Rode Star Tours twice this morning and had time to enjoy the line with a small wait to really take in the environment. Without giving away spoilers (including in the line), I will post my thoughts. There are plenty of spoilers already out there anyways.
--QUEUE DESCRIPTION & REVIEW--
The queue is very similar to what it was before, but EVERYTHING seems to have a fresh coat of paint or has been cleaned to look brand new. Everything looks great. The main entry walkway seems to not focus on the "Hot Set" as it was before. I didn't get a good look, but I didn't see any from what I saw.
The first room serves the same purpose as the old version, however the StarSpeeder is the 1000 model. The queue has some new carpeting on the ramp and the large glass-like panel is now a large screen with various information about arrivals, departures, weather, and tour advertisements. The audio in this room goes from scripts between CP3O and R2D2 performing checks on the StarSpeeder you are about to board and the star tours advertisements and spaceport announcements. I really enjoyed watching and listening in this room. There are announcements that are the same from the original attraction and new ones that really make you feel like you are at an airport...er...I mean spaceport.
The second room which previous contained droid parts and pieces now serves a different purpose as a cargo check and screening area. In this room you will see a nice nod to the original attraction that gave me a chuckle. One part is baggage check being performed by a funny droid. Pay close attention to the bags and his dialoge, there a few hidden surprises and quite a few funny lines and jokes. The second part was the screening which has a droid talking to us using thermal image scan. His comments are also funny, so pay attention.
Lighting throughout seems to have been updated throughout as well. It was nice to see everything looking so brand new while also being so similar to what it was before.
--PRESHOW DESCRIPTION & REVIEW--
The preshow safety video is also very similar to the old one, but contains all brand new footage. Like before, they show "live" cams of them preparing your StarSpeeder. There are also bits showing our pilot and CP3O which leads into the main story of your ride. The safety instructions are done by the Aly San San girl droid created for Star Tours 2. They also show people boarding the cabin as before, but again all new footage. You may recognize a few characters and even one human lady from the previous cabin boarding video. The preshow has a few little things that made me chuckle if you can catch them, but otherwise it is very much what you would expect. I do miss the lady with the weird hair.
Oh yeah, and before you line up for your StarSpeeder you pick up your 3D glasses. These are like no 3D glasses I have ever seen before. They are very sleek and somewhat wrap around in style. The lenses themselves are smaller than your typical 3D glasses and they are clear. Now, when you first put them one you may be disappointed because they seemed kind of hazy and weird to look through at first. When I saw everyone put them on, everyone made a comment or took them off to clean them.
--RIDE DESCRIPTION & REVIEW--
The cabin and boarding procedures are very much the same. Lighting and seats have been improved/changed. The ride performed very similar to how it did in the past perhaps with it being a bit more smooth. I did think that some of the movements felt more quick in response time. I know that seems vague, but if the scene calls for jerking your one way and another, then I mean that it felt quicker. Of my two rides, I did notice which parts were same and which changed depending on my ride. The 3D didn't truly feel 3D; it was very subtle, but definitely did not make me sick. In fact, no one seemed to feel sick after they rode it. I also think that the 3D depends on your journey. My first trip it was subtle while my second trip had more in your face ending. There are also more characters from the films in this ride. Oh and there is a bit of an interactive element near the begining that was a hit with the audience on board. The projections were very crisp and clean and breathtaking in spots. Star Wars fans will be pleased I believe as will Disney fanboys too. I exited the attraction wanting to do it again to see what my next trip would be like.
--MY JOURNEY (HIGHLIGHT TEXT TO SEE)--
Spoiler Alert!
First Trip: Darth Vader/Kashyyyk (wookies)/Princess Leia/Coruscant (city traffic)
Second Trip: Darth Vader/Tatooine (podrace)/Yoda/ Naboo (Gungan, underwater, Jar Jar)
End Spoiler Alert!
--SUMMARY--
It is a great update and sure to be a smash hit, especially on Star Wars Weekends. There are lots of details to look at and catch in both the ride and the queue, and with the ride being different almost every time, you are sure to want to ride it again and again. As a slight downside, with the time crunch, new crew, and based on what I already saw, there may be a few hiccups in the first few weeks with having all simulators up and running, but the Cast Members working the attraction are great as well. They really stayed in character and played the part well.
Hope that gives everyone and idea of what to expect without spoiling too much.
If the crowds for the characters get to be too much, i'll just head over to the great movie ride 
. I am hopeful we can catch a soft opening during the week.
I just saw that someone is on their third ride since soft openings started...
