When Star Tours opened at Disney-MGM Studios in December 1989, it marked a groundbreaking moment in theme park history. Developed in collaboration with George Lucas, the attraction was the first to bring the Star Wars universe into the parks—and it did so with cinematic flair and technical innovation.
Guests boarded a Starspeeder 3000, piloted by the bumbling droid RX-24 (“Rex”), voiced by Paul Reubens. The mission? A scenic tour to the forest moon of Endor. The reality? A chaotic detour through asteroid fields, icy comets, and a surprise encounter with the Death Star. The ride used a hydraulic motion simulator, synchronized with a 70mm film, to create the sensation of spaceflight. The experience was enhanced by laser effects, sound design, and a queue that mimicked a bustling spaceport, complete with droids, monitors, and departure announcements.
But by the late 2000s, the attraction was showing its age. In September 2010, Star Tours closed for a major refurbishment. The goal: to update the technology, expand the story, and align the experience with the evolving Star Wars canon.
On May 20, 2011, the attraction reopened as Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. The transformation was dramatic:
- The ride system was upgraded with advanced motion simulation, offering smoother and more dynamic movement
- The film was replaced with high-definition 3D video, displayed on a new digital projection system
- The queue and preshow area were completely redesigned, now featuring C-3PO as the accidental pilot and R2-D2 as his co-navigator
- The experience became randomized, with over 60 possible ride combinations, allowing guests to visit locations from across the Star Wars galaxy—including Hoth, Tatooine, Kashyyyk, Coruscant, and later additions like Jakku, Crait, and Exegol
The new version also incorporated characters from the prequel, original, and sequel trilogies, as well as newer additions from Disney+ series like The Mandalorian and Ahsoka. This allowed the attraction to remain fresh and relevant, even as the Star Wars universe expanded.
Though the original version is gone, its legacy lives on:
- RX-24 was retired from piloting duties but now appears as a cargo droid in the queue
- The original flight to Endor remains a nostalgic favorite among fans, and has occasionally returned in limited-time throwback events
- The Star Tours building, nestled beside Echo Lake, continues to serve as a gateway to Star Wars storytelling—even as Galaxy’s Edge now offers a more immersive experience nearby
Star Tours wasn’t just a ride—it was a portal. It proved that cinematic worlds could be physically experienced, and it laid the groundwork for everything that followed. Whether you boarded with Rex or C-3PO, the thrill of jumping to lightspeed remains timeless.
