Star Tours Update Coming in 2015 at Disneyland and Disney Hollywood Studios

Be prepared to fly to new Star Tours destinations in two years from now as i've been told that a Star Tours update is scheduled by Disney Parks for 2015 both at Disneyland and WDW Disney's Hollywood Studios!

Considering that Star Wars Episode 7 will also be released in 2015 this new update is quite logical. Not only it'll be the right time to do it on a marketing point of view but most of all this update will make sense because the new movie will certainly introduce new planets in the Star Wars galaxy.

As Star Wars Episode 7 will be one of the most awaited movie in cinema history - and probably very successful - Disney and WDI Imagineers probably expect that Star Wars fans and Episode 7 spectators will be happy to fly to the new destinations that they will discover in this first episode of the new trilogy. Note that this is just my thoughts, but it makes sense, doesn't it?

This news of a Star Tours update also brings another involuntary info about the new movie which is that C3PO and R2D2 will probably be part of Episode 7. Why? Because if WDI introduce new movies in the ride, directly related to Episode 7 new "planets", these movies will of course be played inside the Starspeeder shuttle... And who is the driver of the Starspeeder? That's right, C3PO. If C3PO doesn't exist anymore in Episode 7, or is "dead", or anything else that could have happened to him, how could he still be the Starspeeder pilot "driving" us to what will be Episode 7 "new" planets?

Now, i admit that WDI Imagineers could replace C3PO by a new robot that will be introduce in Episode 7, or slightly change C3PO design if a new C3PO "generation" robot appear in the new movie, but considering how popular C3PO and R2D2 are among SW Fans and young kids chances are that they will keep them in Episode 7... and so in Star Tours, too.

I have no idea how many new movies/destinations will be introduced but probably not less than two, an update with one new destination only will look a bit cheap, wouldn't it, specially on Disneyland 60th anniversary year? Anyway,  i suppose that all this is great news for Star Tours fans, and there is more Star Wars news to come soon, so stay tuned on D&M!

Picture: copyright Disney - Lucasfilm

Star Tours 2 Officially Open at Tokyo Disneyland - WDI Video

That's it, Star Tours 2 is now officially open at Tokyo Disneyland Tomorrowland and Walt Disney Imagineering just released a video to celebrate the event, and WDI Imagineers explain the changes they did in this new version! Among the new additions,  the hitchhikers droids robots above.




Georges Lucas couldn't be here but he sent a video message to TDL fans!




TDL did several fun TV spot to announce Star Tours The Adventures Continue, among them the two below.







Let's end with this video filmed by a fan on opening day.




Picture and TDL videos: copyright Disney - Oriental Land

Star Tours 2 Opens at Tokyo Disneyland - Full Video Report !

Last week was HKDL Mystic Manor's week and this week will be probably the one of Star Tours 2 which will have its official opening at TDL early May. But the attraction is now already in soft opening at TDL Tomorrowland and thanks to two TDL fans - François Couperin and vinylmatiOn - who posted videos on Youtube you'll be able to have a full look at this new Tokyo Disneyland version.

The ride movies are obviously the same but as we will see it seems that TDL had a special treatment and got some new pre-show movies and a new"hitchhiking droids" scene too. There we go for a complete tour and we begin by a video of the entrance concourse.




The next videos show the pre-show room with C3PO , R2D2 and the Starspeeder.







Always in the same room, the pre-show movie, and this one looks the same than in the U.S versions.




However,  it seems that they've introduced a new segment with the storm troopers calling to join the empire. In the video below it starts at 1.30 min and, as i unfortunately didn't did the ride in U.S theme parks, please let me know if this storm trooper part already exist in the DL and WDW versions or not, thanks.




Others pre-show movies are showing the spaceport and different destination planets. The two first videos below probably exist in the U.S versions but i wouldn't be surprised if the others below showing different planets with animated movies would be exclusive to TDL . And the animation style looks specially for japanese too. Thanks, too, to let me know if these are TDL exclusive or not.






















Let's have a look now to the droids all along the pre-show and the first one is the droid of the security area, the one scanning luggages. In the video below you have the full sequence in "real time" with the different luggages.




Another droid this one apparently checking the guests.




Hitchhiker robots! Now the Hitchhiker ghosts of the Haunted Mansion are not the only ones! And these droids seems to be a TDL exclusive too...




