Star Tours 2 News

Disney World Cast Member Star Tours 2 ride previews scheduled for May 13 & 14?

Disney's internal intranet (called The Hub) says Disney's Hollywood Studios cast member previews for Star Tours 2 will be held May 13 from 6pm to 10pm and May 14 from 7am to noon. Cast Members can ride in costume but must enter through backstage.

Based on past experiences, guest previews (aka "soft openings") often occur on days where cast member previews happen.  But, obviously, please do not plan your vacation around this historical point.  We'll be on-the-ground every day between now and when the attraction officially opens on May 20th, and we'll be tweeting if the attraction indeed does open (and when it closes as well).  Stay tuned!

Update: We're being told that the information posted on The Hub may have been posted in error. We're researching this further to determine what the truth is.

Update 2: We've seen the news for ourselves and it's legit.  It's part of a vidcast on The Hub.

#startourswatch Meetup at 5:20pm TODAY at Hollywood Studios Across From Star Tours Entrance

Now that we're deep into Day 3 of #startourswatch, it's time for a spontaneous UNOFFICIAL Meetup/Tweetup/Jedi-up (-- this one doesn't work does it?)  Of course, we want you to join us in Disney's Hollywood Studios.  And it's in less than two hours.

Meet across from the Star Tours entrance at 5:20pm (get the significance of the time?) -- and look for an UNOFFICIAL StarToursLive.com reporter (Scarlett) with Star Tours Mouse Ears.  Then you can try all available jedi mind tricks to convince the cast members to open the attraction (ok, probably shouldn't do this).

If you're in the Studios Today, and you're a fellow unofficial fan of Star Tours, join us!  Can't make the meet?  Tweet us and we'll meetup!

Backlot theme for Star Tours being subdued?

One of our loyal readers, Andrew Poole, noticed a change between Star Tours and Star Tours 2 that may be part of a new  theme for newer attractions at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

At the old Star Tours attraction, there were signs posted in numerous places that you were on Stage 12, which plays into the movie backlot theme that the Studios has been built on (notice the Stage 12 sign underneath the Star Tours banner).

But the current sign removed the "Stage 12" sign has been removed and a smaller sign that says "12" has been added to the top of the banner.

Moreover, there used to be a large "Stage 12" sign at the ride entrance...

...but since the walls came down this week, that sign has been removed.

We do need to mention that obviously Star Tours is far from complete and we expect Disney to add a lot more before it officially opens on May 20th.  However, this will be something to keep an eye on for us super Disney Parks fans.

Disney Announces Official, RSVP-Only Midnight Star Tours Meetup in Walt Disney World for May 20th

Disney World is inviting guests to sign up for a meet up on the evening of May 19 after Disney's Hollywood Studios closes to the public.  

Those in attendance will be among a group at our panel discussion with Walt Disney Imagineers. They’ll offer an insider’s look at Star Tours – The Adventures Continue and share some behind-the-scenes details about the experience. Fans will also have a chance to ask questions about the making-of the attraction and what it’s like to work on this project. There will also be a few surprises you won’t want to miss.

This special event will begin at 12:01 a.m. on May 20 and runs until 2 a.m.

To attend, RSVP to meetups@disney.go.com and follow these directions carefully:

• All guests who RSVP for the event must be 18 years or older, but your guest does not need to be 18. You can only bring one guest.
• Valid RSVPs must include 1) “Star Tours Meet-Up RSVP” in the subject line and 2) your name in the body of the email. All RSVPs will be for the person who responds plus one guest.
• Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in.

Good luck to all.  Did you email for tickets? Did you get in?

UPDATE:: In the comments of the post, Disney's Thomas Smith confirmed that there WILL be an opportunity to experience the attraction.  Woot!!

UPDATE 2: The Star Tours 2 Experience is maxed out and no more entries are being accepted.

UPDATE 3: And we're in!  We'll have at least 3 StarToursLive.com team members at the event.  Should be fun!