The current version of Star Tours will close down in October of 2010, and the new version will open sometime in 2011.  They’ve released piece of concept artwork and a short video.

The upgrade will include a digital projection system that will give passengers a 3D experience.  At the news conference after the presentation Rasulo hinted at the ability to change the ride’s video – sounds a lot like the earlier reports that it will feature many alternate beginning, middle and end action sequences, allowing different ride experiences every time.  I’m curious to how it will all play out – but I wouldn’t be surprised if they slowly bring in the new video, every year announcing a “new destination” for Star Tours.

They also said the simulators will feature new in-cabin special effects.  This is matching up 3 for 3 with the rumors and information that spread earlier this year.

There was no word about the holographic Admiral Akbar or if the ride would feature a chase by Boba Fett (both items reported by Slashfilm back in May).

The only content that was confirmed was a Pod Racing scene, which was shown in 3D to the audience during a presentation (video below).  In 2002 the Pod Racing story was first rumored to be the new version of Star Tours.  Considering how long it’s been since that rumor first surfaced, the technology available today, and the hint of different ride videos, I’m sure Pod Racing on Tatooine will just be one of many different locations riders will encounter.

The concept artwork they released shows off a new red paint job for the Starspeeders. This is another reason why I believe Pod Racing will be just one of many locations. If it was just going to be based on Pod Racing they wouldn’t still be using the Starspeeders, they’d just have people riding in actual Pod Racers.

Here is the video from the announcement at D23. It’s definitely worth watching.

Disney has also released a high quality video of the Pod Racing clip.

08.17.09 — Star Wars Rumor Control!
In response to inquiries from Star Wars fan sites about Storm Troopers at the D23 Expo, D23 issues the following statement: “We were contacted by the Galactic Empire and have been advised that Imperial dignitaries will be attending Disney’s D23 Expo,” said Steven Clark, head of D23. “As a result, a legion of Storm Troopers from the 501st Battalion will be patrolling the Anaheim Convention Center on Saturday, September 12.”

I don’t think they would be asking them to be at the convention if they didn’t have a big Star Wars related announcement to make.  Since there hasn’t been any other Star Wars related attraction rumors, I’m 99.9% sure that the announcement will be about Star Tours 2.  I would expect Jay Rasulo (chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts) to announce it in his opening speech to the D23 Expo on September 12.

The Tequila bar will offer an impressive collection of 70 varieties of tequilas.  The authentic agava-based spirits will range from the major brands, to the smaller and more rare varieties.  A “Tequila Ambassador” will inform guests on the process of making tequila and the history of its Mexican heritage.  La Cava del Tequila will use its décor and art work to celebrate the history of the most famous (or infamous) spirit from Mexico.  The drinks will be offered both straight and in margaritas.

I’ll be checking in on the Mexico pavilion frequently to find out when the soft opening has started.

Candlelight Processional
Nov. 27-29 – Isabella Rossellini
Nov. 30, Dec. 1-2 – John O’Hurley
Dec. 3-5  – Steven Curtis Chapman
Dec. 6-8 – Anika Noni Rose
Dec. 9-11 – Andy Garcia
Dec. 12-14 – Vanessa Williams
Dec. 15-17 – Abigail Breslin
Dec. 18-20 – Whoopi Goldberg
Dec. 21-23 – Brian Dennehy
Dec. 24-6 – Edward James Olmos
Dec. 27-30 – Angela Bassett and
Courtney Vance
Maybe one year they’ll have an event for the Flying Spaghetti Monster…

Eat To The Beat Concerts
Sept. 25-27 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Sept. 28-29 – Richard Marx
Sept. 30, Oct. 3 – Starship
Oct. 4-6 – En Vogue
Oct. 7-8 – Better Than Ezra
Oct. 9-11 – Sister Hazel
Oct. 12-13 – Kool & The Gang
Oct. 14-16 – Spyro Gyra
Oct. 17-18 – Jon Secada
Oct. 19-20 – Sister Sledge
Oct. 21-22 – Vanessa Carlton
Oct. 23-25 – Taylor Dayne
Oct. 26-28 – Boyz II Men
Oct. 29-31 – John Waite
Nov. 1-2 – Taylor Hicks
Nov. 3-5 – Billy Ocean
Nov. 6-8 – Los Lobos

Please Note: the dates and musicians are always subject to changes.