The Droid customs and chinese shadow scenes.




A video of the thermic image security process.




It's time to embark in a Starspeeder and apparently TDL Star Tours boarding area has now a different lighting with new colors...




The video before boarding in the Starspeeder looks the same than in the U.S.




We'll end the tour with this travelling showing Star Tours 2 exit after the ride.




Thanks a lot to François Couperin and vinylmatiOn for all their videos!

Star Wars land Coming to Disneyland Paris Discoveryland in 2015 ?

Since two months DLP fans forums are talking about something pretty exciting: a "Star Wars land" is supposed to come to DLP Discoveryland in 2015! Disney Central Plaza forum detailed what we might expect in this Star Wars land and so far it is listed on DCP as a "rumor". Of course, i tried to know what is true in all this and, yes, from what i've been told it seems that DLP Imagineering is indeed working on a Star Wars Land project for Discoveryland. I will explain you in details why this Star Wars land is very probably going to be build, but before let's have a look to what is supposed to be planned.

The plan is not only to bring Star Tours 2 at DLP Discoveryland but also to transform what is now the Captain EO theatre, the Star Traders shop as well as the Pizza Planet restaurant to create a "Star Wars land" and as you will see on the Google Earth screen capture below they not only have plenty of room backstage to do it but probably will even have enough room in the future to add new rides if necessary. The back of Discoveryland already don't have the same architecture than the front, so this Star Wars land shouldn't be a problem, esthetically speaking.



What you must NOT expect: I found back a Tim Delaney rendering - which is reproduced in my DLP book among 250 others WDI artwork and that you can find HERE - and in this artwork Tim had envisioned, a long time ago, a kind of Star Wars land with a full scale Millennium Falcon and a Space Mountain dome designed as the Death Star. This will certainly not happen, so don't even think about it as Space Mountain will definitely keep his beautiful dome as it is right now.



What you CAN expect: Of course, Star Tours 2 will replace the original version and the pre-show will have the same changes than in the U.S versions, but according to the DCP forum - and for a big part confirmed to me - the plans apparently are to do big changes in the Star Tours post-show, which will be welcome as since IBM is not anymore the attraction sponsor the great games which were there on DLP opening day have been replaced by arcade games. I don't know yet exactly the DLPI plans but a Star Tours shop will very probably take place in this quite large area, hopefully with great theming. Close to the exit the Star Traders shop might become a Star Wars photo location and what kid wouldn't be happy to have his picture with his favorite Jedi?



Young kids will also probably be happy with the plans for what is now the Captain EO theatre as apparently DLP is planning to replace it with the Star Wars Jedi Academy like the popular one at Disney Hollywood Studios. Sure, if you're 8 years old its more enjoyable to become a young padawan - a Jedi apprentice - but i think it will be a cute and fun addition even if DLP Jedi Academy may not be located outside as it is at DHS for obvious weather reasons. All of you have heard about the DHS Jedi Academy but some may have never seen it in real so i post below a video showing the full DHS show.




The next transformation is an exciting one as the idea seems to be to transform the Pizza Planet restaurant - located a bit backstage behind Space Mountain - by Star Wars famous Mos Eisley Cantina which appeared for the first time in the Episode 4, i.e the first Star Wars movie to have been released. Not only it's for sure the most famous Star Wars "restaurant", the one that everyone remember from the movies, but it shouldn't be too difficult too to recreate it. From the outside it looks like this - below a picture of a diorama model by Stefan Weber:



And here is the same model but showing the inside.



Here are two pictures, the first one is the original model for the movie, and the next one is another model, non-official.





I remind you that in the movie the Cantina is located on Tatooine, in a desert environment, which mean that DLPI would probably have to recreate a bit of desert landscape all around it, which is not the most difficult thing to do. And they have the space to do it. Some additional creatures like the one you saw on the diorama and a land speeder waiting at the entrance would be welcome, too.

To be perfectly honest, this "Cantina" addition is the one on which i didn't had confirmation yet but it'll make sense to build it and if this Cantina project is finalized you can be sure that Lucas Film will keep an eye on the theming to make sure that the restaurant will be faithful to the original one. This next picture will give you an idea of where is what in La Cantina.



