Just rode Star Tours: The Adventures Continue on first day of soft openings!!

[topolino]

Hey everyone!

I'm at WDW and went to DHS this morning. Went by Star Tours and asked the CM greeter about soft openings and she was being obediently vague. She responded to the direct question with "Grand opening is May 20". We spent the morning at DHS and then walked back to our villa at BCV. We had to leave Stormalong Bay because of rain, so once back in the villa I logged onto FB and saw that someone had commented under Kathy's status that they were doing soft openings. My wife and i ran back (boats were not running due to lightning threat), and sure enough, we got to ride on a "test flight"!!

I don't know how much to say here, because I don't want to inadvertently pass along any spoilers, but let's just say the Star Wars fans will NOT be disappointed!!

I'm only a mild Star Wars fan, but a huge Disney fan obviously, so this was a real thrill for me. I'll always be able to say that I was among the first to ride.

My apologies to all the SW geeks out there for riding before them!!!

 

[mikelan6]

Thanks for the update. Maybe you can write the spoiler in white font so that if someone (like me) didn't mind the spoiler could read it.

 

[WDWham]

I second that idea!!!

 

[KristaTX]

I'd love some spoilers . Just change your title to say something about SPOILERS. Then no one can complain if they open it.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Thanks for the update. Maybe you can write the spoiler in white font so that if someone (like me) didn't mind the spoiler could read it.

You've got the right idea Michael.

 

[topolino]

Spoiler Alert!!! Below is a description of my experience in white font.

Once you get through the queue area and are ready to load into your simulator, you take your 3D glasses. Then you are told in which row to line up, and are shown a brief pre show while lined up, like in Soarin'. It's basically safety info, then you are brought into the simulator. I don't remember if there were six or eight seats across. The CM tells you to buckle up and put on your glasses. There is an audio animatronic C3PO to the left of the screen.

The film opens up with a spaceport setting, and you are told you are next to take off. Threepio complains that the captain is not yet on board, but to no avail; the ship begins to get ready for take off with C3PO as captain.

Once you begin "taxiing", Darth Vader stops the spacecraft saying that the ship is about to be boarded. He explains that there is a rebel spy aboard, and a random guest from the attraction is pictured (in my case it was a kid).

R2D2 ignores Vader and takes off and soon you are going into hyperspace. Here is where the attraction probably has its variations, but in my case our first stop was Hoth. Of course with C3PO at the helm, it's herky-jerky like you'd expect. We had to dodge At-At Walkers and snowbanks before we once again were jettisoned into hyperspace.

Next we arrived in a full out space battle scene, complete with Imperial Star Destroyers and Tie Fighters. The expected mayhem ensued, until we found ourselves in a bustling space city where we found a safe place to land.

The 3D effects were cool, and a distraction at all. The motion sickness parts were similar to the old version.

 

[safetymom]

I rode it twice today. First time a security CM came running through the line after a person with a camera. There were cm's reminding people no cameras allowed inside and to put away your phones.

I liked the changes to the film, each time it was different. I can't usually see 3 D but I could in this ride.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Fun!! I am not a huge SW's fan, but It sounds great! Cannot wait to ride it!!!

 

[raydurz]

Looks like fun. Im just afraid that there was going to be too much Episodes I,II, and III in it. But I suppose the kids would be more into that.

 

[topolino]

Looks like fun. Im just afraid that there was going to be too much Episodes I,II, and III in it. But I suppose the kids would be more into that.

Without giving too much away, and if you want more, I've "hidden" my description of my experience in a post above, but in my experience there was a location from Empire Strikes Back, so that's a good sign.

I agree about episodes I, II and III. I much prefer the original three and I think it's those latest three movies that have made me less of a SW fan than I was and that I still would be.

 

[safetymom]

Speaking as someone that is not real familiar with the Star Wars movies it is still a great ride. You will really enjoy it.

 

[sayhello]

I don't want any details, but are their multiple storylines? I saw someone say there was. Or is it the same each time you ride it?

Sayhello

 

[topolino]

I don't want any details, but are their multiple storylines? I saw someone say there was. Or is it the same each time you ride it?

Sayhello

There are over 50 storylines. I only rode it once, but I've talked to a few who rode it multiple times and they report that it was different each time.

 

[njm]

Can't wait to ride this on my next trip

 

[smidgy]

I am asking a question (from those who have experienced the ride) about the 3D aspects.
hubby has vision problems. affects dark rides (esp indoors) and 3D.
how much of the ride exrerience do you think is DEPENDANT on the 3D experience?

obviously you (nor disney) can do anything to change it.. jsut want to know what to expect ahead of time.

 

[beachwarmer]

We rode it twice yesterday. The 3D would not make or break the experience. I am not a huge Star Wars fans but my ride had some characters that I could identify from the movies in the 80's. The next ride nor really sure who they were. I didn't really pay attention to the newer movies.

 

[doconeill]

There are 54 total variations. Some time ago in other threads I made a prediction as to how that number would work with the minimum number of possible scenes - look like I was right There are two possible openings, and then three variable "acts" in flight, each with three possible scenes. I won't enumerate them.

You could potentially see all the scenes in just three rides, but on average it will take longer as you'll likely get duplicates.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

I usually have trouble focusing in 3D movies, but not on this ride. Though to me, the 3D wasn't that pronounced, which is fine. Just makes it look real, but not like things are floating in front of you.