Star Tours - details, please!

[mrswh]

My kids (6 and 8) just saw Star Wars for the first time and are now becoming obsessed with all things Star Wars. I'm trying to decide whether we should hit Star Tours on our upcoming trip or wait. A couple of questions:

1. Is it scary? My 8 year old went on Indiana Jones and hated it. It didn't make her cry but she said she'd never go on it again. She didn't like the scary images or the jerking around in the car. (Mind you, she will ride Goofy's Sky School 100 times in one day - talk about jerky!) My impression of Star Tours is that it is similar to Indiana Jones - is that right? I am wondering if it will be different since she knows and likes Star Wars. We did watch the youtube video but that just looks like you're watching a movie - I am sure it is much different when your seat is moving.

2. What's the current popularity level? Do I need to get a FP right at park opening or have things calmed down? Is it open during DL EMH? Maybe that would be the best time to go?

3. For those who have balance/motion sickness issues - how is this ride? What does it compare to, if anything?

Thanks for any wisdom!!

 

[interstate70s]

My kids (6 and 8) just saw Star Wars for the first time and are now becoming obsessed with all things Star Wars. I'm trying to decide whether we should hit Star Tours on our upcoming trip or wait. A couple of questions:

1. Is it scary? My 8 year old went on Indiana Jones and hated it. It didn't make her cry but she said she'd never go on it again. She didn't like the scary images or the jerking around in the car. (Mind you, she will ride Goofy's Sky School 100 times in one day - talk about jerky!) My impression of Star Tours is that it is similar to Indiana Jones - is that right? I am wondering if it will be different since she knows and likes Star Wars. We did watch the youtube video but that just looks like you're watching a movie - I am sure it is much different when your seat is moving.

Star Tours is not scary, my DD and DS rode it no problem at 6 and 8. Its not nearly (not even the same league) as jerky or frightening as Indiana Jones. The special effects are good, but the seats don't move all that much.

2. What's the current popularity level? Do I need to get a FP right at park opening or have things calmed down? Is it open during DL EMH? Maybe that would be the best time to go?
Things have calmed way down. You can get a FP well into afternoon, or evening. Often the Standby line is not bad either. Not sure if its open during EMH, but don't waste your EMH time if it is.

3. For those who have balance/motion sickness issues - how is this ride? What does it compare to, if anything?

I have motion sickness while riding in cars and so does my DS. I have no problems on any of the roller coasters, but I do get a little queasy on Star Tours, especially if I'm sitting towards the back. DS has no problem whatsoever.

Thanks for any wisdom!!

May the Force be with you!

 

[mydisneymoney]

Ok, here is my take on Star Tours

1. There are multiple ride variations so you will not know which one you get. It is not all dark like IJ because you are in a big people carrier that has a large screen in front of it. It doesn't have the feeling if being in it because you are enclosed in a box basically unlike IJ that has open sides. If she gets scared, have her just close her eyes then she can't see the screen.

2. The ride is VERY jerky because you are "flying" in space or on moon etc and things will come flying at you (in 3D mind you) and your people carrier with jerk to avoid it.

3. If you get motion sickness, you might get sick on this ride. I can handle most stuff but I do get queezy on this ride. Sometimes I take the 3D glasses off and it will help and sometimes I just close my eyes and that really helps.

My DS7 loves it!

 

[Girimama33]

ST is DD's (4.5) favorite ride at DLR...she has been going on it since she was3.5 yrs old. It is a lot of fun, and nothing like Indy.
You can get FP's throughout the day usually and it is open during EMH.

I have gotten off the ride a few times and felt a little bit queasy, but it went away quickly.

If your kids are into Star Wars, they will love the ride.

 

[rebeccaariel]

If your kids love Star Wars, it's a must-do! It's definitely not scary like Indiana Jones. I've seen kids of all ages ride it and love every second of it. Maybe they'll get lucky and be chosen as the rebel spy!

 

[mrswh]

Thanks for all the replies!

I am happy to hear it is nothing like IJ - it sounds like my kids will love it. I think I'll let DH take them, though - I'm not super sensitive but it sounds like this one is a little more dizzy-inducing than others - I'm not obsessed enough with Star Wars to ruin my day feeling green.

 

[Heymy]

My kids have never seen Star Wars (not for a lack of trying to force it on them) and they (DD 5 & 7) think it's the absolute best ride. They are so excited to share it with my folks (they haven't experienced the new ride) and won't hush up about it.

We ride it at least twice a day per the kids' request. I will say, that first ride of the day does make me a little off (not full blown nauseated), but the second time I am just fine. I'm going to try Dramamine this trip to see if that helps.

They did a fantastic job!!

 

[scrapshappen]

My boys love it too. But if I go on it even once, I am toast for the rest of the day. So I let my DH take the boys on it and I go shopping.

