2008/2009 - Midway Mania - Semi-Confirmed - (6/21/06) Replacing Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, it seems virtually a sure thing now that Midway Mania has been given the green light for both California Adventure and for the Studios to open in late 2008 or early 2009. The latest buzz from our insiders this week claimed that the ride may be a mix of Buzz Lightyear with Universals popular Spiderman dark ride, complete with 3D glasses and a large spinning car that will hold between 8-12 riders. In fact the latest article over at Mice Age talks a bit about the proposed new ride and how riders will be armed with a kind of X-Ray flashlight gun to reveal hidden animated scenes and effects. There is also reference to a new technology patent assigned to Disney that describes the effect.
(6/14/06) Ive been hearing rumors about a new attraction designed for California Adventure called Midway Mania, and now the rumors have spread to include a second version of the attraction under consideration for the Studios as well. From what little Ive heard about the DCA version so far was that it was to be a next-generation interactive shoot-em-up dark ride featuring several Pixar characters with a wild carnival style midway theme since it was to fit into the Paradise Pier section of the park, with an entrance right under the California Screamin coaster itself. Im only starting to hear information about the proposed Florida version, but it sounded as if it could not only replace Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, but take over the rest of the connected sound stages as well. Earlier this season, the park VP also reported to CMs that a new family attraction would be added in 2008. At first I was thinking that it was finally time for Star Tours 2, but perhaps this is what he was talking about. Anyone know more?
(3/16/06) In other news, weve heard that the Millionaire game show could be on its last legs and retired by the end of the year. There are too many ideas about what could replace it right now though to take anything seriously.
2009-2010 - Star Tours 2 - Rumor - (6/16/06) From the sound of things, Lucas came to visit the park during Star Wars Weekends, though no public appearance was made. Apparently he was poking around the whole Star Tours area along with a group of Imagineers. From what our sources have heard, the plans to update the ride are active, but Lucas plate is full at the moment while they work on transforming the entire film series into a new 3D format as well as the final planning for Indy 4. So the new timeframe seems to indicate that we wont see a Star Tours 2 attraction for 3-4 years now. Of course, Ive got to wonder if it wont be in 3D this time around now.
(6/15/06) Nothing solid has come out about the long in development Star Tours 2 project, but weve heard that plans are still moving forward at least.
(4/4/06) The park VP reported to Cast Members that a new family oriented attraction would be added to the park in 2008. Could this be the long awaited Star Tours 2 project or something entirely new?
(3/7/06) Its been some time since weve heard anything about Star Tours 2... possibly the oldest rumor Ive ever covered. Over the years Ive come to take every rumor about Star Tours 2 with a grain of salt any longer, but our source tells us that the green light may have finally been given. Anyone know more?
(4/25/05) I think one of the oldest rumors that I had when I started this website years ago was that Star Tours would someday be updated to have a new ride film. This rumor evolved over the years to the Pod Racer concept from Episode I when the multiple ending idea and at Disney World they even went so far as to retheme the outside of their gift shop to an Episode I themed Tatooine building. But still no new ride... and after years of delays and rumors that Lucas and Eisner had just had it out with each other and the ride would never happen, I gave up on it. Now with Episode III looming on the horizon, that damn madman George Lucas himself made a statement at the Star Wars Celebration III event this past weekend, reported on ComingSoon.net, that Star Tours will be getting an overhaul soon. I doubt George concerns himself with the mechanical status of the ride, so I can only assume he may be talking about creating the footage needed for an all new ride film. Stay tuned!
20?? - E-Ticket / Narnia - Rumor - (4/7/06) While talking to the press this week about how Disney ties in their media properties to the theme parks, Bob Iger heavily hinted that The Chronicles of Narnia could become the next film project to become a theme park attraction.
(3/7/06) Its only a rumor at this point, but weve heard that Imagineering is designing a major new E-Ticket attraction for the studios now, and this is not the Star Tours 2 project. Weve heard a few rumors over the years that ranged from an Armageddon themed ride, to a copy of Journey To the Center of the Earth to a massive replacement for the Great Movie Ride that would rival Universals Spider-man ride. Anyone know more?
???? - Indiana Jones Attraction - Rumor - (3/7/06) Screamscape sources tell us that the park still wants to eventually add an Indy themed ride to the park, but give the huge capacity that Indy handles on a daily basis, taking the show down right now would just cause massive crowding problems throughout the park. However the park knows that the stunt show just has to be retired sooner or later, so the overall plan is to open a series of new attractions (Star Tours 2, an unknown new E-ticket ride and perhaps a new show) first before they attempt to create an Indy ride. Now here is the really good part. Apparently since there is no need to rehash old ride concepts all over again given how old the California ride is (1995), Imagineering is said to be working on a new hybrid design that will take popular elements from the California, Tokyo and Paris attractions to come up with an all new ride experience. I cant wait to hear more about this one.
(5/9/05) While there is a chance that the Indy ride could still be built at the Studios, weve heard from a few sources that they are not planning on closing down the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Show anytime soon either to make room. Of course there is plenty of room over at Animal Kingdom where it could be given a new story. However... our sources tell us that there is still an E-Ticket attraction in development for the studios. It could be Indy, it could just be Star Tours 2 or it could be something completely new.