Now, we all remember that the Cantina is full of aliens from all over the galaxy. In this case it's probably DLP guests who will be the aliens (!) but it would be nice if the cast members who will work inside the Cantina could be a little bit "themed" - if french regulations allows it, which remains to be proven...



And what about the Cantina musicians, by the way? They have to be there, right? DLP have the choice of real musicians wearing masks or audio-animatronics musicians. My guess is that DLP might prefer "real" one for financial reasons but WDI AAs would be welcome..



For those of you who don't remember the Cantina scene from Star Wars Episode 4, here is the video.




Is this Star Wars land going to be build at DLP? Very probably, yes, and here is why: One year ago, during a press event, a dinner was organized with a selection of web masters and Philippe Gas, DLP CEO. I was part of the dinner but it's another web master who asked him if DLP was planning to replace Star Tours 1 by Star Tours 2. To what Philippe Gas answered that they will be very happy to do so but unfortunately the attraction have a cost - read: an important cost - and for the same cost DLP could have a brand new attraction. One of the problem is that DLP had bad experiences with previous upgraded attractions. They did Space Mountain Mission Two and expected it to be a success as big as they had in 1995 when Space Mountain opened, and it hasn't been the case. And Captain Eo just brought in more guests than HISTA during one week or so. So, we can understand why DLP execs can a bit dubious with upgraded rides even if in this case i think they're wrong as everyone will agree that Star Tours 2 is considerably better than the first version.

But, at the time of this dinner we didn't knew the real price of Star Tours 2, and it was hard to understand why Philippe Gas thought that ST2 cost was high. Thanks to Oriental Land company who always reveal the cost when they bring a new ride at TDL or TDS we know now that TDL will invest 7 billion Yen to bring Star Tours 2 - $84 Million which makes around 63.5 M euros. Even if the costs are always a bit higher in Japan because of anti-sismic regulations, the price for DLP is certainly not under 50M euros, and probably closer to 55M. I can understand now why Philippe Gas thought that it's quite a lot of money to upgrade a ride, as popular as it can be. Not to mention that it's also harder for DLP marketing to advertise an upgraded ride than a brand new one.

But DLP have two problems: the first one is that Star Tours 2 will be introduced to all the others parks next year except at DLP, and the pressure by DLP fans would surely grow in the next years. And also, to put it more simply, the original ride is really getting old, so sooner or later DLP couldn't escape to upgrade it. The second problem is located next door to Star Tours. As i told you Captain EO is not tremendously successful and obviously they can't keep it for years and years. Captain EO closed on April 2 but the main problem for DLP is: what can they put in instead of EO? WDI don't do anymore 3D movies considering - and they're right - that because a new 3D movie is released almost each week in normal theatres it's better to use 3D technology in rides - like in Toy Story Mania or in the upcoming Ratatouille ride at WDS.

And it's at that point that someone probably came with this brilliant idea: what about having a Star Wars land in the back of Discoveryland? And this concept change everything as DLP marketing will be able to "sell" or advertise not only an upgraded ride but a whole new land, and a new land dedicated to one of the most popular movie mythology in the world! And God knows that there is a lot of Star Wars fans in Europe. Not to mention that, as i told you, there is still plenty of land backstage to eventually add a new Star Wars attraction in the future if needed. Honestly, if they do it for real i think it's a very smart move from Philippe Gas and DLP Imagineering as this Star Wars land is probably the best way to resolve both the ST1 and Captain EO problems at the same time.



For sure, this Star Wars land will cost more to DLP than a simple upgrade of the ride but the benefit on many points will be greater. For instance, once DLP will have this Star Wars land why wouldn't they organize Star Wars week-ends like they do at WDW? It's very popular, and for sure it would bring fans from all over Europe in the park...and in DLP hotel rooms, right? So, for all these reasons, i'm quite sure that a Star Wars land will come to DLP, and from what is said on the DCP forum it won't be before Ratatouille opening which is scheduled for 2014. But 2015 might be the year that both Jedis and Empire forces will land again at DLP Discoveryland!

Pictures: copyright Disney, Lucas Film, Mark Dermul

Cantina Video: copyright Lucas Film

Cantina pictures from cantinacustoms.tripod.com

Great Pictures of Disneyland Star Tours 2 Pre-Show

The Westcoaster web site just posted a new update with great pictures of the Disneyland Star tours queue decor. As you might want to have a look at them, it's HERE.

