Disney's Hollywood Studios
|
One of the most popular venues of Disney's Hollywood Studios "Star Wars Weekends" is now a permanent fixture. "Jedi Training Academy" performances take place on the stage located in front of the Star Tours Attraction. 'Jedi Masters' choose children to be trained in the use of light sabers. Once these junior Luke Skywalkers become proficient, they'll be challeged by Storm Troopers and Darth Vader. Click Here for Photos
|
 Star Tours opened December 1989
There
is no mistaking that you're at the Star Tours attraction
when you see the huge AT-AT out front. This Disney World attraction is based on
the original Star Wars movie. The producer, George Lucas, collaborated
with Disney on this project.
Star Tours offers FastPass. Depending on when you visit, the queue
can stretch into the outdoor area that is a replica
of an Ewok village on the moon of Endor. (For the most part, the line usually isn't all that bad.)
When you enter
the building, you walk up a series of ramps. TIP: Listen for EGROEG SACUL being paged. (Get it, George Lucas spelled backwards.) As you continue through
this section, you'll see C-3PO and R2D2
at work. In the background they're playing "space" music. If you're into Disney Theme Park soundtracks, this is usually on it. (It's one of those "where the heck did I hear that?" tracks that makes you pull out the song list.)
When you reach the top, you'll be sent to a row to wait in before boarding the 40 passenger "Starspeeder 3000". There's a brief video that explains what to do when you enter.
The
actual ride uses flight simulator technology combined
with action film footage. You race
to the Moon of Endor with your novice "pilot-in-training",
RX-24 leading the way. If RX-24 sounds a bit familiar, he's voiced by Paul Reubens aka Pee Wee Herman.
You go on a wild four and a half minute ride where you encounter
one mishap after another. Star Wars fans will love the Death Star sequence. With the Star Wars soundtrack blaring, you find yourself under attack as you head for your target. You feel as if you're looking over Luke Skywalker's shoulder as you administer the fatal blow.
This attraction exits through the Tatooine Traders shop. What a surprise, you just found yourself in the middle of a Star Wars battle and now you're in a shop stocked with anything and everything you could ever want that's Star Wars themed.
Because of the jolting action in this
ride, it is not for expectant mothers or people with back
or neck problems. There is a height restriction of 40"
and children under the age of 7 are not admitted without
an adult. Parents can choose the "switch off" option
here.
Guests using ECVs must be able to transfer to a wheelchair for the queue, and then transfer to the ride vehicle. | 
