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Star Tours 2 News
Star Tours 2 Dedication Ceremony Schedule
We've gotten some more details on the official dedication ceremony for the opening of Star Tours 2 in Disney's Hollywood Studios. Referred to as "Star Tours Grand Opening Moment", it will begin at 10:15am and end at 10:40am. Of course, this schedule is subject to change.
No details yet on who will be in attendance or what will happen at this event or if the attraction will be open prior to the opening ceremony.
DisneyWorld.com relaunches Star Tours site
DisneyWorld.com has relaunched its Star Tours website to reflect the new Star Tours 2 attraction.
The new page features a slider animation with C-3PO as he tours some of the destinations that Star Tours 2 will visit, such as Tatooine, Naboo, Kashyyk and more. The site also lists the height requirement of 40", which is the same as the oriignal Star Tours attraction.
Aside from the new animation, the information on the site is the same as we've seen in other announcements.
WDW News Today has a great breakdown of all the artwork included in the new attraction page.
May 1, 2011 Star Tours 2 Photo Update
Star Tours 2 wall area
Star Tours 2 entance
Construction progress behind the walls
Pathways look like they've been added
Exterior has been repainted
Photo of new Star Tours 2 Disneyland FASTPASS machine
Check out this photo of the new FASTPASS machines for Star Tours 2 in Disneyland. Looks very cool!
Photos from behind Star Tours 2 construction wall
We were able to acquire photos of the progress going on behind the construction wall at Star Tours 2 in Disney's Hollywood Studios
New Star Tours 2 mural in Disneyland
A new mural is up at the exterior to Star Tours 2 in Disneyland. It's basically the same mural but with the Starspeeder 1000 instead of the Starspeeder 3000.
George Lucas to Attend Star Tours 2 Opening
We know that this has been rumored quite a bit on the internet, so we decided to do some of our own digging.
One of our reliable inside sources confirms the rumors of George Lucas' intent to attend the first Star Wars Weekend, including the opening of Star Tours 2. Disney has not yet commented.
UPDATE:: We've received word that Hayden Christiansen will also be attending the Star Tours 2 opening.
Hollywood Studios could open as early as 6am
We're hearing a rumor from a very credible source that while Hollywood Studios is currently slated to open at 8am between May 20 and 22, the park may be opening a lot earlier than that.
The published park opening time is 8:00am but Hollywood Studios could open the turnstiles to day guests as early as 6:00am. Presumably the incredibly esarly park opening time would be to compensate for the large crowds expected for the opening of Star Tours 2 and the onset of Star Wars Weekends. Keep in mind the park will close on those days at midnight, leading to an 18 hour day of operation if this rumor is true.
Do you think it's a good idea for Hollywood Studios to open at 6am on those days?
New Her Universe Apparel to Debut at Disney's Star Wars Weekends
For the first time during Star Wars Weekends, the Star Wars clothing line for women will be sold at the annual event. Here's a press release detailing the news.
Returning to Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. as Celebrity Host of "The Clone Wars: Behind the Force," actress Ashley Eckstein (voice of Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars: The Clone Wars) will also be bringing an all-new, unique range of Star Wars fangirl-focused products to the month-long event at Walt Disney World Resort. Available for the duration of Star Wars Weekends 2011, Eckstein's line of Her Universe apparel and accessories was created as a response to the ever-increasing demand for fashionable "geek chic" products among the growing community of female fans.
In addition to a product line that already includes female-focused shirts and undergarments, Her Universe will be premiering two new shirt designs at this year's Star Wars Weekends event. Featuring images of Jedi Master Yoda and other famous characters from the beloved Star Wars Saga, both designs will be offered in female sizes with female fits - and, for the first time ever, two popular Her Universe designs will also be available in children's sizes. The new designs will be available exclusively for a limited time at Disney's Hollywood Studios during Star Wars Weekends 2011.
"As the voice of Ahsoka Tano, it warms my heart to see an increase in young girls who are now Star Wars fans because of The Clone Wars," says Eckstein. "However, it bothered me when those little girls had to go to the boys section to buy their Star Wars shirts. Now little girls can buy shirts that are specially made just for them!"
In addition to regular autograph signings each weekend, Eckstein will also be available for special merchandise autograph signings each day inside the theme park where her exclusive Her Universe apparel will be sold.
"Disney's Hollywood Studios has played a huge part in my life," says Eckstein. "Growing up in Orlando, my dad worked for Walt Disney World and I was at the theme park the first week it opened in 1989. It was a dream of mine to follow in my father's footsteps and work for Disney. On my 16th birthday, I applied for a job at the ‘happiest place on Earth' and was assigned to Disney's Hollywood Studios where I would spend my weekends dancing in the parades and working in the restaurants! Now, to return to Disney's Hollywood Studios for Star Wars Weekends as a host and a designer is magical!"
Mickey Monitor previews Star Tours 2
The Mickey Monitor (quarterly Annual Passholder newsletter) released its summer 2011 edition and previewed the new Star Tours 2 attraction.
Where will the Force take you?
Star Tours is back with new adventures!
The all-new adventures of Star Tours® are set to begin on May 20, 2011, taking you even further into the Star Wars™ universe! You’ll have the chance to see some of your favorite characters, C-3PO and Darth Vader included! Along with the familiar characters, you’ll also get to travel to some awesome, new destinations! Here’s how Walt Disney Imagineers (with a little help from the Force) made it all possible.
New effects=New possibilities
In order to re-imagine Star Tours, Imagineers first had to make a decision: What planets should Guests be able to visit? Tom Fitzgerald, Executive Vice President and Senior Creative Executive of Imagineering, said that “When George was working on Episode I, we went to him and we developed an entire storyboard for the show around the podrace. At the end we stepped back and said that if we’re trying to create the ultimate Star Wars adventure, then why do we have to use just one?” This opened up a whole new galaxy to Guests. Added Tom,
“Every time you come back, something new will be there for you to discover.” Imagine the possibilities. You can glide among the trees with Wookiees on Kashyyyk. Kick up some sand across the desert in a podrace on Tatooine. Submerge into the lake waters of Naboo. Weave through the busy city planet of Coruscant. Blast through the blizzards of Hoth. Or, you might even go inside the Death Star!
Droids. A princess. And who’s that guy in black?
Along with the all-new adventures that you can experience, now you’ll never know which of your favorite characters you’ll see! For instance, C-3PO and R2-D2 will be there to help get you through the galaxy in one piece. At least we hope so. And along with the duo of R2-D2 and C-3PO, you might also get the chance to see Princess Leia and everyone’s favorite baddy with a heavy breathing problem, Darth Vader!
Don’t miss your chance to visit some of your favorite planets in that galaxy far, far away! Star Tours® —The Adventures Continue opens during Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® !Flights will be depart