Picture: copyright Westcoaster

Highlights of Star Tours 2 Grand Opening, New Full Ride Video, and more

You'll find below three new Star Tours videos. The first one is a Disney officiall video of the highlights of the DHS Grand Opening, filmed on a different angle than the Inside the Magic video.




The next one filmed by robertlbeukema is an interesting video as it is filmed from the entrance of the attraction to the the shop at the exit so it'll show you the whole thing. The ride is not filmed in full so there is a "medium" spoilers warning.




And for the last one filmed at Disneyland there is a spoilers warning "high" as it shows a full ride - destinations: Tatooine / Coruscant - as well as the DL ST2 queue.




Videos: copyright Disney or robertlbeukema

First Star Tours 2 Commercial !

The first Star Tours 2 commercial has been released! This version is for ST2 at Disney's Hollywood Studios and the sequence features many Star Wars characters like Darth Vader, Admiral Ackbar, Chewbacca as well as a host of other characters in the background, including Boba Fett, Stormtroopers, Jawas, Ewoks, Emporers Imperial Guards, a Tusken Raider and even a member of the Cantina Band.




Have a look!




Video: copyright Disney - Lucas Film Ltd

Many thanks to itsacatch22

Star Tours 2 Pre-Show Videos - Plus: On Ride Audio !

Disney fans who were at WDW last week-end had the luck to try the awaited Star Tours 2 and it seems that everyone is pretty enthusiastic about the new version of the ride. Videos were not allowed inside the attraction whether it was in the pre-show or the ride itself but the will of transgression was too strong for some of them and here is some videos that will show you more of the pre-show decor. Just a little bit.

The first video shows the outside and a bit of the pre-show decor inside.




This next and short video provides a closer look to the ST2 Scan Droid that guests will meet in the second part of the queue line.




As this post is mostly about the pre-show decor, i also repost the Orlando Sentinel video showing the Starspeeder room.



As i've said video shooting was not allowed during this preview event but this didn't stopped some to record the audio! So, on this next Youtube video you'll hear the full audio recording of one Star Tours 2 trip, including the moment at the very beginning when a Storm Trooper is stopping the Starspeeder on its way to take of - as they are looking for a spy supposedly inside the vehicle... Note that the interesting part begins at 2.35 minutes.




Videos: copyright PopSong1, TravelingMouse, JerrodDRagonPodcast

First Star Tours 2 Reviews ! Live Webcast of Star Tours 2 opening !

Star Tours 2 grand opening at WDW Disney's Hollywood Studios will have a live webcast! Which means that even if you're not at WDW you'll be able to see everything - as long as Disney don't have technical problems if too many fans are connected... It will begin at 10a.m Florida time (3pm in London, 4pm in Paris) next Friday May 20th and you'll be able to watch it on the Disney Parks blog.

The webcast will also be live streaming on the Star Tours Facebook page and on the Disney Parks YouTube page. Please note that the webcast will require a computer or mobile device that supports Flash, which means that you won't be able to watch it on your Apple iPhone or iPad.

Now, the first Star Tours 2 reviews are appearing on the web, mostly from cast members or from Disney fans who are currently at the WDW Destination D event. No photos or videos were allowed which is not a surprise.

Here is some cast-members reviews and no need to say that it's full of spoilers!:

From @taradise:

• 2nd queue area now has a baggage scanner. The bot is like the TSA. Pretty funny.
• Then you pass a “body scanner”. Bot just implied I wasn’t actually human but a shapeshifter.
• Ok, new ride is pretty great. We went to Hoth then Naboo on my tour. JarJar made an appearance.
• Guest interaction part: Imperial bot scans starspeeder, stops on a guest, takes their pic & declares them a wanted rebel spy.
• Commerical for Cloud City “see the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks spectacular!” Love old Disney references!
• 2nd tour: Tatooine pod racing then Naboo again. Vadar led the guest interaction this time which I liked way better than an imperial bot.

