Star Tours

Since the late 80s Disney has had a Star Wars based ride, which was a space ship simulator ride that took you to the Ewok moon of Endor, set after the final film.

When the new films were made they decided to revamp the ride and have it set in between the 2 trilogies. To do this they closed the original ride last year (for 9 months) and reopened the new attraction this year during the first Star Wars Weekend event on May 20.

 For about 2 weeks prior to the official opening the ride was running a soft opening test period, which meant it was open but listed everywhere as closed. Of course this also meant there were no crowds rushing to ride the new simulators, so I went along one day and was able to ride it 8 times with virtually no waiting!

The ride scenario has a rebel spy hiding on the Star Tours speeder who must be whisked away to safety, however there are numerous opening, middle and ending scenes going to various Star Wars universe planets and containing different characters, so you never get the same ride twice! This ride also uses 3-D visual technology, and in one scene a huge sea monster grabs the speeder in its mouth and licks the windshield, it's very good!

While I was there I also got to watch the Jedi Training Academy where kids get to learn how to use a lightsaber and then fight Darth Vader when he 'invades' the Academy. It is all a lot of fun to watch and there are some good Star Wars jokes told to amuse the adults in the crowd. Unfortunately you have to be under 13 years old to join in otherwise I would so do this!

 May the Force be with you! (and watch your step)

.