on and would want someone to run it and not run it into the ground!

[PinkBudgie]

According to Al Lutz on Miceage, who has a knack for picking up hints of things to come from inside sources, has Star Tours 2.0 set to open at DLR in 2011. I tried to find the article where he discussed it but can't remember where it was. It had something to with a deal between DLR and WDW to split the cost and bring 2.0 to both parks. Then WDW backed out and didn't want to pay for it which left DLR holding the bag. I'm not sure if DLR ended up making a deal with the DL Tokyo and then I think WDW got back in. I'm not terribly clear on what the final deal was supposed to be. While I can't confirm all this, he has a good track record for getting the inside scoop.

I've been wishing for this for years. Not because I think they need a new show for new kids, but because the old film looks old. I don't feel like I'm really there anymore because of all the little scratches in the film and because I know exactly what will happen next. It isn't a surprise anymore.

[DizCaptain]

According to Al Lutz on Miceage, who has a knack for picking up hints of things to come from inside sources, has Star Tours 2.0 set to open at DLR in 2011. I tried to find the article where he discussed it but can't remember where it was. It had something to with a deal between DLR and WDW to split the cost and bring 2.0 to both parks. Then WDW backed out and didn't want to pay for it which left DLR holding the bag. I'm not sure if DLR ended up making a deal with the DL Tokyo and then I think WDW got back in. I'm not terribly clear on what the final deal was supposed to be. While I can't confirm all this, he has a good track record for getting the inside scoop.

I've been wishing for this for years. Not because I think they need a new show for new kids, but because the old film looks old. I don't feel like I'm really there anymore because of all the little scratches in the film and because I know exactly what will happen next. It isn't a surprise anymore.

The parks arent by separate ownership so how can WDW "back out"? Im assuming you mean Disney decided to only spend money renovating DLR instead of WDW for whatever reason. I dont see how each individual park makes deals with the other when theyre all Disney parks.

[pixiewings71]

The parks arent by separate ownership so how can WDW "back out"? Im assuming you mean Disney decided to only spend money renovating DLR instead of WDW for whatever reason. I dont see how each individual park makes deals with the other when theyre all Disney parks.

Pink Budgie is correct, the article she is referring was posted on the DLR website during a discussion of Star Tours 2.0. :)

[yitbos96bb]

I will GEEK this up a little more and agree with you on almost everything, but Your statement about there are only 2 is correct, but Ventress wasn't a Sith yet, just an apprentice. She claimed to be one but wasn't, it is the same with The Force Unleased. Starkiller was Vader's apprentice not an actual Sith yet so there were still only 2. This is also why Sith's are different than Jedi. They have fear that at anytime they can be overthrown by someone else, where the Jedi live in harmony. Fear is the path to the Dark Side!

Also Lucas has said on many occasions that Star Wars will never end. He created a universe that is so expansive that has so many characters, planets, and stories that it will go on forever. So everyone that has something to add to the universe is welcome.

My thoughts are that Lucas will at some point sell the rights to Star Wars to another party that will continue to grow the universe. Disney, in my opinion, would be the best fit. Since Lucas has had a relationship with them since he made A New Hope.

Well... old Sith lore from KOTOR canon shows TONS of Sith back in the day. One apprentice and master came later. I disagree with your points. Forced Unleashed and Clone Wars has many Canonical errors... or ret-cons if you want to be nice. I mean Lucas retconned a lot of the original movie canon during the Second Trilogy... After All... Leia Remembered her mother during Jedi, but she was already dead according to Sith.

The master and apprentice thing was due to secrecy... in fact, it was always expected for the apprentice to kill the master and become the master when the master got weak.

[yitbos96bb]

The parks arent by separate ownership so how can WDW "back out"? Im assuming you mean Disney decided to only spend money renovating DLR instead of WDW for whatever reason. I dont see how each individual park makes deals with the other when theyre all Disney parks.

I believe WDW, DLR, etc have different budgets and at times operate like independent companies. Its why Disneyland is run better and WDW has been getting the shaft... too much power with bad managers.

[yitbos96bb]

The same was said when Jim Henson sold off the Muppets. I am a huge SW fan and Lucas is getting up there in age. I could see this happening because he wants it to go on and would want someone to run it and not run it into the ground!