From @DisneyMagicMan:

• A defective Rex is in the queue!! he even has some audio.
• There’s a small Incredibles reference in the Baggage claim area. They have actual heat body scans and luggage scans!
• It was INCREDIBLE! Fans of the original was definitely be pleased! We Pod Raced, was talked to by Yoda thru hologram.
• It was also interactive on a very nice scale, choosing someone in the vehicle, as a “princess” you need to help protect.
• My first run we didn’t encounter the new model of Rex at all, it was C3PO from the start.
• Patrick Worberg is definitely the heat scanning robot.
• The 3D technology is absolutely amazing, it’s flawless. The glasses are quite pretty too, and fit well!
• The second time was even more amazing! I have a loss for words, Each experience is so awesome!
• In the queue they had a lineup of all different types of R2-D2s. Very neat how they mixed things up a bit.

From @StarTours2Live:

• Also, on Hoth the StarSpeeder wraps the AT-AT’s legs to take it down.
• Hearing great things. No one reporting any motion sickness issues.
• Just talked to someone who got a bit motion sick on the ride. Said it wasn’t too bad, but she is only riding once for now. (Did she ever get sick on the old one?) She did. She said this one wasn’t as bad.
• Rex (in the queue) has original lines including “Welcome Aboard” and “Haha, a little shortcut.”

More of these short reviews are available HERE

In another post WDWnewstoday details what we know so far - warning again: lot of spoilers ahead:

QUEUE

The first queue room is mostly the same, the screen is now HD and shows weather reports, destination previews, and a look at Starspeeder 1000.
The Goose droids are now screening luggage in the second queue room. However on a sad note the droid room song is gone!
As luggage goes through the scanner, projections show what’s inside. Some items inside include Wall-E, a Stormtrooper helmet, and an ewok doll among other items.
3 to 4 models of our former pilot RX-24 are now in that room, each a different color. They each have a tag saying they are defective!
A body scanner is now located at the end of the room. The other goose droid makes a comment about you passing through.
Loading area is essentially the same except for new lighting and signage, the updated pre-show is presented on two HD screens above.

PRE-SHOW

Pre-show has Aly San San (the new Spokes-Droid voiced by Allison Janey) providing all the spiels in English and Spanish. The guests in the cabin was a shot for shot remake of original pre-show.
The cast member chooses who will be the rebel spy or princess that will be “caught” when the ride begins. We suggest you try kissing up.
During the pre-show, C-3P0 comes to inspect the Starspeeder cabin, has a discussion with pilot, then asks him to leave. (I’ve got a bad feeling about this)

Ride Experience

Guests board and are seated, the starspeeder takes off with reluctant pilot and a view of the Millennium Falcon. Guests are then ambushed!
You escape the ambush by jumping to lightspeed, bringing you to you your first destination.
The riders we spoke to then ended up on either Hoth or Kashyyk. There’s a battle on Hoth and you get chased on Speeder-bikes in the latter.
You go to space and get a transmission. The riders we spoke with were given a message by Admiral Ackbar or Princess Leia.
Princess Leia says “help me Star Tours, you’re my only hope!”. Next, R2-D2 then jumps to lightspeed without C-3P0′s permission.
The riders we spoke with then either entered final scenes in the Death Star, on Naboo, or Coruscant.
The Death Star scene ends with a Boba Fett chase through the asteroid field.
Naboo has a giant fish attack.
Coruscant has a giant battle in the sky between the Trade Federation and the Clone Troopers. You barely escape from a huge crashing ship!

Another review - this one with no spoiler - is available at Inside the Magic HERE

First Pictures and Video of Star Tours 2 Queue

Thanks to the Orlando Sentinel and Wsbt.com we have the first pictures and videos showing the brand new Star Tours 2 queue decor. The room filmed here is the first one with the brand new Starspeeder 1000. Here is some of the pictures and what they say about the highly awaited ST2.









Another great picture shows Darth Vader with Storm Troopers and this pic is very probably coming from a "screen capture" of one of the the beginning of the new movies.



The revamping of Star Tour represents the highest-profile addition to the Disney World parks in 2011. A version will open at Disneyland in California on June 3.

Disney has been selective in what details it reveals, including the price tag for the renovation that took nine months to complete. The floor plan of Star Tours remains the same as when it opened in 1989, but its story and emphasis have changed.

The new Star Tours is designed to immerse guests in the Star Wars universe, said Kathy Rogers, senior show producer for Walt Disney Imagineering. That feeling should be present “as soon as you come in the door,” she said during the Orlando Sentinel’s exclusive guided tour this week.