This is something I’ve always thought would be easy to set up at all the parks, and I’m surprised it took this long to get the ball rolling.  If I’m at a park and it’s even moderately busy, I want to get new Fastpasses whenever they are available.  Usually when I’m with a group of people in a park, I’ll be the Fastpass runner – when new Fastpasses are available, I’ll head over to the next attraction with every one’s tickets and print out the next passes.  This system will make that much easier now that people won’t have to go all the way across the park to the next big ride they want Fastpasses for (especially at Animal Kingdom, where the big three attractions are at opposite corners).  Even if it’s just one distribution spot in a central area of the park, it will save people a lot of walking.  I always thought the perfect set up would be one fastpass machine set aside at each attraction with some sort of screen displaying Fastpass times for the all the other Fastpass attractions – then the guest would press the button for the ride they want, insert their ticket, and receive the fastpass. I’m sure my ideal system will never happen, since it would probably just seem too complicated for the general public.

The only downside to this – the  easier it is for people to get Fastpasses, the more people will get them – leveling the playing field a little for people like me that work the system as much as possible.

Several sources have reported that the project is no longer on hold, and already in development.  Apparently we have the Oriental Land Company (the owners of Tokyo Disney) to thank, since they want their own version of Star Tours and have contributed a lot of money to the project.  The source at Theme Park Insider confirmed rumors  that the new Star Tours will be in 3D and have extensive in-cabin effects.  What kind of in-cabin effects you ask?  Well it sounds like they will be borrowing the badass ideas from DisneySea’s StormRider simulator ride which involves your ship being hit by flying debris from the storm and a piece breaking through the roof of the cabin itself (StormRider also lets you look at the action through the sides of the cabin -  but no word if Star Tours 2 will feature this).  It is also being reported that the ride could have as many as 25 beginning, 25 middle, and 25 ending sequences, giving hundreds of possible ride experiences.   This would be a great idea that would constantly keep the experience a little different every time you ride it.

The ride’s story will be set in the Star Wars timeline between episodes 3 and 4.  According to Slashfilm the ride’s main action sequence will be a chase by Boba Fett and feature Admiral Ackbar (It’s a trap!) holographically communicating to you.  LA Times has also reported that Frank Oz recorded dialogue as Yoda.  All this sounds much better than the old pod racing themed replacement that was heavily rumored back in 2002.  No word yet on when the ride will be updated – most suspect 2010 or 2011.

Here is some video I found online (the audio is slightly out of sync in the video).

As the NBA finals start The Walt Disney Company gave a press release detailing their parks friendly wager:

ANAHEIM, Calif. and LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., June 3 /PRNewswire/ — Walt Disney World President Meg Crofton and Disneyland President Ed Grier are squaring off – all in fun – as their local teams, the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers, head for the NBA Finals.

With both Disney parks asking guests “What Will You Celebrate?” in 2009, Grier and Crofton are getting in the act, making a celebratory wager on the outcome of the NBA Finals:

If the Magic win, Grier will walk down Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland park wearing a pair of specially made Mickey Mouse ears in Magic blue and silver. If the Lakers win, Crofton will don a pair of Lakers’ purple and gold mouse ears and walk down Main Street, U.S.A. at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom.

“The Lakers are going to make your team very Grumpy this week,” predicted Grier to Crofton.

“But we have ‘Magic’ on our side,” countered Crofton. “And isn’t that what Disney is all about?”

Crofton and Grier went through their respective parks Wednesday looking for supporters. Grier shot some hoops with Donald and Pluto in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, while Crofton (along with Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale) drummed up Orlando Magic support in front of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort.

The park presidents even pledged to turn the lights of their respective castles to their team colors in celebration of the historic pairing.

I’m sure Disney’s marketing gurus were coming up with ideas as soon as Orlando and LA reached the semi finals.  I’ll have to find out when the castle will have Orlando Magic colors  so I can get some photos.  Hopefully they will change it to Laker colors after LA wins.