Is Star Tours REALLY that much better?

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I keep reading everyone's excitement over Star Tours. The original one did nothing for me. We will only be in DL ONE day. we are not doing hoppers, so only one day in DL and one day in DCA. our day to go to DL will be a MM when we don't have MM access, so tomorrowland will already be crazy. We are going in August right after the passholders block has been lifted so it will be crazy busy in the parks as well.

Is WDW the same with refurberd star tours? We will be there next summer.

DS is a big star wars fan, so this is really for him, just not sure if it is worth tying up a fast pass or tying up the time in standby to see this.

If WDW is the same, maybe it is better to save it for next year? HELP!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

It really is! I use to barely be able to tolerate the old version because it made me very motion sick--and I also just thought it wasn't that great. Who wants to be seasick over a ride that is just a big bag of meh?

But this new version not only doesn't make me sick at all--it is *really* fun! My daughter feels the same way. We actually went on it 4 times our last trip and would have gone on more if we could! We were all smiling and laughing after each ride--and that is the best part of Disneyland.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Oh, yeah! It really is amazing! We stopped going on the old one too. I wouldn't wait another year to do it at WDW. But don't waste time waiting in a long line. At opening head straight for the ST FP machines. You don't need to rush, just walk with purpose and you will be fine. Then go ride what else you want to do. You can still get a another FP for anything else you want probably around 9:30-10am. This was the return time we got on MMs when we couldn't get in for MMs.

And CMs are very good about directing traffic through TL which helped.

 

[jlmarr]

The video, uh, er, the Star Speeder window seems a lot cleaner so the view is very crisp. Great to be able to visit different places too. Really liked the deep sea fishing on Naboo.

 

[Huff]

For us its just ok. ST badly needed an update and they did do a good job modernizing an old ride. That said, its still a simulator ride that has no WOW factor for any of our group. We got to ride during a soft opening with maybe a 10 minute wait. Would like to ride again but not if it meant a long wait or tying up an FP for two hours.

 

[DisneylandForever]

DS is a big star wars fan, so this is really for him, just not sure if it is worth tying up a fast pass or tying up the time in standby to see this.

Yes it's way better. Yes the one in WDW is identical. Yes, ride Star Tours. At least do it for DS. He will love it.

But do not do standby. Don't worry about tying up a FP because there are only so many e-tickets in DL that have FP anyway. In one day at DL you could get a FP for Star Tours, Indy and Space at least. Probably Splash too. That doesn't leave much else. Big Thunder, but you can have a 10 minute standby at the end of the night for that. Nemo has no FP, Matterhorn has no FP, no rides in Fantasyland have FP. Just a few random ones like Autopia, and Roger Rabbit. But, Roger Rabbit is on a different FP network so you can have one for Space and still get one for Rabbit.

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

Yes, it's significantly better than the original. The original was really awesome when it opened and then lost its shine as the years went by. I avoided it for years because I'm so prone to motion sickness. The new version takes the original out to the woodshed and gives it a total beat-down. I think there is definitely the Wow factor, particularly with the 3D effects that are actually used with great effect rather than just a showy gimmick. I wrote a blog entry about it here. I think it's definitely a must-do for any Star Wars fan, and I wouldn't wait. Just grab a FP and do it. So few rides at DLR have FP's compared to WDW I wouldn't worry about tying up your FP allotment.

 

[PinkBudgie]

So often we have FPs left over that we didn't get to or else we are thinking we should go get another FP for something but we've already done them all. We definately have FP "time" to spare.

Another note- if you want to do Space Mountian, which I'm told is much better than WDW, get that FP second. SM FPs are going quick after people realize they are gone for ST. That is another long standby line you don't want to be in. FPs for SM seem to be gone by around 11am or noon. After that I would get one for IJ. And like a PP said, you can hold a FP for Roger Rabbit in addition to one from any other DL ride.

 

[christine*]

So often we have FPs left over that we didn't get to or else we are thinking we should go get another FP for something but we've already done them all. We definately have FP "time" to spare.

Another note- if you want to do Space Mountian, which I'm told is much better than WDW, get that FP second. SM FPs are going quick after people realize they are gone for ST. That is another long standby line you don't want to be in. FPs for SM seem to be gone by around 11am or noon. After that I would get one for IJ. And like a PP said, you can hold a FP for Roger Rabbit in addition to one from any other DL ride.

Ditto on the Space Mountain tip! DL Space Mountain is amazing where as WDW Space Mountain just reminds me of Matterhorn in the dark.