The ride’s 3-D film is divided into several segments featuring different planets and will be shown in 54 combinations. Once inside that door, visitors have a chance to see:

•A flood of fresh — and familiar — faces from Star Wars lore. The attraction is populated with characters throughout. “You’ve got Darth Vader, you’ve got Princess Leia, you’ve got R2-D2, C-3PO, Boba Fett, Yoda, Admiral Ackbar,” said Tom Fitzgerald, executive vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering. “Jar Jar Binks makes an appearance.”

The idea is to set Star Tours in a definite galaxy far, far away. The new safety video shows only intergalactic beings filing into seats; no one who looks like a tourist, as in the previous version. A window to another concourse shows shadowy outlines of other recognizable characters, royal and interplanetary. There are cameos during the ride.

•A crisp look that reflects a time shift. The new version is set years earlier than the old ride, and familiar objects look newer. “It feels like a brand-new airport,” Rogers said.

In the first room of the queue, a copper-and-white StarSpeeder 1000 vessel sits where the blue StarSpeeder 3000 used to be. R2-D2 and C-3PO are there again, along with a small IC-360 scouting droid. Overhead is a new high-definition board listing spaceport departures and a galactic Weather Channel.

•A clear vision. Once the ride begins, the adventures are presented in 3-D digital projections, as opposed to 70 mm film. The imagery was again produced by Industrial Light & Magic under the guidance of “Star Wars” mastermind George Lucas. (The 3-D “flight glasses” are sleek, shiny and black.)

•Nods to Star Tours past. In the second room of the queue, which is the scanning area of the spaceport, boxed-up droids are ready for shipping. Rex, the hapless pilot from the original Star Tours, is marked “defective” and spews snippets of old dialogue."

Here is the video filmed essentially in the Starspeeder room.




Also, WDI Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald did a new update on the Disney fans web site:

Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald revealed that work on an update to Star Tours had been underway for about 10 years.

"We actually began planning the redesign over 10 years ago ... a year before Episode I was complete. Fans were eager to see some changes, but after learning that Episodes II and III were in the works, we decided the update would have to wait. In order to create the ultimate Star Wars attraction for our Parks, George [Lucas] needed to finish his saga so we could include the best of all the films."

"Because of time-period differences (the new attraction is a prequel to the original), we had to reverse-engineer our story, as well as the look of the Starspeeders."

"For the very first time, we utilized technology that selects one of 54 different story combinations so each ride's really a surprise. Guests never know where they'll go. We created this approach to keep it fresh for our enormous fan base. It's a huge change from the original show."

"We wanted to add 3D for years, but had to wait for projection equipment that was robust enough to make it look state-of-the-art. Advanced visual effects make the world totally dimensional and so much more realistic than before. It's absolutely breathtaking."

"It'll feel very different from the first show, which only featured space flight. We've added a desert pod race, underwater travel, sliding on ice, and careening through forests while smashing into trees. Some adventures will be planet-based, some space, but each ride will feel distinct because Guests won't know which story combination they're getting."

"Darth Vader's voiceover was recorded by the original actor. It was also great working with Anthony Daniels and Frank Oz, who reprised their roles as C-3PO and Yoda respectively."

"Aly San San came about because we couldn't think of anything and knew George [Lucas] was amazing with names. When we told him actress Allison Janney was doing the voiceover work, he instantly said, 'Aly San San.'"

"I spent more time with George than we were able to on the original show, which was absolutely wonderful for me. Meeting with him every few weeks to review the sequences, help us tune up the show, and learn from his experience was priceless. It was like taking a master class from George Lucas."

"John Williams and his music editor found passages from the scores to use in our show. The cabin music is taken from the original recordings!"

"We packed as much of the films as we could into the new show. It's really a salute to the best of Star Wars, so whether you're a fan of the original or the newer trilogy, there's something for everyone."

Let's end with another video showing the aliens silhouettes moving above the guests in the newly Star Trader store at Disneyland. Among the silhouettes moving and ready to embark on a new Star Tours flight we can see the Admiral Ackbar, Darth Vader and many more!




Pictures: copyright Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel 2011

Videos: copyright Disney, Orlando sentinel or AGoodDonkeyShow

Star Tours Attraction Poster - Original Creation by Stefan Lawrence

Stefan Lawrence is a brilliant graphic designer from Brooklyn, New York. He designs posters, logos, and just about anything else. And as he love Disney theme parks (and a good theme in general) and in anticipation of both Destination D in Orlando and the 40th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, he designed a series of minimalist posters for each of WDW parks that i've posted on Disney and more HERE.