Henson never sold the muppets. He was rumored to be working on a deal to sell them to Disney 9 months before his death but it never went through and no one is 100% sure how serious the talks were although the rumor is $150 million for the whole shebang. The muppets were not sold to EM.tv until 99 or 2000 and they sold them back afterwards when their stock tanked. Disney bought the muppets in 2003... 13 years after his death

[Justin the Hook]

Well... old Sith lore from KOTOR canon shows TONS of Sith back in the day. One apprentice and master came later. I disagree with your points. Forced Unleashed and Clone Wars has many Canonical errors... or ret-cons if you want to be nice. I mean Lucas retconned a lot of the original movie canon during the Second Trilogy... After All... Leia Remembered her mother during Jedi, but she was already dead according to Sith.

The master and apprentice thing was due to secrecy... in fact, it was always expected for the apprentice to kill the master and become the master when the master got weak.

Leia said she remembers her mother, but just as memories. One thing that you have to remember is that Leia is force sensitive just like Luke. Leia would be connected to her mother, just as Luke was connected to Anakin. I have read almost 200 Star Wars books and read them as fiction to a non-fiction universe. What Lucas is producing is what I take as the end all of the SW Universe. So the all the movies, the clone wars, and the video games are what I consider the truth about SW. Lucas had his hand in all of this, the books weren't his or his ideas, so just good additions to someone elses take on what might or could happen. Finally, I really enjoy SW debates so lets keep it going. :goodvibes

[PinkBudgie]

The parks arent by separate ownership so how can WDW "back out"? Im assuming you mean Disney decided to only spend money renovating DLR instead of WDW for whatever reason. I dont see how each individual park makes deals with the other when theyre all Disney parks.

They are managed by different people who make decisions for their own park.

[EAWildman]

According to the D23 web site:

08.17.09 — Star Wars Rumor Control!
In response to inquiries from Star Wars fan sites about Storm Troopers at the D23 Expo, D23 issues the following statement: "We were contacted by the Galactic Empire and have been advised that Imperial dignitaries will be attending Disney's D23 Expo," said Steven Clark, head of D23. "As a result, a legion of Storm Troopers from the 501st Battalion will be patrolling the Anaheim Convention Center on Saturday, September 12."

Rumors indicate that there will be some sort of announcement during the Disney Parks presentation at the D23 Expo that involves Star Wars. The two most likely possibilities are: holding the next Star Wars Celebration in Orlando or the announcement of Star Tours 2.0.

I hope it's Star Tours 2.0.

Eric

[MJMcBride]

http://www.mouseextra.com/2009/08/19/will-the-d23-expo-be-the-place-where-plans-for-star-tours-20-will-be-announced/#comments

There is a link to that

I am hoping for a Star Tours 2.0

[Saxsoon]

I believe WDW, DLR, etc have different budgets and at times operate like independent companies. Its why Disneyland is run better and WDW has been getting the shaft... too much power with bad managers.

Even at WDW it is structured like that. If a hotel needs to make a repair, they have to pay for with their own budget to another sector of WDW that handles such repairs. At least that is how my manager at the All Stars explained it. My engineering class I took also pretty much backed this up. If a ride breaks down, they have to pay out of their budget (the park, not the ride) to get it fixed.

[EAWildman]

After today's announcement at the D23 Expo, it's official...this is no longer a rumor, but a confirmed plan to have Star Tours 2.0 opperational at Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios sometime during 2011. Star Tours 2.0 will be 3D and feature other surprises that have not been officially announced yet. Test footage show at the D23 Expo suggested a pod racing sequence from Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace.

Eric

[GetGlowing]

>happy dance<

[Padrepride]

Hooray!!!
http://wdwmagic.com/Attractions/Star-Tours-3D/News/12Sep2009-Star-Tours-3D-confirmed-for-2011.htm

http://wdwmagic.com/Attractions/Star-Tours-3D/News/12Sep2009-Star-Tours-II-3D-onride-video.htm

[yitbos96bb]

The same was said when Jim Henson sold off the Muppets. I am a huge SW fan and Lucas is getting up there in age. I could see this happening because he wants it to go on and would want someone to run it and not run it into the ground!

Or MAYBE you can see it happening because you really want it to happen.

