Saturday, September 12, 2009

Star Tours: Episode Two...


What you've all been wondering about for a couple years has now become official...

Now, I was privy to some of this, but not all of this a couple weeks ago. I knew that there was going to be a Star Wars/Star Tours announcement and all. I didn't know all the details and my Bothans asked me to not say anything since being employed has an added importance in this economy right now. It doesn't mean I didn't give you guys a hint. There was a reason why I put that picture up of a Stormtrooper/Clonetrooper when talking about the D23 Expo. I expect you guys to be smart and tag along, no room for stragglers here. I was hoping some of you would take the hint as to why is there such a Star Wars presence on the day Imagineering takes the spotlight. Then I posted the "Saturday Matinee" article which should have clearly got your attention. I just couldn't come right out and tell you anything at that time. Now, I can...

Jay Rasulo gave his big speech today and talked about a lot of expansion news. Strangely, there were advertisements of news about Paris and Tokyo that weren't mentioned in the keynote. But Jay did mention that Star Tours is getting a makeover. Sort of a "Pimp my Landspeeder" kind of thing, actually. The attraction will close in October 2010 to reopen in the later part of 2011. More details were expected than what the Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts mentioned, but I take it they're wanting to save some of those details for later. Perhaps a D23 Expo in 2010?

I'll be back at the end of the weekend with a recap of the other news from Saturday and Sunday, but I've got to get some sleep so I can get up early for a keynote tomorrow...

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Star Tours has always sucked. There is nothing they can do to make it worth while. I'm surprised Luca$ hasn't made his own Six Flags Over Endor park by now.

Anonymous said...

The opinion of anyone who puts a $ in Lucas' name is null and void.

Lemme guess, Lucas 'raped' your childhood? Grow up.

Tom said...

I still like Star Tours as it is, I think revamping the thing now is way too late... The 2nd trilogy is "old"...

There are other attractions which need a makeover and ST is not one of them. I think the charm of the attraction is very nice and being it one of the only simulators which are realistic, it doesn't need an expensive makeover...

Oh well, Paris will not get it anyway I guess ;)

Anonymous said...

Hahaha.

Is there going to be the 'multiple beginings, middles and ends' that has been rumored. Do you know?

Mitchell Turner said...

What happened with Paris and Tokyo?

Anonymous said...

^^ Disney don't care about none US parks. They have to fend for themselves.

Anonymous said...

Honor Hunter, considering how wonderful a job Rasulo did at the Expo yesterday, this is a good time for you to stop being a Rasulo-hater.

Anonymous said...

Rasulo is like God to me

Rasulo said...

Anonymous is like god to me

Cullen said...

Boy, Honor, are you starting to wonder why you still have anonymous commenting enabled? I sure am...

Anonymous said...

If you have to explain why you posted "star wars" messages earlier, and defend yourself when someone else breaks the ST news, your hint didn't work.

For example, if a comedian has to explain his joke, it didn't work.

Honor Hunter said...

Actually, I thought Rasulo was by the numbers, forced and a little nervous...

So no, my criticism of him will continue.

Deservedly so...

jedited said...

I am not a Rasulo defender, but I was impressed with his presentation. Compared to all the other division presidents (except John), I thought he was the least "stiff" (although the President of the Disney stores seemed like a fun guy).

2.0 and beyond said...

Anonymous said...
"Honor Hunter, considering how wonderful a job Rasulo did at the Expo yesterday, this is a good time for you to stop being a Rasulo-hater."


The ONLY thing Rasulo did was speak words. His role at Parks and Resorts is still less than beneficial for the creative processes within Disney.

The only thing one could praise him for would be for NOT canceling the Star Tours 2.0 announcement to teach those "internet rebels" a lesson for announcing that he would be making the announcement.

Anonymous said...

i sex rasulo

Anonymous said...

After 9 years, the best thing they can come up with is a attraction based on a scene from the dumbest prequel ever filmed?

The fact they are "re-using" the old simulators really disturbs me. Are they on budget again?

Mike Luzzi said...

Awesome! Very excited! This ide desperately needs an update! Look forward to it!

Anonymous said...

So no, my criticism of him will continue.

No. It DOES need to stop! It will kill your credibility as a writer and possibly end up burning bridges between you and the company.

You'd be wise to be nicer to Rasulo. He's better than Paul Pressler or Cynthia Harris anyway!