Star Tours 3D: The Adventures Continues - Soft Open Report

This past Saturday while my wife and I were covering the Pixar Weekend at Epcot I checked my Twitter to find that it was blowing up! Star Tours was indeed doing a soft opening to work out any kinks before the actual opening on May 20th. Unfortunately we didn't get out of our event in time to ride it that night so we kept our fingers crossed that it would be open on Sunday. We got up first thing and checked our Disney iPhone app and luckily our wish was granted.

We ended up meeting up with MuppetCast host and Sorcerer Radio correspondent Steve Swanson to hop aboard the Starspeeder 1000. The lines were pretty short and I believe we waited less than 30 minutes for the two times we rode the attraction. Both times we ended up doing two very different sequences. I'll keep this review spoiler-free until for now. The cast members were also really strict and had signage posted prohibiting the use of cameras and video cameras inside the attraction. I'm sure that will change soon as it opens.

This IS the attraction I've been looking for!

Suffice it to say that the experience was amazing. The interior was fresh and completely redone. There were two different cast member costume variations: one for those working the attraction as flight staff, and two, the workers inside Tatooine Traders. They looked amazing! Steve examined the 3D glasses and noticed that they were different than the ones used in Muppet Vision 3D so there could be some new Lucasfilm/Imagineering tech at work. There were only two things I can really mention that I found to be bumps in the road. First, the second time we rode the attraction a few seat belts were malfunctioning. That caused us to be reseated on the next flight out. This seemed to have happened to a few people as well, but I'm sure they will iron out that detail. The last thing Steve and I talked about was the fact there were several management level cast members wandering the corridors assisting the "flight attendance" and they were not dressed in the proper theme. They could have at least worn Jedi robes to cover their dress shirts and docker slacks. That really took away from the "show" that Disney strives so hard to keep "in character." It was a minor distraction and I'm sure that will cease once the attraction has completed its shakedown.

Aljon, Duffy the Disney Bear, Kristen and MuppetCast host  Steve Swanson

Yep. It rocks! That's my spoiler-free review of Star Tours 3D: The Adventure Continues. Did you think I was going to say that is sucked?

I look forward to riding this attraction as many times as I can before the sneak peek on Thursday. Either way I'll try to report and stream what I can this week so stay tuned! For live streaming video from the parks please visit jedimouseketeer.blogspot.com.

For Steve's spoiler-free review check out my Ustream feed on my site jedimouseketeer.blogspot.com.

MTFBWY!

Twitter @JediMouseketeer
Facebook JediMouseketeer

Book your next Disney vacation or cruise with Kristen at Magical Journeys Travel!