[yitbos96bb]

Leia said she remembers her mother, but just as memories. One thing that you have to remember is that Leia is force sensitive just like Luke. Leia would be connected to her mother, just as Luke was connected to Anakin. I have read almost 200 Star Wars books and read them as fiction to a non-fiction universe. What Lucas is producing is what I take as the end all of the SW Universe. So the all the movies, the clone wars, and the video games are what I consider the truth about SW. Lucas had his hand in all of this, the books weren't his or his ideas, so just good additions to someone elses take on what might or could happen. Finally, I really enjoy SW debates so lets keep it going. :goodvibes

Don't be an apologist for Lucas... he ignored his canon. Its as easy and simple as that. He retconned what happened. You can consider what you want as canon. It doesn't matter what YOU THINK... its what the company says and that's that there are multiple levels of canon. The books are part of the expanded universe... and please don't think Lucas isn't involved. Lucasfilms approves ALL of the books. They make a few mistakes, but they have the blessing.

[yitbos96bb]

After today's announcement at the D23 Expo, it's official...this is no longer a rumor, but a confirmed plan to have Star Tours 2.0 opperational at Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios sometime during 2011. Star Tours 2.0 will be 3D and feature other surprises that have not been officially announced yet. Test footage show at the D23 Expo suggested a pod racing sequence from Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace.

Eric

:banana:

Sweet... Peanut Butter Jelly Time. I never thought it would ACTUALLY happen. More improvements like this to DHS please!

[Justin the Hook]

Or MAYBE you can see it happening because you really want it to happen.

I do want it to happen.

[Dznefreek]

I personally cannot get excited over a 20 year old attraction being "updated" to a 10 year old movie. . . . .

[Padrepride]

I too am deeply disappointed that they are basing the ride off the, imo, worst movie in the saga.

[Justin the Hook]

Excitement for this is high for me. 3D podrace, might not be the best movie, but it will be one heck of a ride.

[AlienBrain]

Part of the appeal of Star Wars is that it is in outer space. Any Joe can go travelling outer space in that Gallaxy. So, why have a pod race? Might as well have done a Herbie car race simulator. It's the same thing.

If you are doing Star Wars, play on it's uniqueness. The thrill of Star Tours was that it felt like you were about to board a plane to go to outerspace. It was sooo fun. But now they are going to change it to a pod race??? Horrible move.

[CarnotaurDad]

Part of the appeal of Star Wars is that it is in outer space. Any Joe can go travelling outer space in that Gallaxy. So, why have a pod race? Might as well have done a Herbie car race simulator. It's the same thing.

If you are doing Star Wars, play on it's uniqueness. The thrill of Star Tours was that it felt like you were about to board a plane to go to outerspace. It was sooo fun. But now they are going to change it to a pod race??? Horrible move.

I could be wrong, but I don't think they are converting the ENTIRE thing to a pod race but are adding the pod race as a component.

Remember, right now we have the ice comet and the Death Star. Would it really be too hard to add a pod race? It is hard for old time fans (such as myself) to understand, but Episodes 1 - 3 do play VERY well with younger kids and expose a wider audience. My daughter, 9, thinks 1 - 3 are much better than 4 - 6. I get sick to my stomach, but definitely get it.

Anyways, the whole thing is supposed to be fun. What's wrong with updating it?

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I am not really too thrilled about the pod race thing either... They might as well just change the name to Tatooine Pod Racers b/c it wouldn't be Star Tours. I really hope this is only one aspect of the ride. An update is long over due but if they are gonna go do the pod race thing from phantom mennace (which is the worst in the series and was geared toward a younger audience) they would be better off going with a Clone Wars theme. I personally didn't get into Star Wars till I was in high school when the prequels came out so I saw phantom menance before I ever saw the original trilogy, well now I love the Clone Wars. I can undersatnd why some would not be in favor of a clone wars theming but that is really the focus of the franchise now, I heard Lucas has said that he plans on completing at least 5 seasons of the series dispite what ever the ratings may be (Season 2 starts in Oct!!!). And I just have to say about staying true to the Star Wars "canon"... it is fiction! Yes I am just as much of a nerd as the next guy but it really comes down to whats the most entertaining and will make money... and don't knock that because if SW ever stoped apealing to a new generation then new movies, books, video games, and theme park rides would cease to be produced.:yoda:

[MJMcBride]

The release says they will be going to "many" places from the movies

That is the podrace is just one portion of the ride. Or if you believe some rumors, just one possibility for a destination

One of the best ideas I have heard is there will be many different scenes that will be put together randomly for each ride

[yitbos96bb]

I could be wrong, but I don't think they are converting the ENTIRE thing to a pod race but are adding the pod race as a component.