Stefan is also working on a poster series where he's making vintage Disneyland-style posters for modern attractions. He sent me the new one he just did for Star Tours and here it is above.

Fell free to discover his work on his web site at http://stefanrules.com/ where you'll see more stuff. Tou can also follow him on Twitter @stefanpatrik if you want updates on his posters creations, and more!

Poster: copyright Stefan Lawrence.

Star Tours 2 Attraction Poster !

WDI unveiled today the new Star Tours 2 attraction poster, "designed by Imagineer Scot Drake, the piece features the new Starspeeder 1000 surrounded by many of the planets, vehicles and characters from the show".

The poster is also the Star TOurs 2 marquee at Disney's Hollywood Studios and was installed by WDI Imagineers yesterday morning! Rumors keep saying that soft-opening are imminent at DHS so more news probably very soon!



Pictures: copyright Disney - LucasFilm ltd

Star Tours 2 Merchandise Announced

Disney announced new Star Tours 2 merchandise and here is a choice of the most interesting items, beginning by this $22.95 set above of "incredibly detailed Starspeeder 1000 Spaceliner Collection. This boxed set features die-cast metal vehicles representing six spaceliners that are involved with the new Star Tours story".

Brad Schoeneberg, Product Developer for Toys and Games says "“We’ve been working on the Star Tours toys for about two years now. During the past two years, we have had a great relationship with Walt Disney Imagineering. They provided us with tons of reference material for the Starspeeders and other new characters. That partnership helped us capture wonderful details including the tiny droids seen on top of each of the Starspeeders.”

Also available from opening day "the “Ambush at Star Tours” and the “Star Tours Travel Agency” action figure sets - $39.95 each. Favorite figures include the Sky Troopers who were created specifically for the attraction".



If you love T-shirts then you should be happy with these newly designed T-shirts, whether it will be the ones below...



...or this one which will be released at Disneyland, Anaheim, on opening day.



Another Disneyland Star Tours 2 item will be this "fine writing pen". Note that others Passholder Exclusive items "will include a commemorative coin, a limited edition pen and a Darth Vader T-shirt".

Pictures: copyright Disney

Create your own Star Tours 2 Galactic Passport !

Disney launched a new Star Tours 2 web site - yes, another one! - and on this one you'll be able to create your own "Star Tours 2 passport" that you'll be able either to print or to post on your Facebook page. It's easy to do, it's free, and all you have to do basically is to go on startourspassport.com.



Pictures: copyright Disney-Lucas Film Ltd

Disney Press Release Reveals Details on Star Tours 2: The Adventures Continue

Disney just issued a new press release with more details on “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue”, and here it is. Disney fans will also find in the next issue of Disney 23 magazine a sneak peek article about Star Tours 2. Above is a picture of the article opening pages.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The power of the Force and the magic of Disney have combined to create “Star Tours – The Adventures Continue,” a new 3-D attraction set to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park on May 20, 2011. The attraction also will open at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif., on June 3, 2011.

Based on the Star Wars films, Star Tours will take Walt Disney World Resort guests to multiple Star Wars destinations where they will interact with characters from throughout the Saga. And it will all be in 3-D.

With eye-popping 3-D digital filming, a dramatic musical score and motion simulator-based technology, guests will be immersed in the Star Wars galaxy like never before on a theme park attraction. Walt Disney Imagineering worked with Lucasfilm, Ltd. and Industrial Light & Magic – the groundbreaking visual effects division of Lucasfilm – to bring the out-of-this-world attraction to life.

Star Tours, which had thrilled Disney Parks guests since the 1980s, was “powered down” at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2010 so Imagineers could begin work on the new attraction.

And in a new twist, guests may be able to enjoy the attraction multiple times without ever experiencing the same adventure. More than 50 story combinations are possible for guests to experience aboard Star Tours.

Just as the Star Wars films immerse movie-goers in storylines that keep them on the edge of their seats, Star Tours will feature multiple stories and scenarios that will hurtle park guests throughout the Star Wars galaxy. And all of the storyline’s twists and turns will be random, affording guests the chance to ride the attraction multiple times.

