Monday marks 30 years since the Star Tours attraction opened at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, a ride that quickly became a fan favorite and a staple of the theme park as much as rides like Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain. Conceived of by George Lucas and Walt Disney Imagineering as a way for fans to immerse themselves in the Star Wars universe, when the attraction first opened on January 9, 1987, the park stayed open for some 60 hours so guests could ride the attraction over and over.
At the time, I was a 12-year-old kid who lived and breathed the original trilogy, and who remembers the very long lines for the attraction that first month it was open. But it was well worth the wait to take the flight to Endor, the flight that never made it to its intended destination and instead got caught up in a deadly battle with the Death Star. In 1987, it seemed very unlikely we were ever getting another Star Wars film, and this seemed like the perfect alternative. Plus it had Pee-wee Herman as the voice of the droid pilot, Captain Rex. What more could you ask for??
Since then, Star Tours has undergone a major overhaul, when in 2011 Lucasfilm added several new 3D destinations for the ride, including Tatooine, Naboo, Hoth, and more. When The Force Awakens debuted, a new destination for the world of Jakku was added as well. Now, with a new film on the horizon, the Disney Parks Blog has announced that “an exciting new mission based on elements from Star Wars Episode VIII currently in production” is on its way.
Of course, it’s impossible right now to guess which new world will be included, as we have no idea what planets will be introduced in the new movie, aside from the world of Ahch-to, where Luke Skywalker resides and Rey goes to meet him at the end of The Force Awakens. Could we be having a new adventure on Luke’s island retreat? Right now anything is possible, but with this news, along with the new Star Wars-themed land coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World, there is sure to be tons more Force-related fun coming for fans in the years to come.
What kind of new destination would you like to see for Star Tours? Let us know down below in the comments!
Image: Walt Disney Company