Remember, right now we have the ice comet and the Death Star. Would it really be too hard to add a pod race? It is hard for old time fans (such as myself) to understand, but Episodes 1 - 3 do play VERY well with younger kids and expose a wider audience. My daughter, 9, thinks 1 - 3 are much better than 4 - 6. I get sick to my stomach, but definitely get it.

Anyways, the whole thing is supposed to be fun. What's wrong with updating it?

What's with evryone thinking this is just a pod race. The announce
mention doesn't support that. Neither does the video which shows the craft leAving the rAce and heading to space.

[MJMcBride]

In fact they specifically say you will visit many places

[skier_pete]

Agree, I think the pod race was just the segemnt of the ride that was finished enough to be shown at D23. I think that you will see stuff from both old and new trilogy. I am hoping the rumor (not officially announced yet) that there will be random ride sequences making each ride different a reality.

If done right (and there is as yet no indication that it won't be done right) this could be as advanced a simulator as Star Tours was when IT opened originally. (At the time based on a 10+ year old movie BTW.)

There is no way they are just replacing the movie and keeping the identical ride vehicles. A (likely) year-long shut down means a pretty big overhaul.

However, is anyone surprised that they would announce something like this that won't actually be started for over a year? I guess I should be glad because it gives me at least one more chance to ride the old one...which I still get a kick out of, though it is not the thrill it once was.

SkierPete

[yitbos96bb]

Agree, I think the pod race was just the segemnt of the ride that was finished enough to be shown at D23. I think that you will see stuff from both old and new trilogy. I am hoping the rumor (not officially announced yet) that there will be random ride sequences making each ride different a reality.

If done right (and there is as yet no indication that it won't be done right) this could be as advanced a simulator as Star Tours was when IT opened originally. (At the time based on a 10+ year old movie BTW.)

There is no way they are just replacing the movie and keeping the identical ride vehicles. A (likely) year-long shut down means a pretty big overhaul.

However, is anyone surprised that they would announce something like this that won't actually be started for over a year? I guess I should be glad because it gives me at least one more chance to ride the old one...which I still get a kick out of, though it is not the thrill it once was.

SkierPete

Although I will say that a seperate Pod Race attraction would be cool... The race (a nice Ben Hur tribute) and the Darth Maul lightsaber fight were easily the best parts of the film.

For those who hate #1, try to find the Jar Jar lite version a fan edited. It's actually a better version than the original Ep 1

[tinkerbell of winter]

According to the D23 web site:

08.17.09 — Star Wars Rumor Control!
In response to inquiries from Star Wars fan sites about Storm Troopers at the D23 Expo, D23 issues the following statement: "We were contacted by the Galactic Empire and have been advised that Imperial dignitaries will be attending Disney's D23 Expo," said Steven Clark, head of D23. "As a result, a legion of Storm Troopers from the 501st Battalion will be patrolling the Anaheim Convention Center on Saturday, September 12."

Rumors indicate that there will be some sort of announcement during the Disney Parks presentation at the D23 Expo that involves Star Wars. The two most likely possibilities are: holding the next Star Wars Celebration in Orlando or the announcement of Star Tours 2.0.

I hope it's Star Tours 2.0.

Eric

I'd go for C5 in Orlando, that would be sweeeeeeeeeeet :)

[loveswdw]

So will this news have any bearing on Star Wars Weekends 2010? Will they still hold them next year? We've been planning a trip for May or June 2010, taking our DS5 who is a SW fanatic. He'll be SO disappointed if they cancel the weekends next year due to getting things ready to close then re-open in 2011.:confused3

[skier_pete]

So will this news have any bearing on Star Wars Weekends 2010? Will they still hold them next year? We've been planning a trip for May or June 2010, taking our DS5 who is a SW fanatic. He'll be SO disappointed if they cancel the weekends next year due to getting things ready to close then re-open in 2011.:confused3

Since they announced the closure as being October 2010...I assume that means next years SWW are safe. My guess is they would be shooting to reopen by SWW 2011...but they might cancel them that year...or they might just run them anyways. If it bring a lot of people in, why not still do it.

SkierPete