Whether it’s a battle with Darth Vader and his legion of stormtroopers or a plea from Princess Leia to help her save the Rebellion, guests will find themselves in the middle of the action – literally – in the 3-D, multi-sensory attraction.

Entering the attraction queue area, Star Tours guests walk into a bustling spaceport. The famed Star Wars droid duo, C-3PO and R2-D2, greet them as the Starspeeder 1000 is prepped for service. Anthony Daniels, the voice of C-3PO and the only actor to appear in every theatrical chapter of the Star Wars Saga, reprises his role as the golden protocol droid. Daniels worked with Walt Disney Imagineering to record new dialogue for the attraction. Guests also are introduced to AC-38, a hotshot droid pilot known simply as “Ace,” and Aly San San (voiced by actress Allison Janney), the “spokesbot” for the spaceport.

After winding through the spaceport, guests board the Starspeeder 1000 spacecraft and prepare for Star Tours Flight #1401. Through a series of mishaps, however, C-3PO finds himself in the pilot’s seat instead of Ace, and it’s up to him and R2-D2 to navigate their passengers through the galaxy. However, the tyrannical Empire is out to stop the Starspeeder at all costs. C-3PO and R2-D2 take the controls and try to outwit and outrun the Imperial forces and a galactic bounty hunter hired to pursue the spaceship and its passengers.

Utilizing the 50+ random story combinations, the Starspeeder then embarks on a wild trip through the galaxy, visiting several planets made famous in the Star Wars films. Among the locations that might provide haven from the Empire’s pursuit are the icy planet of Hoth, the lush jungles of Kashyyyk and the underwater Gungan world of Naboo. And along the way guests may encounter Star Wars characters that offer to help (or hinder) their journey, including Yoda, Admiral Ackbar, Darth Vader and Boba Fett. “Skytroopers,” a legion of stormtroopers created just for the Star Tours attraction story, might even join in the chase.

In fact, with multiple ways to experience each flight, guests will never know where the Force will take them.

At Walt Disney World Resort, Star Tours opens May 20, 2011, the same day the annual Star Wars Weekends event begins at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. Star Tours and Star Wars Weekends event activities are included in regular admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park.

Pictures: copyright Disney

New Star Tours 2 Mobile Site Reveals Stars Tours 2 Posters

Disney launched a new Star Tours 2 mobile web site and among others visuals you'll find Star Tours 2 posters which will be brilliant wallpapers for your mobile phone. You'll find them also below, and hopefully more will come!









Pictures: copyright Disney-Lucas Film Ltd

Star Tours “ Mall Tours ” Backdrop Reveals Star Tours 2 Hangar

The Star Tours “Mall Tours” had its first stop at the Aventura Mall in Miami, Florida and you can see pictures of it HERE or HERE. Guests could meet C3P0 or R2D2 and have pictures with them. But the most interesting is this big backdrop which reveal what is very probably the new Star Tours hangar from which our new Starspeeder 1000 will depart. If you have a closer look at the pictures you will see, aside from several Starspeeder 1000 vehicles, other famous Star Wars vehicles like the Millennium Falcon and what seems to be the backside of a Corellian corvette.

Picture: copyright Disney-Lucas Film Ltd

Star Tours 2 Destinations

What will be the new Star Tours 2 destinations? We knew already that the Starspeeder 1000 will go at Tatooine to participate in the Boonta Eve Podrace - picture below - and also to Coruscant - picture above.



Tom Fitzgerald released recently this "spaceport" screenshot showing the new destinations.



Yesterday Disney launched a new Star Tours web site for mobile with new pictures that you will see below of Star Tours destination. Always according to Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald, "Additional destinations include a visit to the beautiful planet of Naboo...



...a rare tour of the Wookiee planet of Kashyyyk...



...and a trip to the icy planet Hoth.



Of course, no Star Tours adventure would be complete without an unexpected visit to the Death Star, this time above the planet Geonosis".

The Geonosis scene is the one painted on the rendering showing the Starspeeder being chased by Boba Fett vessel with in the background the first Death Star under construction.



Also released on the new Star Tours mobile site this guide of ST2 destinations.



Some weeks ago this Star Tours queue video was also released showing some of the Starspeeder 1000 destinations.




Star Tours 2 open next month at DHS and it's going to be a very exciting moment!

Pictures: copyright Disney-Lucas Film Ltd