 

[Disney Dreams]

It is so very interesting to hear other people's take on Star Tours.

For ME:

There is a LOT of motion and shaking. It is not like other attractions, say Indy, for example where you are going along a track and going up, down, and around. Rather, you are in a seat that does not go anywhere, but moves --- a lot.

I will ride Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, but I cannot ride Star Tours. The shaking is just too much for me and when I come off of the attraction I feel very shaky, nervous, edgy, and wobbly.

I have asked if there is anywhere to experience it without the shaking (similar to the alternate experience of Nemo) and have been told, "No," because every seat is on the mechanism that moves. It's very jarring for me and I simply cannot ride it.

- Dreams

 

[jdb in AZ]

Since they refurbed it (a year or two ago?) it's so much smoother than it was. It doesn't jar my back teeth, or DH's aching back the way it used to. He no longer rides Indiana Jones, but Star Tours is fine with him.

They have several different versions they can show, and mix and match and change parts of it so you can ride it several times and not see the exact same ride.

 

[DisneyMommy403]

When you are in line take some ginger gum (they sell all natural ginger gum which is safe for children, and has zero side effects at local drug / health food stores) to help curb the motion sickness. Ask the CM to sit in the second row... sitting in the back row, you get more motion and jerkiness than the front. I agree with the others about the hype being moderate, so a FP in late morn; early afternoon should be fine.

 

[MissMichigan]

I wouldn't compare it to Indy at all. Indy is a ride, Star Tours is more in line with a motion simulator type experience. If I were going to compare to any other ride at DL it would be Soarin, but even that isn't the best comparison because Soarin is so nice, smooth, relaxing.

I love rides, and go on any I can. I have only ever been on 2 rides that made me sick, and this was one of them. Not just once, where it may have been a fluke, but multiple times. And VERY sick, like...can't ride anything else for a few hours. I don't even attempt to ride it anymore.

 

[coaches24]

We took DD (3) on it several times in May. She was apprehensive at first but loved it each time we did it. I doubt at 6 or 8 they will have any issues with it being scary. It is bumpy kind of like Indiana (Not as bumpy but bumpy) but not as dark or scary as Indiana. Just like the movies they have some comedy in there as well. For me its like watching the movie on a kiddie roller coaster.

 

[sweethannah]

My DD8 loved Star Tours but when we did Indy ( she was 7 at the time ) she just put her head down and 'dealt' with the ride. She was pretty scared during it and yet she loved Space Mountain

The stories vary - the beginning, middle and end are all interchangeable to create several different stories.

 

[ImNoPrince]

I'm motion sensitive and did ST on my first trip to DL. I couldn't do much for a few hours afterwards. I felt sick and completely regretted riding it. Didn't even think about going on it this trip! DH rode with DS7, and even DH was a bit dizzy after.

 

[skellinton]

My 3.5 year old nephew loved the ride, and if we had taken him on Indy, you would still hear him screaming! Indy is so much more immersive, Star Tours is great, but even with the 3d not as in your face scary. It is very jerky, some of my family gets sick on jerky rides, but rode this one anyway and although they had to close their eyes, they were not sick after the ride was over. Since you are not a Star Wars fan (and btw, What is the matter with you!??) I wouldn't risk it.

My nephew has never seen Star Wars, although he thinks he has since he rode the ride so many times! Of course, when anyone talks about Star Wars he politely tells them It is called Star Tours, not Star Wars. He also recently announced next year he would like to be C3 Below for Halloween. If your kids are fans, they will LOVE this ride!

 

[sweethannah]

I'm sensitive to the point that I won't ride Space Mountain but I was able to ride Star Tours back to back without worry.

I find that if you kind of go with the flow instead of trying to hold yourself rigid the ride is more enjoyable and you don't feel as sick.

loved it - it became a huge family favourite as we tried to experience as many different 'stories' as possible.

 

[mrswh]

Since you are not a Star Wars fan (and btw, What is the matter with you!??) I wouldn't risk it.

Hey! I like Star Wars as much as the next guy, I just don't love it enough to throw up! I gotta draw the line somewhere . . .

 

[ImNoPrince]

Hey! I like Star Wars as much as the next guy, I just don't love it enough to throw up! I gotta draw the line somewhere . . .

LOL!!! Me too! Not worth ruining the rest of my day and other rides. I can watch the movies or ST on YouTube and be juuuuuust fine.

 

[skellinton]

Since you are not a Star Wars fan (and btw, What is the matter with you!??) I wouldn't risk it.
Hey! I like Star Wars as much as the next guy, I just don't love it enough to throw up! I gotta draw the line somewhere . . .

Phew, ok! That makes sense.... I suppose!