I'm so excited about the new and improved Star Tours! I wondering about the lines. I have a feeling TSM wont be as crowded once Star Tours reopens.
I do think the new Star Tours will alleviate some of the mad dash to TSM -- the thing about TSM, though, is that everyone can ride it, so I imagine it will still be crazy busy!
Great update! Loved all the info on Star Tours. It will undoubtedly be amazing. When you think about the progress technology, etc. has made, they can do so much more... And I agree with Michelle, you have some amazing memorabilia!
It's going to be neat to see what they end up doing with the ride.
So "no" to New Orleans, huh??!!

Well I am sure that is partly because it would require a whole new phase of planning, and at this point I bet Charles is relieved to know he "knows" his vacation destination!!! New Orleans has a lot of character. You know, you could ALWAYS get him to go to
DisneyLAND, and then you can get a taste of NOLA as well as Disney... HA! BUT sadly the food and beverages would NOT be the same!!!

I never ate so well...
I have to admit, New Orleans has some of the best food we have ever eaten! Disney is right up there for us, too, though.
Michelle, keeping your eyes closed MIGHT also make you more queasy btw.... I have heard if you sit in the middle, and you stare straight ahead and keep your eyes focused on what is happening, you may actually be less ill, because your eyes and brain are "communicating" -- when I have read accounts of sea sick, etc., they say it is because your body cannot place the motion it feels to what it "sees" and so it causes havoc with your sensory system. I know I always panic that I will be nauseous when I ride any motion ride, but if I stare straight ahead and hold on!!!

I do fine on Star Tours! But I still will NOT ride Mission to Mars....
On a related note, I always keep my eyes closed on roller coasters. LOL!
Wow, you have a lot of nice Star Tours things! I have yet to ride Star Tours...maybe this year will be the year. DS is adamently against it. Tom and I are hoping things will change this year. Jeremy (DS) keeps saying that is going to do Tower of Terror and Haunted Mansion so we are keeping our fingers crossed! Is Star Tours a motion ride--I would assume?
It is -- it is a motion simulator, though, so I don't think it is nearly as bad as riding a roller coaster.
I would have been afraid to mention another location to my DH. He would have jumped on going back to New Orleans! Love Cafe Du Monde! So glad you had a nice family meal out together.
Erika
Cafe du Monde was one of my favorite places on our New Orleans trip.
I love Star Tours, I can't wait for the new ride! I am a little sad they are replacing Rex, though. He was a cute little robot.
I agree -- Rex is a cutie -- I think I read somewhere that he would make an appearance somewhere in the ride.
that restaurant sounds fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We really want to get down to NOLA one of these days but the sun and surf won out this year, I needed to get away away!
New Orleans was always one of those places I wanted to go -- I read The Witching Hour by Anne Rice when I was in high school and fell in love with it. When Charles and I went in 2004, it was actually like I imagined it would be. One of my favorite trips!
I'm glad Happydog was able to get you the shirt, they are so cool. I wish Star Tours would re open while we are there in May but we'll see what kind of sneak peek photos we can get for you. I am absolutely loving the Conversion of Charles.
Yes, try and nab some sneak peek photos!
Yep, I've heard that before but it doesn't seem to be the case with me, the actual movement of the simulator doesn't bother me, it's the visual on the screen. Watching certain scenes in movies, like the pod race in Episode I, makes me queasy and I'm just sitting still

Trust me, I like the ride so I've tried it both ways, closing my eyes during some of the scenes is much better for me. I know, I'm weird! I tried the tame side of Mission Space once, NEVER again!
I can assure you, I will never try Mission Space. No way, no how!
Hello, hello!! Believe it or not, I have just now finished reading your summer TR from Chelsea's birthday trip!

I got so far behind on all my DIS subscriptions over the holidays and it has taken me forever to get caught up again! But I enjoyed the rest of your TR so so much! It really was terrific! I am sooooo glad to hear that Charles is finally softening up and giving in on Disney. And it sounded like Chelsea had a very magical 13th birthday! She looks so growny! My goodness time flies! She looks so different from the first TR of yours that I read. She's really growing into a pretty young lady.
Hi, Rinky!!! So glad to see you on the DIS again!!! Thanks for all the compliments on Chelsea -- she has grown up a lot this year.
Anyway, I'm so glad to see that you are going again this year. Can't wait to read about your adventures. I always enjoy your writing! I do have a question for you though... how did you like CBR? We are thinking about staying there this year and I am curious about your thoughts??? Also what section were you in and did you think it was a long walk to OPR? Thanks a bunch! I'm going back now to read and find out what your plans are for this year!
We loved CBR. I would have to look back to see what section we stayed in, but we were right across the bridge from Old Port Royal. It was a short and pretty walk!
Okay Jackie.....we need to totally have a "playdate" so I can come down and see the Strawberry Shortcake collection!!! Do they all still smell good?!!?!! I honestly think that was my favorite thing about them! I wish they would have just brought the old Strawberry Shortcake stuff back out when they came out with the new version........the old ones were SO much better!!!!! Gotta love that!!!
They do still smell, Jen!!! Plus, I have the bake shop, the trolley, the horse that smelled like maple syrup, and the gazebo. We could have lots of fun with them! LOL!
1. Congrats to Chelsea! Great job - I'm sure she has a very bright future!
2. I love that you have brought Charles into the light. (or over to the dark side

)
3. I have always loved Star Tours! I'm excited to see the changes. We saw it at DL for the first time Dec 1989. We were amazed! DS 4 at the time thought it was real, and he was screaming "get me out of here" the whole time - Bad mommy day.
4. It's great you have so much of the memorabilia, and fun you are re-visiting it before your trip!
Thank you! Poor DS thinking it was real! Who would have thought, though? I have always been a pack rat, so there are all sorts of "treasures" in my closet. LOL!
I know you would never trade Disney for New Orleans, but how about both!

I'd like to see Charles face with that suggestions.
Loved all the Star Wars pix. That was very nostalgic (listen to me - the rides only been closed for how many months?). Anyway - I think the new ride is going to be great and I really wish I was going to be there for the opening.
LOL! I feel like it has been closed for a long time, and we haven't even been during that time! It will be lots of fun to see what they do with it.